De Rosa_2009_Life.Sci_85_444

Reference

Title : Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulates lymphocyte activation - De Rosa_2009_Life.Sci_85_444
Author(s) : De Rosa MJ , Dionisio L , Agriello E , Bouzat C , Esandi Mdel C
Ref : Life Sciences , 85 :444 , 2009
Abstract :

AIMS: Even though the presence of alpha7 nicotinic receptor (nAChR) in lymphocytes has been demonstrated, its functional role still remains elusive. The aim of our study was to characterize alpha7 nAChRs in human lymphocytes upon phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. MAIN
METHODS: Lymphocytes were activated with the mitogen PHA. alpha7 nAChRs were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real time PCR, flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The effects of nicotinic drugs on PHA-induced proliferation was evaluated by the [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation assay. KEY FINDINGS: We show that the expression of functional alpha7 receptors increases after PHA stimulation. The activation of peripheral lymphocytes by PHA increases 2.2-fold the alpha7 subunit mRNA expression and 4-fold the binding of the antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX) with respect to non activated lymphocytes. By measuring the increase of intracellular calcium in response to nicotine we determine that alpha7 receptors in lymphocytes are functional. Nicotinic drugs differentially modulate T cell activation. While nicotine tends to inhibit proliferative responses, specific alpha7 antagonists, such as alpha-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division. SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals that the alpha7 receptor modulates lymphocyte activation and contributes to clarifying the role of the non neuronal cholinergic system in the immune response.

PubMedSearch : De Rosa_2009_Life.Sci_85_444
PubMedID: 19632243

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Citations formats

De Rosa MJ, Dionisio L, Agriello E, Bouzat C, Esandi Mdel C (2009)
Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulates lymphocyte activation
Life Sciences 85 :444

De Rosa MJ, Dionisio L, Agriello E, Bouzat C, Esandi Mdel C (2009)
Life Sciences 85 :444