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Fig. 5 | Bioelectronic Medicine

Fig. 5

From: Neural activity regulates autoimmune diseases through the gateway reflex

Fig. 5

Light gateway reflex. Exposure to photopic light in actively induced EAU attenuates retinal inflammation. This process is mediated through light-induced expression of DBH, an enzyme essential for the synthesis of NE and EPI, by retinal neurons located in the INL (1). The increased NE and EPI levels down-regulate retinal α1AAR expression, which is followed by reduced NF-κB and STAT3 activation and decreased chemokine and IL-6 expressions in the retina (2)(3). This protects the BRB integrity and suppresses recruitment of immune cells including IRBP-specific pathogenic CD4+ T cells in the retina. Abbreviations: EAU, experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis; DBH, dopamine beta-hydroxylase; INL, inner nuclear layer; NE, norepinephrine, EPI: epinephrine; α1AAR, alpha-1A adrenoceptor; BRB, blood-retina barrier; IRBP, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein

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