The potential interplay between opioid and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4)

Opioids and opioid receptors; understanding pharmacological mechanisms as a key to therapeutic advances and mitigation of the misuse crisis

“…This receptor seems an unlikely target to be discussing when considering opioids and immune modulation but there is substantial evidence showing a range of opioids interact with this receptor and in a naloxone-sensitive manner. 121 , 122 , 123 In the absence of definitive evidence for opioid receptor protein on immune cells, TLR4 is a plausible surrogate that can explain immune modulation. In the search for opioid receptor-mediated immunomodulation have we been looking in the wrong place?…”