The DOI matches its Crossref record; 105 of the 107 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 138 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.
Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway
Open accessAbstract
Cytokine production by the immune system contributes importantly to both health and disease.The nervous system, via an inflammatory reflex of the vagus nerve, can inhibit cytokine release and thereby prevent tissue injury and death.The efferent neural signaling pathway is termed the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway.Cholinergic agonists inhibit cytokine synthesis and protect against cytokine-mediated diseases.Stimulation of the vagus nerve prevents the damaging effects of cytokine release in experimental sepsis, endotoxemia, ischemia/reperfusion injury, hemorrhagic shock, arthritis, and other inflammatory syndromes.Herein is a review of this physiological, functional anatomical mechanism for neurological regulation of cytokine-dependent disease that begins to define an immunological homunculus.The germ is nothing; the terrain is everything. -Louis Pasteur (on his deathbed)Historical perspective of the cytokine theory of disease For more than 1,500 years, the predominant medical doctrine of disease causation was the humoral theory of disease.As posited by Galen (Claudius Galenus of Pergamum, 129-200 AD), this theory held that disease was caused by an imbalance in bodily humors.Produced by internal organs, the humors mediated healthful effects when their levels were properly regulated and balanced.This theory was not displaced until advances in microscopy and microbiology enabled Rudolf Virchow to formulate the theory of cellular pathology and Louis Pasteur the germ theory of disease.Research into the causes of illness turned outward as a growing body of investigation focused on exogenous rather than endogenous factors in disease causation.Pasteur's deathbed remark, however, belied the notion that germs could tell the whole story.It was a tacit acknowledgment to Claude Bernard, who advocated that health was due to equilibrium in the "milieu interieur" and maintained by "a continuous and delicate compensation, established as by the most sensitive of balances" (Lessons on the phenomena of life common to animals and vegetables).Common wisdom in the 1970s dictated that the immune response to pathogens or injury was uniformly for the good.Every facet of the immune response was believed to have a role (albeit some unknown) in eradicating invaders and neutralizing the potential for damage.Certainly, or so the reasoning went, the body would not use its own cells to make potentially toxic molecules in quantities large enough to injure tissues or even kill.The development of shock, tissue injury, circulatory collapse, hemorrhagic necrosis, multiple organ failure, and other physiological calamities associated with bacterial infection were attributed to the direct action of pathogenic toxins, not the host response.A few dared to challenge this view, notably Lewis Thomas, who wrote in his classic 1975 book The lives of a cell, "When we sense lipopolysaccharide, we are likely to turn on every defense at our disposal; we will bomb, defoliate, blockade, seal off, and destroy all the tissues in the area.All of this seems unnecessary, panicdriven . . .The self-disintegration of the whole animal that follows a systemic injection can be interpreted as a well-intentioned but lethal error.The mechanism is itself quite a good one, when used with precision and restraint (1)."Scientific advances would soon prove his statement to be unerringly prescient.Early investigators exploring physiological mechanisms of fever, weight loss, and acute phase responses to acute and chronic infection led the way in changing beliefs about disease pathogenesis.They gave evidence that proteins produced by macrophages and other immune cells, not pathogens, caused tissue damage and disease syndromes in experimental animals.Studies in the 1980s of these proteins, newly named cytokines (including, for example, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF), revealed that they possessed pleiotropic biological activities that were either beneficial or injurious.From this emerged the cytokine theory of disease, the concept that cytokines produced by the immune system can cause the signs, symptoms, and damaging aftereffects of disease (Figure 1) (reviewed in ref. 2).Consider as one example the case of TNF, a cytokine implicated as a necessary and sufficient mediator of lethal septic shock caused by infection with Gram-negative bacteria.TNF is produced during Gram-negative bacteria-induced acute septic shock (3).Administration of TNF to healthy mammals (including humans) reproduces the hemodynamic, metabolic, immunological, and pathological manifestations of the disease (4), and gene knockout or pharmacological blockade of TNF activity prevents the development of lethal septic shock (5).Other pathophysiological activities ascribed to TNF were the capacity to cause fever and localized inflammation (4, 6).Clinical successes in the 1990s using drugs that specifically inhibit TNF for patients with inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis directly implicated a pathogenic role of
Overview
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TL;DR
This review synthesizes evidence that the vagus nerve, via its principal neurotransmitter acetylcholine acting on the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), suppresses proinflammatory cytokine production through an "inflammatory reflex" termed the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway. The author argues this neural circuit restrains cytokine-mediated tissue damage across experimental sepsis, endotoxemia, ischemia/reperfusion, hemorrhagic shock, arthritis, ileus, and pancreatitis, and proposes an "immunological homunculus" framework for CNS regulation of immunity.
Key findings
- Vagus nerve stimulation significantly inhibits TNF release in animals receiving lethal endotoxin, and inhibits IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and HMGB1 as well; the effect is absent in α7 nAChR–knockout animals and in vagotomized animals, indicating α7 nAChR–dependent signaling.
- The spleen is identified as the principal source of systemic TNF during endotoxemia: splenectomy significantly reduces TNF levels in liver and blood, and vagus nerve stimulation then fails to reduce them further; common celiac branch vagotomy abrogates the TNF-suppressing effects of stimulation in spleen and serum.
- In cecal perforation sepsis, nicotine given 24 hours after onset of lethal peritonitis significantly reduced serum HMGB1, indicating the pathway can act after disease is established; in E. coli peritonitis, vagotomy increased inflammatory cell recruitment, cytokine levels, and liver damage, while nicotine restored balance.
- In hemorrhagic shock, vagus nerve stimulation conferred protection against hypotension, prolonged survival, and decreased TNF; protective effects were reversed by the nicotinic antagonist chlorisondamine, and bilateral vagotomy ablated ACTH1-24's protective effects.
- Signaling is proposed to proceed via decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB and JAK2-mediated phosphorylation/activation of STAT3 recruited to α7 nAChR.
Methods
- Narrative review article (Journal of Clinical Investigation), not primary research; it synthesizes the author's own laboratory work and the broader literature on the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway.
- Evidence base is predominantly preclinical animal models (rodent endotoxemia, cecal ligation/perforation sepsis, live E. coli peritonitis, hemorrhagic shock, aortic and splanchnic ischemia/reperfusion, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, carrageenan paw edema and air pouch inflammation, experimental pancreatitis, surgery-induced ileus) plus cited clinical observations.
- No new data, systematic search strategy, or meta-analysis is reported; the paper presents a mechanistic wiring diagram and a conceptual framework.
Limitations
- Stated: the paper notes that clinical studies show decreased vagus nerve activity is associated with increased disease severity but "have not established a causal relationship," and that it remains possible severe disease itself suppresses vagus nerve activity; the final answer "shall await clinical studies of vagus nerve modulation in humans."
- Stated: whether α7 nAChR downstream signaling in immunologically competent cells requires cofactors, ion channel activity, or other substrates is uncertain, and ongoing studies are needed.
- Stated: whether compensation, sensitization, desensitization, or tolerance occurs in the pathway is unknown (e.g., after truncal vagotomy), and the role of α7 AChR on lymphocytes and microglia in autoimmune disease is described as "an unexplored possibility."
- Evident from the text: the review is single-authored by a researcher whose laboratory generated much of the cited work, and the "immunological homunculus" is explicitly speculative ("I suspect," "it is plausible," "artistic rendition"), with no direct evidence presented for somatotopic CNS control of specific immune responses.
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Claims the paper makes
80 Not checked yet · 6 No basis given · 4 Own interpretation
In the paper
“From this emerged the cytokine theory of disease, the concept that cytokines produced by the immune system can cause the signs, symptoms, and damaging aftereffects of disease (Figure 1) (reviewed in ref. 2).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [2] Tracey, K.J. 2005.Fatal sequence: the killer within. Dana Press. Washington, DC, USA. 238 pp.
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“gene knockout or pharmacological blockade of TNF activity prevents the development of lethal septic shock (5).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [5] Pfeffer, 1993, Cell. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Administration of TNF to healthy mammals (including humans) reproduces the hemodynamic, metabolic, immunological, and pathological manifestations of the disease (4)”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [4] Tracey, 1986, Science. source
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In the paper
“TNF is produced during Gram-negative bacteria-induced acute septic shock (3).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [3] Tracey, 1987, Nature. source
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In the paper
“Nonetheless, together the present results indicate that α7 nAChR-dependent signals, which can be activated via vagus nerve stimulation, regulate cytokine production and the capacity for damage.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 1
What the sources say
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In the paper
“Stimulation of vagus nerve signals was shown to significantly inhibit TNF release in animals receiving lethal amounts of endotoxin (18).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > The cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [18] Borovikova, 2000, Nature. source
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In the paper
“Recent results showing that intracerebroventricular administration of muscarine receptor agonists significantly decreases serum TNF levels during endotoxemia indicate that muscarinic brain networks also regulate the cytokine-controlling function of the vagus nerve.(34).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 2
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [34] Pavlov, 2006, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. source
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Treatment of these mice with nicotine, a potent α7 nAChR agonist, significantly reduced serum levels of HMGB1, a cytokine mediator of lethality in this model (27).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Sepsis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [27] Wang, 2004, Nat. Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Intracerebral administration of muscarine agonists also stimulates an increase in vagus nerve signaling to the heart as measured by increasing instantaneous heart rate variability”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 2
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [34] Pavlov, 2006, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“This indicates that vagus nerve-derived cholinergic signals provide tonic or continuous neurological modulation of cytokine synthesis, functioning as a governor on an engine that limits the magnitude of the immune response.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 1
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [26] Wang, 2003, Nature. source
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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- It may state two separate claims as one. 31
- Probably not a substantial claim. 1
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Other pathophysiological activities ascribed to TNF were the capacity to cause fever and localized inflammation (4, 6).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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It may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Consider as one example the case of TNF, a cytokine implicated as a necessary and sufficient mediator of lethal septic shock caused by infection with Gram-negative bacteria.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Vagus nerve stimulation in WT mice inhibits TNF synthesis in spleen, liver, and blood but not in α7 nAChR subunit-knockout animals (28).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 2
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [28] Huston, 2006, J. Exp. Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“an accidental discovery revealed that intracerebral administration of a molecule that inhibited TNF production also increased efferent vagus nerve activity and inhibited inflammation outside the CNS (17).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > The cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [17] Bernik, 2002, J. Exp. Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“vagus nerve stimulation in α7 nAChR-knockout animals fails to suppress cytokine synthesis whereas it significantly inhibits cytokine release in wild-type littermates (26).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 1
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [26] Wang, 2003, Nature. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“When sufficient concentrations are achieved, proinflammatory cytokine levels are inhibited, the magnitude of the inflammatory response is dampened, and damage is prevented.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Antiinflammatory humoral mechanisms restrain cytokine production
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [10] Nathan, 2002, Nature. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“The spleen is the major source of both hepatic and systemic TNF during endotoxemia; it releases newly synthesized TNF into the splenic vein, which drains into the liver, and from there, TNF crosses into the systemic circulation (28).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 2
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [28] Huston, 2006, J. Exp. Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Subsequent work established that vagus nerve signaling inhibits cytokine activities and improves disease endpoints in experimental models of sepsis, ischemia/reperfusion, hemorrhagic shock, myocardial ischemia, ileus, experimental arthritis, and pancreatitis (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > The cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway
What the sources say
boosteddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“this cranial nerve, which meanders through the thorax and abdomen and has been termed the single most important nerve in the body, is a primitive extension of the CNS to the visceral organs, including organs of the reticuloendothelial system, such as the spleen and liver, that are major sources of damaging cytokines.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > The cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway
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In the paper
“Splenectomy significantly reduces TNF levels in liver and blood, and vagus nerve stimulation fails to reduce levels further (28).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 2
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [28] Huston, 2006, J. Exp. Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Ligand-receptor interaction on cytokine-expressing cells culminates in decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB as well as activation of the transcription factor STAT3 via phosphorylation by JAK2, which is recruited to the α7 nAChR (Figure 3) (22,27).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 1
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Clinical successes in the 1990s using drugs that specifically inhibit TNF for patients with inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis directly implicated a pathogenic role of this cytokine in other diseases (7-9) and validated in humans the fundamental premise of the cytokine theory of disease.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Abstract
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“IL-10-deficient mice have increased susceptibility to both inflammatory bowel disease and adjuvant arthritis”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Antiinflammatory humoral mechanisms restrain cytokine production
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“In a model of bacterial peritonitis based upon intraperitoneal injection of live Escherichia coli, vagotomy caused a significant increase in the number of inflammatory cells recruited to the peritoneum, higher cytokine levels, and more extensive tissue damage in the liver (35).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Sepsis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [35] van Westerloo, 2005, J. Infect. Dis. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Stimulation of the vagus nerve in mice with surgery-induced ileus significantly attenuated hypomotility and reduced cytokine production (22).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Experimental arthritis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [22] de Jonge, 2005, Nat. Immunol. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“In another model, vagus nerve stimulation conferred significant protection against the development of shock after splanchnic artery reperfusion injury and inhibited the production of TNF and other cytokines (20).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Ischemia/reperfusion.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [20] Altavilla, 2006, Shock. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Stimulation of the vagus nerve in animals subjected to carrageenan-induced paw swelling significantly attenuated the development of edema formation and inhibited the local production of cytokines in the zone of inflammation (23).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Experimental arthritis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [23] Borovikova, 2000, Auton. Neurosci. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Other studies indicate that cholinergic stimulation controls endothelial activation, leukocyte recruitment, coagulation, and fibrinolysis, which modulates the development of damage during sepsis (25,36).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Sepsis.
What the sources say
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Administration of GTS-21, an α7 nAChR receptor agonist, significantly decreased pancreati-tis severity and attenuated pulmonary inflammation (24).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Pancreatitis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [24] van Westerloo, 2006, Gastroenterology. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Stimulation of the vagus nerve during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rats significantly reduced the accumulation of free radicals and reduced the incidence of severe arrhythmias and lethality (19).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Ischemia/reperfusion.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [19] Mioni, 2005, Crit. Care Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“A high-fat diet also activates increased efferent vagus nerve activity, which decreases TNF levels and confers significant protection against hemorrhagic shock (41).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Hemorrhagic shock.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [41] Luyer, 2005, J. Exp. Med. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Vagus nerve stimulation conferred protection against leukocyte accumulation in the ileum and lung and reduced the severity of tissue damage; the protective effects were reversed by administration of nicotinic receptor antagonists (20).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Ischemia/reperfusion.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [20] Altavilla, 2006, Shock. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Sudden death, increased morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery in hostile or depressed patients, and increased death rates in patients with sepsis or organ failure are linked clinically to decreased vagus nerve activity (50)(51)(52)(53)(54).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Figure 4
What the sources say
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Intracerebral administration of CNI-1493, a tetravalent guanylhydrazone that stimulates muscarinic brain networks, increased vagus nerve activity and conferred significant protection against ischemia/ reperfusion-mediated damage (17,44).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Ischemia/reperfusion.
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The wiring diagram for the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway (Figure 2) maps the concept that the brain can anatomically and functionally coordinate cytokine responses through neural networks that are analogous to other complex and essential physiological systems.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > A wiring diagram as a template for the immunological homunculus
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In the paper
“Similar beneficial effects were achieved by administration of nicotine, which activated phosphorylation of STAT3 and its binding to and transactivation of its corresponding DNA-response elements.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Experimental arthritis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [22] de Jonge, 2005, Nat. Immunol. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Vagus nerve stimulation of rats during lethal hemorrhagic shock conferred significant protection against the development of hypotension, prolonged survival, and decreased TNF production (21).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Hemorrhagic shock.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [21] Guarini, 2003, Circulation. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Administration of nicotine to these animals restored the cytokine balance, reduced influx of inflammatory cells, and attenuated tissue damage in the liver (35).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Sepsis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [35] van Westerloo, 2005, J. Infect. Dis. source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“As the vagus nerve does not signal directly to either the paw or the subcutaneous tissues, it is likely that the reduction in inflammation observed following vagus nerve stimulation in these models is attributable to the downregulation of cytokine production by the reticuloendothelial system and redirection of leukocyte trafficking away from the periphery (28).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Experimental arthritis.
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [28] Huston, 2006, J. Exp. Med. source
hedgedconditional- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Exercise reduces levels of TNF and other cytokines, confers protection against cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, increases vagus nerve activity, and confers protection against the development of atherosclerosis (84)(85)(86)(87)(88)(89)(90).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Shedding light on ancient concepts and modern clinical problems
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
The paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Since weight loss and exercise are each associated with increasing vagus nerve activity, one can consider whether enhanced activity in the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway might decrease cytokine production and reduce the damage and metabolic derangements mediated by chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation that is characteristic of the metabolic syndrome.”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Shedding light on ancient concepts and modern clinical problems
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Behavioral modification, meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, and cognitive and relaxation therapies, which have been advocated for treatment of inflammation, can stimulate vagus nerve activity (69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Shedding light on ancient concepts and modern clinical problems
What the sources say
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
The paper relies on this without support.
Complex behavior originating in higher brain centers can directly influence outflow through the vagus nerve.
“Abundant evidence points to the concept that complex behavior originating in higher brain centers can directly influence outflow through the vagus nerve.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Deficiencies in the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway lead to exaggerated cytokine responses and worsened morbidity.
“The available evidence today may favor the former interpretation because deficiencies in the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway lead to exaggerated cytokine responses and worsened morbidity.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Nicotine inhibits cytokine production via an α7 nAChR-dependent mechanism.
“current understanding that nicotine inhibits cytokine production via an α7 nAChR-dependent mechanism makes it plausible to consider whether this pathway is activated in the subset of patients that derive benefit from nicotine.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Alzheimer disease and other brain degenerative disorders are characterized by cholinergic deficiency and decreased vagus nerve activity.
“Alzheimer disease and other brain degenerative disorders are characterized by cholinergic deficiency and decreased vagus nerve activity.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The CNS is organized somatotopically, such that specific neural networks regulate or coordinate particular actions in the periphery.
“The CNS is organized somatotopically, such that specific neural networks regulate or coordinate particular actions in the periphery.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“The vagus nerve was reported to have important anti-inflammatory activities in acute inflammation due to inhibition of TNF [107].”
From Interaction of the endocrine system with inflammation: a function of energy and volume regulation (2014) · cites this paper as [107]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > Shedding light on ancient concepts and modern clinical problems
“The NIH fact sheet on acupuncture notes that "preclinical studies have documented acupuncture's effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine" (64).”
§ Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway > References
“64. Biswas, A.K., Scott, W.A., Sommerauer, J.F., and Luckett, P.M. 2000. Heart rate variability after acute traumatic brain injury in children. Crit. Care Med. 28:3907-3912.”
Citations
Cites
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“Exercise reduces levels of TNF and other cytokines, confers protection against cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, increases vagus nerve activity, and confers protection against the development of atherosclerosis (84–90).”
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 601–700 of 996
Jakob, M. O., Kofoed-Branzk, M., Deshpande, D., Murugan, S., & Klose, C. S. N. (2021) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.679055 · Cited by 28
Herrlich, A. (2021) · FEBS Letters · doi:10.1002/1873-3468.14262 · Cited by 30
von Känel, R., Bellingrath, S., & Kudielka, B. M. (2009) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00788.x · Cited by 27
“We speculate that an underlying pathophysiologic mechanism could be reduced vagal function that has been observed in depressed subjects and also in relation to elevated fibrinogen and inflammation (Chuang, Chan, Su, Lee, & Tang, 2007; Tracey, 2007).”
BackgroundYang, J., Shi, S.-Q., Shi, L., et al. (2014) · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2014.04.026 · Cited by 27
Setoguchi, D., Nakamura, M., Yatsuki, H., Watanabe, E., Tateishi, Y., Kuwaki, T., & Oda, S. (2011) · International Immunopharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2011.08.022 · Cited by 26
High-frequency vagus nerve stimulation improves portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats
Bockx, I., Verdrengh, K., Elst, I. V., van Pelt, J. F., Nevens, F., Laleman, W., & Cassiman, D. M. (2011) · Gut · doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301396 · Cited by 26
“Our stimulation parameters are also in agreement with those used in the numerous papers describing the anti-inflammatory properties of the vagus nerve which are mediated via ACh release and nicotinic a7 receptors.(22) High-frequency stimulation, on the other hand, is required for efficient release of peptidergic neuro…”
ResultLiu, H. L., Garzoni, L., Herry, C. L., Durosier, L. D., Cao, M., Burns, P., Fecteau, G., Desrochers, A., Patey, N., SEELY, A. J. E., et al. (2016) · Pediatric Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1097/pcc.0000000000000643 · Cited by 27
“a Domains suggested for continuous individualized multiorgan variability analysis (CIMVA platform) (11).”
BackgroundDynamics of Vagal Activity Due to Surgery and Subsequent Rehabilitation
Grote, V., Levnajić, Z., Puff, H., Ohland, T., Goswami, N., Frühwirth, M., & Moser, M. (2019) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.01116 · Cited by 26
“…inflammatory reflex, mechanism responsible for resolving the inflammation once its purpose has been served Frontiers in Neuroscience | www.frontiersin.org 1 November 2019 | Volume 13 | Article 1116 (Tracey, 2002, 2007; Moser et al., 2008; Rosas-Ballina and Tracey, 2009; Leslie, 2014; Mayer, 2015).”
BackgroundModulation of preeclampsia by the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway: Therapeutic perspectives
Wedn, A. M., El‐Bassossy, H. M., Eid, A. H., & El‐Mas, M. M. (2021) · Biochemical Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114703 · Cited by 27
Molecular Basis of Neuroimmune Interaction in an In Vitro Coculture Approach
Nakanishi, M., & Furuno, T. (2008) · Cellular and Molecular Immunology · doi:10.1038/cmi.2008.31 · Cited by 27
Breivik, T. J., Gundersen, Y., Gjermo, P. E., von Hörsten, S., & Opstad, P. K. (2009) · Journal of Periodontal Research · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0765.2009.01223.x · Cited by 29
Brem, S. S. (2024) · Brain Behavior & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100859 · Cited by 32
Schneider, L., Jabrailova, B., Soliman, H., Hofer, S., Strobel, O., Hackert, T., Büchler, M. W., & Werner, J. (2013) · Pancreas · doi:10.1097/mpa.0b013e3182a85c21 · Cited by 28
Tick Salivary Cholinesterase: A Probable Immunomodulator of Host–parasite Interactions
Temeyer, K. B., & Tuckow, A. P. (2016) · Journal of Medical Entomology · doi:10.1093/jme/tjv252 · Cited by 26
“The anti-inflammatory nature of systemic release of acetylcholine resulting from vagal nerve stimulation has long been known; however, the extent and nature of cholinergic involvement in immune regulation has only recently become apparent (Tracey 2007, Nizri and Brenner 2013).”
BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension: the case for a bioelectronic treatment
Ntiloudi, D., Qanud, K., Tomaio, J. N., Giannakoulas, G. A., Al‐Abed, Y., & Zanos, S. P. (2019) · Bioelectronic Medicine · doi:10.1186/s42234-019-0036-9 · Cited by 23
“…et al. 2000), hemorrhagic shock (Guarini et al. 2004), sepsis (Huston et al. 2006), arthritis (Levine et al. 2014) and other autoimmune diseases (Tracey 2007), heart failure (Y. Zhang et al. 2009) etc. Suppression of the inflammatory reflex using VNS is explored as a therapeutic modality in…”
MethodRelation between Heart Rate Variability and Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis
Reynders, T., Gidron, Y., Ville, J. D., Bjerke, M., Weets, I., Remoortel, A. V., Devolder, L., D’haeseleer, M., Keyser, J. D., Nagels, G., et al. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm9010003 · Cited by 26
“The relation between ANS dysfunction and disease activity/severity in MS remains controversial [10].”
BackgroundGong, M., Wang, G., Li, G., Liu, J., Sun, P., Xu, L., Li, J., Guo, Y., & Zhang, M. (2020) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112538 · Cited by 26
Autonomic nervous system activity predicts increasing serum cytokines in children
Alen, N. V., Deer, L. K., & Hostinar, C. E. (2020) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104745 · Cited by 23
Neural Regulation of Interactions Between Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells and Pulmonary Immune Cells
Chen, W., Shu, Q., & Fan, J. (2020) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.576929 · Cited by 28
Kania, A. M., Weiler, K. N., Kurian, A. P., Opena, M. L., Orellana, J. N., & Stauss, H. M. (2021) · Journal of Osteopathic Medicine · doi:10.1515/jom-2020-0071 · Cited by 26
Murça, T. M., Almeida, T. C. S., Raizada, M. K., & Ferreira, A. J. (2012) · Experimental Physiology · doi:10.1113/expphysiol.2011.063461 · Cited by 26
“Stimulation of the vagus nerve may suppress innate immune responses and downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Borovikova et al. 2000; Tracey, 2002, 2007).”
BackgroundYoung, S. C., Fabio, K. M., Guillon, C., et al. (2010) · Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters · doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.02.102 · Cited by 26
Hu, T., Fu, Q., Liu, X., et al. (2009) · Journal of Neuroimmunology · doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.04.002 · Cited by 26
Chemical Sensitivity: Pathophysiology or Pathopsychology?
Genuis, S. J. (2013) · Clinical Therapeutics · doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.04.003 · Cited by 27
Peripheral muscarinic receptors mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of auricular acupuncture
Chung, W. Y., Zhang, H., & Zhang, S. (2011) · Chinese Medicine · doi:10.1186/1749-8546-6-3 · Cited by 26
“A cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway involving activation of vagal efferent nerves was described [11].”
BackgroundMelanocortins protect against multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in mice
Bitto, A., Polito, F., Altavilla, D., Irrera, N., Giuliani, D., Ottani, A., Minutoli, L., Spaccapelo, L., Galantucci, M., Lodi, R., et al. (2010) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01098.x · Cited by 28
“Anyway, the increase in cytokine and adhesion molecule production immediately after the inflammatory insult, and the rapid decrease in IL-10 levels in patients who develop multiple organ failure suggest a defect in endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms (Simons et al., 1996; Seekamp et al., 1998; Cohen, 2002; Volman…”
BackgroundBerberine relieves insulin resistance via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in HepG2 cells
Li, F., Zhao, Y.-B., Dingkun, W., Zou, X., Fang, K., & Wang, K. (2016) · Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology [Medical Sciences] · doi:10.1007/s11596-016-1543-5 · Cited by 26
Neuroimmune Modulation of Gut Function
Shea‐Donohue, T., & Urban, J. F. (2016) · Handbook of experimental pharmacology · doi:10.1007/164_2016_109 · Cited by 25
Neurocardiology: translational advancements and potential
Herring, N., Ajijola, O. A., Foreman, R. D., Gourine, A. V., Green, A. L., Osborn, J. W., Paterson, D. J., Paton, J. F. R., Ripplinger, C. M., Smith, C. E. R., et al. (2024) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jp284740 · Cited by 28
Wang, Y., Dong, Z.-K., & Jin, W. (2025) · Molecular Cancer · doi:10.1186/s12943-025-02396-6 · Cited by 32
“With the innovation of research technology, modern tools like chemogenetics and optogenetics now enable precise manipulation of specific neuronal populations in mice to dissect immune-regulatory neural circuits [238].”
The neuro-immune oncology axis
Abeele, F. V., & Salzet, M. (2025) · Cancer Letters · doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2025.218070 · Cited by 27
Young, S. C., Fabio, K. M., Huang, M., Saxena, J., Harman, M. P., Guillon, C. D., Vetrano, A. M., Heck, D. E., Flowers, R. A. I., Heindel, N. D., et al. (2011) · Journal of Applied Toxicology · doi:10.1002/jat.1645 · Cited by 24
Chang, Y., Wang, J. D., Hahn, R. A., Gordon, M. K., Joseph, L. B., Heck, D. E., Heindel, N. D., Young, S. C., Sinko, P. J., Casillas, R. P., et al. (2014) · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.taap.2014.07.016 · Cited by 25
“In this regard, cholinergic antagonists including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) have been reported to be effective in suppressing inflammation (Tracey, 2007; Reale et al., 2009).”
BackgroundIshioh, M., Nozu, T., Igarashi, S., Tanabe, H., Kumei, S., Ohhira, M., & Okumura, T. (2020) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108116 · Cited by 26
Zujalovic, B., Mayer, B., Hafner, S., Balling, F., & Barth, E. (2020) · BMC Anesthesiology · doi:10.1186/s12871-020-01204-6 · Cited by 26
Mörkl, S., Butler, M., & Wagner‐Skacel, J. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100607 · Cited by 26
An aberrant parasympathetic response: a new perspective linking chronic stress and itch
Kim, H. S., & Yosipovitch, G. (2012) · Experimental Dermatology · doi:10.1111/exd.12070 · Cited by 25
Successful Therapy of Vulvodynia with Local Anesthetics: A Case Report
Weinschenk, S. W., Brocker, K. A., Hotz, L., Strowitzki, T., & Joos, S. (2013) · Complementary Medicine Research · doi:10.1159/000350023 · Cited by 25
Demodex canis regulates cholinergic system mediated immunosuppressive pathways in canine demodicosis
Kumari, P., Nigam, R., Singh, A. K., Nakade, U. P., Sharma, A., GARG, S. K., & Singh, S. K. (2017) · Parasitology · doi:10.1017/s0031182017000774 · Cited by 25
Tao, G., Min-Hua, C., Xi, F., Chen, Y., Ting, S., Wei-qin, L., & Yu, W. (2019) · Journal of Critical Care · doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.05.008 · Cited by 24
Tsutakawa, S., Kobayashi, D., Kusama, M., et al. (2009) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09349.x · Cited by 25
Niu, X., Liu, R., Lv, X., He, R., Lv, F.-Z., Wu, S., Li, X.-Q., Li, L., & Lin, J. (2023) · Inflammation Research · doi:10.1007/s00011-023-01714-2 · Cited by 26
“The CAP is an essential neuroimmunomodulatory mechanism by which the efferent vagus nerve modulates inflammation through α7naChR expressed on macrophages and immune cells [14, 15].”
BackgroundHesampour, F., Tshikudi, D. M., Bernstein, C. N., & Ghia, J. (2024) · Bioelectronic Medicine · doi:10.1186/s42234-024-00162-5 · Cited by 27
“Furthermore, a second route via the spleen exists and is involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of the vagus nerve, with the spleen producing a considerable level of TNF-α and ACh in the body (Tracey 2007).”
McDonald, H., Peart, J. N., Kurniawan, N. D., Galloway, G. J., Royce, S. G., Samuel, C. S., & Chen, C. (2018) · Physiological Reports · doi:10.14814/phy2.13699 · Cited by 22
“It is well-known that activation of efferent vagal nerve fibers can modulate local and systemic inflammatory responses through activation of the “cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway” (Tracey 2007).”
Backgroundde Souza, C. M., do Amaral, C. L., Souza, S. C., de Souza, A. C. P., Martins, Í. D. C. A., Contieri, L. S., Milanski, M., Torsoni, A. S., Ignácio-Souza, L. M., & Torsoni, M. A. (2019) · Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry · doi:10.33594/000000166 · Cited by 23
Konstam, M. A., Mann, D. L., Udelson, J. E., Ardell, J. L., Ferrari, G. M. D., Cowie, M., Klein, H., Gregory, D. D., Massaro, J. M., Libbus, I., et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.857538 · Cited by 25
“…system activation (Tsutsumi et al., 2008) O2 Supply-Demand Mismatch • Reduced coronary flow (Gamboa et al., 2016) • Increased oxidative stress (Tracey, 2007) • Endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction (Tracey, 2002) Inflammation • Immune system activation and inflammation (Zhang et…”
BackgroundAcetylcholine affects osteocytic MLO-Y4 cells via acetylcholine receptors
Ma, Y., Li, X., Fu, J., et al. (2014) · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2014.01.021 · Cited by 24
“…basic cell functions which include proliferation, differentiation, cell–cell contacts, immune functions, trophic functions, secretion and absorption (Tracey, 2007) in an auto- and paracrine manner via the activation of the widely expressed nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (n- and…”
Neutrophils alter epithelial response to Porphyromonas gingivalis in a gingival crevice model
Bondy‐Carey, J. L., Galicia, J. C., Bagaitkar, J., Potempa, J., Potempa, B. A., Kinane, D. F., Veillard, F., & Scott, D. A. (2012) · Molecular Oral Microbiology · doi:10.1111/omi.12008 · Cited by 25
“21 Similarly, it is known that the result of nicotine, and the major human nicotine metabolite, cotinine, engagement of innate cell α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory and augmentation of the endogenous Akt/GSK-3β anti-inflammatory pathways (Martin et al., 2005;…”
BackgroundChen, A., Li, M., Song, L., Zhang, Y., Luo, Z., Zhang, W., Chen, Y., & He, B. (2015) · Cardiovascular Therapeutics · doi:10.1111/1755-5922.12144 · Cited by 24
Nicotine inhibits LPS-induced cytokine production and leukocyte infiltration in rat placenta
Bao, J., Liu, Y., Yang, J., Gao, Q., Shi, S.-Q., Garfield, R. E., & Liu, H. (2016) · Placenta · doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2016.01.015 · Cited by 24
“Studies from many research areas on other tissues have identified nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway and an important role of a7-nAChR, which is one of the most abundant subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) [5,8,10,12,37].”
BackgroundMinutoli, L., Squadrito, F., Nicòtina, P. A., Giuliani, D., Ottani, A., Polito, F., Bitto, A., Irrera, N., Guzzo, G., Spaccapelo, L., et al. (2011) · Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1097/ccm.0b013e318207ea80 · Cited by 24
“Accordingly, vagotomy enhances systemic TNF- production and accelerates shock development (14, 24).”
BackgroundRetractedTargeting the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway: an innovative strategy for treating diseases
Li, Y., Ding, S., & Wang, Y. (2025) · Molecular Biology Reports · doi:10.1007/s11033-025-10288-7 · Cited by 25
“However, insufficient inflammation may result in unchecked infections, while an excessive response can lead to tissue damage and life-threatening con - ditions [3 ], ultimately contributing to the pathogenesis of metabolic regulatory roles.”
The contribution of mast cells to postoperative ileus in experimental and clinical studies
Peters, E. G., de Jonge, W. J., Smeets, B. J. J., & Luyer, M. D. P. (2015) · Neurogastroenterology & Motility · doi:10.1111/nmo.12579 · Cited by 23
Nicotine is a pain reliever in trauma- and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy models
Mannelli, L. D. C., Zanardelli, M., & Ghelardini, C. (2013) · European Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.04.022 · Cited by 23
“Tracey and coworkers highlighted a further property of nicotinic stimulation: efferent vagus nerve activity inhibits cytokine release specifically via α7nAChR-dependent signaling (Borovikova et al., 2000; Tracey, 2007).”
BackgroundHeart Rate Variability in Porcine Progressive Peritonitis-Induced Sepsis
Jarkovská, D., Valešová, L., Chvojka, J., Beneš, J., Švíglerová, J., Florová, B., Nalos, L., Matějovič, M., & Štengl, M. (2016) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2015.00412 · Cited by 23
An invertebrate-specific miRNA targeted the ancient cholinergic neuroendocrine system of oyster
Chen, H., Zhou, Z., Wang, L., Wang, H., Liu, R., Zhang, H., & Song, L. (2016) · Open Biology · doi:10.1098/rsob.160059 · Cited by 22
Janum, S., Nielsen, S. T., Werner, M. U., Mehlsen, J., Kehlet, H., & Møller, K. (2016) · Innate Immunity · doi:10.1177/1753425916663638 · Cited by 23
Lendvai, I. S., Maier, A., Scheele, D., Hurlemann, R., & Kinfe, T. M. (2018) · Journal of Pain Research · doi:10.2147/jpr.s129202 · Cited by 23
Ask, T. F., Lugo, R. G., & Sütterlin, S. (2018) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00726 · Cited by 23
“In addition to inducing immune activity, the ANS is also capable of suppressing immune activity and inflammation (Tracey, 2002, 2007).”
BackgroundCholinergic signaling controls immune functions and promotes homeostasis
Wessler, I. K., & Kirkpatrick, C. J. (2020) · International Immunopharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106345 · Cited by 22
Sanders, R. D., Hussell, T., & Maze, M. (2011) · Anesthesiology Clinics · doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2011.09.008 · Cited by 23
Vagus Nerve and Postinjury Inflammatory Response
Peterson, C. Y. (2011) · Archives of Surgery · doi:10.1001/archsurg.2011.237 · Cited by 23
Chen, L., Sun, Z., Wang, F., Xu, C.-Y., & Geng, M. (2016) · Neural Regeneration Research · doi:10.4103/1673-5374.187057 · Cited by 22
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“[29, 31, 32] In an experimental rat model of endotoxemia, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve inhibited systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, as did acetylcholine treatment of cultured human macrophages.”
BackgroundThe Effect of High-Fat Diet and Exercise Intervention on the TNF-α Level in Rat Spleen
Lin, F., Huang, F., Ma, Y., & Tang, J. (2021) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.671167 · Cited by 22
“In lipopolysaccharideinduced endotoxemia, the spleen has been verified to be the major source of circulating TNF-a (5).”
BackgroundInfluentialNeuroactive metabolites and bile acids are altered in extremely premature infants with brain injury
Pristner, M., Wasinger, D., Seki, D., Klebermaß-Schrehof, K., Berger, A., Berry, D., Wisgrill, L., & Warth, B. (2024) · Cell Reports Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101480 · Cited by 20
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“Other factors may also be involved in the complex cross-talk between brain and lungs, like excessive inflammation due to the brain damage-induced impairment of the parasympathetic nervous system [5] and hence, the loss of the protective cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway [6].”
Neuromediators in inflammation—a macrophage/nerve connection
Ley, S., Weigert, A., & Brüne, B. (2010) · Immunobiology · doi:10.1016/j.imbio.2010.05.027 · Cited by 21
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“…that is responsive to agonists of M1, which is one of the subunits of the muscarinic receptor, and the efferent signals from the vagus nerve inhibit cytokine production via a pathway dependent on the α7 subunit of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) on macrophages and other cells (Tracey, 2007).”
BackgroundSteinebrunner, N., Mogler, C., Vittas, S., Hoyler, B., Sandig, C., Stremmel, W., & Eisenbach, C. (2014) · BMC Gastroenterology · doi:10.1186/1471-230x-14-148 · Cited by 23
“ongoing inflammation through the vagus nerve and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed by cytokine-producing cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, histiocytes, Kupffer cells and mastocytes [12-16].”
BackgroundMorgan, M. L., Sigala, B., Soeda, J., Cordero, P., Nguyen, V., McKee, C. M., Mouraliderane, A., Vinciguerra, M., & Oben, J. A. (2015) · Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology · doi:10.1111/jgh.13085 · Cited by 22
Zhao, X., Yu, Z., Lv, Z., Meng, L., Xu, J., Yuan, S., & Fu, Z. (2019) · Inflammation · doi:10.1007/s10753-019-01088-w · Cited by 23
Does Splenectomy Protect Against Immune-Mediated Complications in Blunt Trauma Patients?
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Cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine ameliorates hyperoxic lung injury in a neonatal rat model
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Body thermal responses and the vagus nerve
Chang, R. B. (2019) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2019.01.013 · Cited by 24
“The importance of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway mediated by the efferent vagus nerve has been demonstrated in a variety of visceral inflammatory conditions in addition to LPS-induced endotoxemia [82, 97].”
BackgroundDu, L., Yang, Z., Sheng, H., Liu, M., & Sun, Q. (2022) · Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity · doi:10.1155/2022/8131391 · Cited by 21
“Studies have found that the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway (CAP) can be activated by the central cholinergic system of the brain through the stimulation of the efferent fibers of the vagus nerve [26], which is mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.”
BackgroundImmune cell cholinergic signaling in adipose thermoregulation and immunometabolism
Ma, Y., Jun, H., & Wu, J. (2022) · Trends in Immunology · doi:10.1016/j.it.2022.07.006 · Cited by 23
Effect of major abdominal surgery on the host immune response to infection
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Effect of cholinergic denervation on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats
Lam, H.-B., Yeh, C., Cheng, K., Hsu, C., & Cheng, J. (2008) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2008.04.048 · Cited by 21
Daulatzai, M. A. (2014) · Journal of Molecular and Genetic Medicine · doi:10.4172/1747-0862.s1-005 · Cited by 22
“There has been considerable emphasis on the afferent and efferent parasympathetic activity playing a crucial role in immunomodulation [140,158-161].”
BackgroundResident macrophages in the healthy and inflamed intestinal muscularis externa
Wehner, S., & Engel, D. R. (2017) · Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00424-017-1948-4 · Cited by 22
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Role of C1 neurons in anti-inflammatory reflex: Mediation between afferents and efferents
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Tanaka, S., HAMMOND, B. F., Rosin, D. L., & Okusa, M. D. (2019) · Bioelectronic Medicine · doi:10.1186/s42234-019-0029-8 · Cited by 22
“The efferent arm of the inflammatory reflex was termed the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) (Tracey 2007).”
BackgroundInfluentialAcetylcholine Regulates Pulmonary Pathology During Viral Infection and Recovery
Horkowitz, A. P., Schwartz, A. V., Alvarez, C. A., Herrera, E. B., Thoman, M. L., Chatfield, D. A., Osborn, K. G., Feuer, R., George, U. Z., & Phillips, J. A. (2020) · ImmunoTargets and Therapy · doi:10.2147/itt.s279228 · Cited by 25
Pagaduan, J. C., Chen, Y., Fell, J. W., & Wu, S. S. X. (2021) · Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1515/jcim-2020-0528 · Cited by 25
Effect of vagus nerve stimulation on thermal injury in rats
Song, X., Li, J., Wang, Y., Liang, H., Huang, Y., Yuan, X., Zhou, Q., & Zhang, Z. (2009) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2009.02.002 · Cited by 21
“The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway may have potential positive effects on sepsis/septic shock, trauma, ischaemia/reperfusion injury, pancreatitis, experimental arthritis, ileus and haemorrhagic shock [14].”
BackgroundFinkin-Groner, E., Moradov, D., Shifrin, H., Bejar, C., Nudelman, A., & Weinstock, M. (2014) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/bph.12982 · Cited by 21
“ACh interacts with α-7nAChRs on macrophages to inhibit the production of cytokines and other inflammatory proteins (Tracey, 2007; Rosas-Ballina et al., 2011).”
BackgroundTracey, K. J. (2014) · Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology · doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a016360 · Cited by 21
Self-citationBao, J., Zou, Y., Liu, Y., Li, Y., Garfield, R. E., & Liu, H. (2019) · Bioscience Reports · doi:10.1042/bsr20190386 · Cited by 21
The Pelvic Girdle Pain deadlock: 2. Topics that, so far, have remained out of focus
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“For example, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway involving activation of nAChRs on the vagus nerve can inhibit cytokine release, thereby preventing their damaging effects, and has become an essential link between CNS and immunomodulation in response to immune challenges [25,26].”
BackgroundSelective Agonists and Antagonists of α9 Versus α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Papke, R. L., Andleeb, H., Stokes, C. A., Quadri, M., & Horenstein, N. A. (2022) · ACS Chemical Neuroscience · doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00747 · Cited by 24
Cvijetić, S., Macan, J., Boschiero, D., & Ilich, J. Z. (2023) · Annals of Human Biology · doi:10.1080/03014460.2023.2180089 · Cited by 22
“The HRV refers to the heart ’ s capability to react to various physiological and environmental influences, with lower HRV generally indicating a poorer autonomic function and reduced capacity of the body to deal with different stressors (Tracey 2007; Shaffer and Ginsberg 2017; Kim et al. 2018).”
BackgroundAfterload reduction after non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in acute heart failure
Nagai, M., Dote, K., Kato, M., Sasaki, S., Oda, N., & Förster, C. Y. (2023) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2023.1149449 · Cited by 21
“In the several studies, the effect of VNS was demonstrated to decrease systemic inflammation through activation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways, reducing cytokine synthesis and inflammatory responses (Tracey, 2007; Zhang et al., 2009).”
BackgroundAllon, N., Chapman, S., Egoz, I., Rabinovitz, I., Kapon, J., Weissman, B. A., Yacov, G., Bloch‐Shilderman, E., & Grauer, E. (2011) · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.taap.2011.03.007 · Cited by 20
Xiong, J., Xue, F., Liu, J., Xu, Y., Liao, X., Zhang, Y. M., Wang, W. L., & Li, S. (2009) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2009.06.033 · Cited by 20
“and neuropsychic disorders, such as refractory epilepsy, treatment-resistance depression and anxiety [28,29].”
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“20 Neurological abnormalities manifest commonly as delirium, but include autonomic dysfunction that can influence immune dysfunction.(23) 24”
BackgroundThe Gateway Reflex, a Novel Neuro-Immune Interaction for the Regulation of Regional Vessels
Tanaka, Y., Arima, Y., Kamimura, D., & Murakami, M. (2017) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01321 · Cited by 20
Metadata
- Authors
- Tracey, K. J.
- Affiliations
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (US)
- Corresponding author
- Tracey, Kevin J.
- ORCID
- Tracey, Kevin J.
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Investigation
- Published
- 2007-02-01
- Volume
- 117
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 289-296
- ISSN
- 0021-9738 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC1783813
- OpenAlex
- W2002797282
- Semantic Scholar
- 76a50e9232b81d22a72d6631b636a0d756df76b8
- Cited by
- 1,563
- References
- 107
- Citations by year
- 2026: 73 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 76 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 72 · 2021: 89 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 76 · 2018: 79 · 2017: 87 · 2016: 78 · 2015: 78 · 2014: 88 · 2013: 87 · 2012: 89
- FWCI
- 8.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Investigation (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Advanced Research Projects Agency
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, vagus nerve, cytokine production, neuroimmune regulation, sepsis, endotoxemia, ischemia-reperfusion injury, hemorrhagic shock, arthritis, humoral theory, terrain theory, cholinergic agonists, neuroprotection, tissue damage, multiple organ failure
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain, Cholinergic Fibers, Humans, Inflammation, Models, Biological, Cytokines, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, History, Ancient
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