Fig. 2
From: The gateway reflex regulates tissue-specific autoimmune diseases
The gravity gateway reflex. Gravity stimulates sensory nerves in the soleus muscles to activate sympathetic nerves connected to the L5 dorsal vessels. Norepinephrine released by these sympathetic nerves targets L5-specific vessels and activates the IL-6 amplifier, culminating in the accumulation of pathogenic CD4 + T cells in the L5 spinal cord, an event primarily mediated by CCL20. Sensory neurons and sympathetic neurons are thought to be connected in the L5 DRG