Adrenergic regulation of the vasculature impairs leukocyte interstitial migration and suppresses immune responses

Neural control of immune cell trafficking

“…Recent work has shown that catecholamines can also substantially regulate leukocyte motility in tissues ( Devi et al, 2021 ; Fig. 2 C ).…”

“…The increased production of noradrenaline following stroke was also found to impair the motility of NKT cells in the liver ( Wong et al, 2011 ). Mechanistically, adrenergic signaling in nonhematopoietic cells induces vasoconstriction in peripheral blood vessels, which swiftly impacts tissue oxygenation ( Devi et al, 2021 ). Regulation of blood flow and oxygen availability in tissues by the SNS results in a rapid increase in intracellular calcium that coincides with impaired cell motility within minutes ( Devi et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Mechanistically, adrenergic signaling in nonhematopoietic cells induces vasoconstriction in peripheral blood vessels, which swiftly impacts tissue oxygenation ( Devi et al, 2021 ). Regulation of blood flow and oxygen availability in tissues by the SNS results in a rapid increase in intracellular calcium that coincides with impaired cell motility within minutes ( Devi et al, 2021 ). Reduced oxygen tension in tissues also correlates with reduced T cell migration speed ( Rytelewski et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Reduced oxygen tension in tissues also correlates with reduced T cell migration speed ( Rytelewski et al, 2019 ). The modulation of cell migration by catecholamines acts via the vasculature and therefore does not require expression of adrenergic receptors by leukocytes and can be reversed by increasing tissue oxygenation ( Devi et al, 2021 ). Importantly, sympathectomy by 6-hydroxydopamine does not alter basal leukocyte motility, supporting the conclusion that control of leukocyte migration requires increased activation of sympathetic nerves, leading to vasoconstriction.…”

“…These observations illustrate that acute stress-induced release of catecholamines can rapidly restrict the motility of leukocytes. This pause in leukocyte behavior was short-lived in healthy animals but was sustained for hours in mice with a viral infection ( Devi et al, 2021 ). Restricting leukocyte motility might control the energy requirements of migrating leukocytes ( Marelli-Berg and Jangani, 2018 ).…”