The interaction of immunomodulator muramyl dipeptide with peripheral 5-HT receptors: overview of the current state

Immunomodulator muramyl dipeptide (MDP) exerts also pronounced neuropharmac ological activities which are probably mediated by an interaction with 5-HT receptors. Some of these effects are considered as undesirable by its clin ical use. More precise information concerning MDP effects on 5-HT receptors with respect to their many subtypes could result from studies using isolat ed organs in vitro. Earlier conducted studies of this type provided data th at are concisely overviewed and reinterpreted here from the view of current 5-HT receptor classification. Since new 5-HT receptor types have emerged r ecently, new studies are under way. The results might contribute to the dev elopment of novel immunomodulatory drugs devoid of adverse effects. (C) 199 9 International Society for Immunopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Scien ce Ltd.