Neuropeptide signals and specific neuropeptide receptors have been described in the thymus supporting the concept of a close dialogue between the neuroendocrine and the immune systems at the level of early T-cell differentiation. In this paper, we review recent data about neurohypophysial (NHP)-related peptides detected in the thymus from different species. We suggest that we are dealing in fact with other member(s) of the NHP hormone family, which seems to exert its activity locally through a novel model of cell-to-cell signaling, that of cryptocrine communication. This model involves exchange of signals between thymic epithelial cells and developing thymocytes. The NHP-related peptides have been shown to trigger thymocyte proliferation and could induce immune tolerance of this highly conserved neuroendocrine family.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2275856 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1992/98671 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Membrane translocation and relationship with MHC class I of a human thymic neurophysin-like protein.
Thymus
August 1993
Department of Endocrinology, University of Liège, Liège-Sart Tilman, Belgium.
Thymic epithelial and nurse cells (TEC/TNC) synthesize an oxytocin (OT)-like peptide in association with a neurophysin (NP)-related protein in a way similar to in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial (NHP) system. The central T-cell tolerance of the NHP neuroendocrine functions have been proposed to be mediated through these thymic NHP-related peptides due to their close homology with the NHP neurohormones OT and vasopressin (VP). In order to investigate their putative presentation by proteins of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), human thymic membranes were purified and passed through an immunoaffinity column using mAb B9.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[Central function of the thymus in the recognition of neuroendocrine functions by T lymphocytes during their development].
Arch Int Physiol Biochim Biophys
November 1993
Institut de Pathologie B23, Université de Liège, Belgium.
The dual physiological role of the thymus in T cell positive and negative selection appears prominent in the establishment of appropriate host immune defenses. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying those thymic functions begin only to be understood. On the basis of our previous investigations about the thymic expression of different neuroendocrine-related signals, we have advanced a model which transposes at the peptide level the intervention of this primary lymphoid organ in both T cell positive and negative selective processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunomodulatory properties of cyclic hexapeptide oxytocin antagonists.
Thymus
December 1992
Laboratory of Radio-Immunology, University of Liège-Sart Tilman, Belgium.
The thymic repertoire of neuroendocrine 'self' antigens has been previously described on the basis of the intrathymic expression of neurohypophysial (NHP)- and tachykinin-related peptide signals and receptors. According to that model, the cryptocrine signalling between thymic epithelial/nurse cells and thymocytes through NHP-related signals and receptors constitutes one accessory pathway in the process of T-cell differentiation and/or activation. A pharmacological manipulation of that novel type of cell-to-cell signalling was tested by the investigation of the immunomodulatory properties of novel cyclic hexapeptide oxytocin (OT) antagonists (MSD Research Laboratories).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe recognition of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial functions by developing T cells.
Dev Immunol
September 1992
Laboratory of Radioimmunology, University of Liège-Sart Tilman, Belgium.
Neuropeptide signals and specific neuropeptide receptors have been described in the thymus supporting the concept of a close dialogue between the neuroendocrine and the immune systems at the level of early T-cell differentiation. In this paper, we review recent data about neurohypophysial (NHP)-related peptides detected in the thymus from different species. We suggest that we are dealing in fact with other member(s) of the NHP hormone family, which seems to exert its activity locally through a novel model of cell-to-cell signaling, that of cryptocrine communication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!