title: Expression and functions of μ-opioid receptors and cannabinoid receptors type 1 in T lymphocytes.
abstract: Opioids and cannabinoids modulate T lymphocyte functions. Many effects of the drugs are mediated by μ-opioid receptor and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), respectively. These two receptors are strikingly similar with respect to their expression in T cells and the mechanisms by which they mediate modulation of T cell activity. Thus, μ-opioid receptors and CB1 not expressed in resting primary human and Jurkat T cells. However, in response to the cytokine IL-4, the epigenetic modifiers 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A, and activation of T cells, functional μ-opioid receptors and CB1 are induced. The induced receptors mediate inhibition of T cell signaling and, thereby, IL-2 production, a hallmark of activated T cells. Although coupled to inhibitory G proteins, μ-opioid receptors and CB1 produce a remarkable increase in cAMP levels in T cells stimulated with opioids and cannabinoids, which is a key mechanism for the inhibition of T cell signaling.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. juergen.kraus@med.ovgu.de
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Kraus
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000077209:Decitabine; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002186:Cannabinoids; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; D007376:Interleukin-2; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D015847:Interleukin-4; C012589:trichostatin A; D000077209:Decitabine; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D001374:Azacitidine