Humoral Immunity Antibody Responses

Morphine given by slow-release pellet has been shown to block the capacity of mouse spleen cells to mount an ex vivo antibody response to the artificial antigen, SRBCs, and a naltrexone releasing pellet blocks the effect of the opioid (Bussiere et al., 1992). Serum antibody responses to 

A -THC, like morphine, has been shown to suppress in vitro antibody formation by mouse spleen cells (Kaminski et al., 1992 Kaminski et al., 1994). Interestingly, A -THC is reported to increase IgGl responses to Legionella pneumophila in drug-treated animals, presumably by polarizing the immune response towards a Th2 phenotype (see below under T cell responses) (Newton et al., 1994). 

Cocaine has been investigated for capacity to alter antibody responses and has been found found to be immunosuppressive for some antigens, but not others (Ou et al., 1989 Watson et al., 1983 Havas et al., 1987). 

---

Lymphocyte 20-40% T cells (cell-mediated immunity) B cells (humoral antibody response) Lymphocytosis Viral infections (e.g., mononucleosis) Tuberculosis Fungal infections Lymphopenia human immunodeficiency virus... 

The primary function of the B lymphocytes is to produce antibodies, which are molecules that identify and lead to the destruction of foreign substances such as bacteria. The B lymphocytes and the antibodies they produce are responsible for humoral immunity. T lymphocytes provide immunity against viruses and cancer cells. These lymphocytes directly attack and destroy their targets by forming holes in the target cell membrane, causing cell lysis. The T lymphocytes are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. 

IL-2 acts as a critical autocrine growth factor for T-cells, and the magnitude of the T-cell response is largely dependent upon the level of IL-2 produced. IL-2 also serves as a growth factor for activated B-lymphocytes. In addition to promoting proliferation of these cells, IL-2 (as well as some other interleukins) stimulates enhanced antibody production and secretion. In this way, it effectively potentates the humoral immune response. 

The results obtained from the academic stress and older AD caregivers suggest that the tendency of a stress-induced shift in Thl toward Th2 pattern of cytokine synthesis is not absolute, and that humoral immunity is also subject to suppression by stress. We conclude this based on results showing stress-induced changes in both the antibody and T-cell response components of the immune response.54 57... 

---