Passage of immunomodulators across the blood-brain barrier

• Published in: The Yale journal of biology & medicine Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 121 - 131
• Main Author: Stitt, J T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine 01.03.1990
• Subjects: Acute-Phase Reaction - etiology; Animals; Biological Factors - physiology; Blood-Brain Barrier; Cerebral Ventricles - physiology; Cytokines; Fever - etiology; Prostaglandins E - physiology; Rats
• ISSN: 0044-0086; 1551-4056

The question is considered of how and where cytokines, such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), that are released into the circulation during the host defense response, reach and interact with the central nervous system to produce fever or act as neuroimmunomodulators. Evidence is presented suggesting a role for a brain circumventricular organ (CVO) in this respect. Several interactions between a specific CVO, the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT) and endogenous pyrogen (EP) in the production of fever are reviewed. A more general hypothesis is developed on a role for the brain CVOs in monitoring the blood concentrations of several proteins and complex polypeptides such as the circulating endocrines that are regulated via the autonomic nervous system. A proposed connection between the release of prostaglandin E (PGE) at the blood-brain interface in response to infection and the ability of the brain to maintain an immunoprivileged status in the face of exposure of its CVOs to foreign antigens is discussed.