title: Effects of acute stress-induced immunomodulation on TH1/TH2 cytokine and catecholamine receptor expression in human peripheral blood cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is evidence that psychological stress can modulate immune functions. It has been hypothesized that acute stressors can affect both immune balance (including Th1 and Th2 cytokines) and expression of stress hormone receptors. This study investigated the impact of an acute stressor on gene expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in leukocytes. The effect on T regulatory cells (Treg), regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β, Th1 and Th2 cytokines and their receptors IFN-γR and IL-4R was also studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen normal volunteers completed an acute laboratory stressor, and blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 6 and 24 h after completion of the tasks. Cytokine production and Treg were determined by flow cytometry. Gene expressions of receptors were analyzed by real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IFN-γ was increased immediately and 1 h after stressor (p<0.05, respectively) and upregulation of IFN-γR mRNA was noted at 2, 6 and 24 h (p<0.01, respectively). IL-10 was decreased at 2 h (p<0.01). There were no significant changes in post-task IL-4R, Treg, or TGF-β. β2AR mRNA was increased at 2, 6 and 24 h (p<0.01, respectively). On the other hand, no significant alterations were observed in GR expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An acute stressor increased Th1 cytokine production and its receptor expression. β2AR but not GR was significantly increased after an acute stressor, which supports the hypothesis that catecholamine-mediated signal pathways in communication with the central nervous and immune systems play a fundamental role in acute stress-mediated immune alterations.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Behavioral Immunology Research, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. lxiang@umc.edu
authors.forename: Lianbin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Del Ben
authors.forename: Kristina E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Rehm
authors.forename: Gailen D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017983:Receptors, Catecholamine / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D016207:Cytokines; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; D017983:Receptors, Catecholamine; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor; C508609:IL10 protein, human