Innate Secretory Immunity in Response to Laboratory Stressors That Evoke Distinct Patterns of Cardiac Autonomic Activity

Abstract

Objective: Most infections begin at mucosal surfaces. These surfaces are covered by the secretory proteins of the exocrine glands (eg, the salivary, respiratory, and gastrointestinal glands), which provide a first line of innate defense. The release of these secretory proteins is under neuroendocrine control and thus, in theory, sensitive to modulation by psychosocial stress. This was empirically tested by measuring the salivary secretion of cystatin S, lactoferrin, ␣-amylase, the mucins MUC5B and MUC7, and total salivary protein in response to stressors known to evoke distinct patterns of cardiac autonomic activity. Methods: Thirty-two undergraduate volunteers were each subjected to two laboratory stressors and a control condition. Stressors were an active coping memory test and a passive coping video presentation showing surgical procedures. In the control condition participants viewed a didactic video presentation. Results: The stressors evoked the expected distinct patterns of cardiac autonomic activity. The memory test produced a strong increase in sympathetic activity (evidenced by a shortened preejection period), and a decrease in cardiac parasympathetic activity (evidenced by a decrease in heart rate variability). This active coping response was associated with an enhanced secretion ( g/min, controlling for salivary flow rate) of MUC7, lactoferrin, ␣-amylase, and total salivary protein. Conversely, the surgical video produced an increase in cardiac vagal tone and a modest increase in sympathetic activity. This passive coping response was associated with an enhanced secretion of all proteins studied. These secretory responses were generally larger than the secretory responses during the active coping memory test. Correlation analyses indicated that for both stressors autonomic and cardiovascular reactivity was positively associated with an enhanced and prolonged secretory activity. Conclusions: Stress-induced modulation of innate secretory immunity may be a contributing factor in the observed relationship between stress and susceptibility to infectious diseases. We further propose a more differentiated approach to acute stress by distinguishing among stressors with distinct autonomic nervous system effects.

The enemy in the mirror: self-perception-induced stress results in dissociation of psychological and physiological responses in patients with dissociative disorder

“…In contrast, we observed no substantial autonomic changes in the face of considerable self-reported stress reactions in DDNOS patients during the CFM paradigm. We thus did not observe the expected ‘passive coping’ reaction (Bosch et al, 2003, 2001). In contrast, in the HCs, the small autonomic changes could probably be attributed to insufficient stress levels, rather than to impaired autonomic adaptability.…”

“…While they observed a rise in heart rate and sympathetic activity and a decline in parasympathetic drive in the active coping mode, the passive coping mode was marked by heightened vagotonus and moderate coactivation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Similar to the psychophysiological hallmarks of ‘passive coping’ (Bosch et al, 2003, 2001), Scaer (2001) and Schore (2001) hypothesized sympathetic and parasympathetic coactivation in dissociative stress reactions.…”

“…Active coping (‘fight or flight’/’defensive’ response) is associated with an increase in heart rate, sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal. Passive coping (‘conservation-withdrawal’) on the other hand is characterized by a parasympathetically induced bradycardia with sympathetic coactivation (Bosch, De Geus, Veerman, Hoogstraten, & Nieuw Amerongen, 2003). Bosch et al (2001, 2003) have investigated psychophysiological reactivity in healthy participants using an active vs. passive coping paradigm.…”

“…Passive coping (‘conservation-withdrawal’) on the other hand is characterized by a parasympathetically induced bradycardia with sympathetic coactivation (Bosch, De Geus, Veerman, Hoogstraten, & Nieuw Amerongen, 2003). Bosch et al (2001, 2003) have investigated psychophysiological reactivity in healthy participants using an active vs. passive coping paradigm. While they observed a rise in heart rate and sympathetic activity and a decline in parasympathetic drive in the active coping mode, the passive coping mode was marked by heightened vagotonus and moderate coactivation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.…”

Saliva as a Diagnostic Medium

“…Chatterton et al 24 corroborated the direct relationship between raised levels of alpha-amylase and heart rate which increases under stress. Further, a positive relation between activity of the sympathetic nervous system and level of alphaamylase has been found 25 . Also very important is the correlation between rise in alpha-amylase and reduction of the pre-ejection period as this is a very good gauge of sympathetic nervous system activity.…”