Biography
Biography: Istvan Berczi
Abstract
The first paper on Neuroimmune Biology was published in 1978, describing that hypophisectomized (HYPX) rats are immune-deficient. Additional experiments revealed that Prolactin (PRL) and Growth hormone (GH) restore the immune competence of HYPX animals. Replacement doses were effective in reconstitution. Other pituitary hormones were inactive [1]. The antibody response and delayed type hypersensitivity to dinitro-chorobenzene of rats were inhibited by HYPX [2,3]. An autoimmune disease of rats, Adjuvant Arthritis was also inhibited by HYPX [4].
PRL and GH stimulated c-myc and DNA synthesis in the bone marrow [5]. The bone marrow was found to be pituitary dependent [5]. Eventually it was detected that the entire growth and lactogenic hormone family (PRL has 3 isomers, GH 3 isomers and Placental lactogens are a multitude of hormones). Placental lactogens regulate fetal development. Indeed this GLH axis is very powerful and support not only immune function but has a developmental role. The HPA axis is also heterogeneous so far 3 form of ACTH are known to exist [5].
We might ask why only Adaptive Immunity is regulated by such powerful mechanisms. Adaptive Immunity is clearly important. It provides antibodies and killer/regulatory T cells for immunity and inflammatory reactions. We observed that long surviving HYPX rats have residual prolactin in their blood. If this PRL is neutralized by antibodies the rats die within 6 weeks [5]. These animals have an intact innate immune system but this kind of immunity does not defend life, you need to have adaptive immunity for survival.