Baroreflex activation in conscious rats modulates the joint inflammatory response via sympathetic function

Author(s)

Bassi, Gabriel S. ^[1] ; Brognara, Fernanda ^[2] ; Castania, Jaci A. ^[2] ; Talbot, Jhimmy ^[3] ; Cunha, Thiago M. ^{[3, 1]} ; Cunha, Fernando Q. ^{[3, 1]} ; Ulloa, Luis ^[4] ; Kanashiro, Alexandre ^[3] ; Martins Dias, Daniel P. ^[2] ; Salgado, Helio C. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch Ribeirao Preto, Dept Immunol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch Ribeirao Preto, Dept Physiol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch Ribeirao Preto, Dept Pharmacol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[4] Rutgers State Univ, New Jersey Med Sch, Newark, NJ 07103 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY; v. 49, p. 140-147, OCT 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

The baroreflex is a critical physiological mechanism controlling cardiovascular function by modulating both the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. Here, we report that electrical activation of the baroreflex attenuates joint inflammation in experimental arthritis induced by the administration of zymosan into the femorotibial cavity. Baroreflex activation combined with lumbar sympathectomy, adrenalectomy, celiac subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or splenectomy dissected the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory modulation, highlighting the role played by sympathetic inhibition in the attenuation of joint inflammation. From the immunological standpoint, baroreflex activation attenuates neutrophil migration and the synovial levels of inflammatory cytokines including TNF, and IL-1 beta, but does not affect the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The anti-inflammatory effects of the baroreflex system are not mediated by IL-10, the vagus nerve, adrenal glands or the spleen, but by the inhibition of the sympathetic drive to the knee. These results reveal a novel physiological neuronal network controlling peripheral local inflammation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/15386-4 - Modulation of the inflammatory response to LPS by electrical activation of the baroreflex in conscious rats
• Grantee: Fernanda Brognara Penteado Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 13/20549-7 - New insights in cardiovascular regulation under physiological and pathophysiological condition
• Grantee: Helio Cesar Salgado
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases
• Grantee: Fernando de Queiroz Cunha
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 11/20343-4 - Antiinflammatory cholinergic pathway: the role of neuroimmunomodulation in the control of inflammatory response
• Grantee: Alexandre Kanashiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/04237-2 - Antiinflammatory Cholinergic Pathway: The role of neuroimmunomodulation in the control of inflammatory response.
• Grantee: Alexandre Kanashiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers