Coping and Immune Function
Abstract
The purpose of the research was to develop reliable procedures whereby the interaction between psychological stress and immune function could be studied, and to begin to explore the mechanisms induced. Standard in vitro measures such as mitogen stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and NK cytotoxicity were not altered by stressors in the range that we explored in a repeatable manner. However, in vivo antibody (IgM and IgG) levels to antigen (KLH) were reliably and repeatably reduced by stressors administered soon after antigen. The stressors explored were inescapable tailshock and defeat in territorial aggression. Importantly, time spent in submissive postures rather than attack or bites predicted the reduction of antibody to KLH. Parameters such as the amount of stressor exposure and timing between stressor and antigen were explored. There are a number of mechanisms by which antibody production could have been reduced. We pursued the possibility that the stressors reduced antibody by producing a change in cell trafficking patterns such that there was an alteration of relative cell populations in some critical compartment of the immune system. We determined that the stressors used shifted CD4+/CD8+ ratios in mesenteric lymph nodes, but not elsewhere. We further obtained evidence that this change was a key factor in reducing antibody production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA236811
Entities
People
- Steven Maier
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder