Paradoxes of immunosuppression in mouse models of withdrawal.
Previously, our laboratory showed that either abrupt (AW) or precipitated withdrawal (PW) from morphine led to profound suppression of murine splenic antibody responses to sheep red blood cells at 24 h post-withdrawal. In the present studies, we examined the immune mechanisms mediating suppression at that time point. A co-culture method was used to examine whether cells from withdrawn mice had (1) a deficit in function and/or (2) contained populations of suppressor cells. To examine the first hypothesis, cells from normal mice were co-cultured with cells from withdrawn mice in a 1:3 ratio (normal/withdrawn). To test the second hypothesis, the ratio was reversed. The results were paradoxical. Co-culture of cells in a 1:3 ratio showed that spleen cells from withdrawn mice had a deficit in macrophage function. Spleen cells from withdrawn mice also showed decreased mRNA levels of IL-1beta, IL-1-Ra, and TNF-alpha and a suppression of co-stimulatory molecule expression. To examine the second hypothesis, cells were co-cultured in a 3:1 ratio (normal/withdrawn). In this paradigm, spleen cells from abrupt withdrawn mice were shown to contain populations of both suppressor macrophages and B-cells. In vivo experiments carried out on mice 24 h post-withdrawal showed increased sensitivity to the lethal effects of LPS and increased production of TNF-alpha, implying a state of macrophage activation. Thus evidence for both suppressed and activated macrophages has been obtained in mice 24 h after abrupt withdrawal from morphine.
Rahim
Rahil T
RT
Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Feng
Pu
P
Meissler
Joseph J
JJ
Rogers
Thomas J
TJ
Zhang
Lily
L
Adler
Martin W
MW
Eisenstein
Toby K
TK
D000818:Animals; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004343:Drug Implants; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D039481:CD11b Antigen; D004343:Drug Implants; D007378:Interleukins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009270:Naloxone; D009020:Morphine