The Neuro-Immune Synapse

Grant number: 1186384 | Funding period: 2020 - 2022

Completed

Abstract

Not surprisingly, the two most complex ‘supersystems’ of the body – nervous and immune - ‘talk’ to each other. This project deals with how nerves ‘talk’ to immune cells via what we term the ‘neuro-immune synapse’. Nobody has seen this in action, but we propose to do so. We will image the process in live anaesthetised mice with fluorescent nerves and immune cells engineered to give an optical signal when activated. We then plan to identify the neurons that drive this pathway.

Related publications (6)

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Comparing two anti-inflammatory reflexes: Splanchnic and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal

M McKinley, ST Yao, D Martelli, R McAllen

2025-11-01

Both the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis respond to systemic immune challenge by initiating a..

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Protocol for the isolation of the mouse sympathetic splanchnic-celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex

P Trevizan-Baú, MT Ringuet, MJ Stebbing, RM McAllen, JB Furness, SN Mueller

2024-06-21

Neurons that originate from pre-vertebral sympathetic ganglia, the splanchnic-celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex (SCSMG) ..

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Acute Inhibition of Inflammation Mediated by Sympathetic Nerves: The Inflammatory Reflex

A Occhinegro, RM McAllen, MJ McKinley, D Martelli

2023-06-09

In this review, we will try to convince the readers that the immune system is controlled by an endogenous neural reflex, termed in..

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Divergent splanchnic sympathetic efferent nerve pathways regulate interleukin-10 and tumour necrosis factor-α responses to endotoxaemia

MJ McKinley, D Martelli, P Trevizan-Baú, RM McAllen

2022-10-01

Abstract: The efferent branches of the splanchnic sympathetic nerves that enhance interleukin-10 (IL-10) and suppress tumour necro..

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Reflex regulation of systemic inflammation by the autonomic nervous system

RM McAllen, MJ McKinley, D Martelli

2022-01-01

This short review focusses on the inflammatory reflex, which acts in negative feedback manner to moderate the inflammatory consequ..

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The autonomic inflammatory reflex

RM McAllen, MJ McKinley, D Martelli

2022-01-01

Immune challenges are detected by the CNS, which then activates a sympathetic nerve pathway whose function is to dampen down the s..

University of Melbourne Researchers