Transferred T lymphocytes are compromised when the donor is pretreated with beta-endorphin.

A single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 14 pmol of beta-endorphin into 6-7-week-old BALB/c (+/+) donor mice, 24 h prior to isolation of their T lymphocytes for use for reconstitution of athymic BALB/c (nu/nu) nude mice, altered the immuno-protective effect of adoptive transfer against an intracerebral (i.c.) infection with a temperature-sensitive mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus (tsG31 KS5 VSV). Simultaneous injection of beta-endorphin and naloxone into donor animals negated the opiate effects on splenic lymphocytes. T lymphocytes, isolated from beta-endorphin-treated donors, and then depleted with anti-asialo GM1 antiserum and complement failed to demonstrate the detrimental effects of beta-endorphin.