Aberrant nuclear expression of AP-1 and NFkB in lymphocytes of women stressed by the experience of breast biopsy

We have investigated the expression of AP-1 and NFkB in peripheral blood ly mphocytes of women scheduled for breast biopsy. Samples were collected when women were informed of the need for biopsy (prebiopsy, T1, 5-7 days prior to the actual biopsy) and 7-10 days after they learned the result of their biopsy (postbiopsy, T2). At the time of blood collection, psychological str ess was evaluated using Speilberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Women scheduled to undergo breast bi opsy reported significant increases in anxiety (STAI) and mood disturbance (POMS). Gel shift mobility assays showed that mitogen stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes of these women were less capable of the nuclear expressi on of AP-1 or NFkB at T1. Similar assessments, 7-10 days after the women le arned of the results of their breast biopsy, showed these same women to hav e a marked reduction in anxiety and mood disturbance and an increased nucle ar translocation of AP-I and NFkB. These results show a significant decreas e in nuclear AP-I and NFkB expression during the period of emotional distre ss prior to biopsy with a return of nuclear transcription activity tb norma l levels when distress was relieved. Several studies have correlated increa sed psychological stress with decreased immune function. The results of thi s study suggest that psychological stress may mediate immunosuppression by altering the expression of the transcription factors, AP-1 and NFkB. (C) 20 01 Academic Press.