Role of adrenergic neurons in the control of immune responses

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03489
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Kazuhiro 大阪大学, 免疫学フロンティア研究センター, 教授 (60611035)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 交感神経 / 免疫応答

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Emerging evidence indicates that various aspects of the immune system are controlled by the nervous system. However, the role of adrenergic neurons in the control of immune responses has been incompletely understood. In this study, we show that adrenergic signals had substantial impacts on the morphology and function of a subset of lymphoid stromal cells. Chemogenetic activation of adrenergic neurons induced a morphological change of the stromal cells, which was recapitulated by the treatment with an adrenergic receptor agonist. Using an experimental system mimicking a secondary immune response, we demonstrated that adrenergic inputs enhance the immunogenic capacity of the stromal cells. These findings suggest that the stromal cells play an important role in adrenergic neuron-mediated control of immune responses.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、交感神経がリンパ濾胞ストローマ細胞の形態と機能に多大な影響を及ぼすことを明らかにし、リンパ濾胞ストローマ細胞が交感神経による免疫制御において重要な役割を果たすことを示した点において学術的に有意義である。また、本研究は、交感神経活動を操作することにより免疫応答の強度を制御し得ることを示唆しており、神経系による免疫制御という新しいコンセプトに基づいた免疫賦活化法の開発につながる点において社会的にも有意義である。