RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Immunomodulatory Effects of Social Isolation in Mice are Linked to Temperature Control
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2021.09.03.458884
DO 10.1101/2021.09.03.458884
A1 Alice Hamilton
A1 Raffaella Rizzo
A1 Samuel Brod
A1 Masahiro Ono
A1 Mauro Perretti
A1 Dianne Cooper
A1 Fulvio D’Acquisto
YR 2021
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/09/06/2021.09.03.458884.abstract
AB Living in isolation is considered an emerging societal problem that negatively affects the physical wellbeing of its sufferers in ways that we are just starting to appreciate. This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of social isolation in mice, utilising a two-week program of sole cage occupancy followed by the testing of immune-inflammatory resilience to bacterial sepsis. Our results revealed that mice housed in social isolation showed an increased ability to clear bacterial infection compared to control socially housed animals. These effects were associated with specific changes in whole blood gene expression profile and an increased production of classical pro-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, equipping socially isolated mice with artificial nests as a substitute for their natural huddling behaviour reversed the increased resistance to bacterial sepsis. These results further highlight the ability of the immune system to act as a sensor of our living conditions and to respond in a compensatory fashion to external challenges that might threaten the survival of the host.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.