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Behaviorally conditioned immunosuppression using cyclosporine A: central nervous system reduces IL-2 production via

M S Exton1, S von Hörsten, M Schult

  • 1Division of Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|August 4, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Behavioral conditioning can suppress immune responses. The central nervous system (CNS) learns to mimic immunosuppressive drug effects, like cyclosporine A (CsA), via nerve pathways to the spleen.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Behavioral immunology
  • Psychoneuroimmunology

Background:

  • Bidirectional communication exists between the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system.
  • Behavioral conditioning can modify immune function, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if the immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) can be behaviorally conditioned in rats.
  • To elucidate the neural mechanisms mediating conditioned immunosuppression.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were conditioned to associate saccharin (gustatory stimulus) with CsA administration.
  • Immune responses (lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production) and allograft survival were assessed.
  • Surgical denervation of the spleen was performed to test the role of neural pathways.

Main Results:

  • Behaviorally conditioned rats showed suppressed mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and prolonged heart allograft survival.
  • Conditioned immunosuppression was associated with reduced IL-2 and IFN-gamma synthesis.
  • Surgical denervation of the spleen abolished the conditioned immunosuppressive effects.

Conclusions:

  • The CNS can learn to induce immunosuppression mimicking drug effects through neural pathways.
  • Conditioned immunomodulation is mediated neuronally, not humorally.
  • This CNS-mediated immunosuppression via splenic innervation may offer potential as a supportive therapy.

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