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Comparative analysis of mu-opioid receptor expression in immune and neuronal cells

Christine Börner1, Ralf Stumm, Volker Höllt

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Magdeburg, Madgeburg, Germany.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Morphine

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Morphine affects neuronal and immune cells through mu-opioid receptors.
  • Mu-opioid receptor expression in immune cells is typically low and inducible.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional expression of mu-opioid receptors in immune cells.
  • To determine if immune cell mu-opioid receptors are responsive to morphine.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of mu-opioid receptor mRNA in primary immune cells (T and B cells) and neuronal cells.
  • Stimulation of immune cells with Interleukin-4 (IL-4) or Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
  • Assessment of functional receptor activity via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, IL-4 mRNA upregulation, and adenylyl cyclase coupling in Jurkat cells.

Main Results:

  • Mu-opioid receptor transcripts were detected in T and B immune cells only after IL-4 or TNF-alpha stimulation.
  • Induced mu-opioid receptor mRNA levels in immune cells were significantly lower (15-200 times less) than in neuronal cells.
  • Despite lower expression, immune cell mu-opioid receptors were functional, responding to morphine.

Conclusions:

  • Immune cells can express functional mu-opioid receptors upon stimulation.
  • Morphine can modulate immune cell functions, suggesting a role in neuro-immune interactions.
  • Further research into opioid-immune system crosstalk is warranted.

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