体外培养大鼠海马细胞白细胞介素—1的表达及缺氧的影响

采用免疫组化方法,观察了体外培养大鼠海马细胞对人重组白细胞介素1β（rhIL-βH）抗血清的免疫反应以及缺氧的影响,结果可见,体外培养的大鼠海马神经元和神经胶质细胞对抗rhIL-1β抗血清均呈弱性免疫染色反应,缺氧后免疫染色反应明显增强,经图像分析表明,缺氧后神经元和神经胶质细胞的平均光密度均较缺氧前增加,尤以缺氧2h增加最明显,继续缺氧4－12h,神经元和神经胶质细胞的平均光密度又逐渐减弱,以上结果表明,大鼠海马脑区存在抗rhIL-1β抗血清的免疫反应细胞;缺氧使对抗rhIL-1β抗血清的免疫染色反应增强,提示IL－1β与脑缺氧损伤的调控有关。     

甘珀酸对内脏痛大鼠延髓星形胶质细胞和神经元反应的影响

目的:研究侧脑室注射甘珀酸后对福尔马林灌胃致内脏疼痛大鼠的延髓迷走孤束复合体内星形胶质细胞和神经元反应的影响.方法:经侧脑室注射缝隙连接阻断剂甘珀酸(carbenoxolone,CBX)后向大鼠胃内灌入2.5%福尔马林2ml诱发内脏疼痛,用免疫组织化学方法观察延髓迷走孤束复合体(VSC)内抗Fos蛋白(标记神经元)和抗胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(标记星形胶质细胞)的单一或双重标记的免疫荧光染色.结果:福尔马林灌胃后大鼠出现烦躁易激惹,呼吸变快,持续1h;而预先侧脑室注射CBX则动物疼痛行为学反应明显减轻.免疫组织化学染色发现福尔马林灌胃后大鼠VSC中的Fos免疫反应数目增强;大鼠预先侧脑室注射CBX后VSC中的Fos免疫反应数目明显减弱.结论:延髓VSC中的星形胶质细胞和神经元参与福尔马林灌胃致内脏痛的调节,星形胶质细胞可能通过缝隙连接影响神经元对内脏痛的调节功能.     

马桑内酯对在体和离体小胶质细胞 CD11b/c表达的影响

目的研究致痫剂马桑内酯(CL)对在体和离体小胶质细胞CD11b/c表达的影响。方法①正常SD大鼠行马桑内酯侧脑室注射,观察大鼠的行为改变;利用免疫荧光染色的方法观察大鼠大脑皮质、海马内CD11b/c表达的变化。②纯化培养的小胶质细胞无血清培养,给予马桑内酯(5×10-5mol/L)刺激,利用免疫荧光染色结合流式细胞仪检测CD11b/c的表达。结果①马桑内酯侧脑室注射30min后均出现强烈的癫痫样发作,持续约4h;②马桑内酯侧脑室注射后大脑皮质及海马各区CD11b/c阳性细胞表达均出现明显增强,4-6h为表达高峰,至24h大脑皮质恢复至正常水平,但海马各区仍保持较高水平。③纯化培养的小胶质细胞在马桑内酯作用1h出现CD11b/c表达增强,2h达到高峰,至24h恢复正常。结论马桑内酯对小胶质细胞具有直接的活化作用;小胶质细胞的活化参与了马桑内酯的致痫过程。     

体外培养大鼠海马细胞白细胞介素－1的表达及缺氧的影响

采用免疫组化方法,观察了体外培养大鼠海马细胞对人重组白细胞介素１β（ｒｈＩＬ－１β）抗血清的免疫反应以及缺氧的影响。结果可见,体外培养的大鼠海马神经元和神经胶质细胞对抗ｒｈＩＬ－１β抗血清均呈弱阳性免疫染色反应,缺氧后免疫染色反应明显增强。经图像分析表明,缺氧后神经元和神经胶质细胞的平均光密度均较缺氧前增加,尤以缺氧２ｈ时增加最明显,继续缺氧４─１２ｈ,神经元和神经胶质细胞的平均光密度又逐渐减弱。以上结果表明,大鼠海马脑区存在抗ｒｈＩＬ－１β抗血清的免疫反应细胞;缺氧使对抗ｒｈＩＬ－１β抗血清的免疫染色反应增强,提示ＩＬ－１β与脑缺氧损伤的调控有关。     

HLRP 蛋白在大鼠脑中的定位及LPS 对其表达的影响

目的:研究HLRP分子在大鼠脑中的细胞定位和表达特点,观察LPS刺激对动物脑HLRP表达的影响。方法:对原代培养的大鼠神经元、星形胶质细胞、小胶质细胞和大鼠脑组织冰冻切片分别进行免疫荧光染色,观察HLRP的细胞定位和表达特点;给大鼠侧脑室注射LPS,提脑组织蛋白,进行Western blot检测,半定量分析LPS刺激后,大鼠脑HLRP的表达变化。结果:①HLRP选择性表达于部分神经元的细胞核中,正常的星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞不表达HLRP。②从嗅脑到脑干各节段,HLRP在大鼠脑组织中均匀分布,未发现HLRP阳性神经元聚集的现象。③侧脑室注射LPS 1天以后,HLRP表达明显升高(P<0.05)。结论:大鼠脑中正常表达HLRP,侧脑室注射LPS能刺激HLRP表达。     

马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液对正常大鼠脑内及培养的神经元内PLCβ1的影响

目的揭示星形胶质细胞对大鼠脑内及培养的神经元磷脂酶Cβ1(PLCβ1)的影响及其在癫痫发病中的作用。方法将马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液(astrocyte-conditioned medium,ACM)注射入正常SD大鼠侧脑室,观察大鼠的行为变化;运用免疫组织化学方法,观察大鼠大脑皮质、海马内PLCβ1免疫反应的变化;将培养的神经元随机分为2组:1.对照组(无血清培养基组),2.ACM组。各组细胞分别培养4、8、12h后,免疫细胞化学方法观察培养神经元内PLCβ1表达的变化,Western blot法检测各组培养神经元PLCβ1含量的变化。结果ACM组大鼠在注射ACM后30 min出现癫痫行为,2 h恢复正常;免疫组织化学显示:ACM作用后4h,大鼠大脑皮质、海马PLCβ1免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均光密度值显著增高(P<0.05);培养神经元的免疫细胞化学染色证明ACM组在作用4h时PLCβ1免疫阳性反应产物明显增加,与对照组比较有明显差异(P<0.05);Western blot结果表明PLCβ1含量在ACM作用4h较对照组明显增多(P<0.05)。结论马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液可上调大鼠脑内及培养的神经元内PLCβ1的表达,并导致动物痫性发作。     

马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液对正常大鼠脑内孕激素及其受体的影响

目的探讨星形胶质细胞对大鼠脑内孕激素及其受体的影响以及在癫痫发病中的作用。方法将马桑内酯(Coriaria lactone,CL)激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液(Astrocytic conditioned medium,ACM)注射入正常SD大鼠侧脑室后,观察大鼠的行为变化;运用免疫组织化学方法观察大脑皮质及海马中孕激素受体(PR)表达的变化;运用放射免疫分析方法,观察脑组织匀浆及脑脊液内孕酮含量的变化。结果ACM组大鼠在注射ACM后30min出现癫痫行为,2h恢复正常;免疫组织化学显示:ACM作用后2h,PR免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均光密度值明显降低,4h达最低(P<0.05),12h恢复正常水平;放射免疫分析方法显示ACM组大鼠在侧脑室注射ACM后2h,脑脊液中孕酮含量明显升高;而海马组织和大脑皮质中孕酮含量则在注药后4h明显降低,与对照组比较均有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论以上实验结果提示马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液可通过降低大鼠脑内孕激素及其受体的表达参与癫痫的反复发作。     

产前应激对子代大鼠脑缺血/再灌注后星形胶质细胞的影响

目的：探讨产前应激对雄性子代大鼠大脑中动脉缺血/再灌注后星形胶质细胞的影响。方法：SD孕鼠随机分为有产前应激处理（妊娠第15到21天每日3次限制活动）和无产前应激处理,并对其雄性子代大鼠采用线栓法制备大脑中动脉闭塞（MCAO）模型,共分为产前应激+假手术组、MCAO模型组、产前应激+MCAO组（n=10）,于再灌注后第5天检测脑梗死体积,免疫荧光双标染色检测缺血灶边缘区星形胶质细胞形态及促红细胞生成素肝细胞受体A4（EphA4）和胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的共表达情况,并采用Western blot检测EphA4、GFAP和神经蛋白聚糖（Neurocan）蛋白表达。结果：产前应激+MCAO组子代大鼠脑梗死体积百分比、EphA4、GFAP和Neurocan蛋白表达均较MCAO组显著增加（P均<0.05）,且GFAP阳性细胞形态学改变及EphA4/GFAP共表达也较MCAO组明显。结论：产前应激可能改变子代大鼠脑缺血/再灌注后星形胶质细胞上EphA4受体的表达,促进星形胶质细胞活化,产生神经蛋白聚糖。     

Aβ325～35诱导大鼠记忆减退与星形胶质细胞及NOS阳性细胞变化

目的　探讨Aβ2 5～ 3 5诱导模拟人类Alzheimer‘s病 (AD)的大鼠病理模型中星形胶质细胞变化与一氧化氮合酶神经元损伤引起的老年性记忆减退之间的关系。方法　双侧海马内注射 β-淀粉样多肽 2 5～ 3 5片段 (Aβ2 5～ 3 5 )制作大鼠AD模型 ,注射一周后采用NOS组化染色、GFAP免疫组化染色及NOS组化和GFAP双重染色分析大鼠海马GFAP与NOS的表达。结果　海马内注射Aβ2 5～ 3 5后出现海马星形胶质细胞增生、肥大、数目明显多于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,并出现一氧化氮阳性星形胶质细胞 ;海马一氧化氮神经元数量较对照组显著减少 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　AD模型大鼠学习记忆功能低下与Aβ神经毒性导致NOS阳性神经元损伤、死亡直接相关 ,反应性星形胶质细胞参与Aβ导致NOS神经元细胞毒性损伤作用 ,间接导致学习记忆能力减退     

马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液对正常大鼠脑内谷氨酸和GABA的影响

目的探讨星形胶质细胞对大鼠脑内谷氨酸(Glu)和γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)的影响及其在癫痫发病中的作用。方法将马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液(astrocyte-conditioned medium,ACM)注射入正常SD大鼠侧脑室,观察大鼠的行为变化,运用免疫组织化学及HPLC的方法,观察大鼠大脑皮质、海马内Glu和GABA免疫反应的变化及脑组织匀浆、脑脊液内Glu和GABA含量的变化。结果ACM组大鼠在注射ACM后30min出现癫痫行为,2h恢复正常。免疫组织化学显示:ACM作用后2h,大鼠大脑皮质及海马内Glu免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均光密度值明显增高,4h达高峰(P<0.05),12h恢复正常水平;ACM作用后2h,大鼠大脑皮质及海马GABA免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均光密度值明显减弱(P<0.05),12h恢复正常水平。HPLC方法显示:ACM作用后2h大鼠大脑皮质、海马及脑脊液中Glu含量均开始增加,4h达高峰(P<0.05);ACM作用后2h大脑皮质、海马及脑脊液中GABA含量均开始降低,4h达最低(P<0.05)。结论马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液可影响大鼠脑内Glu和GABA的表达,并导致动物痫性发作。     

Gastrointestinal effects of intracerebroventricularly injected nociceptin/orphaninFQ in rats

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ/(N/OFQ), a novel heptadecapeptide recently isolated from porcine and rat brain, is the endogenous ligand of the N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP, previously known as ORL-1). In this study we examined the effects of intracerebroventricularly (icv) injected N/OFQ on gastric emptying, gastrointestinal transit, colonic propulsion and gastric acid secretion in rats. N/OFQ (0.01-10 nmol/rat) significantly delayed gastric emptying of a phenol red meal, inhibited transit of a non-absorbable charcoal marker through the small intestine and increased the mean colonic bead expulsion time. These N/OFQ-motor effects were abolished by the NOP receptor selective antagonist [NPhe(1)]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH(2) (50 nmol/rat), but were unaltered by the classical opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (9.2 micromol/kg). Icv injected N/OFQ (10 nmol/rat) decreased gastric acid secretion in 2-h pylorus ligated rats in a naloxone sensitive manner. [NPhe(1)]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH(2) (100 nmol/rat) icv administered alone stimulated gastric acid secretion. These results indicate that N/OFQ activates via NOP receptor stimulation a central inhibitory pathway modulating gastrointestinal propulsive activity and gastric acid secretion in rats.     

Species differences in the efficacy of compounds at the nociceptin receptor (ORL1)

Recent studies have identified compounds with reduced efficacy relative to nociceptin/orphanin FQ at the opioid-like receptor ORL1. Utilizing stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding as in vitro assays, it was determined that both [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and the hexapeptide Ac-RYYRIK-NH(2) act as partial agonists in CHO cells transfected with either human or mouse ORL1. Maximal activity for both [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and Ac-RYYRIK-NH(2) was significantly greater in cells transfected with the human receptor (90% and 73% in a high expressing clone, 76% and 68% in low expressing clone) rather than the mouse receptor (37.5 and 33%), regardless of receptor number in individual clones. In vitro studies in cells transfected with exaggerated receptor numbers can lead to unreliable estimates of agonist and antagonist activity, however, these studies suggest that animal experiments on the activity of novel compounds may not always be better predictors of the ultimate activity in humans.     

Inhibitory activity of nociceptin/orphanin FQ on capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig

In vivo studies were conducted in the guinea-pig to investigate the activity of the selective ORL1 receptor agonist nociceptin/orphanin FQ against capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, a response mediated by the release of tachykinins from pulmonary sensory nerves. Anesthetized guinea-pigs were ventilated with a rodent ventilator and placed in a whole-body plethysmograph, and pulmonary resistance (R(L)) and dynamic lung compliance (C(Dyn)) were monitored. Intravenous administration of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.3 mg/kg) inhibited the capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction. The new nonpeptide ORL1 receptor antagonist 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397) administered intravenously (1 mg/kg) produced a significant blockade of the inhibitory effect of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.3 mg/kg) on capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, whereas the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg) had no effect. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.3 mg/kg) did not affect the bronchoconstriction induced exogenously by the tachykinin NK2 receptor agonist [beta-ala8]-neurokinin A (4-10). We conclude that nociceptin inhibits in vivo capsaicin-evoked tachykinin release from sensory nerve terminals in the guinea-pig by a prejunctional mechanism. This inhibitory action does not involve activation of opioid receptors.     

Orphanin FQ/Nociceptin Modulation of Mesolimbic Dopamine Transmission Determined by Microdialysis

Orphanin FQ has been reported to suppress extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens after intracerebroventricular administration. This study sought to provide evidence for an intra-ventral tegmental site of action for this effect using a dual-probe microdialysis experimental design. Orphanin FQ was applied to the ventral tegmental area of anesthetized rats by reverse dialysis while extracellular dopamine was sampled with a second dialysis probe in the nucleus accumbens. Orphanin FQ at a probe concentration of 1 mM (but not at 0.1 mM) significantly reduced nucleus accumbens dialysate dopamine levels. The receptor-inactive analogue, des-Phe1-orphanin FQ (1 mM), produced a small but significant increase in nucleus accumbens dialysate dopamine levels. Simultaneous measurement of ventral tegmental area dialysate amino acid content revealed significant increases in both GABA and glutamate during infusion of orphanin FQ (1 mM). To determine if increased GABA overflow mediates the action of orphanin FQ on mesolimbic neurons, orphanin FQ (10 nmol) was microinjected directly into the ventral tegmental area in the presence or absence of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline (1 nmol). Bicuculline transiently blocked the suppressive action of orphanin FQ on accumbens dialysate dopamine levels. These data indicate that orphanin FQ decreases dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens by inhibiting dopamine neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area through a mechanism that may involve an increased overflow of GABA.     

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ and neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system

In this article, the effect of nociceptin (orphanin FQ) on transmitter release in the central nervous system in vitro and in vivo is reviewed. Nociceptin inhibits the electrically or K(+)-evoked noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate release in brain slices from guinea-pig, rat, and mouse. This effect is usually naloxone-resistant but antagonized by OP(4) receptor antagonists like [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]-nociceptin(1-13)NH(2). In the rat in vivo, nociceptin diminishes acetylcholine release in the striatum, reduces dopamine release, and prevents the stimulatory effect of morphine on this transmitter in the nucleus accumbens and also elevates extracellular glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in mesencephalic dopaminergic areas. The effect of nociceptin on the mesencephalic dopaminergic system might explain its actions on motor behavior.     

Nonpeptide/peptide chimeric ligands for the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor: design, synthesis and in vitro pharmacological activity.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor referred to as N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. NOP receptor activation by N/OFQ modulates several biological functions both at central and peripheral level. Structure activity relationship (SAR) studies demonstrated that the N/OFQ sequence can be divided into a N-terminal tetrapeptide 'message' crucial for receptor activation and a C-terminal 'address' important for receptor binding. On the basis of this message/address concept we synthesized some chimeric compounds in which we substituted the natural message domain with the nonselective nonpeptide NOP ligand (8-Naphthalen-1-yl-methyl-4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4,5]dec-3-yl)-aceticacid methyl ester (NNC 63-0532) and used as address domain the peptide sequences Thr-NH2, N/OFQ(5-9)-NH2, N/OFQ(5-13)-NH2 and N/OFQ(5-17)-NH2. All the compounds were pharmacologically evaluated in the electrically stimulated guinea-pig ileum. NNC 63-0532 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the electrically induced twitches showing, in comparison with N/OFQ, lower potency and higher maximal effects. In addition, contrary to N/OFQ, the effects of NNC 63-0532 were insensitive to the NOP selective antagonist [Nphe1, Arg14, Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 (UFP-101) while prevented by naloxone. Similar results were obtained with NNC 63-0532/Thr-NH2 and NNC 63-0532/N/OFQ(1-9)-NH2. On the contrary, the inhibitory effects of NNC 63-0532/N/OFQ(5-13)-NH2 and NNC 63-0532/N/OFQ(5-17)-NH2 were slightly antagonized by UFP-101 while naloxone prevented the effects of the high but not of the low concentrations of the two ligands. These data indicate that it is possible to functionalize with the N/OFQ address sequence a nonpeptide NOP ligand for increasing its binding to the NOP receptor. Moreover, these results corroborate the idea that the 5-13 sequence represents the crucial core of the N/OFQ address domain.     

Pharmacological characterization of the nociceptin receptor, ORL1

A novel opioid receptor-like orphan receptor (ORL1) was cloned and identified to be homologous to classical opioid receptors but insensitive to traditional opioids. A heptadecapeptide, termed orphanin FQ or nociceptin (OFQ/N), was identified as its endogenous ligand. OFQ/N shares overlapping distribution sites in pain-processing areas and common cellular mechanisms with opioids but exerts diverse effects on nociceptive responses. Of the two reported ORL1 antagonists, [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)- Gly(2)] nociceptin-(1-13)-NH(2) (Phepsi) and naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NBZ), antagonisms were validated in the activation of inward rectifying K channels induced by OFQ/N, using the patch clamp technique in ventrolateral periaqueductal gray slices. Results showed that Phepsi acted as a partial agonist and NBZ was a weak nonselective antagonist of ORL1. It is comparable with most but not all of the findings from other tissues. Comparing all the reports supports the above inference for these two antagonists. The possible causes for the discrepancy were discussed. A brief review on the putative ORL1 antagonists, acetyl-RYYRIK-NH2, some sigma-ligands and the functional antagonist, nocistatin, is also included. It indicates that a potent and selective ORL1 antagonist is expecting to elucidate the physiological role of OFQ/N.     

8-acenaphthen-1-yl-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan-4-one derivatives as orphanin FQ receptor agonists.

A series of 8-acenaphthen-1-yl-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan+ ++-4-one derivatives 1 was studied with respect to the binding affinity for the orphanin FQ (OFQ) and opioid (mu, kappa, delta) receptors. The influence of stereochemistry as well as the substitution pattern of the phenyl-ring in position 1 on the affinity for the orphanin FQ receptor and selectivity to opioid (mu, kappa, delta) receptors is discussed. The most interesting compound 1c was tested for its anxiolytic-like properties in vivo.     

Opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL1) receptor binding and the biological properties of Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Arg-NH2 and its analogs.

Hexapeptides such as Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Lys-NH(2) and Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Trp-Arg-NH(2) have been isolated from a combinatorial peptide library as small peptide ligands for the opioid peptide-like 1 (ORL1) receptor. To investigate the detailed structural requirements of hexapeptides, 25 analogs of these hexapeptides, based on the novel analog Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Arg-NH(2) (1), were synthesized and tested for their ORL1 receptor affinity and agonist/antagonist activity on mouse vas deferens (MVD) tissues. Analog 1 and its Cit(6)-analog (10) were found to possess high affinity to the ORL1 receptor, comparable to that of nociceptin/orphanin FQ, and exhibited potent antagonist activity (pA(2) values of 7.77 for 1 and 7.51 for 10, which are higher than that of [NPhe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)-NH(2) (6.90) on MVD assay. It was also found that the amino acid residue in position 5 plays a key role in agonist/antagonist activity, i.e. an L-configuration aliphatic amino acid is required for potent antagonist activity, while a nonchiral or D-configuration residue produces potent agonist activity. These lines of evidence may provide insight into the mechanisms controlling agonist/antagonist switching in the ORL1 receptor, and may also serve to help developing more potent ORL1 agonists and antagonists.     

Expression of nociceptin/OFQ receptor and prepro-nociceptin/OFQ in lymphoid tissues

This study was undertaken to examine the presence of functional nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptors in the immune system. Receptor mRNA signals were detected by RT-PCR in porcine thymus, lymph nodes, spleen and freshly-isolated splenocytes; the distribution of prepro-nociceptin/-orphanin FQ (PP-N/-OFQ) mRNA was similar, with the exception of lymph nodes. However, specific [³H]nociceptin binding sites were not detected in rat or porcine lymphoid tissues, and 0.1–100 nM nociceptin had no effect on forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP concentrations in porcine splenocytes. Thus, it appears that nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor mRNA, but not a functional receptor protein is expressed in the immune system.