NESC 3180 Lecture Notes - Circumventricular Organs, Vagus Nerve, Neuroinflammation
23 Nov 2012
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Problem with bbb was that it means it prevents almost all the signals the immune system sends from getting into the brain, in particular cytokines. And there"s no lymph nodes in the brain, so it was initially believed there was no way for the immune system to talk to the nervous system. But there are 4 basic routes: afferent nerves sensitive to immune factors (vagus nerve) Respond with increased neural activity: circumventricular organs (name for brain areas clustered beside the ventricles) Have very thin or non-existent bbb in this area. Meaning things in the blood have easier time reaching these organs. These organs have receptors for both pathogens (tlrs) and for cytokines. If sensed, these cells can release cytokines into the rest of the brain. Are like blood taste sensors for the brain: bbb, transporters for cytokines. Il-1 receptors on endothelial cells of brain venules (cells of blood-brain barrier)
