title: Involvement of granzyme B expression in the enhancement of natural killer activity by beta-endorphin.
abstract: Beta-Endorphin has been reported to enhance natural killer (NK) activity in vitro. However, few studies have examined the precise regulation of the cytolytic stage of NK cells. We therefore investigated the regulation by beta-endorphin of cytotoxicity-associated molecules such as granzyme B, perforin, and Fas ligand (FasL) in human CD16(+) NK cells. On semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, the granzyme B mRNA level apparently increased in CD16(+) NK cells from high responding subjects having ratios >1.5 for the LU(30) ratio. An increase in intracellular granzyme B molecules was also detected in CD16(+) NK cells by flow cytometry. On the other hand, perforin and FasL appeared not to be involved in regulation by beta-endorphin. These findings suggest that up-regulation of granzyme B expression may be involved in the enhancement of NK activity by beta-endorphin.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakao
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Terao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inoue-Murayama
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimojo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murayama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D053804:Granzymes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis; D015290:Second Messenger Systems; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D053804:Granzymes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C505661:FASLG protein, human; C509213:GZMB protein, human