Stressed rats fail to expand the CD45RC+CD4+ (Th1-like) T cell subset in response to KLH: possible involvement of IFN-gamma.
Exposure to stressors effects various aspects of immune function, including the in vivo antibody response. We have previously reported that rats exposed to an acute session of inescapable tail shock (IS) show long-term reductions in anti-KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) IgM and IgG. The mechanisms responsible for this suppression are currently unknown. Previous work has suggested changes in CD4+ T cells could be important. We report here that exposure to IS results in a reduction in Con A-stimulated IFN-gamma levels in mesenteric lymphocytes and splenocytes taken immediately after IS termination. In addition, IS exposure prevents the KLH-induced increase in the number of CD45RC+CD4+ T cells (Th1-like) in both the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen 4 days after immunization. The failure of KLH to expand the CD45RC+CD4+ subset could be due to the stress-induced reduction in IFN-gamma levels reported in cells taken at the time of immunization. Implications of these findings as a mechanism for the decrease in the in vivo antibody response previously reported is discussed.
Fleshner
M
M
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado-Boulder 80309, USA.
Hermann
J
J
Lockwood
L L
LL
Laudenslager
M L
ML
Watkins
L R
LR
Maier
S F
SF
D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D004406:Dysgammaglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004597:Electroshock; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology*; D017099:IgG Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000172:deficiency*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery; D009333:Neck; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D006433:Hemocyanins; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin