The Effect of Stress, BCG Vaccination,and Combination of Stress-BCG Vaccination to The Ability of Macrophage to Bind with CD4+ T Cells in BALB/c Mice

Abstract

The Effect of Stress, BCG Vaccination,and Combination of Stress-BCG Vaccination to The Ability of Macrophage to Bind with CD4+ T Cells in BALB/c Mice Rahajeng N. Tunjung*, Dwi Pudjonarko** Background. BCG has been recognized as potentiator for cellular immune system, while stress has been reported to suppress it. Objective. This research was emphasized on the effect of electric foot shock as stressor and BCG vaccination in cellular immune alteration through the evaluation of CD4+ T cells bound to macrophage. Methods. This research adopted Laboratory Experimental and Post-Test Only Group Design. The 24 female BALB/c mice (6-8 week old with average weight of 21.88 ± 1.75 grams) were obtained from PUSVETMA (Pusat Veterinaria Farma Surabaya). All mice were then divided into four groups and received standard lab diet daily. The first group (control group=C) received no other additional treatment. The second group (BCG group=B) received intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 cc BCG on day 1 and 11. The third group (electric foot shock group=E) received electric foot shock (EFS) with increasing amount and length of sessions for ten days. The fourth group received intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 cc BCG on day 1 and day 11 along with electric foot shock with increasing amount and length of sessions for ten days (EFS+BCG group=EB). At day 21 all groups received intravenous injection of 104 live Listeria monocytogenes (LD50=2x105 bacteria) and terminated on day 26. Results. The result showed significant differences in the amount of CD4+ T cells bound to macrophage (p < 0.05) among the groups. The lowest number of binding was found in group E. The significant difference was found between group BE and both group C and E (p < 0.05). Conclusion. It can be concluded that stress caused suppression of the macrophage ability to bind with CD4+ T cells, while the BCG caused its enhancement. The BCG vaccination may prevent the decrease of macrophage ability to bind with CD4+ T cells in BALB/c mice caused by stress. Keywords: Stress, BCG, CD4+ T cells binding