Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42247022›Full record

ArticleMolecular biology reports2026

Morphine disrupts antigen-presenting cell function through TLR-4 and autophagy pathways.

Jonaid Ahmad Malik, Taruna Lamba, Himanshi Chhabra, Priyanshu Kashyap, Pawan Gupta, Sharvan Sehrawat, Javed N Agrewala

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Molecular biology reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jonaid Ahmad MalikImmunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, India.
Taruna LambaImmunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, India.
Himanshi ChhabraImmunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, India.
Priyanshu KashyapImmunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, India.
Pawan GuptaCSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, 160036, India.
Sharvan SehrawatDepartment of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India.
Javed N AgrewalaImmunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, India. jagrewala@iitrpr.ac.in.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMorphine dependence is a major challenge worldwide. Besides, it has many adverse effects and suppresses its user's immune systems. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a crucial role in activating T cells, thereby protecting us from various diseases. Therefore, understanding the influence of morphine on APC function may reveal its impact on immune modulation.

methodsMacrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) were cultured with morphine and assessed for antigen uptake, processing, and presentation using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and colony-forming units (CFU). TLR-4 involvement was examined through gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition. Autophagy markers (LC3, Atg7, Atg12) were analyzed by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence.

resultsWe observed that morphine inhibited antigen uptake, as evidenced by reduced phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), E. coli, and other antigens. Further, it inhibited the killing of Mtb and E. coli and the processing of their antigens, as evidenced by reduced colocalization of LC3/LAMP1 with Mtb and E. coli. It prevented LC3 colocalization with the lysosomal marker LAMP1. Furthermore, morphine impaired antigen presentation, as evidenced by downregulation of MHC I, MHC II, CD80, and CD86, and reduced activation of CD4 T cells. Additionally, we observed that morphine exerted its mechanistic effects for immunosuppression through the TLR-4/NF-ĸB and autophagy pathways.

conclusionThis study identifies a mechanism by which morphine suppresses immune function by impairing antigen uptake, processing, and presentation in antigen-presenting cells through TLR-4-dependent autophagy pathways. These findings provide important insights into opioid-induced immunosuppression and have direct clinical relevance for the use of morphine in immunocompromised individuals.

Indexed as

Antigen-Presenting CellsAutophagyMorphineToll-Like Receptor 4AnimalsAntigen PresentationDendritic CellsMacrophagesMicePhagocytosisSignal TransductionMorphineTlr4 protein, mouseToll-Like Receptor 4Antigen presentationAutophagyDendritic cellsImmunosuppressionMacrophagesMorphineTLR-4

Identifiers

PMID42247022

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.