Title: |
Progenitor cells are mobilized by acute psychological stress but not beta-adrenergic receptor agonist infusion |
Author(s): |
Natalie E. Riddell, Victoria E. Burns, Graham R. Wallace, Kate M. Edwards, Mark Drayson, Laura S. Redwine, Suzi Hong, Jack C. Bui, Johannes C. Fischer, Paul J. Mills and JOS A. BOSCH |
Journal: |
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity |
Year: |
2015 |
State: |
accepted |
DOI: |
10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.028 |
File URL: |
vuams-pubs/Riddell_2015.pdf |
Keywords: |
Progenitor cells, Mobilization, Psychological stress, bAR-stimulation, Adrenergic |
Abstract: |
Objectives: Stimuli that activate the sympathetic nervous system, such as acute psychological stress,
rapidly invoke a robust mobilization of lymphocytes into the circulation. Experimental animal studies
suggest that bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (PCs) also mobilize in response to sympathetic stimulation.
Here we tested the effects of acute psychological stress and brief pharmacological b-adrenergic
(bAR) stimulation on peripheral PC numbers in humans.
Methods: In two studies, we investigated PC mobilization in response to an acute speech task (n = 26) and
bAR-agonist (isoproterenol) infusion (n = 20). A subset of 8 participants also underwent the infusion
protocol with concomitant administration of the bAR-antagonist propranolol. Flow cytometry was used
to enumerate lymphocyte subsets, total progenitor cells, total haematopoietic stem cells (HSC), early HSC
(multi-lineage potential), late HSC (lineage committed), and endothelial PCs (EPCs).
Results: Both psychological stress and bAR-agonist infusion caused the expected mobilization of total
monocytes and lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Psychological stress also induced a modest, but
significant, increase in total PCs, HSCs, and EPC numbers in peripheral blood. However, infusion of a
bAR-agonist did not result in a significant change in circulating PCs.
Conclusion: PCs are rapidly mobilized by psychological stress via mechanisms independent of bARstimulation,
although the findings do not exclude bAR-stimulation as a possible cofactor. Considering
the clinical and physiological relevance, further research into the mechanisms involved in stress-induced
PC mobilization seems warranted. |