Establishing a system to identify correlations among immune system components for exploring alternative pathways for immune information transfer

Introduction

The classic immune system information transfer occurs through direct cell-to-cell contact and the secretion of mediators. However, certain immune phenomena suggest alternative pathways exist between immune components that operate independently of these conventional mechanisms.

Methods

We used 24 male C57Bl/6 J mice, divided into six groups, to establish a system for testing alternative immune information transfer pathways. Two triggers—splenectomy and 24-hour fasting—were applied in various combinations. Splenocytes were prepared from operated mice and placed in sterile tubes within cages of different treatment groups. Ex vivo lymphocyte responses were measured using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for cell epitope expression (CD4, CD8, CD25, Foxp3) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cytokine secretion (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β).

Results

Significant changes were observed in CD25 and CD8+CD25 expression, as well as in IL-10 secretion, following the application of the triggers. The system exhibited inherent variability with trends toward altered immune responses in isolated splenocytes that had no direct contact with the trigger-exposed animals. Non-parametric analysis indicates a trend for these markers, even though there is significant variability within the groups..

Conclusions

The data suggest a system where correlations between immune components may occur through alternative pathways, indicating the possibility of non-conventional information transfer mechanisms in the immune system that require further investigation.