Immune response products alter CNS activity: interferon modulates central opioid functions.
The present report provides evidence to support the hypothesis that peptides released during an immune response alter CNS activity and thus may provide a means for the immune system to transmit afferent signals into the brain. Specifically, it is demonstrated that recombinant interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha), a peptide associated with the immune response to viral infection, can alter opiate withdrawal severity in a dose-dependent manner upon direct injection into brain areas essential for this phenomenon. These results are compared and contrasted with the effect of systemically injected rIFN-alpha upon opiate withdrawal. In addition, an electrophysiological investigation into the basis of the interaction of opioids and rIFN-alpha in brain structures essential for the expression of opioid activities is also presented. Finally, the effects of rIFN-alpha upon the functions of both the CNS and other systems is discussed in terms of the effects reported for other peptides associated with immune responses.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009270:Naloxone; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D009270:Naloxone; D009020:Morphine; D007372:Interferons