ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the relationship between GATA-3 and T-bet and inhibition of the differentiation of human T helper cells by morphine.Methods Ten healthy volunteers,aged 20-50 yr,weighing 50-70 kg,were enrolled in the study.Peripheral venous blood samples were taken in the early morning.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and assigned into 5 groups (n=10 each).PBMCs were incubated routinely (group C).PBMCs were incubated in the presence of PMA and ionomycin (group P),morphine 50 μg/ml (group M),morphine 50 μg/ml + naloxone 50 μg/ml (group MN) or naloxone 50μg/ml (group N),and were then stimulated with PMA and ionomycin for another 4 h.The percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells was detected by flow cytometry.The Th1/Th2 ratio was calculated.Interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 concentrations in the supematant were determined using ELISA.The activities of GATA-3 and T-bet were analyzed by EMSA.Results Compared with group P,the percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells,Th1/Th2 ratio,IFN-γand IL-4 concentrations in the supernatant,and GATA-3 and T-bet activities were significantly decreased in group M,the percentage of Th1 cells,Th1/Th2 ratio,and IFN-γ concentration in the supernatant were significantly decreased in group MN (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Compared with group M,the percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells,Th1/Th2 ratio,IFN-γ and IL-4 concentrations in the supernatant,and GATA-3 and T-bet activities were significantly increased in group MN (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).There was no significant difference in the indexes mentioned above between groups N and C (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Morphine inhibits the differentiation of human T helper cells by activating opioid receptors,which may be related to the inhibition of GATA-3 and T-bet activities.