Ethanol Consumption and Innate Neuroimmunity

Emerging researches from human and animal models have shown the role of ethanol in innate immune system modulation, particularly in the central nervous system. The activation of receptors of the innate immunity, Toll-like receptors and nucleotide- binding oligomerization domain-like (NOD-like) receptors, triggers the signaling pathways that bring to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which, in turn, provokes neuroinflammation and neural damage. The neuroimmune system response to ethanol intake, in specific brain regions such as amygdala, hippocampus and frontal cortex, is involved in addiction and in behavioural deficits observed in alcoholism. In murine models, the knockout for Toll-like or NODlike receptors abolishes most of the effects of ethanol on the immune system and preserves these mice from neural damage, neuroinflammation and alcohol dependence. Molecular targeting of immune system pathways is a new and promising area of research for the discovery of new biomarkers for neuroinflammation and for the development of novel pharmacotherapies in order to treat neurological and behavioural consequences of ethanol addiction. Biomed Rev 2017; 28: 49-61. Keywords: ethanol addiction, neuroinflammation, neuroimmunity, Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, inflammasomes