Two opposing modes of action of β-endorphin on lymphocyte function
article
Five opioid peptides (α-, β-, and γ-endorphin, methionine- and leukine-enkephalin) were tested for their effect on the concanavalin A-induced proliferative response of splenocytes of adult male F344 rats. The continuous presence of these opioid peptides during culture of T cells did not affect proliferation. However, 30 min of preincubation with β-endorphin (β-end), but not with the other opioid peptides, resulted in a dose-dependent enhancement of proliferation of 50-100%. This potentiating effect of β-end on proliferation was preceded by an increase in the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and in the extent of IL-2 receptor expression. The stimulatory effect of β-end was not prevented by naloxone, indicating that classical opioid receptors were not involved. The continuous presence of β-end (or α-end) in cultures of cells that had been preincubated with β-end completely abolished the stimulatory effect, pointing towards the potential of β-end to regulate T-cell function via different mechanisms. Chemicals/CAS: alpha endorphin, 61512-76-3; beta endorphin, 59887-17-1; concanavalin A, 11028-71-0; gamma endorphin, 60893-02-9; interleukin 2, 85898-30-2; leucine enkephalin, 58822-25-6; metenkephalin, 58569-55-4; beta-Endorphin, 60617-12-1; Endorphins; Interleukin-2; Receptors, Interleukin-2
Topics
Alpha endorphinConcanavalin aGamma endorphinLeucine enkephalinMetenkephalinAnimal cellControlled studyImmunomodulationNonhumanSpleen cellT lymphocyte activationAnimalbeta-EndorphinCell DivisionCells, CulturedEndorphinsIn VitroInterleukin-2MaleRatsRats, Inbred F344Receptors, Interleukin-2SpleenT-Lymphocytes
TNO Identifier
231369
ISSN
00192805
Source
Immunology, 72(4), pp. 537-543.
Pages
537-543
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