Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Opioid Peptides, Stress, and Immune Function

  • Chapter
Neuropeptides and Stress

Part of the book series: Hans Selye Symposia on Neuroendocrinology and Stress ((HANS SELYE SYMP))

Abstract

Stress is a term widely used to describe emotional and biologic responses to novel or threatening situations. (In humans, “distress” is probably a preferable term, referring more clearly to the response rather than to the stimulus.) Riley1 postulated that stress could precipitate overt disease when it occurred coincidentally with an incipient neoplasm or infection. Many ancient observations indicated that failure to cope and noxious affects (distressing emotions) after stress could be factors in the onset and course of disease. Galen pointed out that melancholy women were more prone to cancer than sanguine women2. Similarly, Sir William Osler felt that it was as important to know what was going on in a man’s head as in his chest to successfully predict the outcome of tuberculosis. In the 1920s, in the tradition of Pavlov, European researchers found that immunity could be influenced by classic conditioning, intimating a role for the central nervous system (CNS) in immune regulation3. These early findings were confirmed by the milestone studies of Ader and Cohen, showing that when saccharin was used as a conditioned stimulus, it reduced antibody responses after prior pairing with cyclophosphamide. Twenty years ago, Solomon and Moos4 provided a speculative theoretical framework, integrating emotions, immunity and disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Riley V. Psychoneuroendocrine influences on immunocompetence and neoplasia. Science 1981;212:1100–1109.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Solomon GF, Kay N, Morley JE. Endorphins: a link between personality, stress, emotions, immunity and disease? In: Endorphins and the Immune System. Plotnikoff NP, ed. New York: Raven Press, 1986: p. 129–144.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Metalnikov S, Chorin V. Rôle des réflexes conditionnels dans l’immunité. Ann Inst Pasteur 1926;40:893–900.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Solomon GF, Moos RH. Emotions, immunity and disease: a speculative theoretical integration. Arch Gen Psychiat 1964;11:657–674.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ader R, ed. Psychoneuroimmunology. New York: Academic Press, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Morley JE. The endocrinology of the opiates and the opioid peptides. Metabolism 1981;30:195–209.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Appel NM, Kiritsy-Roy JA, Van Loon GR. Hypothalamic opioid peptide regulation of catecholamine secretion. Neuropeptides 1984;5:287–290.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rotszetjn WH, Drouva SV, Pattou E, et al. met-Enkephalin inhibits in vitro dopamine-induced LH RH release from mediobasal hypothalamus of male rats. Nature 1978;274:281–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. MacConnie SE, Barkan A, Lampman RM, et al. Decreased hypothalamic go-nadotropin-releasing hormone secretion in male marathon runners. New Engl J Med 1986;315:411–416.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Morley JE. Impotence. Am J Med 1986;80:897–905.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Morley JE. Neuroendocrine effects of endogenous opioid peptides in human subjects: a review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1983;8:361–379.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Morley JE, Levine AS, Yim GK, et al. Opioid modulation of appetite. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 1983;7:281–305.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Morley JE, Levine AS, Rowland NE. Minireview: Stress-induced eating. Life Sci 1983;32:2169–2182.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Holaday JW. Cardiovascular effects of endogenous opiate systems. Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1983;23:541–594.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Holaday JW. Opiate antagonists in shock and trauma. Am J Emerg Med 1984;2:8–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Morley JE, Levine AS, Silvis SE. Endogenous opiates and stress ulceration. Life Sci 1982;31:693–699.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Izquierdo I, Netto C. Role of beta-endorphin in behavioral regulation. Ann NY Acad Sci USA 1985;444:162–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Morley JE, Levine AS. Stress-induced eating is mediated through endogenous opiates. Science 1980;209:1259–1261.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Laudenslager ML, Ryan SM, Drugan RC, et al. Coping and immunosuppression: inescapable but not escapable shock suppresses lymphocyte proliferation. Science 1983;221:568–570.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Drugan RC, Grau JW, Maier SF, et al. Cross tolerance between morphine and the long-term analgesic reaction to inescapable shock. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1981;14:677–682.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Shavit Y, Lewis JW, Terman GW, et al. Opioid peptides mediate the suppressive effect of stress on natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Science 1984;223:188–190.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Simon RH, Arbo TE, Lundy J. Beta-endorphin injected into the nucleus of the raphe magnus facilitates metastatic tumor growth. Brain Res Bull 1984;12:487–491.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Simon RH, Lovette EJ 3rd, Tomaszek D, et al. Electrical stimulation of the midbrain mediates metastatic tumor growth. Science 1980;209:1132–1133.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Belluzzi JD, Grant N, Garsky V, et al. Analgesia induced in vivo by central administration of enkephalin in rat. Nature 1976;260:625–626.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Chan-Palay V, Jonsson G, Palay SL. Serotonin and substance P coexist in neurons of the rat’s central nervous system. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1978;75:1582–1586.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Lewis JW, Shavit Y, Terman GW, et al. Stress and morphine affect survival of rats challenged with a mammary ascites tumor (MAT 13762B). Nat Immun Cell Growth Regul 1983–84;3:43–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Aylsworth CF, Hodson CA, Meites J. Opiate antagonists can inhibit mammary tumor growth in rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1979;161:18–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Zagon IS, McLaughlin PJ. Naltrexone modulates tumor response in mice with neuroblastoma. Science 1983;221:671–673.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zagon IS, McLaughlin PJ. Duration of opiate receptor blockade determines tumorigenie response in mice with neuroblastoma: a role for endogenous opioid systems in cancer. Life Sci 1984;35:409–416.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Zagon IS, McLaughlin PJ. Opioid antagonists inhibit the growth of metastatic murine neuroblastoma. Cancer Lett 1983;21:89–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Morley JE, Kay N, Allen J, et al. Endorphins, immune function and cancer. Psychopharmacol Bull 1985;21:485–488.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Hussey HH, Katz S. Infections resulting from narcotic addiction: a report of 102 cases. Am J Med 1950;9:186–193.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Whaley WH, Galambos JT. Race and risk of hepatitis in narcotic addicts. Am J Dig Dis 1973;18:460–466.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Briggs JH, McKerron CG, Souhami RL, et al. Severe systemic infections complicating “main line” heroin addiction. Lancet 1967;2:1227–1231.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Cherubin CE. Infectious disease problems of narcotic addicts. Arch Intern Med 1971;128:309–313.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Olsson RA, Romansky MJ. Staphylococcal tricuspid endocarditis in heroin addicts. Ann Intern Med 1962;57:755–762.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Tubaro E, Borelli G, Croce C, et al. Effect of morphine on resistance to infection. J Infect Dis 1983;148:656–666.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Brown SM, Stimmel B, Taub RN, et al. Immunologic dysfunction in heroin addicts. Arch Intern Med 1974;134:1001–1006.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Madden JJ, Donahue RM, Smith IE, et al. Kinetics of erythrocyte rosette formation with T lymphocytes from drug-addicted subjects. In: Research 43, Problems of Drug Dependence, Proceedings of the 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, p. 375–380. Monograph Series, National Institute on Drug Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Singh VK, Jakubovic A, Thomas DA. Suppressive effects of methadone on human blood lymphocytes. Immun Lett 1980;2:177–180.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Tubaro E, Avico U, Santiangeli C, et al. Morphine and methadone impact on human phagocytic physiology. Int J Immunopharmacol 1985;7:865–874.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. van Epps DE, Saland L. beta-Endorphin and met-enkephalin stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cell Chemotaxis. J Immunol 1984;132:3046–3053.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Simpkins CO, Dickey CA, Fink MP. Human neutrophil migration is enhanced by beta-endorphin. Life Sci 1984;34:2251–2255.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Ruff MR, Wahl SM, Mergenhagen S, et al. Opiate receptor-mediated Chemotaxis of human monocytes. Neuropeptides 1985;5:363–366.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Brown SL, Van Epps DE. Suppression of T lymphocyte chemotactic factor production by the opioid peptides beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin. J Immunol 1985;134:3384–3390.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Morley JE. Food peptides: A new class of hormones? JAMA 1982:247:2379–2380.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Horváth K, Gráf L, Walcz E, et al. Naloxone antagonises effect of alpha-gliadin on leucocyte migration in patients with coeliac disease. Lancet 1985;2:184–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Schweigerer L, Bhakdi S, Teschemacher H. Specific non-opiate binding sites for human beta-endorphin on the terminal complex of human complement. Nature 1982;296:572–574.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Teschemacher M, Schweigerer L. Opioid peptides: do they have immunological significance? Trends Pharmacol Sci 1985;6:368–370.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Goldstein DJ, Keiser HR. A case of episodic flushing and organic psychosis: reversal by opiate antagonists. Ann Intern Med 1983;98:30–34.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Yamasaki Y, Shimamura O, Kizu A, et al. IgE-mediated 14C-serotonin release from rat mast cells modulated by morphine and endorphins. Life Sci 1982;31:471–478.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Gilman SC, Schwartz JM, Milner RJ, et al. beta-Endorphin enhances lymphocyte proliferative responses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1982;79:4226–4230.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. McCain HW, Lamster IB, Bozzone JM, et al. beta-Endorphin modulates human immune activity via non-opiate receptor mechanisms. Life Sci 1982;31:1619–1624.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Hazum E, Chang KJ, Cuatrecasas P. Specific nonopiate receptors for beta-endorphin. Science 1979;205:1033–1035.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Farrar WL. Endorphin modulation of lymphokine activity. In: Opioid Peptides in the Periphery: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Opioid Peptides in Periphery. Fraioli F, Isidori A, Mazzetti M, eds. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, 1984: p. 159–165.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Miller GC, Murgo AJ, Plotnikoff NP. Enkephalins—enhancement of active T-cell rosettes from normal volunteers. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1984;31:132–137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Miller GC, Murgo AJ, Plotnikoff NP. Enkephalins—enhancement of active T-cell rosettes from lymphoma patients. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1983;26:446–451.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Johnson HM, Smith EM, Torres BA, et al. Regulation of the in vitro antibody response by neuroendocrine hormones. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1982;79:4171–4174.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Heijnen CJ, Bevers C, Kavelaars A, et al. Effect of alpha-endorphin on the antigen-induced primary antibody response of human blood B cells in vitro. J Immunol 1986;136:213–216.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Faith RE, Liang HJ, Murgo AJ, et al. Neuroimmunomodulation with enkephalins: enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitro. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1984;31:412–418.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Mathews PM, Froelich CJ, Sibbit WL, et al. Enhancement of natural cytotoxicity by beta-endorphin. J Immunol 1983;130:1658–1662.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Kay N, Allen J, Morley JE. Endorphins stimulate normal human peripheral blood lymphocyte natural killer activity. Life Sci 1984;35:53–59.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Gosnell BA, Levine AS, Morley JE. The effects of aging on opioid modulation of feeding in rats. Life Sci 1983;32:2793–2799.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Chavkin C, Goldstein A. Specific receptor for the opioid peptide dynorphin: structure-activity relationships. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1981;78:6543–6547.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Morley JE, Levine AS. Involvement of dynorphin and the kappa opioid receptor in feeding. Peptides 1983;4:797–800.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Morley JE, Kay N. Neuropeptides as modulators of immune function. Psychopharmacol Bull 1986;22:1089–1092.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Sharp BM, Keane WF, Suh HJ, et al. Opioid peptides rapidly stimulate superoxide production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. Endocrinology 1985;117:793–795.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Simpkins CO, Ives N, Tate E, et al. Naloxone inhibits superoxide release from human neutrophils. Life Sci 1985;37:1381–1386.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Mandler RN, Biddison WE, Mandler R, et al. beta-Endorphin augments the cytolytic activity and interferon production of natural killer cells. J Immunol 1986;136:934–939.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Wybran J, Schandene L. Some immunological effects of methionin-enkephalin in man: potential therapeutical use. In: Leukocytes and Host Defense. Open-heim JJ, Jacobs DM, eds. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1986: p. 205–212.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Dafny N. Modification of morphine withdrawal by interferon. Life Sci 1983;32:303–305.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Dafny N, Wagle VG, Drath DB. Cyclosporine alters opiate withdrawal in rodents. Life Sci 1985;36:1721–1726.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Dafny N, Pellis NR. Evidence that opiate addiction is in part an immune response. Destruction of the immune system by irradiation-altered opiate withdrawal. Neuropharmacology 1986;25:815–818.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Reyes-Vasquez C, Weisbrodt N, Dafny N. Does interferon exert its actions through opiate receptors? Life Sci 1984;35:1015–1021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Norman DC, Liu JH, Morley JE, et al. Aging and fever: naloxone blocks the thermogenic effect of interleukin-1. Clin Res 1986;34:87A.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Wybran J, Appelboom T, Famaey JP, et al. Suggestive evidence for receptors for morphine and methionine-enkephalin on normal human blood T lymphocytes. J Immunol 1979;123:1068–1070.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. John E. Morley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Neil Kay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. George F. Solomon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Los Angeles School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90073, USA

    Yvette Taché Ph.D. (Professor and Member) (Professor and Member)

  2. Brain Research Institute, Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA

    Yvette Taché Ph.D. (Professor and Member) & John E. Morley M.D. (Director, Professor and Member) (Professor and Member) &  (Director, Professor and Member)

  3. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Sepulveda Veterans Administration Medical Center, Sepulveda, California, 91343, USA

    John E. Morley M.D. (Director, Professor and Member) (Director, Professor and Member)

  4. Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA

    John E. Morley M.D. (Director, Professor and Member) (Director, Professor and Member)

  5. Autonomic Physiology Laboratory, Departments of Medicine and Surgery, San Diego Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, California, 92103, USA

    Marvin R. Brown M.D. (Professor) (Professor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Morley, J.E., Kay, N., Solomon, G.F. (1989). Opioid Peptides, Stress, and Immune Function. In: Taché, Y., Morley, J.E., Brown, M.R. (eds) Neuropeptides and Stress. Hans Selye Symposia on Neuroendocrinology and Stress. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3514-9_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3514-9_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8135-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-3514-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation