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Nerve-mediated contractions of sheep mesenteric lymph node capsules.
K D Thornbury1, N G McHale, J M Allen
1Department of Physiology, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The Journal of Physiology
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Sheep mesenteric lymph node capsules exhibit noradrenergic innervation. This innervation modulates capsule tone through alpha-adrenoceptors, influencing smooth muscle contractions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mesenteric lymph nodes play a crucial role in immune responses.
- The capsule of lymph nodes contains smooth muscle, but its innervation and function are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the innervation of sheep mesenteric lymph node capsules.
- To determine the role of this innervation in modulating capsule tone and contractility.
Main Methods:
- Isometric tension recordings from isolated sheep mesenteric lymph node capsule strips.
- Field stimulation at varying frequencies (1-16 Hz).
- Pharmacological characterization using tetrodotoxin, alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists (phentolamine, rauwolscine, prazosin), a noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor (desipramine), and atropine.
Main Results:
- Field stimulation induced frequency-dependent tonic contractions.
- The response was abolished by tetrodotoxin, indicating neural involvement.
- Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists reduced the contractions, while desipramine potentiated them.
- Atropine had no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- Sheep mesenteric lymph node capsules possess a functional noradrenergic innervation.
- This innervation modulates capsule tone primarily through alpha-adrenoceptors.
- The findings suggest a role for lymph node capsule contractility in immune function.