Production of CD4+ T Cell Subsets in a Beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Knockout Stress Mouse Model during Chlamydia muridarum Genital Infection

Abstract

Kaitlyn Cook*, Tesfaye Belay, Ph.D*., *Department of Applied Science and Mathematics, Bluefield State College, Bluefield WV 24701 Production of CD4+ T Cell Subsets in a Beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Knockout Stress Mouse Model during Chlamydia muridarum Genital Infection
 Chlamydia is the most widely spread sexually transmitted disease, with more than one hundred million new cases occurring every year worldwide. Studies show the effect of stress promoting infection, but little is known about Chlamydia and the impact of stress. Cold-induced stress was used to simulate stress in mice to understand the relationship between the stress hormone norepinephrine (NE) and the immune system. This study aims to determine the role of beta2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) under stressful conditions during infection. We hypothesize the β2-AR suppresses T helper cell 1 (Th1) and promotes the production of Th2 cytokines. Following stressing, infection, sacrificing, and dissection of mice, the spleen, lymph node, and genital tract cells were proliferated for 72 hours. ELISA data for IL-13 concentration shows stressed knockout (KO) mice had 273.6pg/mL compared to stressed wildtype (WT) mice with 120.6pg/mL. Various treatment of CD4+ T cells resulted in production of TNF- α, ranging from 595pg/mL to 398.7pg/mL. Viability of CD4+ T cells treated with β2-AR agonist Fenoterol, and antagonist ICI 118,551 were analyzed. The viability of CD4+ T cells treated with NE was 70.7% in KO, compared to 69.1% and 70.2% for the agonist and antagonist, respectively. NE, Fenoterol, and ICI 118,551 treatment resulted in 72.2%, 83.6% and 84.4% respectively for WT. No significant difference is found between the agonist and antagonist. Chlamydia muridarum isolation from the genital tract of treatment groups is underway. The ELISA data implies that β2-AR mice restored increased production of protective cytokines more than their WT counterparts.