首页 | 本学科首页   官方微博 | 高级检索  
检索        


Neurotransmitters regulate the migration and cytotoxicity in natural killer cells
Authors:Lang Kerstin  Drell Theodore L  Niggemann Bernd  Zänker Kurt S  Entschladen Frank
Institution:

Institute of Immunology, Witten/Herdecke University, 58448, Witten, Germany

Abstract:Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), the functional coordination of which are governed by various signal substances, are crucial in the body’s defense of tumor and virus-infected cells. We investigated the role of various neurotransmitters and hormones on the regulation of functional parameters, including NK cell cytotoxicity, and the migration of NK cells and CTL within a three-dimensional collagen lattice. Using peripheral blood CTL and NK cells, we show that the neurotransmitters endorphin, histamine and substance P increase NK cell cytotoxicity, while norepinephrine inhibits cytotoxicity. Moreover, substance P reduces migratory activity, while norepinephrine increases NK cell and CTL migration. Furthermore, all three steroid hormones which were investigated, namely cortisone, testosterone, and estradiol, had regulatory influence on both cytotoxicity and migration of NK cells. These results further specify the functional basis of the complex interconnection between the immune and neuro-endocrine systems.
Keywords:Neurotransmitters  Natural killer cells  Cytotoxic T lymphocytes  Cell migration  Cytotoxicity  Activation  Interleukin-2
本文献已被 ScienceDirect PubMed 等数据库收录!
设为首页 | 免责声明 | 关于勤云 | 加入收藏

Copyright©北京勤云科技发展有限公司  京ICP备09084417号