Cytokine production by naive and primary effector CD4(+) T cells exposed to norepinephrine

We recently showed that clones of Th1 cells, but not Th2 cells, expressed a functional beta-2-adrenergic receptor (beta (2)AR) and that either norepin ephrine or the beta (2)AR agonist terbutaline stimulated this receptor to m odulate the level of Th1 cytokines produced. In the present study, we show that norepinephrine and terbutaline stimulate the beta (2)AR to decrease th e level of IL-2 produced by freshly isolated murine splenic naive CD4(+) T cells from either Balb/C or DO 11.10 transgenic mice and activated polyclon ally with anti-CDS and anti-CD28 mAbs. In contrast, the level of cytokines produced by primary effector Th1 and Th2 cells were unaffected when norepin ephrine, terbutaline, or cAMP analogs were added at the time of restimulati on. These results suggest that a diversity exists among CD4(+) T-cell subse ts with respect to the level of adrenergic receptor expression, responsiven ess to cAMP, stage of cell differentiation, or a combination of the above. (C) 2000 Academic Press.