Beta-endorphin enhances interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in murine lymphocytes.
Beta-endorphin has been reported to enhance T lymphocyte proliferation and cytolytic activity. In this report, it is demonstrated that beta-endorphin enhances the production of the T cell lymphokine, interleukin-2, from mitogen-stimulated, unfractionated murine splenocytes, as well from a cloned T cell line. The enhancement is naloxone irreversible and dependent on the integrity of the C-terminal amino acids, though the N-terminal amino acids appear to contribute to the potency of the enhancement. The data suggest that beta-endorphin interacts with a nonopioid receptor that has specificity characteristics similar to a nonopioid beta-endorphin receptor described in the central nervous system.
Gilmore
W
W
Department of Neurology, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Weiner
L P
LP
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000032:analysis; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D001615:beta-Endorphin