Blood natural killer cell cytotoxicity enhancement correlates with an increased activity in brain motor structures following chronic stimulation of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in rats

The present study indicates that a chronic 14 day electrical stimulation of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) increased blood but not spleen natural killer cell (NK) cytotoxicity and a large granular lymphocyte (LGL) number. These immune changes positively correlated with the increased activity in brain cortical and subcortical motor structures that influence the BST stimulation-induced behavioral response. No significant changes in blood and spleen leukocyte population numbers and plasma corticosterone concentration after the stimulation were found. The obtained results suggest that this immunoenhancing effect on blood NK cell function and number is dependent on the behavioral outcome of the BST stimulation rather than endocrine response.

► NKCC and Fos expression after chronic electrical BST stimulation was studied in rats. ► BST stimulation increases blood NKCC and brain motor structure activity. ► NKCC correlates with increased Fos expression in cortical and subcortical areas. ► Immunoenhancing effect depends on the behavioral outcome of the BST stimulation. ► BST stimulation does not affect COR concentration and blood and spleen leukocytes.