Chemokines and chemokine receptors in the nervous system Rome, 27/28 October, 2007

Pro-cognitive properties of T cells

Interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system have been studied primarily in the context of pathology, popularizing the view that interplay between these two systems is inherently detrimental. However, recent experimental data have demonstrated productive neuroimmune interactions that occur under normal physiological conditions. In this Essay, we outline our current understanding of contemporary neuroimmunology, describe a working model of T cell function in support of learning and memory, and offer ideas regarding the selective advantages of immune-mediated effects on brain function.

Chemokines and chemokine receptors: standing at the crossroads of immunobiology and neurobiology

There are several molecular entities common to the immune and nervous systems. Salient among them are the chemokines and their receptors, which play remarkably varied and potent roles in immunobiology and neurobiology. This review limns several illustrative examples and presents general principles of chemokine action that are manifest in both systems. These include the following: (1) chemokines tend equally to arrest cells and to make them move, in the process of positioning target cells with spatiotemporal precision; (2) signaling and nonsignaling receptors collaborate to adjust the chemokine environment for maximal efficacy; and (3) expression of a single chemokine receptor on circulating blood cells and parenchymal cells is often used to coordinate complex tissue responses. The challenge is to integrate knowledge of the roles of key receptors (as well as their ligands) into a coherent account of events during pathologic processes, in order to guide therapeutic development.