SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM MODULATION OF THE IMMUNE-SYSTEM .3. ALTERATIONS IN T-CELL AND B-CELL PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION IN-VITRO FOLLOWING CHEMICAL SYMPATHECTOMY

Functional changes in lymph node (LN) and spleen lymphocytes were exam ined following sympathetic denervation of adult mice with 6-hydroxydop amine (6-OHDA). Sympathectomy reduced in vitro proliferation to concan avalin A (ConA) by LN cells and decreased LN Thy-1(+) and CD4(+) T cel ls. At the same time, ConA-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) produc tion was increased, but interleukin-2 (IL-2) production was not altere d. After sympathectomy, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated proliferat ion of LN B cells was enhanced, in parallel with an increase in the pr oportion of sIgM(+) cells. LPS-induced polyclonal IgM secretion was de creased, whereas polyclonal IgG secretion was dramatically enhanced. I n the spleen, ConA and LPS responsiveness was reduced after sympathect omy, as was IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. The decreased proliferation was not associated with changes in splenic T and B cell populations. The uptake blocker desipramine prevented the 6-OHDA-induced changes in spleen and LN, indicating that these alterations were dependent upon neuronal destruction. These results provide evidence for heterogeneity of sympathetic nervous system regulation of T and B lymphocyte functi on and for organ-specific influences on immune function.