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Regulation of nociceptin/orphaninFQ secretion by immune cells and functional modulation of interleukin-2

Thomas R Miller1, Allison J Fulford

  • 1Department of Anatomy, University of Bristol, Southwell Street, Bristol, UK.

Peptides
|October 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Immune cells, including lymphocytes, produce nociceptin (N/OFQ). This study shows N/OFQ regulates immune cell function and may possess anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Immune cells, such as lymphocytes, synthesize nociceptin (N/OFQ) precursor mRNA.
  • The precise immunological functions of N/OFQ remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulation of N/OFQ secretion by immune cells.
  • To determine the effects of N/OFQ on immune cell proliferation and cytokine production.

Main Methods:

  • Rat splenocytes were cultured in vitro.
  • N/OFQ secretion was measured following stimulation with mitogens, pro-inflammatory cytokines, cyclic AMP analogues, glucocorticoids, and CRF.
  • The impact of N/OFQ on Concanavalin A (Con A)-activated splenocyte proliferation and Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Mitogens, pro-inflammatory cytokines, cyclic AMP analogues, glucocorticoids, and CRF significantly affected N/OFQ secretion by rat splenocytes in vitro.
  • N/OFQ inhibited the proliferation of Con A-activated splenocytes.
  • N/OFQ suppressed the production of IL-2 in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammatory stimuli can modulate endogenous N/OFQ secretion by splenocytes.
  • N/OFQ may exert anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing IL-2 production in vivo.

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