Hematopoietic stem progenitor cells prevent chronic stress-induced lymphocyte apoptosis

•Define the effect of HSPCs on chronic stress-induced immune responses.•HSPCs prevents lymphocyte apoptosis induced by chronic stress in mice.•The protective effect of HSPCs on lymphocyte reduction exerts by steroid hormones.•T cell-mediated immune responses contributes to the protective effect of HSPCs.

Physical or psychological chronic stress can suppress the immune system. However, the mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We investigated the effect of hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSPCs) on chronic stress-induced the alterations of immune responses. We demonstrate that HSPCs prevents stress-induced lymphocyte apoptosis. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the protective effect of HSPCs on stress-induced lymphocyte reduction exerts by steroid hormones. Furthermore, we reveal that chronic stress-induced T cell-mediated immune responses contributes to the protective effect of HSPCs. These results indicate that HPSCs might offer a novel therapeutic strategy against the deleterious effects of chronic stress on the immune system.

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