Chronic ICV infusion of neuropeptides alters lymphocyte populations in experimental rodents

The sympathetic nervous system has been shown to influence immune function. Angiotensin II and substance P are two neurally active peptides that have been shown to increase sympathetic nervous system activity when injected centrally. Using osmotic minipumps, we chronically infused angiotensin II (1 microgram/h) and substance P (2 micrograms/h) into the brains of intact Sprague-Dawley rats for a period of 1 month and 2 weeks, respectively. Age-matched control animals were infused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid. We then examined the effect of this infusion on the percentage of different lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood. The angiotensin II infused animals showed an increase in the percentage of total T-cells and a decrease in the percentage of B-cells relative to controls. The substance P treated animals also showed an increase in the percentage of T-cells present, but failed to show the decrease in the B-cell population seen with the angiotensin II infused group. This study shows that the central nervous system can influence the immune system. As shown in this study, these effects are most likely mediated via the sympathetic nervous system. These results add to the expanding body of data suggesting an important role of the central nervous in regulating immune function and our susceptibility to disease.