The effect of cocaine on murine peritoneal macrophages

Abstract

In recent years, cocaine has had a resurgence in popularity in the United States (Adams and Durell, 1984; Katz, 1985). The increased use of cocaine has created increased concern with the problems involved with cocaine use within the United States. The scientific community in particular has become concerned with the negative effects of cocaine on the human body, particularly the immune system (Pillai, Nair, and Watson, 1991). At the central core of the immune system are the antigen presenting cells. Antigen presenting cells include: Langerhan cells, B cells, and Macrophages (M0's). The M0 has been the subject of many studies and has been shown to participate in phagocytosis and cytokine secretion. The various cytokines secreted by M0's are required for immune cellular maturation and function. This study focuses on the effects of cocaine on the macrophage in terms of cytokine secretion and phagocytosis as a model of cellular immune function.