Stress-induced suppression of the cellular immune reactions: on the neuroendocrine control of the immune system.
Immune competence is considered as a state of equilibrium between humoral and cellular immunity. This notion fits well with the functionally antagonistic cytokine profiles in cell groups of CD4(+)-helper cells as described by Mosmann and Coffman. The Th-1 cells release mainly IL-2, IL-12 and IFN gamma and thereby stimulate the cellular immune reactions. Conversely, the Th-2 cells produce predominantly IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, thus enhancing humoral immune reactions. Recently, it has been shown that the lymphokine profiles in Th-2 are linked to changes of the humoral balance between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone. These studies show that there exist states of equilibrium between T- and B-cell-mediated immune reactions, which may selectively be altered to the disadvantage of the T-cellular immunity by a stress-induced enhancement of cortisol release. In an attempt to restitute stress-induced immunosuppression, a dampening of the cortisol release hormone in the hypothalamus should, therefore, be of primary importance.
Hässig
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A
Study Group Nutrition and Immunology, Bern, Switzerland.
Wen-Xi
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L
Stampfli
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K
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D006854:Hydrocortisone