Single-cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Methamphetamine Inhibits the Liver Immune Response with Involvement of the Dopamine D1 Receptor

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant that causes physical and psychological damage and immune system disorder, especially in the liver, which contains a significant number of immune cells. Dopamine, which is a key neurotransmitter in METH addiction and immune regulation, plays a crucial role in this process. In this study, we developed a chronic METH administration model and conducted single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the effect of METH on liver immune cells and the involvement of the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) in this process. Our findings revealed that chronic exposure to METH induced an immune cell shift from Ifitm3+Mac and Ccl5+Mac to Cd14+Mac, and from Fyn+CD4+Teff, CD8+T, and NKT to Fos+CD4+T and Rora+ILC2, along with suppression of multiple immune functional pathways. DRD1 was implicated in the regulation of some of these pathways and the shifts of hepatic immune cells. This research provides valuable insights into the development of therapies aimed at mitigating METH-induced immune impairment.