Stress depresses interferon production by leukocytes concomitant with a decrease in natural killer cell activity.
This study addressed the effects of a commonplace stressful event on interferon production and natural killer (NK) cell activity and numbers. The quantity of interferons (IFN) produced by concanavalin A stimulated leukocytes obtained from 40 medical students during examinations was significantly lower when compared with IFN levels produced by peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) taken 6 weeks earlier (baseline). In addition, three different assays measuring NK cells also showed significant decrements during examinations when compared with baseline samples. These assays included lysis of MOLT-4 target cells, percentage of anti-Leu-7+ (NK) cells, and percentage of large granular lymphocytes. Self-report data documented the significantly greater distress associated with examinations in comparison with baseline samples. The data have implications for immunosuppressive disorders and stress-associated illnesses.
D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004260:DNA Repair; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D001798:Blood Proteins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D007372:Interferons