title: Cutting edge: Sympathetic nervous system increases proinflammatory cytokines and exacerbates influenza A virus pathogenesis.
abstract: Although the sympathetic nervous system innervates the lung, little is known about its participation in host immunity to pulmonary pathogens. In this study, we show that peripheral sympathectomy reduces mouse morbidity and mortality from influenza A virus-induced pneumonia due to reduced inflammatory influx of monocytes, neutrophils, and NK cells. Mortality was also delayed by treating mice with an alpha-adrenergic antagonist. Sympathectomy diminished the immediate innate cytokine responses, particularly IL-1, which was profoundly reduced. These findings demonstrate an unexpected role for the sympathetic nervous system in innate antiviral immunity and in exacerbating the pathology of a virus of great significance to human and animal health.
authors.affiliation: Laboratories of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Kristie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Grebe
authors.forename: Kazuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Heather D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Embry
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bennink
authors.forename: Jonathan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yewdell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000821:virology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013562:Sympathectomy; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1