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Selected Publication:
Gruber-Olipitz, M.
Adrenergic Immunoregulation in vivo
[ Dissertation ] Medical University of Graz; 2005. pp.
- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Liebmann-Holzmann Peter
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- Abstract:
- The immune system works in close and mutual cooperation with the neuendocrine system. An important role in this dialogue plays the sympathetic nervous system and its neurotransmitters, the catecholamines. Defects in this circuit have been shown to be associated with the emergence of forbidden immune responses, such as autoimmune disease. We therefore investigated in vivo effects of norepinephrine (NE) on the transcription of 200 immunologically relevant genes in the mouse. Balb/c mice were s.c. implanted with NE containing retard tablets. Twelve hours later, splenic mRNA was prepared and hybridized onto cDNA microarrays containing the sequences of the major cytokines, their receptors and all CD-antigens of the mouse. Consistent results were obtained with a set of five genes: in the NE-treated animals four genes (CXCR4, VCAM1, IL-1R2, CD 14) were found 2-8 fold upregulated as compared to sham treated animals, whereas the gene for CCR3 was downregulated (< 0.5 fold). The findings were confirmed using quantitative reverse transcriptase Real Time PCR. These first results prove the usefulness of gene microarray technology towards transcription pattern analysis in neuroimmune interactions. Furthermore, they support the relevance of catecholamines in the regulation of leukocyte migration and the inflammatory response.