Selective mobilization of cytotoxic leukocytes by epinephrine

Stoyan Dimitrov, Tanja Lange*, Jan Born

*Corresponding author for this work
    131 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    It is well-known that acute stress, presumably as a first defense against pathogens, enhances PBMC counts by mobilizing these β2-adrenoceptor positive cells from the marginal pool. Yet, only select leukocyte subsets participate in this phenomenon of adrenergic leukocytosis and underlying mechanisms are obscure. In this study, we analyzed in human blood adhesion molecule and chemokine receptor profiles in 14 leukocyte subsets, and responsiveness of subsets to epinephrine in vivo and in vitro. Five subsets, namely, CCR7-CD45RA+CD8+ effector T cells, CD4-CD8- γ/δ T cells, CD3+CD56 + NKT-like cells, CD16+CD56dim cytotoxic NK cells, and CD14dimCD16+ proinflammatory monocytes showed a rapid and transient increase after infusion of epinephrine at physiological concentrations. These cells were characterized by a CD62L-CD11a brightCX3CRbright phenotype, whereby expression of both CD11a and CX3CR1 was strongly correlated with adrenergic leukocytosis in vivo (r = 0.86 and 0.78, p < 0.005). The same subsets showed highest adherence to activated endothelium in vitro, which (except for proinflammatory monocytes) was reversed by epinephrine. We conclude that these five cytotoxic effector leukocyte subsets comprise the marginal pool by a CD11a/CX3CR1-mediated attachment to the endothelium. Epinephrine rapidly attenuates this attachment to allow demargination and release of the cells into the circulation that, because of their cytotoxic effector function, provide immediate protection from invading pathogens.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Immunology
    Volume184
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)503-511
    Number of pages9
    ISSN0022-1767
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 01.01.2010

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