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Figure 1.

A schematic overview of the factors involved in neuroimmune crosstalk is illustrated. Antibodies are at the top of the pyramid that represents neuroimmune activation and regulation. Cytokines, brain peptides, hormones, and the other inflammation mediators have a pivotal role in regulating integrated processes between environment (antigens), nervous tissues, and immune cells that ultimately lead to antibody production. In our immunergic neurotransmission hypothesis, antibodies could be in turn the effectors that close in a certain manner the neuroimmune circuit.

Abbreviations: APC: antigen presenting cells, IFNs: interferons, ILs: interleukins, NT: neurotransmission, TLR: Toll-like receptors.