β₂-adrenergic receptors in inflammation and vascular complications of diabetes

The cross talk between the immune and nervous systems is critical not only for maintaining normal homeostasis but also for the progression of a variety of inflammatory diseases. Macrophage activation and β₂-adrenergic receptors are known to play important roles in facilitating this communication between these 2 systems. Using an integrated in vitro and in vivo study, Noh et al. reveal that β₂-adrenergic receptor agonists exhibit protective effects against the vascular complications of diabetes. The protective effects of β₂-adrenergic receptor agonists seem to be dependent on a β-arrestin2/inhibitor of kappa B/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.