Opioids may impair immune function by suppressing which immune cells?

Opioids may impair immune function by suppressing which immune cells?

• A. Natural killer (NK) cells
• B. B lymphocytes
• C. T cells
• D. Neutrophils

Answer: (A)

Opioids can blunt immune defense by suppressing natural killer cells. NK cells are part of the innate immune system and provide rapid, non-specific killing of virally infected or transformed (cancerous) cells without needing prior exposure. Opioids, through mu-opioid receptor signaling on immune cells and via stress-related hormones, can reduce NK cell cytotoxic activity and the production of key cytokines like interferon-gamma. This diminishes early immune surveillance, which is a common and notable effect of opioid exposure. While B cells, T cells, and neutrophils can be influenced by opioids as well, the strongest, most consistently observed suppression in this context targets natural killer cells.

Opioids can blunt immune defense by suppressing natural killer cells. NK cells are part of the innate immune system and provide rapid, non-specific killing of virally infected or transformed (cancerous) cells without needing prior exposure. Opioids, through mu-opioid receptor signaling on immune cells and via stress-related hormones, can reduce NK cell cytotoxic activity and the production of key cytokines like interferon-gamma. This diminishes early immune surveillance, which is a common and notable effect of opioid exposure. While B cells, T cells, and neutrophils can be influenced by opioids as well, the strongest, most consistently observed suppression in this context targets natural killer cells.