Psychoneuroendocrine immunology (PNEI) and longevity

Abstract

Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI) is the science which studies the interactions between psychological, neural, endocrine and immunological processes. The concept of the PNEI system was developed in the seventies and eighties through the discoveries of the interaction between immune system and molecules with neuroendocrine activity targeting multiple organs; the interdependence between immunological, psychological and neuroendocrine mechanisms has been elucidated through several studies subsequently. PNEI system is a self-regulation network which is involved in the homeostasis of the organisms, in the maintenance of chemical-physical-neuropsychological balance in response to stimuli of various nature. The present review provides an overview of the fundamental scientific literature on PNEI and its interaction with chronic low grade cellular inflammation processes and consequently with longevity. Similarly literature data on the strict link between hormetic processes and PNEI system are discussed, with reference to resilience as a key-factor in the natural/pathologic evolution of aging.

Personality Factors in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…According to recent works, psychological traits seem to share a common pathogenic mechanism typical of increased mucosal inflammation, metabolic parameters and proinflammatory status (Mancini et al, 2020 ). In line with this, an increasing number of studies are equating psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, hostility, social isolation) to biological factors (smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes) in the pathogenesis of several diseases (Attilio et al, 2018 ). In the oncological field, a meta-analysis carried out on 165 controlled studies showed that stress-prone personality or unfavorable coping styles and negative emotional responses are related to an increased incidence of cancer, a worse prognosis and an increase in mortality (Chida et al, 2008 ).…”

Therapeutic and Prophylactic Use of Oral, Low-Dose IFNs in Species of Veterinary Interest: Back to the Future

“…), according to which the biological functions of the body are interconnected, ensuring a homeostatic balance. The disruption of this equilibrium may lead to the development of diseases [73]. The homeostatic balance can be re-established through low-dose medicine (LDM), an approach based on the oral administration of biological molecules at concentrations close to physiological levels, in a range between 10 −9 (nanograms/mL) and 10 −15 M (femtograms/mL) [74].…”

Implications of chronic stress and inflammation in major depressive disorder

“…The neuroendocrine-immune interactions (NEIIs) model establishes that there is a permanent coexistence between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. NEIIs modulate various physiological processes, among them the response to stress, a condition that, if prolonged, can culminate in the development of MDD 4 . The presence of chronically stressful stimuli generates the release of IL-1, IFN-y, TNF-α, and IL-6, which stimulate the neuroendocrine system by inducing a response in which more cytokines are released by microglia.…”