Effects of morphine on T-cell recirculation in rhesus monkeys

A 2-yr study on effects of morphine on lymphocyte circulation in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) showed that, over time, a well-maintained morphine-dependency caused biphasic depressive effects on circulating lymphocyte levels. Depression of T cell circulation by opiates actually was a relative effect. Morphine exposure basically stabilized T cell circulation in the context of concurrent increases in controls. Biphasic effects of morphine were attributable to distinctions in circulation kinetics of CD4+/CD62L (+ & -) T cells. That is, levels of CD4+/CD62L+ T cells were selectively depressed by opiates through the first 32wk after initiation of drug, and levels of CD4+/CD62L- T cells were selectively depressed thereafter. Regression analyses also showed that morphine stabilized lymphocyte recirculation. Circulating levels of resting and activated-memory types of T cells were positively correlated in opiate-exposed monkeys during the first 32wk after opiate exposure--an effect not seen with control monkeys. Considerations of changes in the types of experimental stressors extant during the study suggested that temporally differential effects of opiates on T cell recirculation were connected with changes in the stress environment and the ability of morphine to modulate these changes. Thus, morphine, and by inference the endogenous opioid system, are involved in homeostasis of lymphocyte recirculation, probably through effects on central mediation of the stress axis.