Role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in the modulation of pollinosis induced by pollen antigens.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To clarify the mechanism of stress-induced modification of allergic diseases, we studied the effect of restraint stress on plasma levels of cytokines and the symptoms of pollinosis in mice.

METHODS:

The effects of restraint stress and the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) in the development of pollen antigen-induced pollinosis were studied in control, hypophysectomized, adrenalectomized or ACTH-administered mice. Twenty days after sensitization, animals were subjected to mild restraint stress for 3 hours, and plasma levels of IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IgE were measured. We analyzed the incidence of sneezing and nasal rubbing in the sensitized animals.

RESULTS:

Plasma levels of IL-10 and IgE increased in the sensitized animals with a concomitant increase in the incidence of sneezing and nasal rubbing. The increases in plasma IgE, IL-10 and the incidence of sneezing and nasal rubbing were suppressed by restraint stress. Adrenalectomy increased IFN-gamma, inhibited the increase in plasma IL-10 and IgE, and suppressed the incidence of sneezing. In contrast, hypophysectomy increased plasma levels of IL-10, IFN-gamma, and IgE and the incidence of sneezing. Intraperitoneal administration of ACTH decreased IL-10 in plasma but increased IFN-gamma and suppressed the incidence of nasal rubbing.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present findings show that the HPA-axis and ACTH play important roles in the regulation of plasma cytokines and IgE thereby modulating symptoms of pollinosis. The results also suggest that a mild restraint stress suppresses the increase in Th2-dependent cytokines and IgE to reduce the symptoms of pollinosis.

• Authors: Maki Hashimoto, Eisuke F Sato, Keiichi Hiramoto, Emiko Kasahara, Masayasu Inoue
• Journal: Allergology international : official journal of the Japanese Society of Allergology (Allergol Int) Vol. 59 Issue 2 Pg. 201-6 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1440-1592 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20299824 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Plant
• Interleukin-10
• Immunoglobulin E
• Interferon-gamma
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Topics

• Adrenalectomy
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (administration & dosage)
• Animals
• Antigens, Plant (immunology)
• Hypophysectomy
• Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System (drug effects, immunology, surgery)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Interferon-gamma (blood)
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Pituitary-Adrenal System (drug effects, immunology, surgery)
• Pollen (adverse effects)
• Restraint, Physical
• Rhinitis
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (blood, immunology, physiopathology, surgery)
• Stress, Physiological (immunology)