Opiate-induced inhibition of calcium flux in immune cells
1Laboratory of Neuroscience, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Abstract:
Administration of morphine as a subcutaneous implant inhibits the initial influx of calcium (Ca2+) induced by mitogens in mouse splenocytes. This effect was not reproduced by incubation of splenocytes with morphine (10(-8)-10(-4)M). Within T cell subpopulations, CD4+, but not CD8+ cells were affected. Adrenalectomy abolished this effect of morphine in CD4+ but not B cells. Moreover, simultaneous administration of the opiate antagonist naltrexone blocked the effect of morphine in B cells, but not in CD4+ cells. These data indicate that inhibition of Ca2+ influx by morphine may be mediated through distinct glucocorticoid-dependent and independent mechanisms. The morphine-induced inhibition of Ca2+ influx in immune cells reported here may be an early event mediating opiate-induced immunosuppression.
Related Concept Videos
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Analgesia and Pain Management


