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Age-Related Alterations in Autonomic Nervous System Innervation of Lymphoid Tissue

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Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology

Abstract:

Complex bidirectional signaling occurs between the nervous and immune systems that impacts the functions of both systems. In response to stressors, the central nervous system has modulatory effects on the immune system through release of hormones, paracrine signals, and by direct contacts between nerves and immune cells. Conversely, in response to antigens and pathogens, immune system activation results in production of cytokines that induce altered neural activity. Progressive age-related decline in brain and immune functions in the elderly results in impaired cognition, reestablishment of homeostasis at age-adjusted set points, and immune senescence. This chapter reviews our understanding of how normal aging alters the cross talk between the autonomic nervous system and the immune system to alter immune functions with age. Changes in the relationship between noradrenergic (NA) nerves and immune cells with age have been demonstrated, including altered density and compartmentation of NA nerves in lymphoid organs, norepinephrine (NE) turnover, density and coupling of adrenergic receptors, and availability and functional capacity of target lymphoid cells. Strain-dependent changes in how NA nerves age in secondary lymphoid tissue have been reported. These changes alter nerve-to-immune signaling, and subsequently immune functions in old rodents. These findings suggest that impaired sympathetic regulation of immune function occurs in aged individuals, which may contribute to the increase in susceptibility to infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer in the elderly. Age-related changes in sympathetic nervous system (SNS) modulation of immune functions are likely to contribute to the reduced immunocompetence observed in clinical studies with elderly subjects. Understanding the age-related changes that occur in SNS modulation of immune functions could be useful for developing novel strategies for treating diseases, disease prevention, and improving overall health in the elderly.

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Abbreviations

αMNE:

α-methylnorepinephrine

Con A:

concanavalin A

CGRP:

calcitonin gene-related peptide

CRH:

corticotropin-releasing hormone

DN:

dual negative

DP:

dual positive

GM-CFU:

granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming units

IFN-γ:

interferon-γ

MAO-B:

monoamine oxidase B

MHC:

major histocompatibility complex

NA:

noradrenergic

NE:

norepinephrine

NGF:

nerve growth factor

NPY:

neuropeptide Y

PALS:

periarteriolar lymphatic sheath

SCID:

severe combined immunodeficiency

6-OHDA:

6-hydroxydopamine

SNS:

sympathetic nervous system

SP:

single positive

TH:

tyrosine hydroxylase

VIP:

vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

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Authors
  1. D. L. Bellinger
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  2. C. L. Lubahn
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  3. A. B. Millar
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  4. J. L. Carter
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  5. S. Vyas
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  6. S. D. Perez
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  7. D. Lorton
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neurochemistry, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, 10962, New York, Orangeburg, USA

    Abel Lajtha (Director) (Director)

  2. The Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry the National Academy of Sciences, 5/1 Sevag str., 375014, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

    Armen Galoyan

  3. Dept. Immunophysiology Medical Faculty, Inst. of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Deutschhausstrase 2, D–35037, Marburg, Germany

    Hugo O. Besedovsky

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Bellinger, D.L. et al. (2008). Age-Related Alterations in Autonomic Nervous System Innervation of Lymphoid Tissue. In: Lajtha, A., Galoyan, A., Besedovsky, H.O. (eds) Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30398-7_4

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