Leukocyte adhesion molecule expression and T cell naive/memory status following isoproterenol infusion

This study examined adhesion molecules on peripheral leukocytes following a 30-min infusion of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol in 23 healthy subjects. In response to isoproterenol, the number of CD8(+)CD62L(-) T cells and both CD62L(+) and CD62L(-) natural killer (NK) (CD3(-)CD16(+)56(+)) cells increased markedly in circulation (p < 0.001). In addition, the surface density of CD62L was significantly lower on both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells (p < 0.001). Plasma levels of soluble CD62L remained unchanged, arguing against an isoproterenol-induced shedding of L-selectin. In contrast to CD62L, the surface density of the beta(2) integrin LFA-1 (CD11a) was higher on circulating lymphocytes(p < 0.001) (but not monocytes or lymphocytes) post-infusion. Isoproterenol also led to a mobilization of memory/activated CD8(+)CD29(high) T cells (p<0.01), but had no significant effect on the number of circulating CD8(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) naive T cells. beta blockade with the non-specific antagonist propranolol eliminated these isoproterenol-induced effects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.