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Kappa Opioid Receptor Expression and Function in Cells of the Immune System

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The Kappa Opioid Receptor

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 271))

Abstract

The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is expressed on a number of hematopoietic cell populations, based on both protein binding analysis and the detection of kappa opioid receptor gene (Oprk1) transcripts. There are prominent Oprk1 splice variants that are expressed in the mouse and human brain cells and leukocytes. The activation of KOR results in reduced antibody production, an inhibition of phagocytic cell activity, an inhibition of T cell development, alterations in the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and the receptors for these mediators. Finally, the activation of KOR also leads to the regulation of receptor functional activity of chemokine receptors through the process of heterologous desensitization. The functional activity of KOR is important for the regulation of inflammatory responses and may provide opportunities for the development of therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory disease states.

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Abbreviations

ChIP:

Chromatin immunoprecipitation

DOR:

Delta opioid receptor

GPCR:

G protein-coupled receptor

HIV-1:

Human immunodeficiency virus 1

IFN:

Interferon

IL:

Interleukin

IRF:

Interferon regulatory factor

JAK:

Janus kinase

KOR:

Kappa opioid receptor

MOR:

Mu opioid receptor

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

norBNI:

Norbinaltorphimine

Oprk1:

Kappa opioid receptor gene

PAG:

Periaqueductal gray

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell

PKC:

Protein kinase C

RT-PCR:

Real-time polymerase chain reaction

siRNA:

Small interfering RNA

STAT:

Signal transducers and activators of transcription

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

U50,488H:

Trans-(±)3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide

U69,593:

(+)-(5_,7_,8_)-N-Methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl]-benzeneacetamide

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Acknowledgements

The author is supported by NIH/NIDA grants DA040619, DA049745, and P30DA13429.

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Rogers declares that he has no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Thomas J. Rogers

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Correspondence to Thomas J. Rogers .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Lee-Yuan Liu-Chen

  2. Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Saadet Inan

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Rogers, T.J. (2021). Kappa Opioid Receptor Expression and Function in Cells of the Immune System. In: Liu-Chen, LY., Inan, S. (eds) The Kappa Opioid Receptor. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 271. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/164_2021_441

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