Stress immune function

Wayland M, Gilchrist HG, Marchant T, Keating J, Smits JE. 2002. Immune function, stress response, and body condition in Arctic-breeding common eiders in relation to cadmium, mercury, and selenium concentrations. Environ Res 90 47-60. 

The endogenous opioids are another family of peptides involved in different physiological processes including pain regulation, respiratory control, stress responses, appetite, thermoregulation, and humoral and cellular immune function (Bodnar RJ., 2008). Opioids act through their receptors, which are also members of the GPCR family, and are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as on cells of the immune system (Henriksen and Willoch 2008 Hauser... 

Graham, J., Christian, L. Kiecolt-Glaser, J. (2006). Stress, age, and immune function toward a lifespan approach. /. Behav. Med., 29, 389 00. 

The impacts of contaminants on the structure of the immune system can be assessed by examining white blood cell (WBC) numbers and the mass and cellularity of immune organs, although these indicators are usually not as sensitive as measures of immune function. Avian immunotoxicity studies frequently assess total and (or) differential WBC counts [79], and immunosuppression can be indicated by reduced numbers of WBCs or elevated WBC numbers caused by recurrent infections. An elevated heterophil to lymphocyte ratio can indicate altered immune status in response to corticosteroid stress hormones or other factors [78,7 9], Exposure to lead shot or lead acetate has been shown to alter total and (or) differential WBC numbers in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix) and mallards [81-83], In western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) from California, concentrations of mercury in the kidney were positively correlated with heterophil... 

Rice, C.D., Kergosien, D.H., and Adams, M.S., Innate immune function as a bioindicator of pollution stress in fish. Ecotox. Environ. Health Safety, 33,186, 1996. 

Dhabhar, F.S. and McEwen, B.S., Enhancing versus suppressive effects of stress hormones on skin immune function, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 96, 1059, 1999. 

Stress, Immune Function, and Resistance to Disease Human and Rodent Models... 

Exposure of the SECs to pathogens or cytokines produced by other cells during stress induces activation of the SECs and subsequent production of cytokines, eicosanoids, and/or adhesion molecules. For instance, after activation with EPS, a main component of the walls of gramnegative bacteria and a major inducer of inflammation and non-specific immune functions [20], SECs produce a number of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines shown to be produced were tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) [26] interleukin-1 alpha/beta(IL-lo/p) [27] the major inducer of acute phase proteins interleukin-6 (IL-6) [28] and the neutrophil chemo-attractant interleukin-8 (IL-8) [29]. Anti-inflammatory cytokines shown to be produced were interleukin-10 (IL-10) [27] and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [30]. 

Evidence suggesting an abnormality in immune function in those subject to severe stress or suffering from depression largely relates to an abnormality in function. Such abnormalities do not appear to occur in schizophrenia. Possibly because of its well-established genetic component, many aspects of the immune system would appear to be deranged in schizophrenic patients. Thus abnormalities in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins and deficiencies in immune responsiveness have been reported to occur in such patients. 

Rabin, B. S. Stress, Immune Function and Health. New York Wiley-Liss, 1999. 

Ever since the 1970s more evidence has been found in psychoneuroimmunology to confirm the opinion that the highly complex immune system interacts with an equally complex nervous system in a bidirectional manner (Fleshner and Laudenslager 2004). Today, it is a proven fact that stress is associated with altered immune function (Cooper 1996, Maier et al. 1998). 

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