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Kawashima K, Mashimo M, Nomura A, Fujii T. Contributions of Non-Neuronal Cholinergic Systems to the Regulation of Immune Cell Function, Highlighting the Role of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4564. [PMID: 38674149 PMCID: PMC11050324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Loewi's discovery of acetylcholine (ACh) release from the frog vagus nerve and the discovery by Dale and Dudley of ACh in ox spleen led to the demonstration of chemical transmission of nerve impulses. ACh is now well-known to function as a neurotransmitter. However, advances in the techniques for ACh detection have led to its discovery in many lifeforms lacking a nervous system, including eubacteria, archaea, fungi, and plants. Notably, mRNAs encoding choline acetyltransferase and muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) have been found in uninnervated mammalian cells, including immune cells, keratinocytes, vascular endothelial cells, cardiac myocytes, respiratory, and digestive epithelial cells. It thus appears that non-neuronal cholinergic systems are expressed in a variety of mammalian cells, and that ACh should now be recognized not only as a neurotransmitter, but also as a local regulator of non-neuronal cholinergic systems. Here, we discuss the role of non-neuronal cholinergic systems, with a focus on immune cells. A current focus of much research on non-neuronal cholinergic systems in immune cells is α7 nAChRs, as these receptors expressed on macrophages and T cells are involved in regulating inflammatory and immune responses. This makes α7 nAChRs an attractive potential therapeutic target.
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Grants
- 19-31: TF; 20-25: TF. Individual Research Grants from the Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
- 24590120, K.K., T.F., K.H.; 22K06638, T.F., A.N., 15K18871, M.M.; 15K07979, T.F., 15K07969-m, K.K.; 18K06903, T.F. The Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masato Mashimo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe 610-0395, Japan; (M.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Atsuo Nomura
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe 610-0395, Japan; (M.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe 610-0395, Japan; (M.M.); (A.N.)
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Mashimo M, Kawashima K, Fujii T. Non-neuronal Cholinergic Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Regulation of Immune Function. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:675-683. [PMID: 35650095 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-01005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells such as T and B cells, monocytes and macrophages all express most of the cholinergic components of the nervous system, including acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high affinity choline transporter, muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Because of its efficient cleavage by AChE, ACh synthesized and released from immune cells acts only locally in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion at mAChRs and nAChRs on themselves and other immune cells located in close proximity, leading to modification of immune function. Immune cells generally express all five mAChR subtypes (M1-M5) and neuron type nAChR subunits α2-α7, α9, α10, β2-β4. The expression pattern and levels of mAChR subtypes and nAChR subunits vary depending on the tissue involved and its immunological status. Immunological activation of T cells via T-cell receptor-mediated pathways and cell adhesion molecules upregulates ChAT expression, which facilitates the synthesis and release of ACh. At present, α7 nAChRs expressed in macrophages are receiving much attention because they play a central role in anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathways. However, it now appears that through modification of cytokine synthesis, Gq/11-coupled mAChRs play a prominent role in regulation of T cell proliferation and differentiation and B cell immunoglobulin class switching. It is anticipated that greater understanding of Gq/11-coupled mAChRs on immune cells will provide an opportunity to develop new and effective treatments for immunological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Mashimo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
| | - Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
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Regulation of Immune Functions by Non-Neuronal Acetylcholine (ACh) via Muscarinic and Nicotinic ACh Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136818. [PMID: 34202925 PMCID: PMC8268711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is the classical neurotransmitter in the cholinergic nervous system. However, ACh is now known to regulate various immune cell functions. In fact, T cells, B cells, and macrophages all express components of the cholinergic system, including ACh, muscarinic, and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs), choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, and choline transporters. In this review, we will discuss the actions of ACh in the immune system. We will first briefly describe the mechanisms by which ACh is stored in and released from immune cells. We will then address Ca2+ signaling pathways activated via mAChRs and nAChRs on T cells and B cells, highlighting the importance of ACh for the function of T cells, B cells, and macrophages, as well as its impact on innate and acquired (cellular and humoral) immunity. Lastly, we will discuss the effects of two peptide ligands, secreted lymphocyte antigen-6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-related peptide-1 (SLURP-1) and hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide (HCNP), on cholinergic activity in T cells. Overall, we stress the fact that ACh does not function only as a neurotransmitter; it impacts immunity by exerting diverse effects on immune cells via mAChRs and nAChRs.
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Ritter P, Bye LJ, Finol-Urdaneta RK, Lesko C, Adams DJ, Friedrich O, Gilbert DF. A method for high-content functional imaging of intracellular calcium responses in gelatin-immobilized non-adherent cells. Exp Cell Res 2020; 395:112210. [PMID: 32750330 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Functional imaging of the intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i using fluorescent indicators is a powerful and frequently applied method for assessing various biological questions in vitro, including ion channel function and intracellular signaling in homeostasis and disease. In functional [Ca2+]i imaging experiments, the fluorescence intensity of single cells is typically recorded during application of a chemical stimulus, i.e. by exchange of modified extracellular media, exposure to drugs and/or ligands. The concomitant mechanical perturbation caused by the perfusion of different solution during experimentation severely hinders calcium imaging in non-adherent cells, including peripheral immune cells, as cells in suspension are dislocated by turbulent flow during chemical stimulation. The quantitative analysis, involving time-courses of intracellular fluorescence signal changes, necessitates cells to remain at the same position throughout the experiment. To prevent dislocation of cells during solution exchange, and to enable imaging as well as analysis of Ca2+ responses in immune cells, a gelatin-based method for immobilization of non-adherent cells was developed. Gelatin has been a long-serving material for cell immobilization, e.g. in 3D bio-printing of cells and has thus, also been employed in the context of this study. To demonstrate the applicability of the established method for functional Ca2+ imaging in gelatin-immobilized suspension cells, a proof-of-concept study was conducted using human peripheral blood model cell lines (Jurkat/T-lymphocytes and THP-1/monocytes), Ca2+ indicators (Fluo-4 and Fura-2) and two different fluorescence microscopy rigs. The data presented that the established methodology is applicable for studying Ca2+ signaling by in vitro high-content functional imaging of [Ca2+]i in suspension cells, including but not restricted to human immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ritter
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lydia J Bye
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Rocio K Finol-Urdaneta
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Christian Lesko
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David J Adams
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Oliver Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel F Gilbert
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Du X, Tang Y, Han Y, Ri S, Kim T, Ju K, Shi W, Sun S, Zhou W, Liu G. Acetylcholine suppresses phagocytosis via binding to muscarinic- and nicotinic-acetylcholine receptors and subsequently interfering Ca 2+- and NFκB-signaling pathways in blood clam. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 102:152-160. [PMID: 32320762 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Though immunomodulation via cholinergic neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), an important part of neuroendocrine-immune (NEI) regulatory network, has been well established in vertebrate species, the mechanisms remain poorly understood in invertebrates. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effect of ACh on haemocyte phagocytosis was investigated in an invertebrate bivalve species, Tegillarca granosa. Data obtained showed that in vitro ACh incubation suppressed phagocytic activity of haemocytes along with a significant elevation in intracellular Ca2+. In addition, the expressions of genes from Ca2+ signaling pathway were significantly induced whereas those from NF-κB signaling pathway were significantly down-regulated by ACh incubation. Furthermore, these adverse impacts of ACh were significantly relieved by the blocking of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) using corresponding antagonists. Our study suggests that ACh suppresses phagocytosis via binding to both mAChRs and nAChRs, which disrupts intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and subsequently interferes with downstream Ca2+ and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yu Tang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yu Han
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Sanghyok Ri
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; College of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, 99903, PR Korea
| | - Tongchol Kim
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; College of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, 99903, PR Korea
| | - Kwangjin Ju
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; College of Aquaculture, Wonsan Fisheries University, Wonsan, 999093, PR Korea
| | - Wei Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Shuge Sun
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Weishang Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Guangxu Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
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Elkhatib SK, Case AJ. Autonomic regulation of T-lymphocytes: Implications in cardiovascular disease. Pharmacol Res 2019; 146:104293. [PMID: 31176794 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The nervous and immune systems both serve as essential assessors and regulators of physiological function. Recently, there has been a great interest in how the nervous and immune systems interact to modulate both physiological and pathological states. In particular, the autonomic nervous system has a direct line of communication with immune cells anatomically, and moreover, immune cells possess receptors for autonomic neurotransmitters. This circumstantial evidence is suggestive of a functional interplay between the two systems, and extensive research over the past few decades has demonstrated neurotransmitters such as the catecholamines (i.e. dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) and acetylcholine have potent immunomodulating properties. Furthermore, immune cells, particularly T-lymphocytes, have now been found to express the cellular machinery for both the synthesis and degradation of neurotransmitters, which suggests the ability for both autocrine and paracrine signaling from these cells independent of the nervous system. The details underlying the functional interplay of this complex network of neuroimmune communication are still unclear, but this crosstalk is suggestive of significant implications on the pathogenesis of a number of autonomic-dysregulated and inflammation-mediated diseases. In particular, it is widely accepted that numerous forms of cardiovascular diseases possess imbalanced autonomic tone as well as altered T-lymphocyte function, but a paucity of literature exists discussing the direct role of neurotransmitters in shaping the inflammatory microenvironment during the progression or therapeutic management of these diseases. This review seeks to provide a fundamental framework for this autonomic neuroimmune interaction within T-lymphocytes, as well as the implications this may have in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safwan K Elkhatib
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Adam J Case
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.
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Fujii T, Mashimo M, Moriwaki Y, Misawa H, Ono S, Horiguchi K, Kawashima K. Expression and Function of the Cholinergic System in Immune Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1085. [PMID: 28932225 PMCID: PMC5592202 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
T and B cells express most cholinergic system components—e.g., acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase, and both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively). Using ChATBAC-eGFP transgenic mice, ChAT expression has been confirmed in T and B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. Moreover, T cell activation via T-cell receptor/CD3-mediated pathways upregulates ChAT mRNA expression and ACh synthesis, suggesting that this lymphocytic cholinergic system contributes to the regulation of immune function. Immune cells express all five mAChRs (M1–M5). Combined M1/M5 mAChR-deficient (M1/M5-KO) mice produce less antigen-specific antibody than wild-type (WT) mice. Furthermore, spleen cells in M1/M5-KO mice produce less tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, suggesting M1/M5 mAChRs are involved in regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine and antibody production. Immune cells also frequently express the α2, α5, α6, α7, α9, and α10 nAChR subunits. α7 nAChR-deficient (α7-KO) mice produce more antigen-specific antibody than WT mice, and spleen cells from α7-KO mice produce more TNF-α and IL-6 than WT cells. This suggests that α7 nAChRs are involved in regulating cytokine production and thus modulate antibody production. Evidence also indicates that nicotine modulates immune responses by altering cytokine production and that α7 nAChR signaling contributes to immunomodulation through modification of T cell differentiation. Together, these findings suggest the involvement of both mAChRs and nAChRs in the regulation of immune function. The observation that vagus nerve stimulation protects mice from lethal endotoxin shock led to the notion of a cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex pathway, and the spleen is an essential component of this anti-inflammatory reflex. Because the spleen lacks direct vagus innervation, it has been postulated that ACh synthesized by a subset of CD4+ T cells relays vagal nerve signals to α7 nAChRs on splenic macrophages, which downregulates TNF-α synthesis and release, thereby modulating inflammatory responses. However, because the spleen is innervated solely by the noradrenergic splenic nerve, confirmation of an anti-inflammatory reflex pathway involving the spleen requires several more hypotheses to be addressed. We will review and discuss these issues in the context of the cholinergic system in immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masato Mashimo
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Moriwaki
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidemi Misawa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiro Ono
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Osaka Ohtani University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Horiguchi
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Medicine, University of Fukui Faculty of Medical Sciences, Fukui, Japan
| | - Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
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Fujii T, Mashimo M, Moriwaki Y, Misawa H, Ono S, Horiguchi K, Kawashima K. Physiological functions of the cholinergic system in immune cells. J Pharmacol Sci 2017; 134:1-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Dobrovinskaya O, Valencia-Cruz G, Castro-Sánchez L, Bonales-Alatorre EO, Liñan-Rico L, Pottosin I. Cholinergic Machinery as Relevant Target in Acute Lymphoblastic T Leukemia. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:290. [PMID: 27630569 PMCID: PMC5005329 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Various types of non-neuronal cells, including tumors, are able to produce acetylcholine (ACh), which acts as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor. T lymphocytes represent a key component of the non-neuronal cholinergic system. T cells-derived ACh is involved in a stimulation of their activation and proliferation, and acts as a regulator of immune response. The aim of the present work was to summarize the data about components of cholinergic machinery in T lymphocytes, with an emphasis on the comparison of healthy and leukemic T cells. Cell lines derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemias of T lineage (T-ALL) were found to produce a considerably higher amount of ACh than healthy T lymphocytes. Additionally, ACh produced by T-ALL is not efficiently hydrolyzed, because acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity is drastically decreased in these cells. Up-regulation of muscarinic ACh receptors was also demonstrated at expression and functional level, whereas nicotinic ACh receptors seem to play a less important role and not form functional channels in cells derived from T-ALL. We hypothesized that ACh over-produced in T-ALL may act as an autocrine growth factor and play an important role in leukemic clonal expansion through shaping of intracellular Ca2+ signals. We suggest that cholinergic machinery may be attractive targets for new drugs against T-ALL. Specifically, testing of high affinity antagonists of muscarinic ACh receptors as well as antagomiRs, which interfere with miRNAs involved in the suppression of AChE expression, may be the first choice options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana Dobrovinskaya
- Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima Colima, México
| | - Georgina Valencia-Cruz
- Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima Colima, México
| | - Luis Castro-Sánchez
- Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de ColimaColima, México; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaMéxico City, México
| | | | - Liliana Liñan-Rico
- Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima Colima, México
| | - Igor Pottosin
- Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima Colima, México
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Mashimo M, Yurie Y, Kawashima K, Fujii T. CRAC channels are required for [Ca(2+)]i oscillations and c-fos gene expression after muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activation in leukemic T cells. Life Sci 2016; 161:45-50. [PMID: 27474128 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS T lymphocytes express muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) involved in regulating their proliferation, differentiation and cytokine release. Activation of M1, M3 or M5 mAChRs increases the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) through inositol-1,4,5-phosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca(2+) release from endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores. In addition, T lymphocytes express Ca(2+)-release activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels to induce Ca(2+) influx and to regulate diverse immune functions. Our aim in the present study was to assess the role of CRAC channels during mAChR activation in the Ca(2+)-dependent transduction that contributes to the regulation of T cell function. MAIN METHODS Changes in [Ca(2+)]i following mAChR activation on human leukemic T cells, CCRF-CEM (CEM), were monitored using fura-2, based on the ratio of 510nm fluorescences elicited by excitation at 340nm and 380nm (R340/380). KEY FINDINGS We demonstrate that CEM cells express mainly M3 and M5 mAChRs, but little the M1 subtype, and that oxotremorine-M (Oxo-M), an mAChR agonist, induces an initial transient increase in [Ca(2+)]i followed by repetitive [Ca(2+)]i oscillations. Removing extracellular Ca(2+) or pharmacological blockade of CRAC channels abolished the [Ca(2+)]i oscillations without affecting the initial [Ca(2+)]i transient induced by Oxo-M. Moreover, CRAC channel blockade also suppressed Oxo-M-induced c-fos and interleukin-2 expression. SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest that upon M3 or M5 mAChR activation, IP3-mediated Ca(2+) release induces extracellular Ca(2+) influx through CRAC channels, which generates repetitive [Ca(2+)]i oscillations and, in turn, enhances c-fos gene expression in T lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Mashimo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan
| | - Yukako Yurie
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan
| | - Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan.
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Carr R, Koziol-White C, Zhang J, Lam H, An SS, Tall GG, Panettieri RA, Benovic JL. Interdicting Gq Activation in Airway Disease by Receptor-Dependent and Receptor-Independent Mechanisms. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 89:94-104. [PMID: 26464325 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.100339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gαqβγ heterotrimer (Gq), an important mediator in the pathology of airway disease, plays a central role in bronchoconstriction and airway remodeling, including airway smooth muscle growth and inflammation. Current therapeutic strategies to treat airway disease include the use of muscarinic and leukotriene receptor antagonists; however, these pharmaceuticals demonstrate a limited clinical efficacy as multiple Gq-coupled receptor subtypes contribute to these pathologies. Thus, broadly inhibiting the activation of Gq may be an advantageous therapeutic approach. Here, we investigated the effects of broadly inhibiting Gq activation in vitro and ex vivo using receptor-dependent and receptor-independent strategies. P4pal-10 is a protease activated receptor 4-derived pepducin that exhibits efficacy toward multiple Gq-coupled receptors. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that P4pal-10 selectively inhibits all G protein coupling to several Gq-coupled receptors, including protease activated receptor 1, muscarinic acetylcholine M3, and histamine H1 receptors, while demonstrating no direct effect on Gq. We also evaluated the ability of FR900359, also known as UBO-QIC, to directly inhibit Gq activation. FR900359 inhibited spontaneous Gαq nucleotide exchange, while having little effect on Gαsβγ, Gαiβγ, or Gα12/13βγ heterotrimer activity. Both P4pal-10 and FR900359 inhibited Gq-mediated intracellular signaling and primary human airway smooth muscle growth, whereas only FR900359 effectively interdicted agonist-promoted airway contraction in human precision cut lung slices. These studies serve as a proof of concept that the broad-based inhibition of Gq activation may be a useful therapeutic approach to treat multiple common pathologies of airway disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Carr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Cynthia Koziol-White
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Hong Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Gregory G Tall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
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12
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Non-neuronal cholinergic system in regulation of immune function with a focus on α7 nAChRs. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:127-34. [PMID: 25907239 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In 1929, Dale and Dudley described the first reported natural occurrence of acetylcholine (ACh) in an animal's body. They identified this ACh in the spleens of horses and oxen, which we now know suggests possible involvement of ACh in the regulation of lymphocyte activity and immune function. However, the source and function of splenic ACh were left unexplored for several decades. Recent studies on the source of ACh in the blood revealed ACh synthesis catalyzed by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in CD4(+) T cells. T and B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) all express all five muscarinic ACh receptor subtypes (mAChRs) and several subtypes of nicotinic AChRs (nAChRs), including α7 nAChRs. Stimulation of these mAChRs and nAChRs by their respective agonists causes functional and biochemical changes in the cells. Using AChR knockout mice, we found that M(1)/M(5) mAChR signaling up-regulates IgG(1) and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, while α7 nAChR signaling has the opposite effect. These findings suggest that ACh synthesized by T cells acts in an autocrine/paracrine fashion at AChRs on various immune cells to modulate immune function. In addition, an endogenous allosteric and/or orthosteric α7 nAChR ligand, SLURP-1, facilitates functional development of T cells and increases ACh synthesis via up-regulation of ChAT mRNA expression. SLURP-1 is expressed in CD205(+) DCs residing in the tonsil in close proximity to T cells, macrophages and B cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that ACh released from T cells along with SLURP-1 regulates cytokine production by activating α7 nAChRs on various immune cells, thereby facilitating T cell development and/or differentiation, leading to immune modulation.
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13
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Chen Y, Chauhan SK, Lee HS, Stevenson W, Schaumburg CS, Sadrai Z, Saban DR, Kodati S, Stern ME, Dana R. Effect of desiccating environmental stress versus systemic muscarinic AChR blockade on dry eye immunopathogenesis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2013; 54:2457-64. [PMID: 23482465 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.12-11121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A majority of experimental data on dry eye disease (DED) immunopathogenesis have been derived from a murine model of DED that combines desiccating environmental stress with systemic muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) inhibition. However, to our knowledge the effects of pharmacologic mAChR blockade on the pathogenesis of experimental DED have not been evaluated systemically. The purpose of our study was to investigate the differential effects of desiccating environmental stress and mAChR inhibition on the pathogenesis of DED. METHODS DED was induced in female C57BL/6 mice by exposure to a desiccating environment in the controlled-environment chamber or to systemic scopolamine, or by performing extraorbital lacrimal gland excision. Clinical disease was assessed using corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) and the cotton thread test (CTT). Corneal CD11b(+) and conjunctival CD3(+) T-cell infiltration were evaluated by flow cytometry. T-cells from draining cervical lymph nodes (CLN) and distant inguinal lymph nodes (ILN) were analyzed for Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg responses by flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS Desiccating environmental stress and systemic mAChR blockade induced similar clinical signs of DED. However, desiccating environmental stress imparted higher conjunctival CD3(+) T-cell infiltration, and greater Th17-cell activity and Treg dysfunction than mAChR blockade, while mAChR blockade decreased tear secretion to a greater extent than desiccating environmental stress. Systemic mAChR blockade attenuated Th17 activity and enhanced Th2 and Treg responses without affecting Th1 activity. CONCLUSIONS In vivo inhibition of mAChRs variably affects CD4(+) T-cell subsets, and desiccating environmental stress and systemic mAChR blockade induce DED through different primary pathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihe Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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14
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Critical roles of acetylcholine and the muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the regulation of immune function. Life Sci 2012; 91:1027-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2012.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 03/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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15
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Kawashima K, Fujii T, Moriwaki Y, Misawa H, Horiguchi K. Reconciling neuronally and nonneuronally derived acetylcholine in the regulation of immune function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2012; 1261:7-17. [PMID: 22823388 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06516.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells, including lymphocytes, express muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively), and agonist stimulation of these AChRs causes functional and biochemical changes in the cells. The origin of the ACh that acts on immune cell AChRs has remained unclear until recently, however. In 1995, we identified choline acetyltransferase mRNA and protein in human T cells, and found that immunological T cell activation potentiated lymphocytic cholinergic transmission by increasing ACh synthesis and AChR expression. We also found that M(1) /M(5) mAChR signaling upregulates IgG(1) and proinflammatory cytokine production, whereas α7 nAChR signaling has the opposite effect. These findings suggest that ACh synthesized by T cells acts as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor via AChRs on immune cells to modulate immune function. In addition, a recently discovered endogenous allosteric α7 nAChR ligand, SLURP-1, also appears to be involved in modulating normal T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan.
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16
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Mediatophore regulates acetylcholine release from T cells. J Neuroimmunol 2012; 244:16-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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da Silva CB, Wolkmer P, Da Silva AS, Paim FC, Tonin AA, Castro VSP, V. Felin D, Schmatz R, Gonçalves JF, Badke MRT, Morsch VM, Mazzanti CM, Lopes STA. Cholinesterases as markers of the inflammatory process in rats infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae. J Med Microbiol 2012; 61:278-284. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.035501-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cássia B. da Silva
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Wolkmer
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Aleksandro S. Da Silva
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, UFSM, Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Prédio 20, Sala 4220, 97105900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Francine C. Paim
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Alexandre A. Tonin
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, UFSM, Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Prédio 20, Sala 4220, 97105900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Verônica S. P. Castro
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Diandra V. Felin
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Roberta Schmatz
- Department of Chemistry, UFSM, Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Prédio 18, 97105900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Jamile F. Gonçalves
- Department of Chemistry, UFSM, Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Prédio 18, 97105900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Manoel R. T. Badke
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, UFSM, Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Prédio 20, Sala 4220, 97105900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Vera M. Morsch
- Department of Chemistry, UFSM, Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Prédio 18, 97105900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Cinthia M. Mazzanti
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Sonia T. A. Lopes
- Department of Small Animals, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Avenida Roraima 1000, Campus Universitário, Hospital Veterinário, Sala 103, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
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18
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Verbout NG, Jacoby DB. Muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists: effects on inflammation and immunity. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2012:403-27. [PMID: 22222708 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-23274-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we will review what is known about muscarinic regulation of immune cells and the contribution of immune cell muscarinic receptors to inflammatory disease and immunity. In particular, immune cell expression of cholinergic machinery, muscarinic receptor subtypes and functional consequences of agonist stimulation will be reviewed. Lastly, this chapter will discuss the potential therapeutic effects of selective antagonists on immune cell function and inflammatory disease in recent animal studies and human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah G Verbout
- School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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19
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Lung and blood lymphocytes NTPDase and acetylcholinesterase activity in cigarette smoke-exposed rats treated with curcumin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bionut.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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20
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Fujii T, Takada-Takatori Y, Kawashima K. Basic and clinical aspects of non-neuronal acetylcholine: expression of an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system in lymphocytes and its clinical significance in immunotherapy. J Pharmacol Sci 2008; 106:186-92. [PMID: 18285654 DOI: 10.1254/jphs.fm0070109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphocytes possess all the components required to constitute an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system. These include acetylcholine (ACh); choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), its synthesizing enzyme; and both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively). ACh modifies T and B cell function via both mAChR- and nAChR-mediated pathways. Stimulation of lymphocytes with the T cell activator phytohemagglutinin, protein kinase C activator phorbol ester, or cell surface molecules enhances the synthesis and release of ACh and up-regulates ChAT and/or M(5) mAChR gene expression. Furthermore, animal models of immune disorders exhibit abnormal lymphocytic cholinergic activity. The cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin attenuates the lymphocytic cholinergic activity of T cells by inhibiting LFA-1 signaling in a manner independent of its cholesterol-lowering activity. This suggests that simvastatin exerts its immunosuppressive effects in part by modifying lymphocytic cholinergic activity. Nicotine, an active ingredient of tobacco, ameliorates ulcerative colitis but exacerbates Crohn's disease. Expression of mRNAs encoding the nAChR alpha7 and alpha5 subunits are significantly diminished in peripheral mononuclear leukocytes from smokers, as compared with those from nonsmokers. In addition, long-term exposure of lymphocytes to nicotine reduces intracellular Ca(2+) signaling via alpha7 nAChR-mediated pathways. In fact, studies of humoral antibody production in M(1)/M(5) mAChR-deficient and alpha7 nAChR-deficient animals revealed the role of lymphocytic cholinergic activity in the regulation of immune function. These results provide clues to understanding the mechanisms underlying immune system regulation and could serve as the basis for the development of new immunomodulatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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21
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Fujii YX, Tashiro A, Arimoto K, Fujigaya H, Moriwaki Y, Misawa H, Fujii T, Matsui M, Kasahara T, Kawashima K. Diminished antigen-specific IgG1 and interleukin-6 production and acetylcholinesterase expression in combined M1 and M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor knockout mice. J Neuroimmunol 2007; 188:80-5. [PMID: 17586055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2007.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2007] [Revised: 05/22/2007] [Accepted: 05/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunological activation of T cells enhances synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) and transcription of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), M5 muscarinic ACh receptor (mAChR) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Stimulation of mAChRs on T and B cells causes oscillating Ca(2+)-signaling and up-regulation of c-fos expression; moreover, M1 mAChRs play a crucial role in the differentiation of CD8(+) T cells into cytolytic T lymphocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that immune cell function is regulated by its own cholinergic system. Bearing that in mind, we tested whether immune function can be regulated via mAChR-mediated pathways by immunizing combined M1 and M5 mAChR knockout (M1/M5 KO) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6JJcl mice with ovalbumin (OVA) and measuring serum IgG1 and IgM 1 wk later. We found that serum levels of total and anti-OVA-specific IgG1 were significantly lower in M1/M5 KO than WT mice, though there was no difference in serum levels of total and anti-OVA-specific IgM between the two genotypes. Secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 from activated spleen cells was significantly reduced in M1/M5 KO mice, whereas there was no significant change in gamma interferon secretion. Expression of AChE mRNA was significantly reduced in activated spleen cells from M1/M5 KO mice. These results suggest that M1 and/or M5 mAChRs are involved in regulating cytokine (e.g., IL-6) production, leading to modulation of antibody class switching from IgM to IgG1, but are not involved in the initial generation of the antibody response. They also support the notion that a non-neuronal cholinergic system is involved in regulating immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihito X Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Moriwaki Y, Yoshikawa K, Fukuda H, Fujii YX, Misawa H, Kawashima K. Immune system expression of SLURP-1 and SLURP-2, two endogenous nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands. Life Sci 2007; 80:2365-8. [PMID: 17286989 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2006.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2006] [Revised: 11/30/2006] [Accepted: 12/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A novel transduction pathway via which apoptosis of keratinocytes is regulated through nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (nAChRs) has emerged in studies of secreted mammalian Ly6/urokinase plasminogen-type activator receptor-related protein-1 and-2 (SLURP-1 and SLURP-2, respectively). SLURP-1 reportedly binds to alpha7 nAChRs and enhances the amplitude of macroscopic currents induced by ACh, leading to facilitation of apoptosis, whereas SLURP-2 binds to alpha3 nAChRs and prevents apoptosis. These observations prompted us to test whether SLURPs are expressed in immune cells and are involved in the regulation of immune function. We initially used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis to characterize the expression profiles of SLURP mRNAs in several murine tissues and organs. Although SLURP-1 mRNA was not expressed in the pancreas, all other tissues and organs tested, including spleen and thymus, expressed both SLURP-1 and SLURP-2 mRNAs. Expression of both mRNAs also was detected in T and B cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Moreover, as in keratinocytes, stimulation of MOLT-3 human leukemic T cells with recombinant human SLURP-1 evoked intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. These results suggest that both SLURP-1 and SLURP-2 are expressed in various immune cells and organs, and that not only ACh but also SLURPs may be involved in regulating lymphocyte function via nAChR-mediated pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Moriwaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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23
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Kawashima K, Yoshikawa K, Fujii YX, Moriwaki Y, Misawa H. Expression and function of genes encoding cholinergic components in murine immune cells. Life Sci 2007; 80:2314-9. [PMID: 17383684 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2006] [Revised: 02/20/2007] [Accepted: 02/28/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
It is now evident that acetylcholine (ACh) synthesized by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and released from T cells during antigen presentation binds to muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively) on T and B cells or dendritic cells, leading to modulation of their function. In the present study, we used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to investigate whether mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs), bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages from C57BL/6J mice express components of the cholinergic system. Expression of ChAT mRNA was detected in MNLs activated with ConA and DCs stimulated with LPS, but not in resting MNLs and DCs or in resting and stimulated macrophages. MNLs, DCs and macrophages all expressed mRNAs encoding the five mAChR subtypes (M(1)-M(5)) and the nAChR alpha2, alpha5, alpha6, alpha7, alpha10 and beta2 subunits. Expression of VIP mRNA was detected in MNLs and macrophages, but not in DCs. MNLs, DCs and macrophages all expressed VIP receptor-1 (VPAC1) and -2 (VPAC2) mRNAs, as well as mRNAs encoding secreted mammalian Ly-6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-related protein (SLURP)-1 and SLURP-2, two endogenous nAChR ligands. These results suggest that the lymphocytic cholinergic system is activated by ACh via mAChR- and nAChR-mediated pathways during antigen presentation between T cells and DCs or macrophages, leading to modulation of immune cell function. Moreover, VIP released from both postganglionic cholinergic neurons and immune cells may play a role in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex, acting via VPAC1 and VPAC2 on immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
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Fujii T, Masuyama K, Kawashima K. Simvastatin regulates non-neuronal cholinergic activity in T lymphocytes via CD11a-mediated pathways. J Neuroimmunol 2006; 179:101-7. [PMID: 16828882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2006] [Revised: 05/29/2006] [Accepted: 05/31/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) is an important mediator of leukocyte migration and T cell activation. We previously showed that antithymocyte globulin stimulates an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system in T cells via LFA-1-mediated pathways, as evidenced by increases in acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expression. The cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin inhibits LFA-1 signaling by binding to an allosteric site on CD11a (LFA-1 alpha chain), which leads to immunomodulation. In the present study, we investigated whether simvastatin modulates lymphocytic cholinergic activity in T cells. We found that anti-CD11a monoclonal antibody (mAb) increased ChAT activity, ACh synthesis and release, and expression of ChAT and M5 muscarinic ACh receptor mRNA in MOLT-3 cells, a human leukemic T cell line. Simvastatin abolished these anti-CD11a mAb-induced increases in lymphocytic cholinergic activity in a manner independent of its cholesterol-lowering activity. These results indicate that LFA-1 contributes to the regulation of lymphocytic cholinergic activity via CD11a-mediated pathways, and suggest that simvastatin exerts its immunosuppressive effects in part via modification of lymphocytic cholinergic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Tokyo, Japan
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25
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Kawashima K. [Expression of non-neuronal acetylcholine and its biological roles in mammalian species]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2006; 127:368-74. [PMID: 16819242 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.127.368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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26
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Gosens R, Zaagsma J, Meurs H, Halayko AJ. Muscarinic receptor signaling in the pathophysiology of asthma and COPD. Respir Res 2006; 7:73. [PMID: 16684353 PMCID: PMC1479816 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-7-73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2006] [Accepted: 05/09/2006] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticholinergics are widely used for the treatment of COPD, and to a lesser extent for asthma. Primarily used as bronchodilators, they reverse the action of vagally derived acetylcholine on airway smooth muscle contraction. Recent novel studies suggest that the effects of anticholinergics likely extend far beyond inducing bronchodilation, as the novel anticholinergic drug tiotropium bromide can effectively inhibit accelerated decline of lung function in COPD patients. Vagal tone is increased in airway inflammation associated with asthma and COPD; this results from exaggerated acetylcholine release and enhanced expression of downstream signaling components in airway smooth muscle. Vagally derived acetylcholine also regulates mucus production in the airways. A number of recent research papers also indicate that acetylcholine, acting through muscarinic receptors, may in part regulate pathological changes associated with airway remodeling. Muscarinic receptor signalling regulates airway smooth muscle thickening and differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, acetylcholine and its synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyl transferase (ChAT), are ubiquitously expressed throughout the airways. Most notably epithelial cells and inflammatory cells generate acetylcholine, and express functional muscarinic receptors. Interestingly, recent work indicates the expression and function of muscarinic receptors on neutrophils is increased in COPD. Considering the potential broad role for endogenous acetylcholine in airway biology, this review summarizes established and novel aspects of muscarinic receptor signaling in relation to the pathophysiology and treatment of asthma and COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Departments of Physiology & Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Biology of Breathing Group, Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Johan Zaagsma
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Herman Meurs
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew J Halayko
- Departments of Physiology & Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Biology of Breathing Group, Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Racké K, Juergens UR, Matthiesen S. Control by cholinergic mechanisms. Eur J Pharmacol 2006; 533:57-68. [PMID: 16458288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.12.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2005] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In the respiratory tract acetylcholine is neurotransmitter in ganglia and postganglionic parasympathetic nerves, but in addition is paracrine mediator released from various non-neuronal cells. Almost every cell type present in the respiratory tract expresses nicotinic and muscarinic receptors and therefore appears to be a target for acetylcholine. The present review describes the mechanisms of synthesis and release of acetylcholine from neuronal and non-neuronal cells and the differential control mechanisms. The different cholinoceptors, multiple nicotinic and muscarinic receptors and their signalling are outlined and their involvement in the modulation of the function of various target cells, smooth muscles, nerves, surface epithelial, secretory cells, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells is discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Racké
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Reuterstrasse 2b, D-53113 Bonn, Germany.
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28
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Zimring JC, Kapp LM, Yamada M, Wess J, Kapp JA. Regulation of CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocyte differentiation by a cholinergic pathway. J Neuroimmunol 2005; 164:66-75. [PMID: 15913791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2005] [Accepted: 03/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this report, we provide evidence that muscarinic receptors play a role in the generation of CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocytes. Analysis of mice with targeted deletions of each of the known muscarinic receptors (M1-M5) showed that CD8+ T cells from M1 receptor-deficient mice had a defect in the ability to differentiate into cytolytic T lymphocytes. Additional pharmacological experiments support the role of muscarinic receptors in wild type mice and suggest that acetylcholine may be involved. Together, these findings suggest that the M1 muscarinic receptor is involved in CTL development, thus providing novel insights into CD8+ T cell biology and the potential role of cholinergic signaling in immune regulation.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern/methods
- CD3 Complex/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/physiology
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/physiology
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cell Survival/physiology
- Cells, Cultured
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Flow Cytometry/methods
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscarinic Antagonists/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Muscarinic M1/deficiency
- Receptor, Muscarinic M1/physiology
- Receptors, Muscarinic/classification
- Receptors, Muscarinic/genetics
- Receptors, Muscarinic/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
- Time Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Zimring
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Woodruff Memorial Research Building, Room 7301, 101 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Williams RD, Boros LG, Kolanko CJ, Jackman SM, Eggers TR. Chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed to the anticholinesterase pesticide isofenphos with mechanisms of leukemogenesis. Leuk Res 2004; 28:947-58. [PMID: 15234572 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2003.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2003] [Accepted: 12/15/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Human lymphocytes were exposed to the leukemogenic pesticide isofenphos (IFP) to investigate its effects on chromosomal DNA and cholinergic homeostasis using cholinesterase activity as a marker. Isolated peripheral lymphocytes were administered concentrations of IFP ranging from 0.1 ng/ml to 10 microg/ml. The absence (Group 1) and presence (Group 2) of DNA repair inhibitors 4 mM hydroxyurea (HU), 40 microM cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) and an NADPH regenerating system (NRS) (Group 3) were analyzed at 1, 6 and 24 h by single cell gel electrophoresis using the comet assay. Significant damage to DNA directly from IFP at 1 h by remarkably low concentrations was observed in Group 1, escalating in Group 2 with DNA repair inhibition, while Group 3 disruptions were highest due to the presence of the NRS P-450 microsomal fraction conducive to producing reactive IFP-oxon and N-desalkyl metabolites. The extent of DNA aberrations increased further in parallel within the groups at 6 and 24 h. Male and female chemical sensitivities were similar on average (P < 0.01). Cholinesterase activity measured in a satellite group was inhibited with 0.1 microg/ml IFP by 69, 62, and 48% at 1, 6, and 24 h, respectively, indicating gradual induction of compensatory synthesis. Restoration of cholinergic homeostasis may be exceptionally impaired at higher IFP concentrations from acetyl-CoA depletion [Leuk. Res. 25 (2001) 883]. In summary, these studies reveal that exposure to the organophosphate pesticide isofenphos induces human DNA mutation beyond endogenous repair capacity and disrupts cholinergic nuclear signaling affectively constructing the mutator phenotype of leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Williams
- CFE Toxicology, LLC, P.O. Box 275, Lewis Center, OH 43035-0275, USA.
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30
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Horiuchi Y, Fujii T, Kamimura Y, Kawashima K. The endogenous, immunologically active peptide apelin inhibits lymphocytic cholinergic activity during immunological responses. J Neuroimmunol 2004; 144:46-52. [PMID: 14597097 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2003.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of apelin, an immunologically active peptide ligand for orphan receptor APJ, on acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis in MOLT-3 human leukemic T cells. We initially confirmed expression of APJ mRNA in several human T- and B-cell lines by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also found that in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated MOLT-3 cells, an active apelin fragment, apelin-13, down-regulates expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA and significantly reduces ChAT activity and cellular ACh content and release. It thus appears that apelin inhibits lymphocytic cholinergic activity via APJ during immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Horiuchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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31
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Fujii T. [An independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system in lymphocytes and its roles in regulation of immune function]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2004; 123:179-88. [PMID: 14993730 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.123.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is classically thought of as a neurotransmitter in mammalian species. However, lymphocytes express most of the cholinergic components found in the nervous system, including ACh, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high-affinity choline transporter, and acetylcholinesterase as well as both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively). Activation of T cells via the T cell receptor/CD3 complex, contact of T cells with antigen presenting cells, or activation of the adenylyl cyclase pathway in T cells modulates cholinergic activity, as evidenced by up-regulation of ChAT and M(5) mAChR mRNA expression. Stimulation of mAChRs on T and B cells with ACh or another mAChR agonists elicits intracellular Ca(2+) signaling, up-regulation of c-fos expression, increased nitric oxide synthesis and interleukin-2-induced signal transduction via M(3) and M(5) mAChR-mediated pathways. Acute stimulation of nAChRs with ACh or nicotine causes rapid and transient Ca(2+) signaling in T and B cells, probably via alpha7 nAChRs subunit-mediated pathways. Chronic nicotine stimulation, by contrast, down-regulates nAChR expression and suppresses T cell activity. Abnormalities in lymphocytic cholinergic system have been seen in animal models of immune deficiency and immune acceleration. Collectively, these data provided a compelling picture in which immune function is, at least partly, under the control of an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system in lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan.
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Suenaga A, Fujii T, Ogawa H, Maruyama T, Ohuchida S, Katsube N, Obata T, Kawashima K. Up-regulation of lymphocytic cholinergic activity by ONO-4819, a selective prostaglandin EP4 receptor agonist, in MOLT-3 human leukemic T cells. Vascul Pharmacol 2004; 41:51-8. [PMID: 15196475 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2004.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2004] [Accepted: 03/12/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We used a selective EP4 receptor agonist, ONO-4819, and a human leukemic T cell line MOLT-3 cells, which express all four prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptors (EP1-EP4), to investigate whether the EP4 PGE2 receptor subtype is involved in regulating lymphocytic cholinergic activity. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T cell activator, significantly enhanced the expression of EP4 receptor mRNA during the first 3-6 h of exposure, after which, expression gradually declined. Furthermore, PHA stimulation slightly but significantly up-regulated the expression of EP2 mRNA after 12 h and of EP3 mRNA after 6 h. By contrast, expression level of EP1 receptor mRNA was not affected by PHA. ONO-4819 (1 microM), which was added to cultures after 3 h of PHA stimulation, significantly increased cellular ACh content and release, and up-regulated ChAT mRNA expression and activity but inhibited MOLT-3 cell proliferation. These findings suggest that the activation of T lymphocytes up-regulates EP4 receptor mRNA expression and, to a lesser extent, EP2 and EP3 receptors and that PGE2 enhances nonneuronal lymphocytic cholinergic transmission in activated T cells, at least in part, via EP4 receptor-mediated pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Suenaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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33
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Kawashima K, Fujii T. The lymphocytic cholinergic system and its contribution to the regulation of immune activity. Life Sci 2003; 74:675-96. [PMID: 14654162 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lymphocytes express most of the cholinergic components found in the nervous system, including acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high affinity choline transporter, muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively), and acetylcholinesterase. Stimulation of T and B cells with ACh or another mAChR agonist elicits intracellular Ca2+ signaling, up-regulation of c-fos expression, increased nitric oxide synthesis and IL-2-induced signal transduction, probably via M3 and M5 mAChR-mediated pathways. Acute stimulation of nAChRs with ACh or nicotine causes rapid and transient Ca2+ signaling in T and B cells, probably via alpha7 nAChR subunit-mediated pathways. Chronic nicotine stimulation, by contrast, down-regulates nAChR expression and suppresses T cell activity. Activation of T cells with phytohemagglutinin or antibodies against cell surface molecules enhances lymphocytic cholinergic transmission by activating expression of ChAT and M5 mAChR, which is suggestive of local cholinergic regulation of immune system activity. This idea is supported by the facts that lymphocytic cholinergic activity reflects well the changes in immune system function seen in animal models of immune deficiency and immune acceleration. Collectively, these data provide a compelling picture in which lymphocytes constitute a cholinergic system that is independent of cholinergic nerves, and which is involved in the regulation of immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
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34
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Budd DC, McDonald J, Emsley N, Cain K, Tobin AB. The C-terminal tail of the M3-muscarinic receptor possesses anti-apoptotic properties. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:19565-73. [PMID: 12649280 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m211670200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanisms by which the muscarinic receptor gene family can protect against apoptosis. Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with human muscarinic receptor subtypes underwent apoptotic cell death following treatment with the DNA-damaging agent etoposide. Apoptosis was significantly reduced following muscarinic receptor stimulation of cells that were transfected with receptor subtypes that couple to the Gq/11/phospholipase C pathway, namely M1, M3, and M5. No protection was detected in cells transfected with the Gi-coupled M2 and M4 receptors. Further analysis of the Gq/11-coupled M3 receptor revealed that truncation of the carboxyl-tail (Delta 565-M3 mutant) removed the ability of the receptor to protect against etoposide-induced cell death. This mutation did not affect the ability of the receptor to signal through the phospholipase C pathway. Furthermore, activation of the Delta 565-M3 receptor resulted in robust activation of the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun kinase (JNK). The Delta 565-M3 receptor mutant also underwent agonist-driven phosphorylation in a similar manner to the wild-type receptor indicating that the anti-apoptotic effect of the M3 receptor is independent of receptor phosphorylation. Consistent with this was the fact that two M3-muscarinic receptor mutants deficient in agonist-induced receptor phosphorylation were capable of producing a full anti-apoptotic response. We conclude that the anti-apoptotic response of the muscarinic receptor family was confined to the Gq/11-coupled members of this family. The direct involvement of Gq/11/phospholipase C signaling and the ERK-1/2 and JNK pathways together with receptor phosphorylation in the anti-apoptotic response were eliminated. Mutation of a poly-basic region within the short C-terminal tail of the M3-muscarinic receptor inhibited the ability of the receptor to induce an anti-apoptotic response. We conclude that the conserved poly-basic region in the C-terminal tail of the M1, M3, and M5 receptors contributes to the ability of these receptors to mediate protection against apoptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Budd
- Department of Cell Physiology & Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Building, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom.
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35
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Fujii T, Watanabe Y, Inoue T, Kawashima K. Upregulation of mRNA encoding the M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in human T- and B-lymphocytes during immunological responses. Neurochem Res 2003; 28:423-9. [PMID: 12675126 DOI: 10.1023/a:1022840416292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Lymphocytes possess an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system. Moreover, both T- and B-lymphocytes express multiple muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR). To obtain a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing mAChR gene expression in the lymphocytic cholinergic system, we examined the effects of lymphocyte activation on expression of mAChR mRNA. Stimulation of T- and B-lymphocytes, respectively, with T-cell activator phytohemagglutinin and B-cell activator Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I upregulated M5 mAChR mRNA expression in the CEM human leukemic T-cell line and in the Daudi B-cell line, which served as models of lymphocytes. In striking contrast, M3 and M4 mAChR mRNA expression was not affected in either cell line. Nonetheless, stimulating lymphocytes with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a protein kinase C activator, plus ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, upregulated expression of both M3 and M5 mAChR mRNA. This represents the first demonstration that immunological stimulation leads to M5 mAChR gene expression in lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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36
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Kimura R, Ushiyama N, Fujii T, Kawashima K. Nicotine-induced Ca2+ signaling and down-regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit expression in the CEM human leukemic T-cell line. Life Sci 2003; 72:2155-8. [PMID: 12628473 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00077-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that T- and B-lymphocytes express both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChR and nAChR, respectively), and that stimulation of M(3) mAChRs on lymphocytes increases the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and up-regulates c-fos gene expression. Little is known about the effects of nicotinic stimulation on lymphocyte function, however. We therefore investigated the acute effect of nicotine on [Ca(2+)](i) in CEM cells, a model of T-lymphocytes, using confocal laser scanning microscopy with fluo-3, a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator. In addition, we examined the long-term effect of nicotine on the expression of selected nAChR subunits using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In the presence of extracellular Ca(2+), nicotine (30 microM) evoked rapid, transient increases in [Ca(2+)](i). This effect was concentration-dependently inhibited by the alpha7 nAChR subunit antagonists, alpha-bungarotoxin (0.01-10 microM) and methyllycaconitine (0.01-10 mM), suggesting that the alpha7 nAChR subunit mediates Ca(2+) signaling in T-lymphocytes. Nicotine (0.01-10 microM) also concentration-dependently down-regulated expression of mRNAs for all the nAChR subunits tested: expression of the alpha6 and alpha7 subunits was down-regulated within 1 week, while expression of the alpha3 and alpha5 subunits declined gradually throughout the 8-week experimental period. These findings indicate that nicotine--and therefore likely smoking--affects immune function by suppressing expression of the neuronal nAChR subtype involved in Ca(2+) signaling in lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reika Kimura
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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Kamimura Y, Fujii T, Kojima H, Nagano T, Kawashima K. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase mRNA expression and NO production via muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated pathways in the CEM, human leukemic T-cell line. Life Sci 2003; 72:2151-4. [PMID: 12628472 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00076-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by neuronal, endothelial and inducible isoforms of NO synthase (nNOS, eNOS and iNOS, respectively) and is involved in the regulation of a variety of physiological functions, including immune activity. In vascular endothelial cells, stimulation of M(3) subtype of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) triggers NO synthesis by eNOS. Human lymphocytes express several mAChR subtypes and their stimulation increases the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration and up-regulates c-fos gene expression. While the above findings suggest involvement of the lymphocytic cholinergic system in the regulation of immune function, little is known on NOS expression and NO synthesis in T-lymphocytes. In the present study, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we found that CEM cells express mRNAs encoding iNOS and nNOS, but not for eNOS. In addition, using quantitative fluorescence microscopy and a novel NO-sensitive fluorescent indicator, DAF-2, we found that oxotremorine-M (Oxo-M) (100 microM), a non-selective mAChR agonist, enhances NO production in the cells. This effect of Oxo-M was antagonized by pirenzepine (10 microM), an antagonist acting preferentially at M(1) mAChR and by atropine (10 microM). Also 4-DAMP (10 microM), an antagonist acting preferentially at M(3) mAChR, reduced significantly the effect of Oxo-M, while AFDX-116 (10 microM), an antagonist acting preferentially at M(2) mAChR, was ineffective. These findings suggest that T-lymphocytes express functional mAChRs linked to NO synthesis by nNOS and/or iNOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Kamimura
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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Abstract
Lymphocytes are now known to possess the essential components for a non-neuronal cholinergic system. These include acetylcholine (ACh); choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), its synthesizing enzyme; and both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively). Stimulating lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin, a T-cell activator; Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I, a B-cell activator; or cell surface molecules enhances the synthesis and release of ACh and up-regulates expression of ChAT and M(5) mAChR mRNAs. Activation of mAChRs and nAChRs on lymphocytes elicits increases in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and stimulates c-fos gene expression and nitric oxide synthesis. On the other hand, long-term exposure to nicotine down-regulates expression of nAChR mRNA. Abnormalities in the lymphocytic cholinergic system have been detected in spontaneously hypertensive rats and MRL-lpr mice, two animal models of immune disorders. Taken together, these data present a compelling picture in which immune function is, at least in part, under the control of an independent non-neuronal lymphocytic cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
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Fujii T, Okuda T, Haga T, Kawashima K. Detection of the high-affinity choline transporter in the MOLT-3 human leukemic T-cell line. Life Sci 2003; 72:2131-4. [PMID: 12628469 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that lymphocytes possess the necessary components to constitute an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system; these include acetylcholine (ACh) itself, choline acetyltransferase (the ACh-synthesizing enzyme), and both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (AChRs). In addition, we showed that stimulation of AChRs with their respective agonists elicits a variety of biochemical and functional effects, suggesting that lymphocytic cholinergic system is involved in the regulation of immune function. In nerve terminals, choline taken up via the high-affinity choline transporter (CHT1) is exclusively utilized for ACh synthesis. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the expression of CHT1 in T-lymphocytes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that MOLT-3 cells, a human leukemic T-cell line used as a T-lymphocyte model, expressed CHT1 mRNA, but that the CEM and Jurkat T-cell lines did not. Consistent with that finding, specific binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), an inhibitor of CHT1, and HC-3-sensitive [3H]choline uptake were also detected in MOLT-3 cells. These results suggest that CHT1 plays a role in mediating choline uptake in T-lymphocytes and provides further evidence for the presence of an independent lymphocytic cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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Fujii T, Ushiyama N, Hosonuma K, Suenaga A, Kawashima K. Effects of human antithymocyte globulin on acetylcholine synthesis, its release and choline acetyltransferase transcription in a human leukemic T-cell line. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 128:1-8. [PMID: 12098504 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Lymphocytes possess an independent, nonneuronal cholinergic system. In the present study, we investigated the short- and long-term effects of antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-Fresenius (ATG-F), a human antithymocyte globulin that binds to CD2, CD7 and CD11a, on acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis and transcription of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in CCRF-CEM cells, a human leukemic T-cell line. In the short-term (6 h), ATG-F enhanced ACh release, likely through transient increases in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) mediated by CD7, which led to declines in intracellular ACh content. By 48 h, however, the ACh content had increased as compared to control due to up-regulation of ChAT expression mediated by CD11a.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/biosynthesis
- Acetylcholine/metabolism
- Antigens, CD7/immunology
- Antigens, CD7/metabolism
- Antigens, Surface/drug effects
- Antigens, Surface/immunology
- Antigens, Surface/metabolism
- Antilymphocyte Serum/immunology
- Antilymphocyte Serum/pharmacology
- CD11 Antigens/immunology
- CD11 Antigens/metabolism
- Calcium/metabolism
- Calcium Signaling/drug effects
- Calcium Signaling/immunology
- Cell Division/drug effects
- Cell Division/immunology
- Choline O-Acetyltransferase/genetics
- Choline O-Acetyltransferase/metabolism
- Humans
- Intracellular Fluid/drug effects
- Intracellular Fluid/immunology
- Intracellular Fluid/metabolism
- Leukemia
- RNA, Messenger/drug effects
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Transcription, Genetic/immunology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- Up-Regulation/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
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41
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Fujii T, Kawashima K. An independent non-neuronal cholinergic system in lymphocytes. JAPANESE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY 2001; 85:11-5. [PMID: 11243565 DOI: 10.1254/jjp.85.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a well characterized neurotransmitter occurring throughout the animal kingdom. In addition, both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors have been identified on lymphocytes of various origin, and their stimulation by muscarinic or nicotinic agonists elicits a variety of functional and biochemical effects. It was thus initially postulated that the parasympathetic nervous system may play a role in modulating immune system function. However, ACh in the blood has now been localized to lymphocytes; indeed expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), an ACh synthesizing enzyme, has been shown in human blood mononuclear leukocytes, human leukemic T-cell lines and rat lymphocytes. Stimulation of T-lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin activates the lymphoid cholinergic system, as evidenced by increased synthesis and release of ACh and increased expression of mRNAs encoding ChAT and ACh receptors. The observation that M3 muscarinic receptor stimulation by ACh and other agonists increases the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and upregulates c-fos gene expression strongly argues that ACh, synthesized and released from T-lymphocytes, acts as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor regulating immune function. These findings present a compelling picture in which immune function is, at least in part, under the control of an independent lymphoid cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
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Fujii T, Kawashima K. Calcium signaling and c-Fos gene expression via M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in human T- and B-cells. JAPANESE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY 2000; 84:124-32. [PMID: 11128034 DOI: 10.1254/jjp.84.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that blood acetylcholine (ACh) originates mainly from T-lymphocytes, and that stimulation of muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) induces Ca2+ oscillations and up-regulates c-fos gene expression in both T- and B-lymphocytes. In the present study, we investigated which mAChR subtypes are involved in Ca2+ signaling and c-fos gene expression in human T- (CEM) and B- (Daudi) cells. Stimulation of mAChRs with 100 microM oxotremorine-M, an M1/M3 agonist, increased levels of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and c-fos mRNA expression in both cell lines. 4-DAMP, an M3 antagonist, more effectively blocked the oxotremorine-M-induced increase in [Ca2+]i than pirenzepine and telenzepine, M1-receptor antagonists; AF-DX 116, an M2 antagonist; hexahydrosiladifenidol, a weak M3 antagonist; or hexamethonium and d-tubocurarine, nicotinic receptor antagonists. McN-A-343 (100 microM), a partial M1-receptor agonist, had no apparent effect on [Ca2+]i in either cell line. The oxotremorine-M-induced up-regulation of c-fos transcription was inhibited by 4-DAMP, but not by pirenzepine or AF-DX 116. Our findings thus suggest that ACh released from T-lymphocytes acts as an autocrine/paracrine factor, transmitting a Ca2+-dependent signal to the nuclei of T- and B-lymphocytes via M3 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
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Fujii T, Kawashima K. YM905, a novel M3 antagonist, inhibits Ca2+ signaling and c-fos gene expression mediated via muscarinic receptors in human T cells. GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY 2000; 35:71-5. [PMID: 11707312 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-3623(01)00093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Our earlier observations suggest that M3 muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChRs) are involved in Ca2+ signaling and regulation of c-fos gene expression in T lymphocytes. Here, we describe the effects of YM905, a novel M3 antagonist, on evoked Ca2+ signaling and c-fos gene expression in CEM human leukemic T cells. YM905 significantly inhibited increases in intracellular free Ca2+ evoked by 10 microM oxotremorine-M, an M1/M3 agonist (IC50=100 nM), and also inhibited 10 microM oxotremorine-M-induced upregulation of c-fos gene expression at 1 microM. These findings demonstrate that YM905 antagonizes the intracellular responses in T cells induced via mAChRs, possibly M3 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fujii
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, 105-8512, Tokyo, Japan
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