The many faces of VIP in neuroimmunology: a cytokine rather a neuropeptide?

FASEB J. 2004 Sep;18(12):1325-34. doi: 10.1096/fj.03-1440hyp.

Abstract

Neuroimmunomodulation has experienced an explosive growth not only in basic research, but expanding to the point that prospective clinical research could be now a reality. A crucial factor for the functioning of this intimate bidirectional network was the demonstration that the immune and neuroendocrine systems speak a mutual biochemical language. This implies 1) production of neuroendocrine hormones and neuropeptides by immune cells and of cytokines by neuroendocrine cells; 2) evidence for shared receptors on cells of the immune and neuroendocrine systems; 3) effect of neuroendocrine mediators on immune functions; and 4) effect of cytokines on the neuroendocrine system. This reduces traditional differences between neurotransmitters, hormones, and immune mediators and raises the following question: what can we now regard as immune or neuroendocrine? Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is one example of this paradigm. VIP has traditionally been classified as a neuropeptide/neurotransmitter based in its capacity to mediate and regulate neuronal functions. Recent work has demonstrated that VIP is produced by T cells, especially Th2 cells, and that through specific receptors it exerts immunological functions typically ascribed to Th2 cytokines in nervous and immune systems. Here, we postulate that instead of a neuropeptide, VIP could be fully considered a type 2 cytokine with a key role in neuroimmunology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Animals
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurology
  • Neuropeptides / immunology
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / immunology*
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide