Effects of Dynorphin on the Pha-Induced Lymphocyte Proliferation in Vitro

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Abstract
The effect of the opioid peptide dynorphin (DYN) on PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation has been evaluated in the present study. A significant increase in PHA-induced lymphocyte activation was observed when DYN was added to cultures 48 hr after the mitogenic stimulation. This effect occurred at suboptimal (3.12 and 6.25 ug/ml) PHA concentrations and at DYN doses ranging from 10-9 to 10-12 M. Conversely, DYN did not affect the lymphocyte blastogenic process either when added before, or simultaneously or after intense PHA (12.5 ug/ml) stimulation. Naloxone preincubation did not modify the above described effects. Results suggest that DYN might play a role in neuroendocrine regulation of the lymphocyte blastogenic process.