The effect of stress on the defense systems

J Med Life. 2010 Jan-Mar;3(1):10-8.

Abstract

Acute stress increases resistance to infection. The alteration of this mechanism in chronically stressed people impairs the organism's ability to mount a strong immune response with a resultant increase in morbidity. Acute stress induces a probable sympatho-adrenergically mediated increase in chemotaxis and adhesion molecules expression, thus promoting immune cells migration to sites of infection and/or inflammation, while chronic stress impairs this mechanism. Protracted stressful conditions decrease NK cytotoxic capacity. There is a substance P, which under stressful circumstances mediates the increase in macrophage cytokine production. Acute stress increases T cell mobilization through a beta2-adrenergically mediated process, which is blunted during chronic stress. Psychological stress impairs the immune system's ability to produce antibodies in response to a vaccine, thereby making the organism more vulnerable to infections.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemotaxis
  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology*
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Stress, Psychological / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology