Benjamin Steinberg

My research focuses on the communication between the nervous and immune systems in inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis, pain and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The nervous system senses inflammatory molecules (bacterial products and cytokines) and modulate immune responses by reprogramming the inflammatory phenotype of immune cells. The inflammatory reflex mediated by the vagus nerve exemplifies this real-time modulation of immunity by the nervous system and forms the basis of our studies. Integrating preclinical animal models, in vivo electrophysiology and cell culture, we investigate how immune molecules, such as cytokines and bacterial products, activate sensory neurons. Once activated, the neurons transmit information regarding inflammation to the central nervous system. By decoding these electrical signals, we hope to “read” the neural immunologic code. Similarly, using pharmacologic and electrical nerve stimulation paradigms we examine how neuromodulation impacts on immunology in health and disease. Our aim is to “write” neural signals that modify immune responses. We apply these approaches to better understand the pathology underpinning pain and pulmonary vascular disease. This knowledge will inform the design and implementation of novel strategies that use neuromonitoring and neuromodulation to respectively evaluate and treated these devastating inflammatory diseases. Keywords: Inflammation, neuroinflammation, neuromodulation, bioelectronic medicine, autonomic nervous system, pain, sepsis, pulmonary hypertension, cytokines, microglia, macrophages, inflammasomes, electrophysiology, pulmonary inflammation, pyroptosis