Sleep, microbes and cytokines

Neuroimmunomodulation. 1994 Mar-Apr;1(2):100-9. doi: 10.1159/000097142.

Abstract

Dynamic changes in sleep in response to infectious challenge are a facet of the acute phase response. Changes in sleep induced by infection seem to be of recuperative value to the host. Furthermore, loss of sleep is associated with changes in immune function. Specific components of microbes such as muramyl peptides or endotoxin from bacteria or double-stranded RNA from virus induce sleep responses. These microbial-induced responses are mediated via enhanced cytokine and hormone production. Interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor and interferon-alpha are somnogenic. Interleukin-1-enhanced sleep involves growth hormone-releasing hormone. Microbial-cytokine-altered sleep results from an amplification of physiological sleep mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine / pharmacology
  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Toxins / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / physiology*
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Hormones / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infections / immunology
  • Infections / physiopathology*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neuroimmunomodulation / physiology
  • Rats
  • Sleep / drug effects
  • Sleep / immunology
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / immunology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / physiopathology

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Cytokines
  • Hormones
  • Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone