In vitro effects of substance P and somatostatin on lymphoproliferation in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

Lymphocytes from peripheral blood of rainbow trout are put in the presence of increasing concentrations of substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SOM). We have shown that SP stimulates and SOM inhibits lymphoproliferation and that the effects are dose dependent. These results suggest that SP and SOM receptors may exist on fish peripheral blood lymphocytes. When cells are stimulated by PHA or LPS, the presence of SP enhances the response to PHA whereas it only modifies the response to LPS to a slight extent. The presence of SOM inhibits PHA- or LPS-induced stimulation. The inhibition of the proliferation is higher in the case of LPS-stimulated cells. These results suggest that there is an unequal distribution of neuropeptide receptors among the various lymphocyte subpopulations.