Neural immunoregulation: emerging roles for nerves in immune homeostasis and disease

In this review, James Downing and Jaleel Miyan outline emerging evidence fo r neural mechanisms that contribute to specific categories of host defence. Involvement of direct innervation in the adaptive control of immunological responses complements an established view of neuroendocrine-immune modulat ion. The challenge remains to understand the integrative and homeostatic fu nctions of 'hardwiring' of peripheral immune effector sites, its bearing on disorder and potential for therapeutic modification.