Potent suppressive effects of urocortin on splenic lymphocyte activity in rats

To assess the possible role of urocortin, a recently identified neuropeptide related to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), in modulation of peripheral immune functions, the effects of intracranially administrated urocortin on the proliferative activity of splenic lymphocytes were examined in rats; Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of urocortin (1 ng) produced a marked decrease in the proliferative response of splenocytes to a mitogen. The suppressive effect of urocortin was abolished by pretreatment with a ganglionic blocking agent (chlorisondamine) or a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (propranolol), but not by adrenalectomy. These results suggest that urocortin is an important neuropeptide involved in the brain control of peripheral immune functions such as stress-induced immunosuppression, and that the suppressive effect of urocortin is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.