title: Central catecholamine depletion inhibits peripheral lymphocyte responsiveness in spleen and blood.
abstract: Experimental and clinical evidence has demonstrated extensive communication between the CNS and the immune system. To analyse the role of central catecholamines in modulating peripheral immune functions, we injected the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) i.c.v. in rats. This treatment significantly reduced brain catecholamine content 2, 4 and 7 days after injection, and in the periphery splenic catecholamine levels were reduced 4 days after treatment. Central catecholamine depletion induced an inhibition of splenic and blood lymphocyte proliferation and splenic cytokine production and expression (interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma) 7 days after injection. In addition, central treatment with 6-OHDA reduced the percentage of spleen and peripheral blood natural killer (CD161 +) cells, and T-cytotoxic (CD8 +) cells in peripheral blood. The reduction in splenocyte proliferation was not associated with a glucocorticoid alteration but was completely abolished by prior peripheral sympathectomy. These data demonstrate a crucial role of central and peripheral catecholamines in modulating immune function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pacheco-López
authors.forename: Maj-Britt
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Niemi
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bildhäuser
authors.forename: Claus M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Marion U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Goebel
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: del Rey
authors.forename: Hugo O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Besedovsky
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schedlowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology; D016627:Oxidopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013563:Sympathectomy, Chemical
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016627:Oxidopamine