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Influenza virus-induced changes in rabbit sleep and acute phase responses
M Kimura-Takeuchi1, J A Majde, L A Toth
1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
The American Journal of Physiology
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Sleep is part of the acute phase response to influenza virus infection. Repeated viral inoculations lead to a hyporesponsive state, diminishing sleep and other immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Sleep's role in host defense remains incompletely understood.
- Prior research has not systematically investigated sleep alterations following viral inoculation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sleep patterns and associated physiological responses after influenza virus inoculation in rabbits.
- To examine the host's acute phase response and potential hyporesponsiveness to sequential viral challenges.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits received sequential intravenous inoculations of influenza virus or control allantoic fluid.
- Sleep, brain temperature, leukocyte distribution, and serum markers (antiviral activity, ceruloplasmin) were monitored.
- Responses to initial inoculation were compared with subsequent inoculations and heat-inactivated virus.
Main Results:
- The first viral inoculation induced increased non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREMS), brain temperature, and immune markers.
- Subsequent viral inoculations resulted in diminished or absent acute phase responses, indicating a hyporesponsive state.
- Heat-inactivated virus did not elicit a response, but viable virus did, confirming the specificity of the immune reaction.
Conclusions:
- Sleep is a component of the acute phase response to viral infections.
- The observed hyporesponsive state suggests adaptive immune mechanisms may modulate early host defense responses.
- Findings support the hypothesis that sleep contributes to host defense against viral pathogens.