The role of opioid receptors-allergic immune responses axis in stress-induced asthma

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Psychological stress has been well characterized as one of risk factors for asthma exacerbations. However, pathways linking the stress perceived in the central nervous system to asthma exacerbations still remain unclear. In this project, we analyzed mechanisms underlying stress-related asthma exacerbations using a murine model of stress-induced asthma exacerbations that we previously published. We demonstrated the involvement of μ-opioid receptors in the central nervous system and the increase of corticosterone levels in blood following the activation of the μ-opioid receptors in stress-related asthma exacerbations, and further skewing of antigen-specific immune responses to Th2 predominance associated with the failure of regulatory T cell development. These findings suggest the neuro-endocrino-immune axis as a possible pathway in stress-induced asthma exacerbations.