Locus coeruleus tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons mediated the peripheral and central therapeutic effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in MRL/lpr mice.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in MRL/lpr mice.

Methods: MRL/lpr mice were treated with taVNS for ten weeks. Locus coeruleus (LC) tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH + ) neurons were selectively lesioned by stereotactic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or selectively activated by chemogenetic methods. Sympathetic denervation was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHDA.

Results: TaVNS activated the TH  +  neurons in LC. TaVNS produced central therapeutic effects by reducing the number of hippocampal microglia, and increasing the number of surviving LC TH + neurons in MRL/lpr mice. TaVNS also retarded the development of lymphadenectasis and splenomegaly, decreased the proportion of double-negative T (DNT) cells, and alleviated nephritis in MRL/lpr mice. The lesion of LC TH + neurons eliminated both these central and peripheral therapeutic effects of taVNS, while chemogenetic activation of LC TH + neurons mimicked most central and peripheral protective effects of taVNS in MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, taVNS regulated the autonomic nervous system in MRL/lpr mice.

Conclusion: This study provides direct evidence that taVNS can retard the development of peripheral and central symptoms of SLE, which is mediated by the LC TH + neurons.

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the position presented in, or the review of, the manuscript entitled, “Locus coeruleus tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons mediated the peripheral and central therapeutic effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in MRL/lpr mice”.

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