Norepinephrine inhibits human natural killer cell activity in vitro.
The effect of norepinephrine on human NK cell activity was investigated using a flow cytometry assay. NK cell activity was found to be inhibited by direct addition of norepinephrine to lymphocyte/target cell mixtures in a dose-dependent fashion. This inhibitory effect of norepinephrine was blocked by propranolol but not by atenolol. The results suggest that norepinephrine has a negative influence on NK cell activity and that the effect of norepinephrine is mediated via beta 2-adrenoceptors.
Takamoto
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
Hori
Y
Y
Koga
Y
Y
Toshima
H
H
Hara
A
A
Yokoyama
M M
MM
D001262:Atenolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D001262:Atenolol; D011433:Propranolol; D009638:Norepinephrine