Evidence of conserved neuroendocrine interactions in the thymus: intrathymic expression of neuropeptides in mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates

The function of lymphoid organs and immune cells is often modulated by hormones, steroids and neuropeptides produced by the neuroendocrine and immune systems. The thymus intrinsically produces these factors and a comparative analysis of the expression of neuropeptides in the thymus of different species would highlight the evolutionary importance of neuroendocrine interaction in T cell development. In this review, we highlight the evidence which describes the intrathymic expression and function of various neuropeptides and their receptors, in particular somatostatin, substance P, vasointestinal polypeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide and neuropeptide Y, in mammals (human, rodent) and non-mammals (avian, amphibian and teleost), and conclude that neuropeptides play a conserved role in vertebrate thymocyte development.