Findings published in Cell, reveal that, to ensure its
survival, the germ hijacks neurons and exploits the normal communication that
occurs between the nervous and immune systems during injury or infection.
The study also suggests two distinct approaches involving nerve modulation
to avert disease and treat these infections in mice. If replicated successfully
in larger animals and in humans, these treatments could be used to block the
germ's dangerous moves, prevent widespread infections and halt disease
progression.
When the body is injured, the nervous system springs into
action. Nerve
cells send two separate memos. One of them goes to the brain, telling it
that something is wrong, triggering the sensation of pain. The other goes to
the immune system, telling it to keep away. This "stay away" signal
plays an important protective role. In the setting of tissue injury or trauma,
an overactive immune system can inflict serious collateral damage on healthy
tissue when it deploys an army of disease-fighting cells. To prevent this sort
of immune mayhem, neurons
can send a chemical missive telling the immune system to keep its attack dogs
in check.
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