The role of serotonin and its receptors in activation of immune responses and inflammation.
Acta Physiol (Oxf)
; 213(3): 561-74, 2015 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25439045
ABSTRACT
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter and hormone that contributes to the regulation of various physiological functions by its actions in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the respective organ systems. Peripheral 5-HT is predominantly produced by enterochromaffin (EC) cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These gut-resident cells produce much more 5-HT than all neuronal and other sources combined, establishing EC cells as the main source of this biogenic amine in the human body. Peripheral 5-HT is also a potent immune modulator and affects various immune cells through its receptors and via the recently identified process of serotonylation. Alterations in 5-HT signalling have been described in inflammatory conditions of the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease. The association between 5-HT and inflammation, however, is not limited to the gut, as changes in 5-HT levels have also been reported in patients with allergic airway inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. Based on searches for terms such as '5-HT', 'EC cell', 'immune cells' and 'inflammation' in pubmed.gov as well as by utilizing pertinent reviews, the current review aims to provide an update on the role of 5-HT in biological functions with a particular focus on immune activation and inflammation.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Signal Transduction
/
Serotonin
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Receptors, Serotonin
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Inflammation Mediators
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Inflammation
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Acta Physiol (Oxf)
Journal subject:
FISIOLOGIA
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Canadá