Skeletal unloading causes organ-specific changes in immune cell responses.

The effects of skeletal unloading using antiorthostatic tail suspension on the mouse immune system are tissue specific. This phenomenon was demonstrated by analyzing cells from the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. Phytohemagglutinin-induced T-cell proliferation was depressed in lymph nodes after 11 days of antiorthostatic suspension. In contrast, splenic T-cell proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin was enhanced. Splenic natural killer cell cytotoxicity was unchanged after suspension, which demonstrated the organ- and cell-specific effects of skeletal unloading. Whereas antiorthostatic suspension induced minimal changes in bone, there was a significant depression in the number of macrophage precursors in the bone marrow. Overall, skeletally unloaded animals had slightly higher blood corticosterone levels than did control animals; however, it did not appear to be responsible for the observed changes. In conclusion, skeletal unloading produces organ- and cell-specific changes in the murine immune system rather than a generalized immunosuppression.