On July 3, 2026, researchers at the University of Münster and Ruhr University Bochum unveiled groundbreaking findings showing that immune cells use catecholamines—neurotransmitters like dopamine and adrenaline—to communicate, similar to neurons. This significant discovery enhances our understanding of immune system regulation and was published in Advanced Science.
Neutrophils and Neurotransmitter Functions
The study, led by Prof. Luise Erpenbeck and Prof. Sebastian Kruss, highlights that neutrophils, the most prevalent type of white blood cell, utilize catecholamines for communication. These immune cells have the same molecular tools as nerve cells, enabling them to absorb, store, and release catecholamines in response to inflammatory stimuli.
“We were surprised to see how similar neutrophils and neurons are in their ability to handle neurotransmitters,” Erpenbeck stated. This discovery suggests that neutrophils play a more complex role in the immune response than previously understood.
Real-Time Monitoring of Immune Responses
The research team employed fluorescent carbon nanotube sensors (SWCNTs) to observe catecholamine release from living cells in real-time. This innovative approach allowed them to visualize the process directly under a microscope for the first time.
Inflammatory signals such as serotonin and bacterial components triggered the release of catecholamines. “Until now, we simply lacked the methods to visualize such processes directly in living immune cells,” Kruss explained. The ability to track these signals fundamentally alters our understanding of neutrophil function.
The Role of Catecholamines in Inflammation
The released catecholamines significantly influence the immune response. They help regulate the intensity of the neutrophil response while simultaneously promoting blood clotting, illustrating a direct connection between the immune and vascular systems.
Measurements of gene activity in healthy volunteers, where inflammation was induced, confirmed that neutrophils adapt their catecholamine receptors and synthesis during inflammatory responses. “This is a sign that this mechanism plays a significant role in the human inflammatory response,” Erpenbeck and Kruss concluded.
- Study published in: Advanced Science
- Research led by: Prof. Luise Erpenbeck and Prof. Sebastian Kruss
- Key findings: Neutrophils use catecholamines for communication
- Method used: Fluorescent carbon nanotube sensors
- Implications: Changes understanding of inflammation processes
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