Morphine promotes microglial activation by upregulating the EGFR/ERK signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT: Although they represent the cornerstone of analgesic therapy, opioids, such as morphine, are limited in efficacy by drug tolerance, hyperalgesia and other side effects. Activation of microglia and the consequent production of proinflammatory cytokines play a key pathogenic role in morphine tolerance, but the exact mechanisms are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on microglial activation induced by morphine in mouse microglial BV-2 cells. In this research, BV-2 cells were stimulated with morphine or pretreated with AG1478 (an inhibitor of EGFR). Expression levels of cluster of differentiation molecule 11b (CD11b), EGFR, and phospho-EGFR were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Cell signaling was assa

SUBMITTER: Yang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8439491 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature