AUTOIMMUNOVASCULAR REGULATION - MORPHINE AND ANCONDAMIDE AND ANCONDAMIDE STIMULATED NITRIC-OXIDE RELEASE

The hypothesis concerning morphine as an endogenous signal molecule ha s been strengthened with the recent discovery of a new opiate receptor subtype, designated mu(3). This opiate receptor is opiate alkaloid se nsitive and opioid peptide insensitive, including peptides previously shown to have affinities for mu opiate receptors. This receptor is cou pled to nitric oxide release in human endothelial cells, granulocytes and monocytes and in invertebrate immunocytes and microglia. In relati on to the endothelium, it has also been coupled to vasodilation via ni tric oxide. Given the known influence of nitric oxide in downregulatin g cell adhesion, the role of this compound has now been investigated i n also diminishing endothelial-immunocyte interaction. Morphine, via n itric oxide, has the potential to diminish adhesion molecule expressio n and in so doing calm an inflammatory process between immunocytes and the endothelial surface. In this regard, the potential for abuse is a lso present. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.