title: Beta-endorphin amplifies the effect of interleukin-1 on mouse mesangial cell proliferation.
abstract: We report experiments that show that beta-endorphin, a neuropeptide, enhances the effect of interleukin-1 on mouse mesangial cell proliferation. Met-enkephalin, which comprises the first five amino acids of the beta-endorphin molecule, can also be shown to possess similar biologic activity. This action of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin is mediated through naloxone-insensitive receptors on the mesangial cell, because naloxone treatment of the kidney cells does not abrogate this activity. The studies delineate a novel mechanism by which a neuropeptide may influence the development of immune-mediated cellular pathology.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D009270:Naloxone; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D001615:beta-Endorphin