title: Evidence for a beta-adrenoceptor-mediated regulation of human natural killer cells.
abstract: Pretreatment of lymphocytes (16 hr, 37 degrees C) with adrenaline at final concentrations of 10(-7) to 10(-9) M, followed by removal of the drug, increased natural killer (NK) cell activity vs K562 leukemic cells in a 4-hr 51Cr-release assay. The most efficient concentration of adrenaline was 10(-8) M; mean increase of NK activity over base-line activity for all donors examined was 30%. However, the individual response to adrenaline pretreatment was variable; in some donors, the effect was equal to maximal interferon (IFN) stimulation. Effects of adrenaline pretreatment were consistently reduced to base-line activity by co-incubation with the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol at 100-fold higher concentrations. The enhancing effect of adrenaline (10(-8) M) pretreatment was also observed after 1-hr pretreatment; this effect was prevented by simultaneous incubation with propranolol but was not affected by dex-propranolol. Direct addition of adrenaline to lymphocyte/target cell mixtures was inhibitory at 10(-6) M adrenaline concentration. The inhibitory effect of adrenaline in this assay was again completely prevented by propranolol and unaffected by dex-propranolol. The observed stimulatory effect of adrenaline pretreatment could not be ascribed to IFN production. Data presented indicate a dual effect of adrenaline on NK cell activity and suggest both a positive and a negative beta-adrenoceptor-mediated regulation of human NK cells.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellstrand
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hermodsson
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Strannegård
mesh_terms: D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D011292:Premedication; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D007372:Interferons; D011433:Propranolol; D004837:Epinephrine