Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
9425398 Neuroscience 2005 7 Pages PDF
Abstract
Recent studies show that sympathetic nerves participate in immunomodulation. We investigated the effects of unilateral sympathectomy on recruitment of cells expressing kappa and lambda (κ and λ) light chains in the rat dental pulp. Superior cervical ganglion was removed in experimental rats (n=10) while control rats (n=8) received sham surgery. Following perfusion 18 days later, mandibular jaws were processed for immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Sympathectomy results in recruitment of cells expressing κ and λ light chains into the dental pulp (P=0.005). Electron microscopy revealed these cells to be mainly plasma cells and Mott cells. We conclude that neural imbalance caused by unilateral sympathectomy recruits immunoglobulin producing cells in the dental pulp. Our results are in agreement with a model of immune regulation in which the sympathetic nervous system exerts a tonic regulatory effect over lymphocyte proliferation and migration.
Related Topics
Life Sciences Neuroscience Neuroscience (General)
Authors
, ,