Role of central β-adrenergic receptors in regulating proinflammatory cytokine responses to a peripheral bacterial challenge

Elevation of proinflammatory cytokines in the brain have potent effects on altering physiological, behavioral, and cognitive processes. The mechanism(s) by which brain cytokines are induced during a peripheral immune challenge remains unclear since microorganisms/cytokines do not cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Recent studies indicate that central β-adrenergic receptors (β-ADRs) may mediate brain interleukin-1beta (IL-1) production. This has direct implications for the production of brain cytokines during a peripheral immune response since peripheral pathogens and cytokines rapidly stimulate brainstem catecholamine neurons via peripheral nerves and circumventricular pathways. Studies here examine the role of central β-ADRs in regulating brain cytokine production following peripheral Escherichia coli (E. coli) challenge. Rats were centrally administered propranolol (β-ADR antagonist) or vehicle followed by peripheral E. coli or saline and sacrificed 6 h later for measurement of cytokines. Pre-treatment with propranolol completely blocked the induction of brain IL-1 following E. coli. Surprisingly, central propranolol also attenuated E. coli-induced peripheral cytokines. To examine whether the attenuated peripheral cytokine response following central propranolol administration was due leakage of propranolol into the general circulation and blockade of peripheral β-blockade, nadolol (β-ADR antagonist that does not cross the BBB) was administered peripherally prior to E. coli. Nadolol administration did not block central cytokine production following E. coli, but instead enhanced both peripheral and central proinflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, central administration of isoproterenol (β-ADR agonist) results in a time-dependent increase in brain IL-1 production. These data demonstrate central β-ADRs may play a critical role to induce brain IL-1, while peripheral β-ADRs inhibit cytokine response to bacterial challenge.