Morphine-Mediated Brain Region-Specific Astrocytosis Involves the ER Stress-Autophagy Axis.

ABSTRACT: A recent study from our lab has revealed a link between morphine-mediated autophagy and synaptic impairment. The current study was aimed at investigating whether morphine-mediated activation of astrocytes involved the ER stress/autophagy axis. Our in vitro findings demonstrated upregulation of GFAP indicating astrocyte activation with a concomitant increase in the production of proinflammatory cytokines in morphine-exposed human astrocytes. Using both pharmacological and gene-silencing approaches, it was demonstrated that morphine-mediated defective autophagy involved upstream activation of ER stress with subsequent downstream astrocyte activation via the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). In vivo validation demonstrated preferential activation of ER stress/autophagy axis in the areas of the brain n

SUBMITTER: Sil S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6532427 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature