Roth J, LeRoith D, Collier E S, Weaver N R, Watkinson A, Cleland C F, Glick S M
J Immunol. 1985 Aug;135(2 Suppl):816s-819s.
Immune function requires intercellular communication. The vocabulary includes messenger molecules closely linked to the immune system as well as more widely acting messengers such as hormones and neuroactive substances. To try to bring these together, we have used an evolutionary approach. Materials that resemble hormonal peptides and neuropeptides, previously thought to be restricted to multicellular animals, are present in protozoa, bacteria, and higher plants. There is also evidence for substances in microbes that bind hormones and other messengers, which resemble receptors of vertebrates. Therefore, we suggest that the molecules of intercellular communication probably arose much earlier in evolution than the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. This insight provides new understanding of messenger systems in vertebrates, as applied to the immune system, as well as new insights into possible disease mechanisms, including those that involve autoimmunity.
免疫功能需要细胞间通讯。其词汇包括与免疫系统紧密相连的信使分子，以及作用更为广泛的信使，如激素和神经活性物质。为了尝试将这些联系起来，我们采用了一种进化的方法。以前认为仅限于多细胞动物的类似激素肽和神经肽的物质，存在于原生动物、细菌和高等植物中。也有证据表明微生物中存在与激素和其他信使结合的物质，这些物质类似于脊椎动物的受体。因此，我们认为细胞间通讯分子可能在进化过程中比内分泌、神经和免疫系统出现得更早。这一见解为脊椎动物中应用于免疫系统的信使系统提供了新的理解，也为包括自身免疫性疾病机制在内的可能疾病机制提供了新的见解。
