The opioid–cytokine connection

PK Peterson, TW Molitor, CC Chao - Journal of neuroimmunology, 1998 - Elsevier
Opioids (exogenous opiates and endogenous opioid peptides) have a diversity of effects on
the immune system. Although numerous studies have shown that opioid-induced
immunosuppression can be mediated indirectly via the central nervous system (CNS) or
through direct interactions with immunocytes, the precise cellular mechanisms underlying
the immunomodulatory effects of opioids are largely unknown. In recent years, investigations
from several laboratories have indicated that opioids can operate as cytokines, the principal …