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Immune response of submissive and aggressive mice under conditions of opioid receptor activation

M A Cheido1, G V Idova

  • 1Laboratory of Mechanisms of Neurochemical Modulation, Institute of Physiology, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. cheido@physiol.ru

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
|December 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Opioid receptor agonists selectively modulate immune responses in mice. Specific agonists prevented immune stimulation in aggressive mice, while others normalized immune function in mice exhibiting depression-like behavior.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Behavioral states like aggression and depression can alter immune system function.
  • Opioid receptors play a role in both the central nervous system and immune regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of selective opioid receptor agonists on immune responses in mice with different behavioral profiles.
  • To determine if specific opioid receptor modulation can normalize altered immune function.

Main Methods:

  • Experiments utilized a paired sensory contact model in mice.
  • Selective delta-2 (δ(2)) and kappa (κ)-opioid receptor agonists (DSLET and rimorphin) were administered at 100 microg/kg.
  • Mu (μ)-opioid receptor stimulation was also tested in mice with depression-like behavior.

Main Results:

  • Selective δ(2)- and κ-opioid receptor agonists prevented immune response stimulation in aggressive mice.
  • μ-opioid receptor stimulation normalized, but did not suppress, immune response in mice with depression-like behavior.
  • These findings suggest a differential effect of opioid receptor subtypes on immune modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Selective modulation of specific opioid receptor types can normalize immune function.
  • Opioid receptor activity is intricately linked to the development of specific behavioral types and their associated immune changes.

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