Effects of Psychological Stress on Multiple Sclerosis via HPA Axis-mediated Modulation of Natural Killer T Cell Activity

Title:Effects of Psychological Stress on Multiple Sclerosis via HPA Axis-mediated Modulation of Natural Killer T Cell Activity

Volume: 23 Issue: 12

Author(s): Yafei Gao, Wenying Liu, Paiyu Liu, Min Li*Bing Ni*

Affiliation:

• Department of Military Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China

• Department of Pathophysiology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China

Keywords: Psychological stress, multiple sclerosis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, natural killer T cell, central nervous system, glucocorticoid.

Abstract: The involvement of psychological stress and Natural Killer T (NKT) cells in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis has been identified in the progression of this disease. Psychological stress can impact disease occurrence, relapse, and severity through its effects on the Hypothalamic- Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and immune responses. NKT cells are believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, with recent evidence suggesting their distinct functional alterations following activation of the HPA axis under conditions of psychological stress. This review summarizes the associations between psychological stress, NKT cells, and multiple sclerosis while discussing the potential mechanism for how NKT cells mediate the effects of psychological stress on this disease.

Cite this article as:

Gao Yafei, Liu Wenying, Liu Paiyu, Li Min*, Ni Bing*, Effects of Psychological Stress on Multiple Sclerosis via HPA Axis-mediated Modulation of Natural Killer T Cell Activity, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2024; 23 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118715273315953240528075542