Stress-associated modulation of proto-oncogene expression in human peripheral blood leukocytes

Changes in the cellular immune response associated with psychological stress were studied by using an academic stress model with medical students. The authors examined the expression of 2 proto-oncogenes, c-myc and c-myb, in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) obtained from medical students at the time of examinations and at a baseline period approximately 1 month prior to the examinations. The level of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of both protooncogenes was significantly lower in PBLs obtained during examinations than in those from the baseline period. In addition, a significant decrease in the level of mRNA to the glucocorticoid receptor and gamma interferon was also found in the same preparations. The decrease in mRNA content of c-myc, c-myb, the glucocorticoid receptor, and gamma interferon in PBLs obtained from subjects during examinations is consistent with data from previous studies using the same model that have demonstrated a down-regulation of T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation in response to mitogens.