Neuroimmunomodulation: Neuroendocrine Regulation of Immunity: The Effects of Noradrenaline in Xenopus Laevis, the South African Clawed Toad

Abstract

A functional association between the peripheral nervous and the immune system in Xenopus laevis, the South African clawed toad, is demonstrated. This association involves the neurotransmitter noradrenaline (NA), produced and released by the sympathetic nerves of the spleen.

Chemical sympathectomy prior to immunization reduces splenic NA, and decreases thymus-dependent (TD), but increases thymus-independent (TI), antibody responses.

Immune challenge with representatives of the three antigen classes affects splenic NA levels differentially. Thus, the modulatory effect of NA on immunity will depend on the immunogen used.

Carrier-priming of helper function in TD responses stimulates a transitory NA release in the spleen, while subsequent immunization activates a more prolonged release. The two types of challenge differ in the antigenic dose given. The effects of NA also depend on the time when it is applied. If used early in the in vivo TD response, antibody production is increased, but if given later, suppressor function is stimulated, thus decreasing antibody production. NA increases both amplifying and suppressing T cell functions in TD responses through stimulation of the α₂ adrenoceptor α₂ adrenoceptor stimulation decreases, and β adrenoceptor stimulation increases, anti-TNP reactivity.

Since an α₂ receptor agonist does not affect lectin-stimulated T cell mitogenesis, while a β receptor agonist depresses it, NA appears to up-regulate T cell functions by affecting their maturation, rather than their clonal expansion.

Key Words:

• Neuroimmunomodulation
• Noradrenaline
• Xenopus
• Anti-hapten antibody