title: Sympathetic nerve destruction in spleen in murine AIDS.
abstract: In susceptible strains of mice, the LP-BM5 mixture of murine retroviruses induces the fatal immunodeficiency disease known as murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (murine AIDS or MAIDS). We have previously reported that murine AIDS produces a profound depletion of splenic norepinephrine (NE). Here, we demonstrate that NE depletion is limited to the spleen, a major site affected by LP-BM5 infection. NE depletion in the spleen is first observed at two weeks following LP-BM5 inoculation, concurrent with the onset of splenomegaly, and continues through 12 weeks post-infection. Neuroanatomical studies revealed that the reduction in NE is due to destruction of splenic sympathetic nerve fibers. Administration of the NE reuptake blocker desipramine did not prevent LP-BM5-induced NE depletion, suggesting that destruction is not caused by excess release and reuptake of NE. Elucidating the mechanism of MAIDS-induced sympathetic nerve destruction may provide insight into autonomic and peripheral neuropathies reported in people with AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychoneuroimmunology Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Boulevard, 14642, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sheila P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kelley
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Moynihan
authors.forename: Suzanne Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Lee J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Grota
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Felten
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018450:Disease Progression; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016183:Murine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013154:Spleen / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D003891:Desipramine; D009638:Norepinephrine