Pustaka Ilmiah Universitas Padjadjaran

Abstrak

Role of mu opioid receptor in addiction and HIV

Until recently, the most common view was that drug addicts are weak or bad people, unwilling to control their behavior and gratifications. In fact, addiction is a chronic brain disease with genetic predisposing. Genetic factors influence the vulnerability to develop drug addiction, the progression from intermittent to regular drug use, the transition from abuse to addiction, and the propensity for repeated relapse after achievement of a drug-free state. It has been estimated that genetic contribution to addiction is 30-60%. There is no single gene that responsible for addiction. However, one of the genes that has received a lot of attention in addiction studies is OPRM1 gene which encodes the μ opioid receptor (MOR). In addition to the role of mu opioid receptor in addiction, there is a link between immunity and opioid drugs. The presence of MOR on monocytes has been demonstrated this. The interaction between mu opioid receptor and opioid administration has shown affecting antibodies production, natural killer activity, cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and phagocytosis. Besides, the ability of MOR activation to induce CCR5 expression suggests MOR agonists, such as morphine, may promote susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease progression associated with this infection. Perhaps this one of the reason why worldwide, injecting drug use is estimated to account for just less than one-third of new nfections outside sub-Saharan Africa Information about this is very important as a basic for addiction and HIV treatment in the future.