The effect of the central nervous system on infection and inflammation : "it takes nerves"

Thesis

Cover

Titlepage

Contents

1 Introduction and outline of this thesis

2 The central and autonomic nervous systems : essential regulators of the immune response

PART I : Anti-inflammatory reflex

3 Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis during endotoxemia in rats

4 Stimulation of alpha7 cholinergic receptors inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced neutrophil recruitment by a tumor necrosis factor-alpha independent mechanism

5 The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway regulates the host response during septic peritonitis

6 Deficiency of alpha7 cholinergic receptors facilitates bacterial clearance in Escherichia coli peritonitis

7 The vagus nerve and nicotinic receptors modulate experimental pancreatitis severity in mice

8 Local stimulation of alpha7 cholinergic receptors inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha release in the mouse lung

9 Stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by nicotine transiently impairs host defense during pneumococcal pneumonia

PART II : Sympathetic nervous system

10 Endogenous beta adrenergic receptors inhibit LPS-induced lung inflammation and coagulation

11 Role of endogenous beta adrenergic receptors in the host response to pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

PART III: General discussion and Dutch summary

12 Summary and general discussion

13 Nederlandse samenvatting voor niet ingewijden

PART IV: Appendices

Dankwoord

Bibliography

Curriculum Vitae