New research on a cytokine called IL-17 has shed light on the fascinating connection between our immune system and behavior, revealing how molecules that fight infection can induce anxiety or promote sociable behavior.
Molecules that fight infection also act on the brain, inducing anxiety or sociability.
IL-17 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by T helper 17 (Th17) cells.
It plays a crucial role in immune response, particularly in fighting off fungal and bacterial infections.
IL-17 promotes inflammation by inducing the production of other cytokines, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases.
Research has shown that 'it' is involved in various autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
It also has a role in cancer development and progression.
The immune system plays a crucial role in protecting us against infections, but did you know that it can also influence our behavior? New research on a cytokine called ‘IL-17’ has shed light on this fascinating connection.
The Immune System and Brain Interactions
Immune molecules like ‘IL-17’ are produced by the body’s immune cells to fight off pathogens. However, these molecules don’t just stop at fighting infection; they can also affect our brain function. Recent studies have found that IL-17 acts on two distinct brain regions: the amygdala and the somatosensory cortex.
Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the immune system.
Research has shown that IL-17 can affect the amygdala, a region of the brain involved in emotion processing, and the somatosensory cortex, responsible for sensory perception.
Studies have demonstrated that IL-17 can increase anxiety-like behavior and alter pain perception by modulating neural activity in these regions.
Specifically, IL-17 has been shown to enhance excitatory neurotransmission in the amygdala and decrease inhibitory neurotransmission in the somatosensory cortex.
In the amygdala, a region responsible for processing emotions like fear and ‘anxiety‘, IL-17 can induce feelings of ‘anxiety’. On the other hand, in the somatosensory cortex, which is involved in social behavior, IL-17 promotes sociable behavior.
The Role of IL-17
IL-17 comes in six different forms, each with five different receptors that bind to it. Researchers have mapped which receptors are expressed in different parts of the brain and found that a pair of receptors known as IL-17RA and IL-17RB is found in the cortex, including in the S1DZ region.
When a type of IL-17 called ‘IL-17E’ binds to these receptors, it reduces the excitability of neurons, leading to behavioral effects. This molecule acts almost exactly like a neuromodulator, regulating the activity of neurons.
Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine that has been found to have neuromodulatory effects.
Research suggests that IL-17 plays a role in regulating neural activity and synaptic plasticity.
Studies have shown that 'IL-17 can modulate the release of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, which are essential for neuronal communication.'
Additionally, IL-17 has been implicated in neuroinflammatory responses, where it can exacerbate or reduce inflammation depending on the context.
Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which 'IL-17 acts as a neuromodulator.'
The Connection Between Immune System and Brain Function
The researchers found that the immune system uses cytokines, secreted factors, as communication tools to go to the brain. In this case, IL-17 is used to regulate excitability in the brain, influencing behavior.
One of the ways the immune system works is to control host behavior, protecting the host and also protecting the community it belongs to. This is why IL-17 may have originally evolved as a neuromodulator before being appropriated by the immune system to play a role in promoting inflammation.
Distinctive Behaviors
Together, the two studies suggest that the immune system can exert a variety of effects on the brain, leading to different behaviors. One behavior is positive and enhances social behavior, while another is negative and induces ‘anxiogenic phenotypes’.
The researchers hope that this new understanding of neuro-immune interactions will help develop new treatments for neurological conditions such as autism or depression. By influencing the immune system, researchers may be able to influence brain function, providing a novel approach to therapeutics.
Conclusion
The connection between the immune system and brain function is complex and fascinating. Recent research on IL-17 has shown that this cytokine can induce ‘anxiety‘ in one part of the brain but promote sociable behavior in another. This highlights the intricate relationships between our immune system, brain, and behavior, and may lead to new treatments for neurological conditions.
