Elsevier

Immunology Letters

Volume 24, Issue 2, May 1990, Pages 141-148
Immunology Letters

Opioids modulate interleukin-1 production and secretion by bone-marrow macrophages

https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-2478(90)90026-MGet rights and content

Abstract

In the present study, we have assessed the effect of opioids (endorphins, enkephalins and neoendorphins) on production of IL-1 activity by bone-marrow-derived macrophages. None of the neuropeptides induced IL-1 production by itself. However, some of the opioids potentiated IL-1 production and release in macrophages concomitantly stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or silica. LPS induced predominantly intracellular IL-1 activity, whereas most of the silica-induced IL-1 was released extracellularly. β-Endorphin, leucin-enkephalin (leu-enkephalin) and β-neoendorphin all potentiated both intracellular and extracellular release of IL 1 induced by either LPS or silica. In contrast, α-endorphin, methionine-enkephalin (metenkephalin) and α-neoendorphin did not influence IL-1 production or release. The potentiating effects of β-endorphin on LPS-induced IL-1 production/secretion were inhibited by naloxone, pointing to an involvement of opioid receptors.

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    Note: This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the Dept. of Health and Human Services under contract NO1-CO-74102 with Program Resources, Inc. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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