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Published on: April 24, 2016
Effect of parasympathetic decentralization on interferon-gamma release from rat submandibular lymph nodes in vitro
A I Esquifino1, P O Castrillón, A Arce
1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
Insights
Parasympathetic nerve activity significantly influences immune responses. Severing nerves reduced interferon-gamma release from lymph nodes, indicating a role for the parasympathetic nervous system in immune cell function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- The immune and nervous systems are intricately connected.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a key cytokine in immune responses.
- The role of parasympathetic innervation in regulating lymph node immune function is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of parasympathetic decentralization on IFN-gamma release from rat submandibular lymph nodes.
- To explore the modulatory effects of neurotransmitters and receptor agonists/antagonists on IFN-gamma production.
Main Methods:
- Unilateral parasympathetic decentralization of submandibular lymph nodes by chorda tympani severance in rats.
- Measurement of IFN-gamma release from lymph node cells.
- Stimulation with mitogens (lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A) and pharmacological agents (metacholine, atropine, nicotine).
Main Results:
- Parasympathetic decentralization led to significantly reduced IFN-gamma release compared to innervated controls.
- Mitogen-stimulated IFN-gamma release was observed only in cells from innervated lymph nodes.
- The muscarinic agonist metacholine decreased IFN-gamma release and suppressed mitogen-induced release in innervated lymph nodes.
Conclusions:
- Local parasympathetic activity plays a significant role in modulating IFN-gamma release from submandibular lymph nodes.
- Parasympathetic nerves can influence the immune cell response within lymph nodes.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the regulation of interferon (IFN)-gamma release by cells from submandibular lymph nodes of rats subjected to a unilateral parasympathetic decentralization by severing the ipsilateral chorda tympani 7 days earlier. Cells obtained from contralateral sham-operated submandibular lymph nodes were employed as control. Parasympathetic decentralization of lymph nodes resulted in significantly less IFN-gamma release as compared to that found in innervated lymph nodes. Mitogens (lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A) stimulated IFN-gamma release in cells derived from the innervated lymph nodes only. The muscarinic agonist metacholine decreased IFN-gamma release in cells derived from innervated lymph nodes. At the highest concentration employed (10(-4) M), metacholine suppressed the stimulatory effect of mitogens on IFN-gamma release in cells of innervated lymph nodes while the muscarinic antagonist atropine (10(-8) - 10(-4) M) lacked to affect IFN-gamma release. Addition of nicotine (10(-5) - 10(-3) M) failed to modify IFN-gamma release. The results support the occurrence of significant effects of local parasympathetics in modulating IFN-gamma release by submandibular lymph nodes.
