Odor cues from tumor-bearing mice induces neuroimmune changes.
Cohabitation for 14 days with an Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was shown, among others, to increase locomotor activity, and hypothalamic noradrenaline levels and turnover, to decrease the innate immune responses and animal resistance to tumor growth. The present experiment was designed to access the relevance of tactile, olfactory, and visual communication to the neuroimmune changes induced by cohabitation with a tumor-bearing partner. Mice that were not allowed to perceive odor cues from their sick partners presented no alterations in neutrophil activity, a fact not observed after visual deprivation and physical isolation. Mice use scents for intraspecies communication in many social contexts. Tumors produce volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere through breath, sweat, and urine. The present results strongly suggest that volatile compounds released by Ehrlich tumor-injected mice are perceived by their conspecifics, inducing the neuroimmune changes reported for cohabitation with a sick companion.
Alves
Glaucie Jussilane
GJ
Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Phathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vismari
Luciana
L
Lazzarini
Ricardo
R
Merusse
José Luis Bernardino
JL
Palermo-Neto
João
J
D000818:Animals; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003463:Cues; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000502:physiology; D009812:Odorants; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D010675:Pheromones / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior
D010675:Pheromones