       Document 0099
 DOCN  M9640099
 TI    Selective inhibitory effects of stress hormones on natural killer (NK)
       cell activity of lymphocytes from AIDS patients.
 DT    9604
 AU    Nair MP; Saravolatz LD; Schwartz SA; Department of Medicine and
       Microbiology, State University of New; York at Buffalo, Buffalo General
       Hospital 14203, USA.
 SO    Immunol Invest. 1995 Aug;24(5):689-99. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96051528
 AB    To examine the potential role of stress hormones in the progression of
       HIV infections, we developed an in vitro model system that investigates
       the effects of cortisol, adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH)
       and beta-endorphin on the natural killer cell activity of lymphocytes
       from normal subjects and AIDS patients. The system employs a 4 hr 51Cr
       release assay and K562 target cells. Direct addition of cortisol (0.05,
       0.1, and 0.2 microgram/ml) or ACTH (10(-6) to 10(-8) M) to the mixture
       of effector and prelabeled target cells did not produce any significant
       immunoregulatory effects on the NK cell activity of normal lymphocytes.
       Direct addition of beta-endorphin (10(-13) to 10(-17) M) to the mixture
       of effector and prelabeled target cells did not produce any significant
       immunoregulatory effects on the NK cell activity of lymphocytes from
       normal or AIDS subjects. However, cortisol and ACTH significantly
       inhibited the NK activity of lymphocytes from AIDS patients. The
       selective inhibitory effects of cortisol and ACTH in patients with HIV
       infections are consistent with a model which proposes that stress
       related neurohormones and/or neuropeptides may be involved in the
       progression of HIV infections.
 DE    beta-Endorphin/*PHARMACOLOGY  Acquired Immunodeficiency
       Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/*IMMUNOLOGY/  PATHOLOGY  Adult  Cells, Cultured
       Corticotropin/*PHARMACOLOGY  Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/DRUG EFFECTS
       Human  Hydrocortisone/*PHARMACOLOGY  Immunosuppressive
       Agents/*PHARMACOLOGY  Killer Cells, Natural/*DRUG EFFECTS/IMMUNOLOGY
       Lymphocytes/DRUG EFFECTS/IMMUNOLOGY  Male  Neuroimmunomodulation
       Stress/COMPLICATIONS/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support,
       U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  Tumor Cells, Cultured  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

