Establishing a system to identify correlations among immune system components for exploring alternative pathways for...

The classic immune system information transfer occurs through direct cell-to-cell contact and the secretion of mediators. However, certain immune phenomena suggest alternative pathways exist between immune components that operate independently of these conventional mechanisms.

We used 24 male C57Bl/6 J mice, divided into six groups, to establish a system for testing alternative immune information transfer pathways. Two triggers-splenectomy and 24-hour fasting-were applied in various combinations. Splenocytes were prepared from operated mice and placed in sterile tubes within cages of different treatment groups. Ex vivo lymphocyte responses were measured using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for cell epitope expression (CD4, CD8, CD25, Foxp3) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cytokine secretion (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β).

Significant changes were observed in CD25 and CD8+CD25 expression, as well as in IL-10 secretion, following the application of the triggers. The system exhibited inherent variability with trends toward altered immune responses in isolated splenocytes that had no direct contact with the trigger-exposed animals. Non-parametric analysis indicates a trend for these markers, even though there is significant variability within the groups..

The data suggest a system where correlations between immune components may occur through alternative pathways, indicating the possibility of non-conventional information transfer mechanisms in the immune system that require further investigation.