Thymus mast cells as a component of neuro-endocrine-immune interactions under stress

Mast cells (MCs) are a required component of the thymus microenvironment. They affect intercellular interactions and permeability of the hematothymic barrier through cytokine production. There is speculation that the thymus is the site of MCs formation and deposition. MCs are under complex neuro-end...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: O. S. Artashyan, Yu. S. Khramtsova
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Association of Allergologists and Clinical Immunologists 2023-06-01
Series:Медицинская иммунология
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Online Access:https://www.mimmun.ru/mimmun/article/view/2774
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Summary:Mast cells (MCs) are a required component of the thymus microenvironment. They affect intercellular interactions and permeability of the hematothymic barrier through cytokine production. There is speculation that the thymus is the site of MCs formation and deposition. MCs are under complex neuro-endocrine control and they can play an important role in the process of acute transformation of the thymus in the formation of a stress reaction, affecting the extrathymic migration of cells. The purpose of this study is to assess the functional involvement of MCs in the process of the thymus acute transformation at various hyper- and hypodynamic effects during the formation of stress response and without it.The study was conducted on male Wistar rats. The stress factors were physical activity (swimming) of different intensities and immobilization, which represent two opposite states of dynamic stress. MCs were classified on histological preparations; a degranulation coefficient and a mean histochemical coefficient (synthetic activity) were calculated.In groups with preserved adrenal glands after exposure a significant decrease in the thymus mass coefficient is noted, which indicates a weakening of its functional activity in response to the development of stress. At the same time, MCs of the thymus quickly respond to neuro-endocrine factors under stress. These cells are involved in a general reaction: their activity consists in a synchronous decrease of the synthesis of granules in the cytoplasm and an increased release of active substances accumulated earlier. The mass and structure of the thymus remain unchanged in groups with removed adrenal glands after immobilization. No changes in morphofunctional indicators of mast cells were detected either. Experiments with hypo- and hyperdinamic loading of animals with preserved and removed adrenal glands indicate that the MCs response is largely determined by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the endocrine system. Removal of the adrenal glands (inability to release glucocorticoids) leads to a lack of functional response from the thymus MCs. The stimulating effect of adrenal glucocorticoids on MCs under stress is carried out in combination with other neuro-endocrine factors (catecholamines, corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone). When this axis is activated and a full-fledged stress reaction is formed by the body, MCs are actively involved in the process of acute transformation of the thymus through cytokine secretion. These is an important condition for the development of adaptation mechanisms by the immune system.
ISSN:1563-0625
2313-741X