In vitro adrenergic modulation of cellular immune functions in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effects in vitro of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists on splenocyte proliferation and on proinflammatory cytokine production in splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages (MF) in different stages of EAE.


METHODS
Splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages were harvested in the acute phase of EAE and in remission, and from controls. The beta-agonist terbutaline, the alpha(1)-agonist methoxamine, and the alpha(2)-agonist UK-14304 were added with ConA or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma contents in supernatant and splenocyte proliferation were determined.


RESULTS
Terbutaline and UK-14304 significantly suppressed TNF-alpha production by MF. However, EAE acute phase rats were resistant to the suppressive effect of UK-14304. Terbutaline significantly suppressed IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production by splenocytes. EAE acute phase and remission animals showed reduced terbutaline-induced inhibition of IFN-gamma production.


CONCLUSIONS
Disturbed sympathetic-immune communication in EAE is characterized by alterations in adrenergic sensitivity via both alpha- and beta-adrenergic pathways.
Haerter
Katharina
K
Department of Medical Psychology, University of Essen Medical School, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Vroon
Anne
A
Kavelaars
Annemieke
A
Heijnen
Cobi J
CJ
Limmroth
Volker
V
Espinosa
Enrique
E
Schedlowski
Manfred
M
Elsenbruch
Sigrid
S
D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma