Abstract
The influences of restraint stress on the functions of T cells, B cells and adherent cells in antibody responses were investigated. Antibody response against sheep red blood cells (SRBC), a T cell-dependent antigen, in cultured splenocytes from restrained mice was reduced to about 40-50% of that from the control mice. Addition of normal T cells to these cultures, however, restored the suppressed response. Moreover, helper T cell activities were lowered in restrained mice. On the other hand, suppressor T cell activities induced by both concanavalin A (Con A) and SRBC were significantly decreased in restrained mice. However, the antibody responses to T cell-independent antigens in stressed mice were approximately 40% higher than the control response. These enhancemant were also observed in T cell-depleted splenocytes. Polyclonal antibody response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was increased in stressed mice. Antigen presenting cell activities were little influenced by restraint stress. Proliferative response to Con A, but not that to LPS, was suppressed in splenocytes from restrained mice. These results suggest that both helper and suppressor activities of T cells are suppressed, but B cell activity is rather enhanced in splenocytes from restrained mice.
