Morphine inhibits CD8+ T cell-mediated, noncytolytic, anti-HIV activity in latently infected immune cells

Opiates have profound effects on the function of human immune cells and are a possible cofactor in the immunopathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. We investigated the impact of morphine on CD8+ T cell-mediated, noncytotoxic, anti-HIV activity in latently infected human immune cells. Morphine inhibited the noncytotoxic, anti-HIV activity of CD8+ T cells in HIV latently infected cells (U1 and J1.1). Naltrexone abrogated the morphine-mediated, inhibitory effect on the noncytotoxic, anti-HIV activity of CD8+ T cells. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a potent antiviral cytokine produced by CD8+ T cells, was partially responsible for CD8+ T cell-mediated, noncytotoxic, anti-HIV activity. The anti-HIV activity of IFN-gamma was also compromised by morphine treatment. Further, morphine attenuated CD8+ T cell-mediated suppression of the HIV long-terminal repeat promoter activation. Morphine also inhibited CD8+ T cell-induced expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-1, an important transcriptional factor in the IFN signaling pathway. These data provide additional evidence to support the notion that opioids play a role in impairing the anti-HIV function of the immune system.