Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the structurally related pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), two neuropeptides present in the lymphoid microenvironment, elicit a broad spectrum of biological functions, including the modulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Another important immunoregulatory function of VIP and PACAP is their inhibition effect on AICD in T cells. They inhibit the TCR-stimulated FasL expression and apoptosis of T cell through specific receptors and induction of intracellular cAMP. VIP down-regulate c-Myc synthesis, the NF-AT-dependent Egr2 and Egr3 expression, the NF-AT and NF-kB.

Contributor:

REFERENCES: Delgado M, Ganea D . Vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide inhibit expression of Fas ligand in activated T lymphocytes by regulating c-Myc, NF-kappa B, NF-AT, and early growth factors 2/3. J Immunol 2001 Jan 15;166(2):1028-40