The nervous system and immune system are the main sensory interfaces of the body to perceive, integrate and respond to complex environmental challenges. They have the ability to learn, remember, and recall environmental challenges and related events, and can effectively adapt to constantly changing surroundings. The interactions between the nervous and immune systems not only maintain homeostasis within the body, but are also closely related to the occurrence and development of many neuropsychiatric and immune related diseases.

So far, studies have clarified the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the interactions between neurons and glial cells and innate lymphocytes in the central nervous system. Similarly, the interactions and regulatory mechanisms between the peripheral nervous system and immune cells in such tissues as the skin, respiratory tract, intestinal tract, spleen, heart, adipose tissue, muscles, and bones have been explored, through long-range or close-proximity interactions.

However, the interaction pathways, networks and regulatory mechanisms among the nervous system, immune system and resident immune cells in various tissues and organs need to be further studied and revealed, so as to provide new ideas and strategies for human health and in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, mental diseases, stress and other immune-related disorders. 

Chairs

Tu Haijun

Professor, Hunan University

Dai Ruping

Chief physician, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (CSU) 

Invited speakers & reports

Zhang Zhuohua

University of South China

Report: TBD

Wang Yun

Professor, Peking University

Report: Neural-immune regulatory network: Interactions between peripheral and central systems and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases

Hu Ji

Research fellow, ShanghaiTech University

Report: Stress: From neural to immune perspectives 

Dai Ruping

Chief physician, The Second Xiangya Hospital of CSU

Report: Immunoregulatory functions of proBNDF protein 

Yuan Zengqiang

Research fellow, Academy of Military Medical Sciences of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences

Report: Glucose metabolism disorders and Alzheimer’s disease 

Pan Bingxing

Research fellow, Nanchang University

Report: Amygdala mechanisms of neuroinflammation-induced anxiety 

Ma Dengke

Associate professor, University of California, San Francisco

Report: Co-opted toxin encoding genes in innate immunity and neurodegeneration 

Tu Haijun

Professor, Hunan University

Report: Mechanisms of GABA neurons’ regulation on intestinal innate immunity