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Morphine upregulates mu opioid receptors of human and monkey lymphocytes

S Suzuki1, T Miyagi, T K Chuang

  • 1Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|December 19, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Morphine treatment increases mu opioid receptor gene expression in human and monkey lymphocytes. This suggests morphine directly modulates immune functions by activating these receptors on immune cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Opioid receptors (delta, kappa, mu) are found in brain cells and immune cells.
  • Morphine is a psychoactive drug with known neuroendocrine effects on the immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if morphine directly modulates immune functions by acting on mu opioid receptors expressed on lymphocytes.
  • To determine the effect of morphine on mu opioid receptor gene expression in human lymphocytic cells.

Main Methods:

  • Competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure gene expression.
  • Western blot analysis with antibodies against the neuronal mu opioid receptor (MOR-1) was performed.
  • Human and monkey lymphocytes were treated with morphine.

Main Results:

  • Morphine treatment increased mu opioid receptor gene expression in human lymphocytes.
  • Western blot analysis showed increased mu protein levels (approx. 50 kDa) in lymphocytes after morphine treatment.
  • Similar mu opioid receptor activation was observed in monkey lymphocytes treated with morphine.

Conclusions:

  • Morphine may directly modulate immune functions by activating mu opioid receptors on lymphocytes.
  • This direct action on lymphocytes complements known indirect immune effects via the neuroendocrine system.

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