Effect of morphine on Fc-mediated phagocytosis by murine macrophages in vitro. 1997

E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA.

Acute exposure to morphine has been shown to inhibit phagocytosis in murine macrophages, whereas chronic exposure results in apparent desensitization. We now show that morphine may be either inhibitory or stimulatory depending on concentration and exposure time. Furthermore, under some conditions drug withdrawal from putatively desensitized cells will result in inhibition of phagocytosis, suggesting that a state akin to dependence has developed. Desensitization can also develop with intermittent exposures if the opiate-free period between drug exposures is shorter than 4 h. These effects of morphine on macrophages are important in understanding the role of this drug as an immunomodulatory agent.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008809 Mice, Inbred C3H An inbred strain of mouse that is used as a general purpose strain in a wide variety of RESEARCH areas including CANCER; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; sensorineural, and cardiovascular biology research. Mice, C3H,Mouse, C3H,Mouse, Inbred C3H,C3H Mice,C3H Mice, Inbred,C3H Mouse,C3H Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C3H Mice,Inbred C3H Mouse
D009020 Morphine The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle. Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D009294 Narcotics Agents that induce NARCOSIS. Narcotics include agents that cause somnolence or induced sleep (STUPOR); natural or synthetic derivatives of OPIUM or MORPHINE or any substance that has such effects. They are potent inducers of ANALGESIA and OPIOID-RELATED DISORDERS. Analgesics, Narcotic,Narcotic Analgesics,Narcotic,Narcotic Effect,Narcotic Effects,Effect, Narcotic,Effects, Narcotic
D009994 Osmolar Concentration The concentration of osmotically active particles in solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per liter of solution. Osmolality is expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Ionic Strength,Osmolality,Osmolarity,Concentration, Osmolar,Concentrations, Osmolar,Ionic Strengths,Osmolalities,Osmolar Concentrations,Osmolarities,Strength, Ionic,Strengths, Ionic
D010587 Phagocytosis The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES). Phagocytoses
D011961 Receptors, Fc Molecules found on the surface of some, but not all, B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and macrophages, which recognize and combine with the Fc (crystallizable) portion of immunoglobulin molecules. Fc Receptors,Fc Receptor,Receptor, Fc
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D004334 Drug Administration Schedule Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience. Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D004912 Erythrocytes Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN. Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D005260 Female Females

Related Publications

E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
February 2000, Drug and alcohol dependence,
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
February 1995, American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology,
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
October 1994, The Journal of infectious diseases,
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
June 1986, Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.),
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
March 1981, Immunology,
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
December 1993, Cell structure and function,
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
March 2003, Journal of neuroimmunology,
E Z Tomei, and F L Renaud
May 1988, Immunological investigations,
Copied contents to your clipboard!