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Non-neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Cholinergic regulation of the immune processes

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Neurophysiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were initially discovered and studied as mediators of fast synaptic transmission in neuromuscular junctions and autonomic ganglia. Later on, they were found in the brain and in many nonexcitable tissues where they regulate vital cellular functions and the activity of other receptors. Primary immune organs, the bone marrow and thymus, are innervated with cholinergic nerves, which mediate the control of lymphopoiesis provided by the autonomic nervous system. In addition, lymphocytes are able to produce endogenous acetylcholine that can regulate the immune processes in an auto/paracrine way. Correspondingly, both T and B lymphocytes express functional nAChRs involved in the regulation of development and activation of these cells. This review describes the structure and roles of nAChRs in the immune system with regard to its potential regulation by the autonomic nervous system, as well as by self sources of endogenous agonists.

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  1. Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

    M. V. Skok

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Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, Nos. 4/5, pp. 307–314, July–October, 2007.

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Skok, M.V. Non-neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Cholinergic regulation of the immune processes. Neurophysiology 39, 264–271 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11062-007-0037-2

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