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Related Concept Videos

Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Antigen Processing Pathways01:31

Antigen Processing Pathways

MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

High Throughput Fluorometric Technique for Assessment of Macrophage Phagocytosis and Actin Polymerization
09:22

High Throughput Fluorometric Technique for Assessment of Macrophage Phagocytosis and Actin Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2014

Morphine disrupts antigen-presenting cell function through TLR-4 and autophagy pathways.

Jonaid Ahmad Malik1,2,3, Taruna Lamba1, Himanshi Chhabra1

  • 1Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, India.

Molecular Biology Reports
|June 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Morphine impairs immune function by hindering antigen uptake, processing, and presentation in antigen-presenting cells. This immunosuppression is mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and autophagy pathways.

Keywords:
Antigen presentationAutophagyDendritic cellsImmunosuppressionMacrophagesMorphineTLR-4

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

High Throughput Fluorometric Technique for Assessment of Macrophage Phagocytosis and Actin Polymerization
09:22

High Throughput Fluorometric Technique for Assessment of Macrophage Phagocytosis and Actin Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Morphine dependence poses a global health challenge, with significant adverse effects including immune suppression.
  • Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are critical for T cell activation and host defense.
  • Understanding morphine's impact on APCs is key to elucidating its immunomodulatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of morphine on the function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying morphine-induced immunosuppression in APCs.

Main Methods:

  • Macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) were treated with morphine.
  • Antigen uptake, processing, and presentation were assessed using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and colony-forming units (CFUs).
  • Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) involvement was studied via gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition; autophagy markers were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Morphine significantly inhibited antigen uptake and killing of pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and E. coli.
  • Impaired antigen processing was evidenced by reduced colocalization of autophagy markers (LC3) with Mtb/E. coli and lysosomal markers (LAMP1).
  • Morphine suppressed antigen presentation, downregulating MHC I, MHC II, CD80, CD86, and reducing CD4 T cell activation, via TLR-4/NF-ĸB and autophagy pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Morphine suppresses immune function by impairing APCs' antigen uptake, processing, and presentation.
  • The mechanism involves TLR-4-dependent autophagy pathways, contributing to opioid-induced immunosuppression.
  • Findings are clinically relevant for immunocompromised individuals using morphine.