Immunosuppressive effect of restraint stress on the initiation of allergic rhinitis in mice.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to acute stressors modulates both innate and acquired immune function. However, little is known about whether stress has the potential to modulate the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of acute restraint stress on the initiation of allergic rhinitis in a murine model.


METHODS
CBA/J mice were repeatedly intranasally sensitized with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from honeybee venom without adjuvant. Restraint stress was applied using uniform cylinders once a week for a continuous 8-hour period, on five occasions in total. Production of PLA2-specific antibodies and degree of nasal and blood eosinophilia were compared between stressed and control mice.


RESULTS
Repeated intranasal sensitization with PLA2 induced PLA2-specific IgE and marked eosinophilia in both the nose and blood in CBA/J mice. Exposure to restraint stress significantly inhibited production of PLA2-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a. Conversely, the stress exerted no significant effect on eosinophilia.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to acute restraint stress inhibits antigen-specific antibody production, but not local or systemic eosinophilia. The results of this study suggest that acute stress has the potential to modulate the initiation of allergic rhinitis.
Nishioka
Keiko
K
Department of Otolaryngology, Takinomiya General Hospital, Kagawa, Japan. ICK44289@nifty.com
Okano
Mitsuhiro
M
Ichihara
Yumiko
Y
Ichihara
Naoto
N
Nishizaki
Kazunori
K
D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D023421:Models, Animal; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000276:immunology*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*
D001514:Bee Venoms; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2