Antarctic isolation: immune and viral studies.
Stressful environmental conditions are a major determinant of immune reactivity. This effect is pronounced in Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition populations exposed to prolonged periods of isolation in the Antarctic. Alterations of T cell function, including depression of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and a peak 48.9% reduction of T cell proliferation to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, were documented during a 9-month period of isolation. T cell dysfunction was mediated by changes within the peripheral blood mononuclear cell compartment, including a paradoxical atypical monocytosis associated with altered production of inflammatory cytokines. There was a striking reduction in the production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the predominant pro-inflammatory monokine TNF-alpha and changes were also detected in the production of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-1ra and IL-10. Prolonged Antarctic isolation is also associated with altered latent herpesvirus homeostasis, including increased herpesvirus shedding and expansion of the polyclonal latent Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cell population. These findings have important long-term health implications.
Tingate
T R
TR
Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Australia.
Lugg
D J
DJ
Muller
H K
HK
Stowe
R P
RP
Pierson
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012008:Recurrence; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers