Chapter 4 – Endocrine-Immune Modulation

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the role of the endocrine system in the modulation of immune function, focusing on the major structures that compose the endocrine system and the major hormones released by the endocrine glands. The hypothalamus lies at the base of the brain. Neurons located within various hypothalamic nuclei are directly involved in the release of the pituitary hormones, which, in turn affect the activity of the other endocrine glands. It is important to emphasize that there is a high degree of interconnectivity among hypothalamic nuclei that have been implicated in endocrine regulation. The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, lies at the base of the brain, just behind the eyes, and it is directly connected to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk. The thyroid gland is located in the throat area. The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys. They are composed of a cortex (outer) and a medulla (inner) region. The release of GH (somatotropin) from the anterior pituitary cells, known as somatotrophs, is influenced by a wide range of factors. GH release is stimulated by thyroid hormones and testosterone. It is inhibited by estradiol. GH regulates its own release both at the hypothalamic level and at the level of the pituitary.