Elevated IL-1β contributes to antibody suppression produced by stress

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Abstract
Acute stressor exposure can facilitate innate immunity and suppress acquired immunity. The present study further characterized the potentiating effect of stress on innate immunity, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and demonstrated that stress-induced potentiation of innate immunity may contribute to the stress-induced suppression of acquired immunity. The long-term effect of stress on IL-1β was measured by using an ex vivo approach. Sprague-Dawley rats were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo, and the IL-1β response was measured in vitro. Splenocytes, mesenteric lymphocytes, and peritoneal cavity cells had a dose- and time-dependent ex vivo IL-1β response to LPS. Rats that were exposed to inescapable shock (IS, 100 1.6 mA, 5-s tail shocks, 60-s intertrial interval) and challenged with a submaximal dose of LPS 4 days later had elevated IL-1β measured ex vivo. To test whether the acute stress-induced elevation in IL-1β contributes to the long-term suppression in acquired immunity, IL-1β receptors were blocked for 24 h after stress. Serum anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) immunoglobulin (Ig) was measured. In addition, the acute elevation (2 h post-IS) of splenic IL-1β in the absence of antigen was verified. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist prevented IS-induced suppression in anti-KLH Ig. These data support the hypothesis that stress-induced increases in innate immunity (i.e., IL-1β) may contribute to stress-induced suppression in acquired immunity (i.e., anti-KLH Ig).

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