Found: The dial in the brain that controls the immune system

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2
  • NEWS
  • 01 May 2024

Scientists identify the brain cells that regulate inflammation, and pinpoint how they keep tabs on the immune response.

By

  1. Giorgia Guglielmi
    1. Giorgia Guglielmi is a science journalist in Basel, Switzerland.

Scientists have long known that the brain plays a part in the immune system — but how it does so has been a mystery. Now, scientists have identified cells in the brainstem that sense immune cues from the periphery of the body and act as master regulators of the body’s inflammatory response.

Access options

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

$32.99 / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01259-2

References

Subjects

Latest on:

Nature Careers

Jobs

  • Faculty Positions in Smart Manufacturing Thrust, HKUST(GZ)

    Tenure-track and tenured faculty positions at all ranks (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor)

    The university is situated in the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, a highly active and vibrant region in the world.

    The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)

  • NHP Research Assistant

    We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our dynamic team at i-BRAIN.

    Weiguang Campus, Guangming District, Shenzhen, China

    Institute for Brain Research Advanced Interfaces and Neurotechnologies

  • Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPRI)

    Texas Tech University VPRI Ad Copy The Leadership Opportunity: At a moment of unprecedented opportunity in its already impressive trajectory, Texas...

    Lubbock, Texas

    Texas Tech University

{
"by": "andreareina",
"descendants": 4,
"id": 40243417,
"kids": [
40243718,
40244904,
40245202
],
"score": 45,
"time": 1714703500,
"title": "Found: The dial in the brain that controls the immune system",
"type": "story",
"url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2"
}
{
"author": "Giorgia Guglielmi",
"date": "2024-05-01T00:00:00.000Z",
"description": "Scientists identify the brain cells that regulate inflammation, and pinpoint how they keep tabs on the immune response.",
"image": "https://media.nature.com/lw1200/magazine-assets/d41586-024-01259-2/d41586-024-01259-2_27034294.jpg",
"logo": null,
"publisher": "Nature",
"title": "Found: the dial in the brain that controls the immune system",
"url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2"
}
{
"url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2",
"title": "Found: the dial in the brain that controls the immune system",
"description": "Scientists identify the brain cells that regulate inflammation, and pinpoint how they keep tabs on the immune response. Scientists identify the brain cells that regulate inflammation, and pinpoint how they keep tabs on the immune response.",
"links": [
"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2"
],
"image": "https://media.nature.com/lw1200/magazine-assets/d41586-024-01259-2/d41586-024-01259-2_27034294.jpg",
"content": "<div>\n <article>\n<div>\n <div>\n <ul>\n <li><span>NEWS</span></li>\n <li>01 May 2024</li>\n </ul>\n <div>\n <p>\n Scientists identify the brain cells that regulate inflammation, and pinpoint how they keep tabs on the immune response.\n </p>\n </div>\n </div>\n <div>\n <p><span>By</span></p><ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2#author-0\">\n Giorgia Guglielmi</a><sup><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2#Aff0\">0</a></sup></li>\n</ul>\n<div>\n <ol>\n <li>\n <span>Giorgia Guglielmi</span>\n <ol>\n <li>\n <p>Giorgia Guglielmi is a science journalist in Basel, Switzerland.</p>\n </li>\n </ol>\n </li>\n </ol>\n</div>\n </div>\n <div>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Found%3A+the+dial+in+the+brain+that+controls+the+immune+system&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-024-01259-2\">\n <span>Twitter</span>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-024-01259-2\">\n <span>Facebook</span>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:?subject=Found:%20the%20dial%20in%20the%20brain%20that%20controls%20the%20immune%20system&amp;body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-024-01259-2\">\n <span>Email</span>\n </a>\n </li>\n</ul>\n </div>\n</div>\n <p>Scientists have long known that <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00509-z\">the brain plays a part in the immune system</a> — but how it does so has been a mystery. Now, scientists have identified cells in the brainstem that sense <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01396-y\">immune cues from the periphery of the body</a> and act as master regulators of the body’s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00871-6\">inflammatory response</a>.</p>\n <div>\n <h2 id=\"access-options\">Access options</h2>\n <section><div>\n <p>\n Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals\n </p>\n <p>\n Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription\n </p>\n <div>\n <p>\n <span>$32.99<span> / 30 days</span></span>\n </p>\n <p>cancel any time</p>\n </div>\n </div><div>\n <p>Subscribe to this journal</p>\n <p>\n Receive 51 print issues and online access\n </p>\n <div>\n <p>$199.00 per year</p>\n <p>only $3.90 per issue</p>\n </div>\n </div><div>\n <p>Rent or buy this article</p>\n <p>Prices vary by article type</p>\n <p><span>from</span>$1.95</p>\n <p><span>to</span>$39.95</p>\n </div><p>Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout</p></section>\n <h3>Additional access options:</h3>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://idp.nature.com/authorize/natureuser?client_id=grover&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-024-01259-2\">Log in</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.springernature.com/gp/librarians/licensing/license-options\">Learn about institutional subscriptions</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://support.nature.com/en/support/home\">Read our FAQs</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.springernature.com/gp/contact\">Contact customer support</a>\n </li>\n </ul>\n </div>\n <p><em>doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01259-2</em></p>\n <div><h2 id=\"Bib1\">References</h2></div>\n <h2 id=\"related-articles\">Related Articles</h2>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <p>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00509-z\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/lw100/magazine-assets/d41586-024-01259-2/d41586-024-01259-2_24096670.jpg\" />\n Your brain could be controlling how sick you get — and how you recover\n </a>\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01502-8\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/lw100/magazine-assets/d41586-024-01259-2/d41586-024-01259-2_24045344.jpg\" />\n Guardians of the brain: how a special immune system protects our grey matter\n </a>\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00169-7\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/lw100/magazine-assets/d41586-024-01259-2/d41586-024-01259-2_26671374.jpg\" />\n Can autoimmune diseases be cured? Scientists see hope at last\n </a>\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00584-2\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/lw100/magazine-assets/d41586-024-01259-2/d41586-024-01259-2_24096666.jpg\" />\n Anxiety can be created by the body, mouse heart study suggests\n </a>\n </p>\n </li>\n </ul>\n <h2 id=\"subjects\">Subjects</h2>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/subjects/brain\">Brain</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/subjects/immunology\">Immunology</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/subjects/neuroscience\">Neuroscience</a>\n </li>\n </ul>\n <section>\n <h2 id=\"tablist-heading\">Latest on:</h2>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2#latest-content-0-container\">Brain</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2#latest-content-1-container\">Immunology</a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2#latest-content-2-container\">Neuroscience</a>\n </li>\n </ul>\n <section>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03394-w\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03394-w/d41586-025-03394-w_51587222.jpg\" />\n <p>Blood tests are now approved for Alzheimer’s: how accurate are they?</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>17 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03387-9\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03387-9/d41586-025-03387-9_51582266.jpg\" />\n <p>This gene causes obesity — and shields against heart disease</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>16 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03366-0\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03366-0/d41586-025-03366-0_51567924.jpg\" />\n <p>How emotional memories are engraved on the brain, with surprising helper cells</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>15 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n </ul>\n </section>\n <section>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09639-y\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/w140h79/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41586-025-09639-y/MediaObjects/41586_2025_9639_Fig1_HTML.png\" />\n <p>Niche-specific dermal macrophage loss promotes skin capillary ageing</p>\n <p><span>Article</span> <span>15 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03367-z\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03367-z/d41586-025-03367-z_51572086.jpg\" />\n <p>Japan declares a flu epidemic — what this means for other nations</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>14 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09705-5\">\n <p>Host cell Z-RNAs activate ZBP1 during virus infections</p>\n <p><span>Article</span> <span>13 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n </ul>\n </section>\n <section>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03394-w\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03394-w/d41586-025-03394-w_51587222.jpg\" />\n <p>Blood tests are now approved for Alzheimer’s: how accurate are they?</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>17 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09619-2\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/w140h79/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41586-025-09619-2/MediaObjects/41586_2025_9619_Fig1_HTML.png\" />\n <p>The astrocytic ensemble acts as a multiday trace to stabilize memory</p>\n <p><span>Article</span> <span>15 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03366-0\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03366-0/d41586-025-03366-0_51567924.jpg\" />\n <p>How emotional memories are engraved on the brain, with surprising helper cells</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>15 OCT 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n </ul>\n </section>\n</section>\n <div>\n <div>\n <h2>\n <img src=\"https://www.nature.com/static/images/logos/nature-careers-logo-f6ff1c1c64.svg\" alt=\"Nature Careers\" />\n </h2>\n </div>\n <h3>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/\">Jobs\n </a>\n </h3>\n <ul>\n <li>\n <div>\n <h4><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/job/12846962/faculty-positions-in-smart-manufacturing-thrust-hkust-gz-/?TrackID=62&amp;utm_source=widget&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=62\">Faculty Positions in Smart Manufacturing Thrust, HKUST(GZ)</a></h4>\n <div>\n <p>Tenure-track and tenured faculty positions at all ranks (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor)</p>\n <p>The university is situated in the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, a highly active and vibrant region in the world.</p>\n <p>The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)</p>\n </div>\n </div>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/5d603ab0-769c-4f9e-af1f-bd405490c222/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/7387bab3-756d-4666-8199-d6e4d0b97d0f/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <div>\n <h4><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/job/12846859/nhp-research-assistant/?TrackID=62&amp;utm_source=widget&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=62\">NHP Research Assistant</a></h4>\n <div>\n <p>We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our dynamic team at i-BRAIN.</p>\n <p>Weiguang Campus, Guangming District, Shenzhen, China</p>\n <p>Institute for Brain Research Advanced Interfaces and Neurotechnologies</p>\n </div>\n </div>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/3d166886-bf21-416c-ac5c-2843f7b9f2aa/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/1c3bae40-91a7-4f46-8e23-c2fa83848be4/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <div>\n <h4><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/job/12846894/vice-president-for-research-and-innovation-vpri-/?TrackID=62&amp;utm_source=widget&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=62\">Vice President for Research &amp; Innovation (VPRI)</a></h4>\n <div>\n <p>Texas Tech University VPRI Ad Copy The Leadership Opportunity: At a moment of unprecedented opportunity in its already impressive trajectory, Texas...</p>\n <p>Lubbock, Texas</p>\n <p>Texas Tech University</p>\n </div>\n </div>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/4caebb65-b007-460b-9490-b90b8cb0c9f3/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n </ul>\n </div>\n </article>\n </div>",
"author": "Guglielmi, Giorgia",
"favicon": "https://www.nature.com/static/images/favicons/nature/favicon.ico",
"source": "nature.com",
"published": "2024-05-01",
"ttr": 96,
"type": "article"
}