Sympathetic stimulation causes increased output of lymphocytes from the popliteal node in anaesthetized sheep

McHale, NG; Thornbury, K. D.

doi:10.1113/expphysiol.1990.sp003467

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The data in the literature are seemingly in conflict, which may be illustrated with just two examples. Stimulation of the sympathetic outflow leads to increased outflow of lymphocytes from popliteal lymph nodes (McHale and Thornbury, 1990), which may be classified as activation of the immune system. On the other hand, sympathectomy has been reported to enhance immune responses (Besedovsky et al, 19881, which may be interpreted as indicating an inhibitory action of the nervous system on the immune system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasticity of innervation of the medulla of axillary lymph nodes in the rat after antigenic stimulation

Novotny¹,

Heuer²,

Schöttelndreier³

et al. 1994

Anat. Rec.

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The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that activation of the immune system in rats will lead to changes in the density of innervation in lymph nodes. In order to reduce the variability between animals, the rats were reared under sterile conditions and immunostimulation was effected by subcutaneous application of bovine albumin in a region draining to the axillary lymph nodes of both sides. Control animals received an equivalent application of sterile physiological saline. The animals were sacrificed 10 days and 27 days and 4 months after immunostimulation. The nerves in the axillary lymph nodes were quantified by light microscopy in silver impregnated sections and at the ultrastructural level on ultrathin sections. The survival times were chosen so that the first group was in the ascending phase of antibody production, the second group at the peak, and the third group in the declining phase. Both at the light and ultrastructural levels, there were statistically significant differences in the density of innervation of medulla between the groups, with a particularly pronounced increase in the group 4 months after immunostimulation. At the ultrastructural level, there was also an increase in the density of incompletely ensheathed axonal profiles in the parenchyma of the medulla, while the nerves associated with blood vessels were not increased. We conclude that immunostimulation leads to morphological changes in the innervation of the medulla of axillary lymph nodes, that are consistent with the concept of functional activation of the autonomic nervous system through the immune system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasticity of innervation of the medulla of axillary lymph nodes in the rat after antigenic stimulation

Novotny¹,

Heuer²,

Schöttelndreier³

et al. 1994

Anat. Rec.

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“…58 Confirming a neural involvement in this effect, stimulation of the sympathetic chain prompted an increase in lymphocyte and lymph output from the node. 60 These experimental findings suggest that there is control of leucocyte retention and/or trafficking through this sympathetic neural pathway. Although peripheral lymphatic vessels are little more than an endothelial cell monolayer, larger collecting lymphatic vessels often contain a layer of lymphatic smooth muscle along with connective tissue and nerve terminals, which enable contractility to the point where the lumen can transiently disappear, 61 propelling lymph along the vessels.…”

Section: Effects Of Anaesthetics and Vasoactive Mediators In Leucocytmentioning

confidence: 96%

Without nerves, immunology remains incomplete –in vivo veritas

2005

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Interest in the interactions between nervous and immune systems involved in both pathological and homeostatic mechanisms of host defence has prompted studies of neuroendocrine immune modulation and cytokine involvement in neuropathologies. In this review we concentrate on a distinct area of homeostatic control of both normal and abnormal host defence activity involving the network of peripheral c-fibre nerve fibres. These nerve fibres have long been recognized by dermatologists and gastroenterologists as key players in abnormal inflammatory processes, such as dermatitis and eczema. However, the involvement of nerves can all too easily be regarded as that of isolated elements in a local phenomenon. On the contrary, it is becoming increasingly clear that neural monitoring of host defence activities takes place, and that involvement of central/spinal mechanisms are crucial in the co-ordination of the adaptive response to host challenge. We describe studies demonstrating neural control of host defence and use the specific examples of bone marrow haemopoiesis and contact sensitivity to highlight the role of direct nerve fibre connections in these activities. We propose a host monitoring system that requires interaction between specialized immune cells and nerve fibres distributed throughout the body and that gives rise to both neural and immune memories of prior challenge. While immunological mechanisms alone may be sufficient for local responsiveness to subsequent challenge, data are discussed that implicate the neural memory in co-ordination of host defence across the body, at distinct sites not served by the same nerve fibres, consistent with central nervous mediation.

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“…This could have a role in reducing nodal capacitance or it could be implicated in the lymphocytosis that occurs when sympathetic nerves are activated. McHale and Thornbury [95] showed that lymphocyte output from the popliteal node of the anesthetized sheep was increased almost threefold in response to stimulation of the sympathetic chain at 4 Hz (Fig. 14).…”

Section: Physiology Of Lymph Nodesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Thus Horstmann [100,101] suggested that initiation of lymphatic [95] contractions and their propagation are purely mechanical events. He argued that the functional pumping unit of a guinea-pig mesenteric lymph duct was the segment between two valves, since smooth muscle was scant or absent in the valvular region.…”

Section: Regulation Of Lymph Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure function relationships in the lymphatic system and implications for cancer biology

Witte

Jones

Wilting

et al. 2006

Cancer Metastasis Rev

103

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The lymphatic system, composed of lymphatic vessels, lymph, lymph nodes, and lymphocytes, is a distinctive vasculature (discontinuous basement membrane, open endothelial junctions, anchoring filaments, valves, and intrinsic contractility), different yet similar to the blood vasculature; an integral component of the plasma-tissue fluid-lymph circulation (the "blood-lymph loop"); and the center of the immunoregulatory network. Lymphatics are involved in diverse developmental, growth, repair, and pathologic processes both analogous to and distinct from those affecting the blood vasculature. Interference with the blood-lymph loop produces swelling [an imbalance between lymph formation (regulated by Starling's law of transcapillary fluid exchange) and lymph absorption], scarring, nutritional and immunodysregulatory disorders, as well as disturbances in lymph(hem)angiogenesis (lymphedema-angiodysplasia syndromes). The lymphatic system is also the stage on which key events during cancer development and progression are played out, and historically, also forms the basis for current evaluation, prognostication, and/or both operative and non-operative treatment of most cancers. Recent advances in molecular lymphology (e.g., discovery of lymphatic growth factors, endothelial receptors, transcription factors, genes, and highly specific immunohistochemical markers) and growing interest in lymphangiogenesis, combined with fresh insights and refined tools in clinical lymphology, including non-invasive lymphatic imaging, are opening up a window for translation to the clinical arena. Therefore, in cancer biology, attention to the multifaceted structure-function relationships within this vast, relatively unexplored system is long overdue.

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Sympathetic stimulation causes increased output of lymphocytes from the popliteal node in anaesthetized sheep

Cited by 21 publications

References 6 publications

Plasticity of innervation of the medulla of axillary lymph nodes in the rat after antigenic stimulation

Plasticity of innervation of the medulla of axillary lymph nodes in the rat after antigenic stimulation

Without nerves, immunology remains incomplete –in vivo veritas

Structure function relationships in the lymphatic system and implications for cancer biology

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