Neuroendocrine–immune regulatory network (NEI regulatory network)

The **neuroendocrine–immune regulatory network** is an integrated regulatory circuit encompassing the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, which communicates via neurotransmitters, hormones, and cytokines to maintain organismal homeostasis and regulate immune functions[3][4][5][7][1]. This network allows the nervous system to directly or indirectly modulate innate and adaptive immunity through routes such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system signaling (via neurotransmitters and neuropeptides), and the release of hormones (e.g., glucocorticoids, sex hormones, thyroid hormones)[1][3][5]. Conversely, immune mediators can feed back on nervous and endocrine systems during infection or inflammation (e.g., cytokines like IL-1 and TNF-α increase neuroendocrine hormone production)[3][7]. Dysregulation of this integrative network has been implicated in diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancer, autoimmune disease, and chronic inflammation[3][4][7]. While it is not a single molecular target, understanding its components and feedback loops is critical in fields such as psychoneuroimmunology and for the development of novel therapies that modulate neuro-immune interactions[7].

Other names

NEI networkNeuroendocrine–immune axisNeuro–immune–endocrine axis