Mechanisms of multiple cellular adaptation processes in clonal cell lines during chronic opiate treatment

Among the various in vitro models for studies of opiate action, the clonal cell line, neuroblastoma x glioma NG 108-15 hybrid cells, represents the simplest model of brain origin in which the molecular basis of opiate action is being investigated. The hybrid cells represent a good model for studies of the chronic opiate effect at the cellular level. In the current review, we will examine the multiple cellular adaptation processes which occur in the chronic presence of opiate agonists. The possible mechanisms for these adaptation processes will be discussed.