Abstract
The complex interactions between sleep and immune function have been an area of significant interest. Studies have clearly demonstrated that sleep deprivation imposes major adverse effects on host defense mechanisms and on the magnitude and characteristics of the inflammatory response. Consequently, disorders of sleep per se or conversely those disorders affecting sleep homeostasis are increasingly being found to impact on immune function. Here we provide an overview of sleep and the immune system and discuss the current theories regarding sleep disruption and its impact on the immune system. As an example of such potential interactions, we then examine one of the most common pediatric sleep disorders, namely, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and illustrate its intricate interactions with the immune system.
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LKG and DG are supported by National Institutes of Health grant HL130984. DG is also supported by the Herbert T. Abelson Chair in Pediatrics.
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Tan, HL., Kheirandish-Gozal, L., Gozal, D. (2019). Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Immune Function. In: Fishbein, A., Sheldon, S. (eds) Allergy and Sleep. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14738-9_1
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