Effects of stress on the immune response to Theiler's virus--implications for virus-induced autoimmunity.

Neuroimmunomodulation
C Jane R WelshMary W Meagher

Abstract

Psychological stress is an important factor in susceptibility to many diseases. Our laboratory has been investigating the impact of stress on the susceptibility to Theiler's virus-induced demyelination (TVID), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Using immunodominant viral peptides specific for identification of either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells, stress reduced IFN-gamma-producing virus-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the spleen and CD8(+) T cells in the CNS. Expression of mRNA for the Th1 transcription factor T-bet and the Th2 transcription factor GATA-3 were decreased in spleen cells isolated from stressed mice. Cytokine production by cells isolated from the CNS or spleens following stimulation with virus indicated that stress decreased both type 1 and type 2 responses. The adverse effects of stress were partially reversed by concurrent RU486 administration but mimicked by dexamethasone, indicating a major role for glucocorticoids. Global stress-induced immunosuppression resulted in higher levels of virus replication and dissemination. The higher viral load subsequently led to an earlier disease onset and more severe clinical and histological signs of demyelinating disease. Our results have important implications for unde...Continue Reading

References

Mar 23, 2004·BMJ : British Medical Journal·David C MohrDaniel Pelletier
Apr 25, 2006·Journal of Neuroimmunology·Robin R JohnsonMary W Meagher
Apr 8, 2009·Brain, Behavior, and Immunity·Andrew J SteelmanC Jane R Welsh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 30, 2013·Autoimmunity Reviews·Anna KaragkouniTheoharis C Theoharides
Jul 22, 2014·Brain, Behavior, and Immunity·Nicholas E MartinezIkuo Tsunoda
Sep 19, 2019·Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·Ciara Jade Bansal, Amolak Singh Bansal
Apr 14, 2017·Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology·Petr NovakPeter Filipcik

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur as a result of an attack by the immune system on the body’s own tissues resulting in damage and dysfunction. There are different types of autoimmune diseases, in which there is a complex and unknown interaction between genetics and the environment. Discover the latest research on autoimmune diseases here.