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Opioid receptor agonists and Ca2+ modulation in human B cell lines.
W Heagy1, M A Shipp, R W Finberg
1Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|December 15, 1992
Summary
Opiate peptides stimulate calcium responses in human B cells via mu- and kappa-type receptors. This indicates functional opiate receptors on B cells, crucial for their response to opioids and endogenous neuropeptides.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Opiates and opioid peptides influence lymphocyte function, but receptor types and signaling pathways remain unclear.
- Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is critical for initiating lymphocyte activities.
- Understanding opioid interactions with B lymphocytes is essential for immune system research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of opioid receptors in B lymphocyte calcium responses.
- To identify specific opioid receptor subtypes involved in B cell signaling.
- To elucidate the signaling mechanisms linking opioid peptides to B cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the calcium indicator dye indo-1 and flow cytometry.
- Assessed B lymphocyte calcium responses to opioid peptides and agonists.
- Employed opioid receptor antagonists, including naloxone, to confirm receptor involvement.
Main Results:
- Human B cell lines (Nalm 6, JY) exhibited rapid, dose-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+ upon exposure to methionine-enkephalin.
- Opioid peptide-induced Ca2+ modulation was effectively blocked by naloxone.
- Specific mu-type (DAMGO) and kappa-type (U50,488H, U69,593) opioid receptor agonists also triggered Ca2+ responses in B cells.
Conclusions:
- Human B cell lines express functional mu- and kappa-type opioid receptors.
- Opioid receptor signaling, coupled with Ca2+ modulation, plays a key role in B cell responses to opiates and endogenous opioid neuropeptides.
- These findings open new avenues for understanding neuro-immune interactions.