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TNF-alpha-induced corticosterone elevation but not serum protein or corticosteroid binding globulin reduction is
M Fleshner1, L Silbert, T Deak
1Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 80309, USA.
Abstract:
Immune activation leads to production of mediators such as cytokines, which act to induce both brain-mediated and peripheral defense processes. We used intraperitoneal administration of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to investigate whether defense processes induced by this cytokine are mediated by vagal afferents and/or interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptors. Because some effects of TNF-alpha are mediated, at least in part, by the brain [plasma corticosterone (CORT) elevation] and some are mediated by peripheral organs [reduction of serum protein and corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG)], we also investigated whether the effects of vagotomy are specific to those defense processes mediated by the brain. Both vagotomy and IL-1 receptor antagonist attenuated serum CORT elevation, but had no effects on serum protein or CBG reduction. These results support the idea that vagal afferents provide a true immune-to-brain pathway that may include IL-1 receptors.