Non-peptidic delta-opioid receptor antagonists suppress mitogen-induced tryptophan degradation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro

Immunol Lett. 2008 Jun 15;118(1):82-7. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2008.03.006. Epub 2008 Apr 10.

Abstract

Opioid receptors are expressed not only on neuroendocrine cells but also on immunocompetent cells such as lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. micro-Opioid receptor agonists were found to exert immunosuppressive effects, whereas delta-opioid receptor agonists have been shown to act as immunostimulants. delta-Opioid receptor agonists stimulate T and B cells and activate granulocytes and monocytes, conversely, immunostimulation can be blocked by the non-peptidic delta-opioid receptor antagonist (NTI). We investigated the impact of NTI and of the two structurally related compounds HS-378 and HS-459 on degradation of tryptophan and formation of neopterin in mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Both these biochemical pathways were found to be suppressed by all three opioid receptor antagonists, HS-378 and HS-459 exhibiting slightly greater potency than NTI. The suppression of tryptophan degradation suggests that the tested delta-opioid antagonists are able to influence the serotonergic system via a non-opioid action.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Kynurenine / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / cytology
  • Leukocytes / drug effects*
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Mitosis / drug effects*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tryptophan / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • Kynurenine
  • Tryptophan