Neurons as cytokine sensors in the central nervous system
The nervous and immune system form a network characterised by interactions between immune cell-derived soluble mediators and neurons. Cytokines are emerging as potent regulators of neuronal responses in neurophysiology, central nervous system (CNS) infection, and chronic neuroinflammation.
When exposed to threats, CNS neurons must secure their survival due to their postmitotic capacity, and directly sense immune cues to actively shape their microenvironment.
Beyond the regulation of local inflammation, neurons can modulate whole-body functions such as peripheral inflammation, cognition, behaviour, and anxiety in response to cytokines.
As modern genetic tools emerge, perturbing receptor expression specifically in neurons allows us to unravel the impact of cytokines on neurons and how an evolutionary advantageous adaptation can turn into maladaptation if cytokine exposure persists.
https://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/fulltext/S1471-4906(26)00191-2
