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The effect of morphine and DAGO on the proliferative response of murine splenocytes
T K Eisenstein1, D D Taub, M W Adler
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 1, 1991
Abstract:
Morphine added in vitro to BALB/c mouse spleen cells inhibits mitogen responses. Naloxone and naltrexone, but not nor-BNI, antagonize the effect of morphine, suggesting that the kappa opioid receptor is not involved in in vitro immunomodulation of mitogen responses by morphine.
Insights
Morphine inhibits mouse spleen cell responses to mitogens in vitro. Naloxone and naltrexone, but not nor-BNI, block this effect, indicating the kappa opioid receptor is not involved in morphine
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Opioid receptors are known to modulate immune cell function.
- Morphine's effects on immune responses in vitro require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of opioid receptors in morphine-induced immunomodulation.
- To determine which specific opioid receptor subtypes are involved in morphine's effect on mitogen responses in mouse spleen cells.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mouse spleen cells were cultured in vitro.
- Cells were treated with morphine alone or in combination with opioid receptor antagonists (naloxone, naltrexone, nor-BNI).
- Mitogen-induced proliferation responses were measured.
Main Results:
- Morphine significantly inhibited mitogen responses in mouse spleen cells.
- Naloxone and naltrexone antagonized the inhibitory effect of morphine.
- Nor-BNI, a kappa opioid receptor antagonist, did not block morphine's effect.
Conclusions:
- The kappa opioid receptor is not involved in the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of morphine on mitogen responses.
- Mu and/or delta opioid receptors likely mediate morphine's inhibition of immune cell proliferation.