Cocaine increases natural killer cell activity.

Abstract

The administration of epinephrine to humans increases natural killer (NK) cell activity and numbers. If endogenous catecholamines regulate NK cells, then their activity should be increased by cocaine, an agent that potentiates endogenous catechoamines. We investigated the in vivo effect of cocaine on NK cell activity and on the distribution of lymphocyte subsets, including NK cells. Intravenous cocaine (0.6 mg/kg) produced a three-to fourfold increase in NK cell activity in peripheral blood. The increase was accompanied by a marked and selective increase in circulating NK cells, as identified by the Fc receptor (Leu-il). Normal saline and benzoylecgonine, a major metabolite of cocaine, had little effect on NK cell activity or on levels of Leu-ll+ cells.Other lymphocyte subpopulations were not increased by cocaine. The time course of the alterations in NK cell numbers and activity paralleled plasma levels of cocaine. In vitro cocaine did not increase NK cell activity. Our results indicate that cocaine selectively alters the activity and distribution of the NK lymphocyte subset. Because cocaine increases the activity of endogenous catecholamines, these findings suggest that human NK cells are selectively regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Cocaine Causes Increased Type I Interferon Secretion by both L929 Cells and Murine Macrophages

“…Also, Van Dyke et al reported that human NK cell activity and distribution were increased after in vivo cocaine exposure (26). It has been reported that a major effect of IFN is to increase NK cell activity (2), thus leading to the possibility that the mechanism of cocaine's effects on NK cells in that study was stimulation of IFN secretion.…”

“…Previous reports by us and others have demonstrated that macrophages (M) exposed to cocaine in vitro displayed increased phagocytosis of microorganisms (10), with an increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates (28,29) as well as decreased cytokine secretion (24) and production of reactive nitrogen intermediates (27). Further studies have reported that cocaine enhanced neutrophil phagocytosis, increased natural killer (NK) cell activity and distribution (26), reduced the Tcell mitogen response (13), and reduced the cytotoxic ability of splenic immune cells (14). Taken together, these studies indicate that the effects of cocaine vary considerably depending on which parameter of the immune repertoire is investigated as well as the tools used to measure them.…”

Stress-Induced Suppression of the Immune System after Withdrawal from Chronic Cocaine

“…In addition to chronic exposure, recent evidence has also demonstrated that the sudden cessation of cocaine administration continues to produce neuroendocrine abnormalities (Richter and Weiss, 1999). Although there are some reports that have demonstrated that chronic cocaine administration produces alterations in a variety of immunological parameters (Van Dyke et al, 1986;Stanulis et al, 1997;Pellegrino and Bayer, 1998), there is comparatively little information on whether the immune alterations persist during the period of cocaine withdrawal. In this article, we demonstrate that withdrawal from chronic cocaine produces a prolonged suppression of cellular immunity through a steroid-dependent mechanism.…”

“…Likewise, others have shown that cocaine treated animals demonstrate behavioral symptoms upon withdrawal that suggest the development of cocaine dependence (Sarnyai et al, 1995). Although acute cocaine exposure has been reported to have immune effects (Van Dyke et al, 1986;Klein et al, 1991;Stanulis et al, 1997;Pellegrino and Bayer, 1998), little has been reported on the effects of chronic cocaine and even less has been documented regarding the effects of cocaine withdrawal on the immune response. This is particularly surprising considering reports that cocaine abuse and dependence remains a major public health problem (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2000).…”

Exacerbation of Viral Myocarditis by Tobacco Smoke: The Catecholamine Hypothesis

“…Evidence supporting "possibility (a)" includes reports suggesting that cocaine can damage the endothelial lining of cells after even a single exposure, thereby accelerating atherosclerosis in animal models (Egashira et al, 1991;Bacharach et al, 1992). Cocaine has also been reported to increase natural killer cell activity (Van Dyke et al, 1986). Both lymphocytic and eosinophilic myocarditis have been reported in cocaine abusers (Virmani et al, 1988;Tazelaar et al, 1987) and heart failure is a common finding (Weiner et al, 1986;Duell, 1987).…”