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The influence of cohabitation with sick partner on pulmonary allergic inflammatory response in mice

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Author(s):
Eduardo Kenji Hamasato
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
João Palermo Neto; Luciano Freitas Felicio; Cristina de Oliveira Massoco Salles Gomes; Wothan Tavares de Lima; Ana Paula Ligeiro de Oliveira
Advisor: João Palermo Neto
Abstract

The bidirectional relationship between the nervous system and the imune system is relevant for homeostatic organism maintenance. Studies from our laboratory showed that 14 days of cohabitation with a sick conspecific (injected with Ehrlich tumor cells-TAE) produced behavioral, endocrinological and immunological changes. This study analyzes the effects of cohabitation with an Ehrlich tumor-bearing animal on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammatory response in mice. Pairs of male mice were separate into three groups: naïve, control and experimental. Animals of the naïve group were kept undisturbed being used for assessment of basal parameters. One animal of each experimental and control pair of mice was immunized with OVA. On D(0), these OVA-immunized animals received an OVA booster. At this day (D(0)) the experimental mice that were kept undisturbed were inoculated with 5x106 Ehrlich tumor cells; their immunized cage-mates were then referred as to CSP(companion of sick partner). The undisturbed mice of each control pair were i.p. treated on D(0) with 0.9% NaCl; their sensitized cage-mate were subsequently referred as CHP (companion of health partner). The intranasal OVA challenge was performed on CSP and CHP mice on D(12) and D(13); blood and tissue collection were performed on D (14). Fourteen days after cohabitation, in comparison to the CHP mice, the CSP mice displayed the following: (1) an increased number of eosinophils and neutrophils in the BAL, (2) a decreased bone marrow cell count, (3) increased levels of IL-4 and IL-5 and decreased levels of IL-10 and INF-ϒ in the BAL supernatant, (4) increased levels of IgG1-OVA, decreased levels of IgG2a-OVA and no changes in OVA-specific IgE in the peripheral blood, (5) increased expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and L-selectin in the BAL granulocytes, (6) decreased tracheal reactivity to metacholine measured in vitro , (7) increased mast cell degranulation, (8) no changes in plasma corticosterone levels (9) increased levels of plasmatic adrenaline and noradrenaline, (10) decreased time and % of entries on open arms of elevated plus maze, (11) decreased expression of IL-6 on PVN and (12) decreased expression of C-fos on PFC. These results suggest that cohabitation with an Ehrlich tumor bearing mice exacerbates allergic lung inflammatory response in mice. Most probably, the changes observed in CSP mice are a consequence of the psychological stress induced by forced cohabitation with the sick partner. Strong involvement of the sympathetic nervous system through adrenaline and noradrenaline release and a shift of the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile toward a Th2 response were considered to be the mechanisms underlying the cell recruitment to the animal´s airways. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/03372-3 - The influence of cohabitation with a sick cage mate on pulmonary allergic inflammatory response
Grantee:Eduardo Kenji Hamasato
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate