The finding that pain neurons, once activated by bacteria, suppress the immune system
pain neurons try to weaken the immune response to infection that the neurons are trying protect tissues from further damage caused by an inflammatory immune response a protective mechanism that bacteria might be exploiting to their advantage.
Innate immunity: Activated pain-sensing neurons reduce the influx of neutrophils and monocytes, key first responders to infection. when these neurons were eliminated through genetic techniques, numbers of these immune cells increased. showed that the neurons talk to the immune cells via peptide molecules. One called CGRP
key first responders to infection. when these neurons were eliminated through genetic techniques, numbers of these immune cells increased. showed that the neurons talk to the immune cells via peptide molecules. One called CGRP
Draining lymph nodes: Normally, antigens from invading bacteria drain from the infection site to the lymph nodes, where T-cells and B-cells congregate and generate the body's second-wave immune response. showed, however, that activated pain-sensing neurons reduce migration of T- and B-cells to the lymph nodes.