Selective inhibitory effects of stress hormones on natural killer (NK) cell activity of lymphocytes from AIDS patients.
To examine the potential role of stress hormones in the progression of HIV infections, we developed an in vitro model system that investigates the effects of cortisol, adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin on the natural killer cell activity of lymphocytes from normal subjects and AIDS patients. The system employs a 4 hr 51Cr release assay and K562 target cells. Direct addition of cortisol (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 microgram/ml) or ACTH (10(-6) to 10(-8) M) to the mixture of effector and prelabeled target cells did not produce any significant immunoregulatory effects on the NK cell activity of normal lymphocytes. Direct addition of beta-endorphin (10(-13) to 10(-17) M) to the mixture of effector and prelabeled target cells did not produce any significant immunoregulatory effects on the NK cell activity of lymphocytes from normal or AIDS subjects. However, cortisol and ACTH significantly inhibited the NK activity of lymphocytes from AIDS patients. The selective inhibitory effects of cortisol and ACTH in patients with HIV infections are consistent with a model which proposes that stress related neurohormones and/or neuropeptides may be involved in the progression of HIV infections.
Department of Medicine and Microbiology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo General Hospital 14203, USA.
M P
MP
Nair
L D
LD
Saravolatz
S A
SA
Schwartz
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone