Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1986-2-18
pubmed:abstractText
We have investigated the in vitro effects of the neurohormone beta-endorphin (b-end) on natural killer (NK) activity and interferon (IFN) production mediated by large granular lymphocytes (LGL). LGL-enriched fractions from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal human volunteers were obtained by fractionation over discontinuous Percoll gradients. LGL were preincubated with or without various concentrations of b-end or the closely related peptides alpha-endorphin (a-end), gamma-endorphin (g-end), or D-ALA2-beta-endorphin (D-ALA2-b-end), a synthetic b-end analogue. NK activity was assayed on 51Cr-labeled K562 target cells. Preincubation of LGL effectors (but not K562 targets) for 2 to 18 hr with concentrations of b-end between 10(-7) M and 10(-10) M produced significant augmentation of NK cytolytic activity (mean percentage increase: 63%). The classic opiate antagonist naloxone blocked the enhancing effect when used at a 100-fold molar excess relative to b-end. Neither a-end nor g-end could augment NK activity, whereas D-ALA2-b-end produced an enhancement comparable with that produced by b-end. In addition, incubation of LGL with b-end in the presence of phytohemagglutinin or poly I:C significantly augmented IFN production. These findings demonstrate that b-end enhances NK activity and IFN production of purified LGL, and suggests that b-end might bind to an opioid receptor on LGL that can be blocked by naloxone. These results lend support to the concepts of regulation of the immune response by neurohormones and the functional relationship between the nervous and immune systems.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0022-1767
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
136
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
934-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-11-21
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Adjuvants, Immunologic, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Antibodies, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Cell Separation, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Endorphins, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Interferon Inducers, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Interferon Type I, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Interferon-gamma, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Killer Cells, Natural, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-Structure-Activity Relationship, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-T-Lymphocytes, pubmed-meshheading:2934481-beta-Endorphin
pubmed:year
1986
pubmed:articleTitle
beta-Endorphin augments the cytolytic activity and interferon production of natural killer cells.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.