Crosstalk Between Lung and Extrapulmonary Organs in Infection and Inflammation

Abstract

Acute and chronic lung inflammation is a risk factor for various diseases involving lungs and extrapulmonary organs. Intercellular and interorgan networks, including crosstalk between lung and brain, intestine, heart, liver, and kidney, coordinate host immunity against infection, protect tissue, and maintain homeostasis. However, this interaction may be counterproductive and cause acute or chronic comorbidities due to dysregulated inflammation in the lung. In this chapter, we review the relationship of the lung with other key organs during normal cell processes and disease development. We focus on how pneumonia may lead to a systemic pathophysiological response to acute lung injury and chronic lung disease through organ interactions, which can facilitate the development of undesirable and even deleterious extrapulmonary sequelae.