Intersections Between Neuroimmune and Microbiota.

Multidiscipline-based research holds promise toward revealing complex mechanisms that determine health and disease. For decades, scientists have conducted studies defining the relationships between neuroendocrine and immune function culminating into the discipline of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). In addition, the discipline of microbial endocrinology has similarly enhanced our understanding of disease processes. With an increase in genetic-based sequencing technologies, the convergence of neuroendocrine-immunological-microbial research is expected to significantly further such knowledge needed for medical discoveries. In this chapter, we provide a review of the current findings that support the conceptual framework linking microbiota, immunity, and neuroendocrine disciplines.

CRH Affects the Phenotypic Expression of Sepsis-Associated Virulence Factors by Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 1 In vitro.

Sepsis is a life-threatening health condition caused by infectious pathogens of the respiratory tract, and accounts for 28-50% of annual deaths in the US alone. Current treatment regimen advocates the use of corticosteroids as adjunct treatment with antibiotics, for their broad inhibitory effect on the activity and production of pro-inflammatory mediators. However, despite their use, corticosteroids have not proven to be able to reverse the death incidence among septic patients. We have previously demonstrated the potential for neuroendocrine factors to directly influence Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence, which may in turn mediate disease outcome leading to sepsis and septic shock. The current study investigated the role of Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in mediating key markers of pneumococcal virulence as important phenotypic determinants of sepsis and septic shock risks. In vitro cultures of serotype 1 pneumococcal strain with CRH promoted growth rate, increased capsule thickness and penicillin resistance, as well as induced pneumolysin gene expression. These results thus provide significant insights of CRH-pathogen interactions useful in understanding the underlying mechanisms of neuroendocrine factor's role in the onset of community acquired pneumonias (CAP), sepsis and septic shock.