Splenic denervation suppresses mRNA gene expression and protein production of IL-1beta and IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages in both Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected and non-infected rats.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that the nervous system participates in modulating the immune response during experimental African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using in situ hybridization and immunochemistry, we studied the effects of splenic sympathectomy on mRNA gene expression and protein production of IL-1beta and IL-6 in splenic and peritoneal macrophages (PMPhi) of Sprague-Dawley rats infected with T. brucei brucei and non-infected rats. The enhancements of mRNA gene expression and production of IL-1beta and IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages were significantly suppressed by the splenic sympathectomy in both infected and non-infected rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate a probably stimulatory role of the sympathetic nervous system during the host immune response in both normal and T. brucei brucei-infected rats.