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Mota CMD, Madden CJ. Neural control of the spleen as an effector of immune responses to inflammation: mechanisms and treatments. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2022; 323:R375-R384. [PMID: 35993560 PMCID: PMC9485006 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00151.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Immune system responses are a vital defense mechanism against pathogens. Inflammatory mediators finely regulate complex inflammatory responses from initiation to resolution. However, in certain conditions, the inflammation is initiated and amplified, but not resolved. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the regulation of the immune response is critical for developing therapeutic alternatives, including pharmaceuticals and bioelectronic tools. The spleen is an important immune effector organ since it orchestrates innate and adaptive immune responses such as pathogen clearance, cytokine production, and differentiation of cells, therefore playing a modulatory role that balances pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. However, modulation of splenic immune activity is a largely unexplored potential therapeutic tool that could be used for the treatment of inflammatory and life-threatening conditions. This review discusses some of the mechanisms controlling neuroimmune communication and the brain-spleen axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa M D Mota
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Christopher J Madden
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Cleypool CGJ, Mackaaij C, Lotgerink Bruinenberg D, Schurink B, Bleys RLAW. Sympathetic nerve distribution in human lymph nodes. J Anat 2021; 239:282-289. [PMID: 33677834 PMCID: PMC8273593 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Various lymph node functions are regulated by the sympathetic nervous system as shown in rodent studies. If human lymph nodes show a comparable neural regulation, their afferent nerves could represent a potential therapeutic target to treat, for example, infectious or autoimmune disease. Little information is available on human lymph node innervation and the aim of this study is to establish a comprehensive and accurate representation of the presence and location of sympathetic nerves in human lymph nodes. Since previous studies mention sympathetic paravascular nerves to occasionally extent into T cell‐rich regions, the relation of these nerves with T cells was studied as well. A total number of 15 inguinal lymph nodes were resected from six donated human cadavers. Lymph node sections were stained with HE and a double T/B cell staining for evaluation of their morphology and to screen for general pathologies. A triple stain was used to identify blood vessels, sympathetic nerves and T cells, and, to study the presence and location of sympathetic nerves and their relation to T cells. To evaluate whether the observed nerves were en route to other structures or were involved in local processes, adjacent slides were stained with a marker for varicosities (synaptophysin), which presence is suggestive for synaptic activity. All lymph nodes contained sympathetic nerves, both as paravascular and discrete structures. In 15/15 lymph nodes, nerves were observed in their capsule, medulla and hilum, whereas only 13/15 lymph nodes contained nerves in their cortex. The amount of sympathetic nerves varied between compartments and between and within individuals. In general, if a lymph node contained more paravascular nerves in a specific compartment, more discrete nerves were observed as well. Occasionally, discrete nerves were observed in relation to T cells in lymphoid tissues of the cortex and medulla. Furthermore, discrete nerves were frequently present in the capsule and hilum. The presence of varicosities in a portion of these nerves, independently to their compartment, suggested a local regulatory function for these nerves. Human lymph nodes contain sympathetic nerves in their capsule, trabeculae, cortex, medulla and hilum, both as paravascular or as discrete structures. Discrete nerves were observed in relation to T cells and non‐T cell‐rich areas such as the hilar and capsular connective tissue. The presence of discrete structures suggests neural regulation of structures other than blood vessels, which was further supported by the presence of varicosities in a portion of these nerves. These observations are of relevance in further understanding neural regulation of lymph node immune responses and in the development of neuromodulatory immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy G J Cleypool
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Surgical Specialties, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Claire Mackaaij
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Surgical Specialties, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dyonne Lotgerink Bruinenberg
- Experimental Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bernadette Schurink
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald L A W Bleys
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Surgical Specialties, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Lansink MO, Patyk V, de Groot H, Effenberger-Neidnicht K. Melatonin reduces changes to small intestinal microvasculature during systemic inflammation. J Surg Res 2017; 211:114-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Origins of the sympathetic innervation to the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT): an anatomical substrate for a neuroimmune connection. J Neuroimmunol 2014; 276:119-25. [PMID: 25281233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The participation of sympathetic nerve fibers in the innervation of the nasal-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT) was investigated in hamsters. Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), an established sympathetic marker, is expressed in all neurons of superior cervical ganglia (SCG). In addition, VMAT2 -immunoreactive nerve fibers were localized in the NALT as well as in adjacent anatomical structures of the upper respiratory tract. Unilateral surgical ablation of the SCG abolished VMAT2 innervation patterns ipsilaterally while the contra lateral side is unaffected. These results provide the anatomical substrate for a neuroimmune connection in the NALT.
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Roggero E, Wildmann J, Passerini MO, del Rey A, Besedovsky HO. Different peripheral neuroendocrine responses to Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice lacking adaptive immunity. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2012; 1262:37-44. [PMID: 22823433 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06645.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice triggers neuroendocrine responses that affect the course of the disease. To analyze the contribution of adaptive immunity to these responses, comparative studies between normal C57Bl/6J and recombinase activator gene 1 (RAG-1)-deficient mice, which lack mature B and T lymphocytes, were performed. There was no difference between both types of mice in basal body weight. Following infection, higher parasitemia, increased IL-1β and IL-6 blood levels, less marked changes in lymphoid organs weight, no cardiomegaly, and earlier mortality were observed in RAG-1-deficient, compared with normal mice. The response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis after infection occurred earlier and was more intense in RAG-1-deficient mice than in normal mice. Noradrenaline concentration and serotonergic metabolism in the spleen, lymph nodes, and heart differed between RAG-1-deficient and normal mice. Our studies indicate that the absence of adaptive immunity to T. cruzi influences the neuroendocrine response to the infection with this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Roggero
- CAECHIS, Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Rosario, Argentina
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Anagnostou VK, Doussis-Anagnostopoulou I, Tiniakos DG, Karandrea D, Agapitos E, Karakitsos P, Kittas C. Ontogeny of intrinsic innervation in the human thymus and spleen. J Histochem Cytochem 2007; 55:813-20. [PMID: 17438351 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.6a7168.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ontogeny of the innervation of human lymphoid organs has not been studied in detail. Our aim was to assess the nature and distribution of parenchymal nerves in human fetal thymus and spleen. We used the peroxidase immunohistochemical technique with antibodies specific to neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilaments (NF), PGP9.5, S100 protein, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and evaluated our results with image analysis. In human fetal thymus, NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerves were identified associated with large blood vessels from 18 gestational weeks (gw) onwards, increasing in density during development. Their branches penetrated the septal areas at 20 gw, reaching the cortex and the corticomedullary junction between 20 and 23 gw. Few nerve fibers were seen in the medulla in close association with Hassall's corpuscles. In human fetal spleen, NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerve fibers were localized in the connective tissue surrounding the splenic artery at 18 gw. Perivascular NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerve fibers were seen extending into the white pulp, mainly in association with the central artery and its branches, increasing in density during gestation. Scattered NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerve fibers and endings were localized in the red pulp from 18 gw onward. The predominant perivascular distribution of most parenchymal nerves implies that thymic and splenic innervation may play an important functional role during intrauterine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valsamo K Anagnostou
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Str, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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Nickerson M, Kennedy SL, Johnson JD, Fleshner M. Sexual dimorphism of the intracellular heat shock protein 72 response. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2006; 101:566-75. [PMID: 16690792 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00259.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of previous work examining stress responses has been done in males. Recently, it has become clear that the impact of stressor exposure is modulated by sex. One stress response that may be affected by sex is the induction of intracellular heat shock protein (HSP) 72, which is a stress- responsive molecular chaperone that refolds denatured proteins and promotes cellular survival. The following study compared HSP72 in males and females and also examined whether the estrous cycle altered HSP72 induction in females. We hypothesized that females compared with males would have a constrained HSP72 response after an acute stressor and that the stress-induced HSP72 response in females would fluctuate with the estrous cycle. Male and female F344 rats were either left in their home cage or exposed to acute tail-shock stress (8–10/group). Immediately following stressor, trunk blood was collected and tissues were flash frozen. Vaginal smear and estrogen enzyme immunoassay were used to categorize the phase of estrous. Results show that female rats had a greater corticosterone response than males, that both males and females exhibit a stress-induced release of progesterone, and that males and females had equal levels of stress-induced circulating norepinephrine. Sexual dimorphism of the HSP72 (ELISA) response existed in pituitary gland, mesenteric lymph nodes, and liver such that female rats had an attenuated HSP72 response compared with males after stress. The adrenal glands, spleen, and heart did not exhibit sexual dimorphism of the HSP72 response. The estrous cycle did not have a significant effect on basal or stress-induced HSP72 in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nickerson
- Dept. of IPHY, CB 354, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
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Ganta CK, Lu N, Helwig BG, Blecha F, Ganta RR, Zheng L, Ross CR, Musch TI, Fels RJ, Kenney MJ. Central angiotensin II-enhanced splenic cytokine gene expression is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2005; 289:H1683-91. [PMID: 15908469 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00125.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that central angiotensin II (ANG II) administration would activate splenic sympathetic nerve discharge (SND), which in turn would alter splenic cytokine gene expression. Experiments were completed in sinoaortic nerve-lesioned, urethane-chloralose-anesthetized, splenic nerve-intact (splenic-intact) and splenic nerve-lesioned (splenic-denervated) Sprague-Dawley rats. Splenic cytokine gene expression was determined using gene-array and real-time RT-PCR analyses. Splenic SND was significantly increased after intracerebroventricular administration of ANG II (150 ng/kg, 10 microl), but not artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). Splenic mRNA expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-2, and IL-16 genes was increased in ANG II-treated splenic-intact rats compared with aCSF-treated splenic-intact rats. Splenic IL-1beta, IL-2, and IL-6 gene expression responses to ANG II were significantly reduced in splenic-denervated compared with splenic-intact rats. Splenic gene expression responses did not differ significantly in ANG II-treated splenic-denervated and aCSF-treated splenic-intact rats. Splenic blood flow responses to intracerebroventricular ANG II administration did not differ between splenic-intact and splenic-denervated rats. These results provide experimental support for the hypothesis that ANG II modulates the immune system through activation of splenic SND, suggesting a novel relation between ANG II, efferent sympathetic nerve outflow, and splenic cytokine gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanran K Ganta
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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Ganta CK, Blecha F, Ganta RR, Helwig BG, Parimi S, Lu N, Fels RJ, Musch TI, Kenney MJ. Hyperthermia-enhanced splenic cytokine gene expression is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. Physiol Genomics 2004; 19:175-83. [PMID: 15292487 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00109.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole body hyperthermia (WBH) has been used in experimental settings as an adjunct to radiochemotherapy for the treatment of various malignant diseases. The therapeutic effect of WBH has been hypothesized to involve activation of the immune system, although the effect of hyperthermia-induced activation of sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) on splenic immune function is not known. We tested the hypothesis that heating-induced splenic sympathoexcitation would alter splenic cytokine gene expression as determined using gene array and real-time RT-PCR analyses. Experiments were performed in splenic-intact and splenic-denervated anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats ( n=32). Splenic SND was increased during heating (internal temperature increased from 38° to 41°C) in splenic-intact rats but remained unchanged in nonheated splenic-intact rats. Splenic interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and growth-regulated oncogene 1 (GRO 1) mRNA expression was higher in heated than in nonheated splenic-intact rats. Splenic IL-1β, IL-6, and GRO 1 mRNA expression was reduced in heated splenic-denervated compared with heated splenic-intact rats, but did not differ between heated splenic-denervated and nonheated splenic-intact rats. These results support the hypothesis that hyperthermia-induced activation of splenic SND enhances splenic cytokine gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanran K Ganta
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
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