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Behavioral influences on the immune system: stress and conditioning
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Behavioral conditioning can impact immune responses. Acute stress, like footshock, reduced natural killer (NK) cell activity in some mice, but chronic stress did not, suggesting adaptive mechanisms limit damage.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Behavioral Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Immune responses are known to be influenced by classical conditioning.
- Behavioral effects on immunity are evident in stress-induced immunosuppression.
- Stressors can negatively impact various immune functions, including antibody and lymphocyte responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute and chronic stress on natural killer (NK) cell activity.
- To explore the role of genetic factors in immunological responses to stress.
- To examine potential adaptive mechanisms against stress-induced immune suppression.
Main Methods:
- Mice (CD-1, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J strains) were exposed to acute or chronic inescapable footshock.
- Natural killer (NK) cell activity was measured in stressed and control groups.
- Genetic influences on stress-induced immune changes were assessed.
Main Results:
- Acute inescapable footshock significantly inhibited NK cell activity in CD-1 and C57BL/6J mice.
- DBA/2J mice did not exhibit reduced NK cell activity following acute footshock, indicating genetic variability.
- Chronic inescapable footshock did not reduce NK cell activity compared to control levels in any mouse strain.
Conclusions:
- Genetic factors significantly influence immunological responses to acute stress.
- Adaptive processes may develop during chronic stress exposure, mitigating immunosuppressive effects.
- Behavioral conditioning and stress can modulate immune function, with varying effects based on stressor duration and genetic background.