Effect of alpha-endorphin on the antigen-induced primary antibody response of human blood B cells in vitro.
The interference of alpha-endorphin with the primary antibody response to ovalbumin (OA) of human blood lymphocytes in vitro was investigated. It was found that alpha-endorphin can block the OA-specific IgM-PFC response in a concentration of 0.05 to 0.5 microM. The decrease in the PFC response is due to an inhibitory effect of alpha-endorphin at the T cell level as well as at the B cell level. It appears that the neuropeptide is capable of blocking the production and/or secretion of antigen-specific T cell helper factor as well as of anti-OA antibodies by PFC. In addition, alpha-endorphin was shown to be capable of inhibiting the transition of B cells into PFC, which normally occurs after stimulation with antigen in the presence of adequate T cell helper activity. When alpha-endorphin, lacking the N-terminal amino acid residue tyrosine, is added to the cultures, inhibition of the PFC response is no longer observed. This indicates that alpha-endorphin influences the PFC response via opiate receptor interaction.
Heijnen
C J
CJ
Bevers
C
C
Kavelaars
A
A
Ballieux
R E
RE
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000502:physiology; D018822:alpha-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D000939:Epitopes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D018822:alpha-Endorphin; D010047:Ovalbumin