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Related Experiment Videos

Systemic morphine administration suppresses genes involved in antigen presentation.

Karen Beagles1, Anton Wellstein, Barbara Bayer

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.

Molecular Pharmacology
|January 27, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Morphine significantly alters immune cell gene expression, reducing major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) on B lymphocytes. This impaired antigen presentation may increase infection susceptibility in those using opioids.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Opioid administration, like morphine, alters immune responsiveness in humans and animals.
  • Research has primarily focused on immune cell phenotypic changes, with less known about gene expression alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gene expression and functional changes in blood leukocytes following morphine administration.
  • To determine if morphine affects major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) expression and antigen presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were treated with morphine (20 mg/kg) or saline.
  • Gene expression and surface protein levels of MHC II RT1.B beta on blood leukocytes were analyzed.
  • The effect of morphine on IL-4 induced MHC II up-regulation on B lymphocytes was examined.

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Main Results:

  • Morphine decreased blood leukocyte expression of MHC II RT1.B beta and the MHC II invariant chain within 2 hours.
  • A significant decrease in surface MHC II RT1.B beta protein was observed on B lymphocytes.
  • Morphine inhibited IL-4 induced up-regulation of MHC II RT1.B beta on B lymphocytes.

Conclusions:

  • This study demonstrates that morphine administration modifies receptors involved in antigen presentation.
  • Impaired upregulation of MHC II on B lymphocytes may contribute to increased susceptibility to infections like HIV in opioid users.