Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that numerous populations of immune cell, including lymphocytes, synthesize nociceptin (N/OFQ) precursor mRNA although little is known regarding the immunological role of N/OFQ. In the present study we have demonstrated significant effects of mitogens, pro-inflammatory cytokines, cyclic AMP analogues, glucocorticoids and CRF on N/OFQ secretion by rat splenocytes in vitro. N/OFQ (10(-14) to 10(-10)M) was also shown to inhibit proliferation of Con A-activated splenocytes and production of IL-2 in vitro. In summary we have shown how a variety of stimuli relevant to inflammation can regulate endogenous N/OFQ secretion by splenocytes in vitro. We also suggest that N/OFQ may promote anti-inflammatory actions via suppression of IL-2 in vivo.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / pharmacology
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Analysis of Variance
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Animals
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Cells, Cultured
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Dexamethasone / pharmacology
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
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Glucocorticoids / pharmacology
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Interleukin-1beta / pharmacology
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Interleukin-2 / metabolism*
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Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
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Lymphocytes / cytology
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Lymphocytes / drug effects
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Lymphocytes / metabolism*
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Male
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Nociceptin
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Opioid Peptides / metabolism*
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Opioid Peptides / pharmacology
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Receptors, Glucocorticoid / antagonists & inhibitors
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / drug effects
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Spleen / metabolism
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
Substances
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Glucocorticoids
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Interleukin-1beta
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Interleukin-2
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Lipopolysaccharides
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Opioid Peptides
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Receptors, Glucocorticoid
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
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Dexamethasone