Publications [#250813] of Staci D. Bilbo

Journal Articles

1. Bilbo, SD; Hotchkiss, AK; Chiavegatto, S; Nelson, RJ (2003). Blunted stress responses in delayed type hypersensitivity in mice lacking the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase.. Journal of neuroimmunology, 140(1-2), 41-48. [12864970], [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/21)

   Abstract:
   Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary responses to immune stimuli; however, the specific role of NO from neurons during stress-induced immune responses remains unspecified. We measured antigen-specific delayed-type-hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in the skin of wild-type (WT) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout (nNOS(-/-)) mice at baseline and after 2 h of restraint. Baseline corticosterone concentrations were higher in nNOS(-/-) than WT mice. However, stress-induced increases in corticosterone were dampened in nNOS(-/-) mice, and restraint suppressed DTH only in WT animals. Furthermore, WT mice lost more body mass after stress, and exhibited more anxiety-like behavior in the open field, than nNOS(-/-) mice. Neuronal NO appears to be involved in the neuroendocrine-immune response to stress, perhaps via glucocorticoid regulation.