Rules to activate CD8+T cells through regulating subunits of opioid receptors by methionine enkephalin (MENK)

Int Immunopharmacol. 2018 Dec:65:76-83. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.09.040. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Abstract

The goal of this work was to investigate how MENK could regulate the functions of CD8+T cells and to explore the relationship between this regulation and opioid receptor expression. Our results showed that the opioid receptors presented on the cell menbrane of CD8+T cells were MOR and DOR. MENK promoted the expression of opioid receptors as well as the elevation of the surface molecules such as CD28, PD-1, CTLA-4 and FasL and intracellular granzyme B. Selectively blocking the MOR by CTAP or DOR by NTI could result in inhibition of the corresponding CD8+T cells proliferation and the expressions of surface molecules. In addition, non-selectively blocking both MOR and DOR by NTX could further impair the functions and proliferation of CD8+T cells. Our currently data indicated that MENK could play a vital role in immune functions via precise regulation to subunits of opioid receptors.

Keywords: CD8(+)T cells; CTAP; Methionine enkephalin (MENK); Naltrexone hydrochloride; Naltrindole hydrochloride; Opioid receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Enkephalin, Methionine / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / pharmacology*
  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, Opioid / genetics
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Enkephalin, Methionine