Mu and Delta Opioid Receptors Are Coexpressed and Functionally Interact in the Enteric Nervous System of the Mouse Colon

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Functional interactions between the mu opioid receptor (MOR) and delta opioid receptor (DOR) represent a potential target for novel analgesics and may drive the effects of the clinically approved drug eluxadoline for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Although the enteric nervous system (ENS) is a likely site of action, the coexpression and potential interaction between MOR and DOR in the ENS are largely undefined. In the present study, we have characterized the distribution of MOR in the mouse ENS and examined MOR-DOR interactions by using pharmacologic and cell biology techniques. METHODS: MOR and DOR expression was defined by using MORmCherr..