STRESSOR-INDUCED ALTERATIONS OF IMMUNE FUNCTION - MECHANISMS AND ISSUES

This paper reviews the role of catecholamines and the hypothalamic-pit uitary-adrenal system in the mediation of stress-induced immune change s in both human and animal subjects. There is evidence to support the importance of these factors in mediating stressor effects on certain i mmune parameters, but further research is needed to define the specifi c circumstances in which they are relevant. Therefore, discussion of s uch issues as sex, genotype, stress history, environment, and stressor characteristics is provided to suggest possible ways to increase our understanding of stressor effects on immune function. Since the imposi tion of a stressor disrupts physiological homeostasis, understanding t he capacity of the immune system to function under such conditions is of prime importance in predicting disease onset and outcome.