title: Morphine-induced macrophage apoptosis: the role of transforming growth factor-beta.
abstract: Laboratory and clinical reports indicate that opiate addicts are prone to infections. This effect of opiates is partly attributed to opiate-induced macrophage (Mphi) apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in morphine-induced apoptosis of murine J774 cells and peritoneal Mphi. Mphi harvested from morphine-treated mice showed greater (P < 0. 0001) apoptosis when compared with control Mphi. Morphine also enhanced apoptosis of J774 cells and peritoneal Mphi. Anti-TGF-beta antibody inhibited (P < 0.001) the morphine-induced apoptosis in J774 cells (control 0.7 +/- 0.4%; 10-6 M morphine 23.5 +/- 0.7%; anti-TGF-beta antibody (Ab) + 10-6 M morphine 8.1 +/- 0.7%; apoptotic cells/field) and peritoneal Mphi (control 1.5 +/- 0.9%; 10-6 M morphine 29.1 +/- 1.4%; 10-6 M morphine + anti-TGF-beta Ab 19. 1 +/- 1.8%; apoptotic cells/field). TGF-beta enhanced (P < 0.001) apoptosis of J774 cells and peritoneal Mphi. TGF-beta also promoted Mphi DNA fragmentation into integer multiples of 180 bp (ladder pattern). Immunocytochemical studies revealed that morphine enhanced the Mphi cytoplasmic content of TGF-beta. In addition, Western blotting showed increased production of TGF-beta by morphine-treated J774 cells when compared with control cells. Morphine increased J774 cell expression of bax. Interestingly, morphine-induced bax expression was inhibited by anti-TGF-beta Ab. As both morphine-induced J774 cell apoptosis and bax expression were inhibited by anti-TGF-beta Ab, it appears that morphine-induced J774 cell apoptosis may be mediated through the generation of TGF-beta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11040, USA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kapasi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Franki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
chemical_list: C494827:Bax protein, mouse; D009294:Narcotics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D009020:Morphine