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Cerebellar interposed nucleus lesions suppress lymphocyte function in rats
Yu-Ping Peng1, Yi-Hua Qiu, Jian Qiu
1Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu Province, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China.
Insights
The cerebellum
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- The cerebellum's role in immune function is increasingly recognized.
- Previous studies indicated the fastigial nucleus modulates lymphocyte activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cerebellar interposed nuclei's (IN) role in neuroimmunomodulation.
- To determine the impact of IN lesions on immune cell populations and functions.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral IN lesions in rats using kainic acid (KA).
- Assessment of peripheral blood lymphocyte percentages.
- Measurement of lymphocyte proliferation, antibody production, and natural killer cell activity at 8, 16, and 32 days post-lesion.
Main Results:
- IN lesions significantly reduced lymphocyte percentages in peripheral blood.
- KA-induced IN lesions attenuated concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte proliferation.
- Reduced serum antibody levels and natural killer cell cytotoxicity were observed in lesioned rats.
Conclusions:
- The cerebellar IN exerts inhibitory effects on T, B, and natural killer lymphocytes.
- The cerebellum plays a significant role in regulating immune function.
- The cerebellum is a key brain region involved in neuroimmunomodulation beyond motor control.
Abstract:
We previously reported that the cerebellar fastigial nucleus, output nucleus of the spinocerebellum, modulates lymphocyte function. To further explore the role of the cerebellum in neuroimmunomodulation, we here lesioned bilaterally the cerebellar interposed nuclei (IN) of rats with kainic acid (KA) injections. On days 8, 16 and 32 after IN lesions, lymphocyte percentage in peripheral white blood cells was examined. Furthermore, proliferation of lymphocytes from mesenteric lymph nodes induced by concanavalin A, sheep red blood cell-specific IgM antibody in the serum and cytotoxicity of natural killer cells from spleen against YAC-1 cells were measured by methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometric assay, respectively. On days 8, 16 and 32 after KA injection in the IN, the lymphocyte percentage in the peripheral white blood cells was notably diminished with respect to control rats injected with saline in the IN. Concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte proliferation, serum sheep red blood cell-specific IgM antibody and natural killer cell toxicity of the IN-lesioned rats were significantly attenuated with respect to IN-saline control rats at all the post-lesion time points. The findings reveal that KA-induced neuronal loss in the IN of both sides exerts an inhibitory effect on number and functions of T, B and natural killer lymphocytes, and indicate that the cerebellar IN participates in regulating immune function. Thus, the data suggest that the cerebellum may be an important brain area for neuroimmunomodulation, besides its well-known role in motor control.
