title: Binding of alpha-adrenergic receptors stimulates the anti-mycobacterial activity of murine peritoneal macrophages.
abstract: The effects of adrenergic stimulation of the anti-mycobacterial activity of peritoneal macrophages was investigated. We found that epinephrine and norepinephrine stimulated macrophages to suppress the growth of Mycobacterium avium. Stimulation was mediated by binding to the alpha 2 adrenergic receptor. The addition of the alpha 2 agonist clonidine to cultures resulted in an inhibition of mycobacterial growth and the effect of epinephrine was blocked by the alpha-antagonist phentolamine. Treatment of the macrophages with propranolol, a beta-antagonist, potentiated the effect of epinephrine. Epinephrine mediates its effect by stimulating the expression of macrophage activation genes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, College of Biological Sciences, Columbus 43210-1202, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Lafuse
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Zwilling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D000099173:Natural Resistance-associated Macrophage Protein 1
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D004837:Epinephrine; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D000099173:Natural Resistance-associated Macrophage Protein 1