HTB

Bridging the neurology-immunology barrier

Richard Jefferys, TAG

The Cell Press journals Neuron and Immunity have collaborated to produce a timely free-access special issue focusing on the interrelatedness of neural and immune systems. [1]

The editors of Neuron write: “The brain was once thought to be a largely ‘immune-privileged’ system. Traditionally, research has reflected this segregation, with neuroscientists focusing on the nervous system and immunologists focusing on the immune system. Yet as science in both realms has moved forward, it has become clear that the nervous and immune systems interact on many levels, in both disease states and under healthy conditions. It is also clear that molecules traditionally viewed as neural- or immune-specific play important and often distinct roles in the other system.

Experimental evidence of interactions between the neural and immune systems continues to accumulate, and the two research communities are beginning to communicate more as well. In this same spirit, Neuron and Immunity have coordinated to bring together a compilation of articles on selected topics related to the interface between the nervous and immune systems.”

The issue includes articles addressing “Immune Activation in Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration” and “Neuroimmune Crosstalk in HIV Infection.” [2, 3]

Source: TAG Basic Science Weblog: Bridging the neurology-immunology barrier. (18 Dec 2009).

References

  1. Neuron. 15 October, 2009 Volume 64, Issue 1 pp. 1-146.
    http://www.cell.com/neuron/issue?pii=S0896-6273%2809%29X0020-6
  2. Lucin KM et al. Immune Activation in Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration: Too Much or Too Little? p110.
    http://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(09)00677-1
  3. Stephanie D et al. A Coat of Many Colors: Neuroimmune Crosstalk in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection p133.
    http://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(09)00753-3

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