The influence of adrenergic and cholinergic agents on the chemiluminescent and mitogenic responses of leukocytes from the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

In a previous report, it was shown that agonists of cholinergic or alpha-adrenergic receptors enhance, whereas beta-adrenergic agonists suppress, in vitro antibody responses by splenic leukocytes from rainbow trout. The present study addresses the mechanisms by which autonomic neurotransmitters (or their analogs) could affect this antibody response. Possibilities include an influence on accessory cell function, on the clonal proliferation of antigen-stimulated lymphocytes, and/or on the synthesis and secretion of antibody. Epinephrine and selective beta-adrenergic agonists suppressed whereas both alpha and cholinergic receptor agonists enhanced the ability of stimulated pronephric leukocytes (mainly macrophages and neutrophils) to produce reactive oxygen species, suggesting that accessory cells may be a target of these agents in the antibody response. Beta-adrenergic agonists also suppressed the proliferative response of splenic leukocytes to LPS, Con A, and PHA. There was no effect, however, of alpha-adrenergic or cholinergic-receptor agonists on mitogenic responses.