Stress hormones, Th1/Th2 patterns, pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines and susceptibility to disease

In general, stress has been regarded as immunosuppressive. Recent evidence, however, indicates that acute, subacute or chronic stress might suppress c ellular immunity but boost humoral immunity. This is mediated by a differen tial effect of stress hormones, the glucocorticoids and catecholamines, on T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cells and type 1/type 2 cytokine production. Furthermo re, acute stress might induce pro-inflammatory activities in certain tissue s through neural activation of the peripheral corticotropin-releasing hormo ne-mast cell-histamine axis. Through the above mechanisms, stress might inf luence the onset and/or course of infectious, autoimmune/inflammatory, alle rgic and neoplastic diseases.