Morphine Modulation of the Contact Hypersensitivity Response: Characterization of Immunological Changes

Previous investigations in our laboratory showed that systemic morphine administration 1 h prior to elicitation of the in vivo contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response produced a robust increase in inflammation at the site of antigen reexposure. The present study extended those findings by characterizing the effect of morphine on immunological processes important in the development of the CHS response. To induce contact hypersensitivity, the antigen 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene was applied to the pinnae of previously sensitized rats. Morphine administration produced an increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, at the site of antigen reexposure. In contrast, morphine did not alter expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Morphine also produced an increase in the proliferation of lymphocytes from the peripheral (i.e., cervical) lymph nodes when assessed 72 h following challenge. These studies show that the morphine-induced increase in the in vivo CHS response involves immunologically specific alterations.