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Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells produce pre-pro-nociceptin/orphanin FQ mRNA

John P Williams1, Jonathan P Thompson, David J Rowbotham

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (Pharmacology and Therapeutics Group), Division of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|February 23, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) transcribe the precursor for the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor (NOP). This finding suggests NOP may play a role in PBMC autoregulation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) express mRNA for the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor (NOP).
  • The precursor to N/OFQ, pre-pro-N/OFQ (ppN/OFQ), was investigated in PBMCs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if PBMCs transcribe the precursor for the NOP receptor, ppN/OFQ.
  • To explore the potential role of NOP in PBMC function.

Main Methods:

  • PBMCs were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, including gel-based and quantitative real-time PCR, were employed to detect ppN/OFQ mRNA.

Main Results:

  • Amplicons indicative of ppN/OFQ mRNA were detected in all PBMC samples using gel-based PCR.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed the presence of ppN/OFQ mRNA with consistent cycle threshold values.

Conclusions:

  • PBMCs transcribe ppN/OFQ mRNA.
  • The co-expression of ppN/OFQ and NOP suggests a potential role for NOP in the autoregulation of PBMC activity.

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