BETA-ENDORPHIN AND THE IMMUNE-SYSTEM - POSSIBLE ROLE IN AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASES

The immune system and the neuroendocrine system are closely interconne cted having such means of bidirectional communication and regulation. In this review, a hypothesis is put forward regarding the possible rol e of beta-endorphins in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases: It is suggested that the increased cytokine production in immunoinflammator y disorders induces production of beta-endorphins from the pituitary a nd the lymphocytes; the enhanced level of beta-endorphin causes inhibi tion of human T helper cell function, which potentially down-regulate the antibody production. Also the beta-endorphin-induced enhancement o f the natural killer cell activity may suppress the B cell function. I n addition, beta-endorphin also exerts a direct inhibitory effect on t he antibody production. Thus, in autoimmune disorders the enhanced cyt okine level may via stimulation of the production of beta-endorphins e xert a negative feed back on the antibody production and potentially s o on the production of autoantibodies.