The effects of short-term sleep deprivation on the immune system of Mus Musculus

Sleep deprivation has become a prevalent issue, raising concerns about its detrimental effects on immune function and overall health. This study investigates the effect of acute sleep deprivation on the immune response of mice. It was hypothesized that sleep deprivation would significantly alter immune cell distribution and cytokine expression. Using a custom-designed rotor cage that prevented sleep without excessive stress, mice were subjected to 72 hours of continuous sleep deprivation. Results from flow cytometry analysis showed significant reduction in the distribution of Natural Killer (NK) cells and memory T cells in the spleen cells and peripheral blood leukocytes from sleep deprived sacrificed mice, indicating impaired cytotoxic and immune responses. Conversely, an increase in B cell proportions was observed which could reflect that activation of compensatory mechanisms to maintain immune homeostasis. Additionally, the expression of anti-inflammatory genes and the concentration levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines increased, while pro-inflammatory cytokines and related genes were downregulated. These findings reveal that short-term sleep deprivation suppresses the immune system of mice, underscoring the critical role of sleep in maintaining immune balance and suggesting that sleep deprivation could predispose the body to chronic immune diseases.