| First Author | Refojo D | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | J Neuroimmunol | Volume | 131 |
| Issue | 1-2 | Pages | 126-34 |
| PubMed ID | 12458044 | Mgi Jnum | J:102955 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3608268 | Doi | 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00268-0 |
| Citation | Refojo D, et al. (2002) Increased splenocyte proliferative response and cytokine production in beta-endorphin-deficient mice. J Neuroimmunol 131(1-2):126-34 |
| abstractText | We used beta-endorphin-deficient mice as a novel approach to confirm the physiological role that opioid peptides play in the development or regulation of the immune system. We found that mice lacking beta-endorphin possessed an enhanced immune response, measured in terms of splenocyte proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 mRNA levels, in vitro production of the splenic macrophage inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha and plasma IL-6 following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. beta-Endorphin-deficient mice had attenuated increases of plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in response to LPS. These results are consistent with a postulated inhibitory role of endogenous beta-endorphin on the immune system at multiple levels. |
