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Results for “Behavioral immune system”

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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Chronic treatment with the atypical antidepressant tianeptine attenuates sickness behavior induced by peripheral but not central lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1beta in the rat.

RATIONALE: The hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines play a causative role in the pathophysiology of depression has been recently tested by studying the effect of antidepressants on production of endogenous cytokines, and on sickness behavior induced by exogenous cytokines. In this last case, however, the effect of antidepressants has been only studied on the effect of peripherally administered cytokines. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine whether the antidepressant tianeptine can attenuate both peripheral and central cytokine actions. METHODS: Rats were injected IP with acute (10 mg/kg) or chronic (10 mg/kg, 2 times/day, 17 days) tianeptine. The effects of this treatment were assessed on the behavioral (social exploration, locomotion) and metabolic (food intake, body weight) alterations induced by peripheral or central administration of the cytokine inducer lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (250 microg/kg IP; 100 ng/rat ICV) or the prototypical proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1)beta (15 microg/rat IP; 90 ng/rat ICV). RESULTS: Chronic, but not acute, treatment with tianeptine attenuated the behavioral signs of sickness behavior induced by peripheral, but not central, LPS or IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: This work, which is the first in vivo study assessing the effect of an antidepressant on centrally induced immune activation, shows a clear dissociation between peripheral and central cytokine effects, and suggests a peripheral site of action of tianeptine. It also provides the first evidence that the protective effects of classical antidepressants on LPS-induced sickness behavior extend to an atypical antidepressant, and that the protective effect of antidepressants also applies to IL-1beta.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Pavlovian conditioning of endotoxin-tolerance in rats.

The most fascinating example of the bi-directional interaction between the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system is the behavioral conditioning of immune functions. We therefore investigated the behavioral conditioning of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxin tolerance using the taste aversion paradigm. The conditioned stimulus (CS) saccharin was paired with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) LPS over a five (CONDl) or four (COND2) days learning trial. Controls received drinking water with (SHAM) or without (UNT) LPS. Endotoxin tolerance was tested by determination of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha release. After the avoidance of the induced endotoxin-tolerance the CS saccharin was re-presented in all experimental groups. A the end of the re-exposure period a complete endotoxin tolerance was noticed in the CONDl- and COND2-group. In contrast, no effect of saccharin administration was observed in the SHAM- or UNT-group. Our data demonstrate for the first time the behavioral conditioning of endotoxin tolerance. Furthermore, these results contribute new aspects to the mechanisms underlying the development and modulation of endotoxin tolerance.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A qualitative process system for modeling NF-kappaB and AP-1 gene regulation in immune cell biology research.

An experiment-oriented integrated model of the regulation of the biologically ubiquitous NF-kappaB and AP-1 gene transcription promoters was built by extending a previously developed qualitative process system for simulating cell behavior in the immune system. The core knowledge base (KB) implemented a deep biological ontology including molecular, ultrastructural, cytological, histological, and organismic definitions. KB states, relationships, predicates, and heuristics also represented process interactions between reactive oxygen species, growth factors, and a variety of kinases phosphorylating intermediate molecules in the NF-kappaB and AP-1 regulatory signaling pathways. The system successfully simulated the molecular process steps underlying outcomes of eight different molecular genetics laboratory experiments, including those dealing with NF-kappaB and AP-1 regulation in immunodeficiency virus infection and tumor necrosis factor responses.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1990

Behavioral adaptations to pathogens and parasites: five strategies.

The ever present threat of viral, bacterial, protozoan and metazoan parasites in the environment of wild animals is viewed as responsible for the natural selection of a variety of behavioral patterns that enable animals to survive and reproduce in this type of environment. Several lines of research, some quite recent, point to five behavioral strategies that vertebrates utilize to increase their personal or inclusive fitness in the face of parasites (broadly defined to include pathogens). These are: 1) avoidance of parasites; 2) controlled exposure to parasites to potentiate the immune system; 3) behavior of sick animals including anorexia and depression to overcome systemic febrile infections; 4) helping sick animals; 5) sexual selection for mating partners with the genetic endowment for resistance to parasites. The point is made that to consider a behavioral pattern as having evolved to serve a parasite control function the parasite or causative agent should be shown to adversely impact the animal's fitness and the behavior in question must be shown to help animals, or their offspring or group mates, in combating their exposure, or reducing their vulnerability, to the parasite.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychoneuroimmunology and psychosomatic medicine: back to the future.

OBJECTIVE: Although psychological modulation of immune function is now a well-established phenomenon, much of the relevant literature has been published within the last decade. This article speculates on future directions for psychoneuroimmunology research, after reviewing the history of the field. METHODS: This review focuses on human psychoneuroimmunology studies published since 1939, particularly those that have appeared in Psychosomatic Medicine. Studies were clustered according to key themes, including stressor duration and characteristics (laboratory stressors, time-limited naturalistic stressors, or chronic stress), as well as the influences of psychopathology, personality, and interpersonal relationships; the responsiveness of the immune system to behavioral interventions is also addressed. Additionally, we describe trends in populations studied and the changing nature of immunological assessments. The final section focuses on health outcomes and future directions for the field. RESULTS: There are now sufficient data to conclude that immune modulation by psychosocial stressors or interventions can lead to actual health changes, with the strongest direct evidence to date in infectious disease and wound healing. Furthermore, recent medical literature has highlighted a spectrum of diseases whose onset and course may be influenced by proinflammatory cytokines, from cardiovascular disease to frailty and functional decline; proinflammatory cytokine production can be directly stimulated by negative emotions and stressful experiences and indirectly stimulated by chronic or recurring infections. Accordingly, distress-related immune dysregulation may be one core mechanism behind a diverse set of health risks associated with negative emotions. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that psychoneuroimmunology may have broad implications for the basic biological sciences and medicine.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

[Effect of repeated stress on the function of pituitary-adrenal and immune systems in gray rats selected for behavior].

Reaction of pituitary-adrenal axis to a 10-day immobilisation stress and a humoral immune response to subsequent injection of sheep red blood cells were investigated in gray rats selected for enhancement of decrease of aggressive behavior towards humans. It was show that pituitary-adrenal axis reaction of aggressive animals to repeated stress did not change during the experiment, while a decrease of stress-induced corticosterone level was observed already on day 5 of stress. Repeated stress led to enhancement of humoral immune response in aggressive rats, whereas it did not bring about any change in tame animals. based on the obtained data, it could be supposed that breeding of gray rats for domesticated behavior led a faster adaptation to repeated stress and the absence of stimulating influence on humoral immune response in tame rats.

Aggression↗
PubMed1994

Intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the pig: acute effects on behavior, adrenocorticotropin secretion, and immune suppression.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) has been implicated as an important mediator of behavior, immune, and neuroendocrine systems in animals experiencing stress, but its effects on these systems have not been evaluated in an integrated whole animal model. In this experiment we injected porcine and rat CRH (pCRH and rCRH) intracerebroventricularly (icv) and simultaneously and chronologically monitored acute changes in behavior, endocrine, and immune function in the pig. PBS or CRH (15, 50, and 150 micrograms pCRH and 15 and 150 micrograms rCRH) was injected icv, and serial blood samples were collected via an indwelling jugular catheter so that behavior could be monitored simultaneously. The central administration of pCRH and rCRH induced immediate dose-dependent behavioral and physiological responses. Pigs receiving 15 micrograms of either pCRH or rCRH had increased plasma ACTH and were hyperactive and vocal. However, when higher doses (i.e. 50 or 150 micrograms) were administered icv, the endocrine and behavioral responses were accompanied by a profound suppression of Concanavalin-A-induced lymphocyte proliferation. For example, pigs receiving 150 micrograms pCRH had increased plasma ACTH and motor activity at 10 min (P < 0.01) and suppressed lymphocyte proliferation at 30 min (P < 0.001). Whereas ACTH secretion declined after 40 min, the lymphocyte suppression and increased motor activity were sustained, suggesting different control mechanisms. It is suggested that although ACTH and cortisol may have negative feedback effects on ACTH secretion, they did not have these effects on the behavioral action of CRH. Furthermore, although the lowest dose of CRH (15 micrograms) induced motor activity and ACTH secretion, higher doses (50 or 150 micrograms) were necessary for suppression of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. These findings demonstrate that CRH in the pig brain is active for inducing simultaneous changes in behavioral and physiological systems and are, therefore, consistent with the hypothesis that brain CRH is important in mediating the interaction among behavior, endocrine, and immune systems in animals experiencing stress.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1986

Aging and health: effects of the sense of control.

The relation between health and a sense of control may grow stronger in old age. This could occur through three types of processes: experiences particularly relevant to control may increase markedly in old age; the association between control and some aspect of health may be altered by age; and age may influence the association between control and health-related behaviors or the seeking of medical care. Studies show that there are detrimental effects on the health of older people when their control of their activities is restricted; in contrast, interventions that enhance options for control by nursing home patients promote health. With increasing age, however, variability in preferred amounts of control also increases, and sometimes greater control over activities, circumstances, or health has negative consequences including stress, worry, and self-blame. Mechanisms mediating the control-health relation include feelings of stress, symptom labeling, changes in the neuroendocrine and immune systems, and behavior relevant to health maintenance.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

Activation of the immune-endocrine system with lipopolysaccharide reduces affiliative behaviors in voles.

In Experiment 1, individually housed male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and exhibited the expected decrease in testosterone and increase in corticosterone and interleukin-1beta concentrations 3 hr later, indicating activation of the endocrine and immune systems. In Experiment 2, LPS- and saline-injected males were tethered in a 3-chamber partner preference apparatus. The time females spent in each chamber with a male, as well as the amount of time spent in social contact, was monitored. Female prairie voles, but not meadow voles, spent more time in the chamber with saline- than with LPS-injected males. LPS-injected male prairie and meadow voles engaged in less social contact with female conspecifics than did saline-injected males. These data suggest that LPS modifies physiology and behavior in male voles and that females may use these changes to discriminate healthy from potentially infected males.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Dubowitz syndrome: review of 141 cases including 36 previously unreported patients.

We review clinical information on 141 individuals with Dubowitz syndrome, 105 reported since 1965, and 36 previously unreported. We define the Dubowitz syndrome phenotype on the basis of clinical descriptions. The facial appearance is characteristic and present in most patients with Dubowitz syndrome. The phenotypic spectrum is quite variable and ranges from normal growth and head circumference with mild psychomotor retardation and lack of eczema to a condition of severe growth retardation, mental retardation, microcephaly, and eczema. Overall, the condition may involve the cutaneous, ocular, dental, digestive, musculoskeletal, urogenital, cardiovascular, neurological, hematological, and immune systems. Characteristic behavior patterns which have not been cited previously are present in our cases; most patients are hyperactive, shy, hate crowds, and like music, rhythm, and vibrations from music speakers, tape recorders, or transmitted through floors. Dubowitz syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder with possibly increased frequency of parental consanguinity. Heterogeneity cannot be excluded at this time.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone conditioned suppression of a lipopolysaccharide-induced fever.

Recent investigations have demonstrated the susceptibility of various components of the immune system to behavioral conditioning, using a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm. In Experiment 1 the effective antipyretic dose (40 micrograms/kg) and duration of antipyretic action (up to 4 hr) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) was determined in rats tested with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the second experiment, alpha-MSH was used as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and paired with a novel-tasting saccharin solution (0.1%) to elicit a conditioned antipyretic response to a fever induced one hour previously by LPS. Both the antipyretic effect of alpha-MSH and the pyrogenic effect of LPS were found to be significantly conditionable. The conditioning of fever/antipyretic responses demonstrates for the first time that still another aspect of the host response can be influenced by conditioning procedures.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Melanocortin receptors: ligands and proteochemometrics modeling.

The melanocortin receptors exist in five subtypes, MC(1-5)R. These receptors participate in important regulations of the immune system, central behavior, and endocrine and exocrine glands. Here we provide a short review on MCR subtype selective peptides and organic compounds with activity on the MCRs, developed in our laboratory. Also provided is an overview of our new proteochemometric modeling technology, which has been applied to model the interaction of MSH peptides with the MCRs.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Disentangling host genetic variation for avoidance and resistance to pathogens.

BACKGROUND: Hosts can use avoidance (e.g., behavior) to reduce their contact rates with pathogens; after contact, they can use resistance (e.g., immunity) to reduce the establishment and proliferation of an infection. Because both defenses preserve host fitness and reduce pathogen fitness, we expect that their epidemiological and evolutionary effects will be interdependent. This study used a two-locus model to understand the evolution of allelic associations (i.e., linkage disequilibrium or LD) between genes determining levels of avoidance and resistance in the presence of an infectious disease or a parasite. RESULTS: We found that polymorphism in both avoidance and resistance was possible, but only for a limited range of parameter values. At equilibrium within these polymorphic populations, avoidance and resistance alleles were negatively associated (i.e., in negative LD). However, most commonly, polymorphism was only stably maintained at one defense locus, and the other locus became fixed for one allele. CONCLUSIONS: The model shows that avoidance and resistance are likely to influence each other's evolution because of their joint effects on infection and their costs; however, predictions about their relationship are not necessarily straightforward or intuitive. For example, avoidance and resistance may be more likely to covary across than within populations.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brain self-stimulation and immunity: effect on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) on specific immunological reactivity in the rat. Male Wistar rats were implanted with stimulating electrodes in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). After recovery from surgery and screening procedure, animals were allowed to self-stimulate 30 minutes daily during different periods of time before or after immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). We report here on the in vivo immunoregulating effects of ICSS on plaque-forming cell (PFC) response, hemagglutinin production to SRBC, and antibody titer and hypersensitivity skin reactions to BSA. The effects produced were dependent on the brain area which was stimulated, time relationship of ICSS and immunization, type of immune reaction, and antigen used for immunization. Therefore, ICSS appears to be a significant tool in the regulation of the immune system function, and thus provides further evidence of the interconnections between the immune system and behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Stressors and children's health.

This article reviews the literature on the association of stressors and physical and psychological health in childhood. These relationships are considered from a multidisciplinary perspective. Many studies have been published comparing children experiencing a large number of life events with those who experience fewer, with the consistent finding that those with more stressful experiences are significantly more likely to experience illness, hospitalization, or use health services. Although a large body of research exists, a clear picture of the nature and strength of this relationship has not yet emerged. Clarification of the psychophysiological pathways responsible for the associations reported may be important to our understanding of these issues. Such pathways may have their origin in the alteration of immune function. Further research aimed at explication of the complex relationships between the neurological, endocrine, and immune systems and behaviors will need to be multifactorial. Such research has the potential to improve our understanding of psychosomatic phenomena and lead to more effective nursing care.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Stimulation of the immune response during activation of the dopaminergic system in mice with opposite types of behavior.

Studies reported here demonstrated that activation of the dopaminergic system induces increases in the immune response regardless of the type of behavior in mice (line CBA), i.e., in aggressive mice, submissive mice, and mice lacking experience of victory or defeat (controls). Changes in the activity of the dopaminergic system were induced with SKF-38393, a selective agonist of dopamine D1 receptors, and with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), which we have previously shown to activate D2 receptors. In the aggressive form of behavior, which was characterized by strong (compared with controls) immune responses, SKF-38393 and PCPA led to further increases in the immune response. In submissive mice, activation of the dopaminergic system altered the nature of the immune response, with immunostimulation, as in aggression. It is suggested that activation of the dopaminergic system in conditions of defined psychoemotional status fixed by acquisition of opposite types of behavior, induces the formation of a new neurochemical pattern--the dopaminergic set--which led to changes in the nature and intensity of the immune response.

Aggression↗
PubMed2002

The effect of amphetamine sensitization on mouse immunoreactivity.

Recent studies indicate a role of the immune system in the behavioral effects of amphetamine in rodents. In the present study we attempted to find a connection between the behavioral changes induced by repeated, intermittent administration of amphetamine and some immunological consequences of sensitization to amphetamine in mice. Male Albino Swiss mice were treated repeatedly (for 5 days) with amphetamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). On day 9, they received a challenge dose of amphetamine (1 mg/kg). Acute administration of amphetamine increased their locomotor activity by ca. 40%. In animals treated repeatedly with amphetamine, the challenge dose of the psychostimulant induced behavioral sensitization, i.e. the higher locomotor activation as compared with that after its first administration to mice. Immune functions were evaluated by the ability of splenocytes to proliferate and to produce cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. Acute amphetamine administration significantly decreased, by ca. 30% and 25%, the proliferation of splenocytes in response to an optimal and a suboptimal dose of concanavalin A (Con A), respectively, and increased their ability to produce IL-4. Chronic intermittent treatment with amphetamine significantly decreased, by ca. 65% and 50%, the proliferative response of T cells to an optimal and a suboptimal dose of Con A, respectively, and diminished by 20% the metabolic activity of splenocytes. The above data showed that both acute and chronic amphetamine administration diminished some aspects of the cell-mediated immunity; nevertheless, immunosuppression was particularly evident in amphetamine-sensitized mice. Our findings seem to indicate possible importance of monitoring and correcting immune changes in the therapy of amphetamine addiction.

Amphetamine↗