Changes of local microenvironment and systemic immunity after acupuncture stimulation during inflammation: A literature review of animal studies

Abstract

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the underlying mechanisms by which acupuncture therapy mediates both local and systemic immunomodulation. However, the connection between alterations in the local microenvironment and the resulting change in systemic immunity remains unclear. In this review, we focus on cell-specific changes in local immune responses following acupuncture stimulation and their link to systemic immune modulation. We have gathered the most recent evidence for chemo- and mechano-reactive changes in endothelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells in response to acupuncture. Local signaling is then related to the activation of systemic neuro-immunity including the cholinergic, adrenal, and splenic nervous systems and pain-related neuromodulation. This review aims to serve as a reference for further research in this field.

Aberrant parasympathetic responses in acupuncture therapy for restoring immune homeostasis

“…Acupuncture can suppress immune response in inflammatory diseases and also relieve immune suppression in immune-paralysis diseases such as malignant cancer [77] and HIV. It has been reported that acupuncture can activate natural killer (NK) and CD8 + T cells [77][78] , regulate the balance of TH1/TH2 [79] and regulatory T cell (Treg)/TH17 cell, and promote mast cell degranulation [80] to activate the body's immune response. Based on the above immune regulatory mechanisms, acupuncture can be used to ameliorate tumor immune microenvironment and improve the immunosuppressive state of malignant tumor patients, which is an ideal and promising treatment program.…”