[Accumulation of mu-type opiate receptor ligands during the culture of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes]

Abstract

Substances displacing labelled ligands from opiate receptors of the rat brain membrane fractions were found in the extracts of human blood lymphocytes. Pronase treatment has shown that at least part of the opiate receptor ligands present in lymphocyte extracts are of peptide nature. Opiate mu-receptor ligands content was identical in the extracts of the total population, T-lymphocyte and B-cell-enriched population. However, opiate delta-receptor ligands concentration in T-cell population is 15 times lower than in B-cell-enriched population. Opiate receptor ligands content is not changed during cultivation of nonstimulated lymphocytes. However, phytohemagglutinin activation results in a threefold increase of opiate mu-receptor ligands content in lymphocytes. The results obtained suggest that synthesis and processing of opiate mu-receptor ligands precursor occur in stimulated T-lymphocytes.