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

  • Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Methods

    Job Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Methods Location: New York, Jersey City, Shanghai, or Beijing – Hybrid working pattern Deadline: Dece...

    New York City, New York (US)

    Springer Nature Ltd

{
"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/d41586-025-03766-2\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03766-2/d41586-025-03766-2_51719062.jpg\" />\n <p>How obesity drugs quiet ‘food noise’ in the brain</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>17 NOV 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03754-6\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03754-6/d41586-025-03754-6_51706802.jpg\" />\n <p>Tiny robots swim through blood, deliver drugs — and then dissolve</p>\n <p><span>News</span> <span>13 NOV 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03524-4\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03524-4/d41586-025-03524-4_51640440.jpg\" />\n <p>Could humans live to 150? Why some researchers think we’re on the cusp of a major longevity breakthrough</p>\n <p><span>Nature Index</span> <span>12 NOV 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/s41586-025-09846-7\">\n <p>Multi-omics analysis of a pig-to-human decedent kidney xenotransplant</p>\n <p><span>Article</span> <span>13 NOV 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09847-6\">\n <p>Physiology and immunology of pig-to-human decedent kidney xenotransplant</p>\n <p><span>Article</span> <span>13 NOV 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09744-y\">\n <img src=\"https://media.nature.com/w140h79/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41586-025-09744-y/MediaObjects/41586_2025_9744_Fig1_HTML.png\" />\n <p>Spatial fibroblast niches define Crohn’s fistulae</p>\n <p><span>Article</span> <span>12 NOV 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/d41586-025-03523-5\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03523-5/d41586-025-03523-5_51640394.jpg\" />\n <p>The future of ageing: science aims to deliver another leap in lifespan</p>\n <p><span>Nature Index</span> <span>12 NOV 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03525-3\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03525-3/d41586-025-03525-3_51640452.jpg\" />\n <p>Is ageing a disease? The debate that could reshape medicine</p>\n <p><span>Nature Index</span> <span>12 NOV 25</span></p>\n </a>\n </li>\n <li>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03526-2\">\n <img src=\"https://images.nature.com/w140h79/magazine-assets/d41586-025-03526-2/d41586-025-03526-2_51640462.jpg\" />\n <p>Three rising stars in ageing research</p>\n <p><span>Nature Index</span> <span>12 NOV 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 <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/249aae20-0b4e-43aa-a00e-d251a0cba3d5/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/249aae20-0b4e-43aa-a00e-d251a0cba3d5/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <div>\n <h4><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/job/12849018/associate-or-senior-editor-nature-methods/?TrackID=62&amp;utm_source=widget&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=62\">Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Methods</a></h4>\n <div>\n <p>Job Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Methods Location: New York, Jersey City, Shanghai, or Beijing – Hybrid working pattern Deadline: Dece...</p>\n <p>New York City, New York (US)</p>\n <p>Springer Nature Ltd</p>\n </div>\n </div>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/af036877-5d6d-4fe6-8d99-3a39de6c3a76/\" />\n </p>\n </li>\n <li>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p><img src=\"https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/getasset/6ebbcf90-1101-49bf-b048-96cfb2f41181/\" />\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": 80,
"type": "article"
}