FEATURES OF FUNCTIONING OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM UNDER STRESS

Full Text

Introduction. In everyday life, one of the most powerful factors affecting the changes in the nervous, endocrine and immune systems is the psycho-emotional or social stress [3]. The reaction to acute stress can serve as an endogenous psychophysiological adjuvant that enhances immune responses, however, prolonged activation under chronic stress can exacerbate immunopathology [1, 2]. The purpose of the study: to trace changes in immune responses in soldiers under stress. Materials and methods. 42 servicemen were examined (mean age 34,6 ± 5.1 years) before, immediately after the first participation in their professional activities in special operations (the trip in the area with an intense operational environment duration - 3 months). The control group was made by the military personnel by the nature of service never participating in special operations. Immune status was assessed by expression of CD3+, CD4+, CD16+, CD19+, Foxp3 in CD4+CD25+. Cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes was investigated by granzim b content in T-cytotoxic lymphocytes and NK cells (Becman Coulter, USA). Assessment of monocytic-macrophage level was studied by the number of CD14+HLADR+ and expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 on monocytes. The levels of serum immunoglobulin classes A, M, G was determined by radial immunodiffusion in gel by Mancini. Statistical processing of the data was performed using a set of applications MS Office 2010, Statistica 6.0 for Windows. Significant differences between the indicators were determined at p < 0.05. Results. The quantitative preservation of adaptive reserves of T-lymphocytes was noted in the T-cell link, which was accompanied by a tendency to increase readiness for apoptosis (CD3+CD95+), reduction of late activation potential in the general population (CD3+HLADR+) and in CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulation (CD8+HLADR+), with a significant decrease in the content of cytolytically active CD8+-cells containing granzim (CD8+Gr+). The above changes were compensated by the increase in the activation potential of CD4+ lymphocyte subpopulation due to a significant increase in the expression of early activation markers (CD4+CD25+) and activation of suppressor function of T-regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+). Preservation of adaptive potential in the subjects confirmed the tendency to increase of immunoregulatory index. Changes in the effector link of innate immunity were determined by reducing the relative number of cells - natural killers after returning from a business trip and significant inhibition of their cytolytic activity by reducing the expression of granzim B (CD16+Gr+). In the humoral link of the immune system marked a significant inhibition of the synthesis of B-lymphocytes with preserved immunoglobulin-producing function. Analysis of the functional activity of monocytic cells revealed the preservation of their atigen-presenting function (CD14+HLADR+). There was a significant decrease in the expression of surface TLR282 and TLR284 (tabl. 1). Conclusion. Even short-term (up to 3 months) participation in special operations leads to significant violations of the immune status in the form of changes in the functional activity of T-lymphocytes, oppression from the processes of maturation of cells-natural killers and B-lymphocytes. The mechanisms of the revealed changes are interesting, which requires further monitoring of the subjects.

About the authors

N S Zaitseva

Department of Сlinical Immunology and Allergology, Rostov state medical university, Rostov-on-Don

L P Syziakina

Department of Сlinical Immunology and Allergology, Rostov state medical university, Rostov-on-Don

References

Supplementary files