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The vagal immune reflex: a blessing from above

Der vagale Immunreflex

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Zusammenfassung

Die angeborene Immunantwort wird bei Erkennen von Infektion oder Verletzung aktiviert. Eine kompakte Regulation dieser inflammatorischen Antwort ist vital, um die Kontrolle nicht zu verlieren und eine Gefahr für den Wirt darzustellen. Kürzlich wurde eine neurale Leitung identifiziert, die die inflammatorische Antwort in einer reflexhaften Art und Weise kontrolliert. Diese Leitung involviert den Vagusnerv, der imstande ist, eine Entzündung wahrzunehmen und durch Abgabe von Aetylcholin zu antworten, wodurch mittels Interaktion mit Immunzellen die Immunantwort gemildert wird. Das derzeitige Wissen bezüglich des "vagalen Immunreflexes" wird mit Betonung der Rolle in der Sepsis diskutiert.

Summary

The innate immune response is activated upon recognition of infection or injury. A tight regulation of this inflammatory response is vital to ensure that it does not spin out of control and becomes harmful to the host. Recently, a neural circuit has been identified that controls the inflammatory response in a reflex-like manner. This circuit involves the vagus nerve which is able to sense inflammation and to respond to it by releasing acetylcholine which, through an interaction with immune cells, dampens the inflammatory response. The current knowledge regarding this "vagal immune reflex" is discussed with an emphasis on its role in sepsis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Medical Center, Department of Intensive Care, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    David J. van Westerloo

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  1. David J. van Westerloo
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Correspondence to David J. van Westerloo.

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van Westerloo, D. The vagal immune reflex: a blessing from above. Wien Med Wochenschr 160, 112–117 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-010-0761-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-010-0761-x

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