Progenitor cells are mobilized by acute psychological stress but not beta-adrenergic receptor agonist infusion.

ABSTRACT: Stimuli that activate the sympathetic nervous system, such as acute psychological stress, rapidly invoke a robust mobilization of lymphocytes into the circulation. Experimental animal studies suggest that bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (PCs) also mobilize in response to sympathetic stimulation. Here we tested the effects of acute psychological stress and brief pharmacological ?-adrenergic (?AR) stimulation on peripheral PC numbers in humans.In two studies, we investigated PC mobilization in response to an acute speech task (n=26) and ?AR-agonist (isoproterenol) infusion (n=20). A subset of 8 participants also underwent the infusion protocol with concomitant administration of the ?AR-antagonist propranolol. Flow cytometry was used to enumerate lymphocyte subsets, total progenitor cells, total haematopoietic stem cells (HSC), early HSC (multi-lineage potential), late HSC (lineage committed), and endothelial PCs (EPCs).Both psychological stress and ?AR-agonist infusion caused the expected mobilization of total monocytes and lymphocytes and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Psychological stress also induced a modest, but significant, increase in total PCs, HSCs, and EPC numbers in peripheral blood. However, infusion of a ?AR-agonist did not result in a significant change in circulating PCs.PCs are rapidly mobilized by psychological stress via mechanisms independent of ?AR-stimulation, although the findings do not exclude ?AR-stimulation as a possible cofactor. Considering the clinical and physiological relevance, further research into the mechanisms involved in stress-induced PC mobilization seems warranted.

SUBMITTER: Riddell NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4561221 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature