Catecholamines and acetylcholine are key regulators of the interaction between microbes and the immune system

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1351; no. 1; pp. 39 - 51
• Main Authors: Islas Weinstein, Leon, Revuelta, Alberto, Pando, Rogelio Hernandez
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: acetylcholine; Acetylcholine - metabolism; adrenergic; Animals; Autonomic Nervous System - immunology; Autonomic Nervous System - microbiology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - microbiology; Bacteria - immunology; Catecholamine; catecholamines; Catecholamines - metabolism; Cell Differentiation - immunology; Cell Proliferation; Choline O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism; cholinergic; Cholinergic Neurons - immunology; Cholinergics; Cytokines; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Differentiation; dopamine; Host-Pathogen Interactions - immunology; Humans; Immune system; Immune systems; Macrophages - immunology; Microorganisms; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; Neurotransmitters; norepinephrine; Regulators; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; norepinephrine; adrenergic; catecholamines; acetylcholine; dopamine; cholinergic
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12792

Recent studies suggest that catecholamines (CAs) and acetylcholine (ACh) play essential roles in the crosstalk between microbes and the immune system. Host cholinergic afferent fibers sense pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and trigger efferent cholinergic and catecholaminergic pathways that alter immune cell proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production. On the other hand, microbes have the ability to produce and degrade ACh and also regulate autogenous functions in response to CAs. Understanding the role played by these neurotransmitters in host–microbe interactions may provide valuable information for the development of novel therapies.