Morphine Up-regulates expression of substance P and its receptor in human blood mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes.
In vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that there is an important relationship between morphine and neuropeptide substance P (SP). We therefore investigated the interaction of morphine and cultured human immune cells on the expression of SP, a neuropeptide which we have recently demonstrated to be produced by human monocytes and lymphocytes. Morphine up-regulated SP production in human mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes at both the mRNA and the protein level. In addition, morphine induced SP receptor (NK-1R) expression in human lymphocytes. The specific morphine receptor antagonist (naltrexone) blocked morphine-induced SP expression in human mononuclear phagocytes, supporting the concept of authentic morphine receptor-mediated regulation. Since SP modulates neurogenic inflammation and immunologic events, these data suggest that morphine-induced SP expression in cells of the immune system may be of importance in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases, including neuroimmunologic diseases and AIDS.
Li
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Y
Division of Immunologic and Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Tian
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S
Douglas
S D
SD
Ho
W Z
WZ
D000328:Adult; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020298:U937 Cells; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P; D009020:Morphine