Fig. 1

Neural control of vascular inflammation. Neural circuits regulate inflammation and cytokine production. a In the inflammatory reflex, acetylcholine (ACh) acts through the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (α7nAChR) on macrophages to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF. Suggested neuro-immune cross talk in atherosclerosis: b The adventitia is innervated and contains immune cells that may interact with other layers of the vascular wall. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, local recruitment of inflammatory cells in the intimal layer of arteries progresses slowly. c As atherosclerosis progresses, the inflamed plaque eventually develops a necrotic core which increases plaque vulnerability and the risk of rupture