Abstract

Immune cells function and fate are dictated by immunometabolism, meanwhile the nervous system regulates immunity. There is currently no literature on neuroregulation of immunometabolism. The key question of how immune homeostasis and immunometabolism is regulated is unanswered. We critically reviewed the latest literature and hypothesized that neurotransmitters in the autonomic nervous system and stress hormones, including norepinephrine (NE), acetylcholine (Ach) and glucocorticoids (GCs), regulate glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and gluconeogenesis to control immunity. We also summarize reported empirical data which support the role of: (i) glucose immunometabolism in immune-cell function; (ii) NE, Ach and GCs in glucose metabolism and immunity regulation. This hypothesis is important not only for monitoring immunity by means of cytokines, immunometabolism, neurotransmitters and stress hormones, but also for revealing the cause of metabolism and immune-related diseases.