title: Beta-adrenergic receptors on splenic lymphocytes from axotomized mice.
abstract: Adrenergic receptors are present on lymphocytes but the extent to which their activation modulates lymphocyte function remains unclear. We studied beta-adrenergic receptors on mouse spleen lymphocytes using the antagonist 3H-dihydroalprenolol (3H-DHA) as a specific ligand. We report a significant increase in beta-receptor density in spleen lymphocytes from mice treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to destroy peripheral sympathetic nerve endings (axotomy). Mouse spleen lymphocytes were separated into T and B subpopulations on nylon wool columns or by panning. B cells from both control and axotomized mice were found to bear twice as many beta-receptors as T lymphocytes. Finally, using flow cytometry to identify cells labeled with goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin (lg), axotomized mouse spleen lymphocyte populations were shown to contain 25% fewer B cells than controls. This work demonstrates differences in beta-adrenergic receptor density on functionally distinct populations of lymphocytes. Furthermore, we show adaptive changes in receptor density on T and B lymphocytes following sympathetic denervation. Both of these observations serve to link the immune and sympathetic nervous system in a regulatory network.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol