Opioids modulate constitutive B-lymphocyte secretion

The opioid system plays a major role in immunomodulation, while its action on cells of the immune system may be opioid receptor-mediated or not. Opioid effects on B-lymphocytes are considered as indirect, attributed to an interplay between distinct cell populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether opioid agonists (morphine, alphaS1-casomorphin and ethylketocyclazocine) may have a direct action on the secretion of antibodies and cytokines by multiple myeloma-derived cell lines and normal CD19+ B-lymphocytes. Our results show that opioids modulate antibody and cytokine secretion by multiple myeloma cells in a cell line-dependent and opioid receptor-independent manner, while they decrease antibody secretion by normal B-lymphocytes. Furthermore, they decrease the proliferation rate of multiple myeloma cells through opioid receptor activation. Our data suggest two different mechanisms of action of opioids, mediated by different signaling pathways: an early non-opioid receptor-related effect, modulating the constitutive immunoglobulin and cytokine secretion, and a long-term receptor-mediated action on cell growth. These data suggest a further opioid implication in the control of humoral immunity.