A new method for isolation of human lymphocyte subsets reveals differential regulation of β-adrenergic receptors by terbutaline treatment

Abstract

We adapted a technique for isolation of mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) subsets with immunomagnetic beads to the study of beta-adrenergic receptors. Mixed MNL cells were sequentially incubated with monoclonal antibodies specific for certain MNL subsets. Sheep antimouse antibodies coupled to magnetic beads were then added, and the desired MNL subset was pulled out with a magnet. This method yielded subsets with high purity and did not alter beta-receptor density or function. Healthy volunteers were treated for 7 days with the beta 2-selective agonist terbutaline (5 mg t.i.d.). Terbutaline treatment decreased beta-receptor number and isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) generation in natural killer cells, helper T cells, and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells but not in B cells. The decrease was greatest in suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and least in helper T cells. Thus beta-adrenergic receptor regulation by agonists appears to differ among MNL subsets.

Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry.

“…Though all lymphocytes have adrenergic receptors, differential density and sensitivity of adrenergic receptors on lymphocytes may affect responsiveness to stress among cell subsets. For example, natural killer cells have both high-density and highaffinity β 2 -adrenergic receptors, B cells have high density but lower affinity, and T cells have the lowest density (Anstead, Hunt, Carlson, & Burki, 1998;Landmann, 1992;Maisel, Fowler, Rearden, Motulsky, & Michel, 1989). Second, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis secrete the adrenal hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol; the pituitary hormones prolactin and growth hormone; and the brain peptides melatonin, β-endorphin, and enkephalin.…”

Salmeterol, a β2-receptor agonist, attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation in mice

“…In this way salmeterol accumulates in the cytoplasmic membrane, enabling prolonged ␤ 2 -receptor stimulation (10). Apart from its expression on airway smooth muscle cells, the ␤ 2 -receptor is found on leukocytes and macrophages (4,18,23).…”

Does treatment with beta‐adrenoceptor antagonists in vivo alter human adenylate cyclase responsiveness in vitro?

“…Figure 2). Moreover, GTP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity remained unchanged before, during, and after each treatment (Tables 1 and 2 (Maisel et al 1989a; Reithmann & Werdan, 1989). As the effects of 3-adrenoceptor antagonists are generally interpreted as a reversal of the tonic effects of endogenous catecholamines, it was not surprising to find that the GTP-and forskolin-stimulated All values are mean ± s.e.…”

“…We chose to use four different ,B-adrenoceptor antagonists to cover the aspects of 3-adrenoceptor subtype-selective effects and those of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Since Peters et al (1985) had found that exposure of turkey erythrocytes to high concentrations of ,B-adrenoceptor antagonists in vitro can alter adenylate cyclase responsiveness by a mechanism probably not related to their P-adrenoceptor blocking activity, we compared circulating lymphocytes which have = 1000 ,B-adrenoceptors/cell Maisel et al, 1989a;Michel et al, 1988) and circulating platelets which have less than 100 3-adrenoceptors/cell (Wang & Brodde, 1985;Cook et al, 1985) which may or may not couple to stimulation of adenylate cyclase (Cook et al, 1988). …”