title: Beta-endorphin regulates interleukin 1 production and release by murine bone marrow macrophages.
abstract: The role of the neuropeptide beta-endorphin on interleukin 1 (IL-1) production by murine bone marrow-derived macrophages was assessed. Beta-endorphin by itself did not induce IL-1 generation. However, over a wide range of concentrations (10(-6)-10(-14) M) beta-endorphin potentiated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or silica-induced production of intracellular and extracellular IL-1. This enhancement by beta-endorphin was most evident when using suboptimal doses of LPS. Naloxone, a competitive inhibitor of beta-endorphin opioid receptor interactions, abrogated the enhancing effects of beta-endorphin on LPS-induced IL-1 production. Furthermore, LPS-induced IL-1 production by macrophages (in the absence of added beta-endorphin) was also partially inhibited following treatment with naloxone, suggesting that opioids derived from activated macrophages may also modulate IL-1 generation and secretion. Thus, beta-endorphin-opioid receptor interactions result in enhanced production of immunomodulators such as IL-1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Apte
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Oppenheim
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Durum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin