Hypothalamic-immune interactions. I. The acute effect of anterior hypothalamic lesions on the immune response

Rats with electrolytic anterior hypothalamic lesions show changes in lymphoid tissue cellularity and a decrease in the response to concanavalin A (Con A). This effect manifests itself maximally 4 days after lesioning, with a return to normal by day 14. The changes are not mediated through the release of corticosteroids. These data indicate the presence of a neuroendocrine pathway that is capable of modulating immune function.