Stimulation of Sensory Neurons Increases Antibody Responses
New findings from The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research bioelectronic medicine scientists show that neurons that help sense pain and prevent illness, called sensory neurons, play an important role in regulating the production of antibodies.
- New findings from The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research bioelectronic medicine scientists show that neurons that help sense pain and prevent illness, called sensory neurons, play an important role in regulating the production of antibodies.
- (Credit: Feinstein Institutes)
The study published today in the journal Bioelectronic Medicine — an open-access journal and part of BMC Springer Nature — reveals how activating specific nerves using light stimulation, known as optogenetic activation, results in increased antibody responses, and suggests the potential for neuromodulation to improve antibody responses to fight diseases. - When activated with light during immunization, the mice develop specific antibody responses.
- However, in the absence of these sensory neurons, these mice fail to mount an efficient antibody response.