Induction of choline acetyltransferase mRNA in human mononuclear leukocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin, a T-cell activator.
The induction of mRNA for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which catalyzes acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis was investigated in human mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T-cell activator, using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Stimulation of MNL by PHA induced the expression of ChAT mRNA, and potentiated ACh synthesis. ChAT mRNA induction required more time than the induction of interleukin-2 mRNA. Expression of the gene encoding the vesicular ACh transporter, which mediates ACh transport in cholinergic neurons, was not observed in PHA-stimulated MNL, suggesting that the mechanisms controlling ACh release from T-lymphocytes differ from those in cholinergic neurons. These findings demonstrate that activation of T-lymphocytes up-regulates ACh synthesis in the blood, and suggest that ACh plays an important role as a neuroimmunomodulator besides its role as a neurotransmitter.
Fujii
Takeshi
T
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
Yamada
Shin
S
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
Watanabe
Yoshihiro
Y
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
Misawa
Hidemi
H
Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, 2-6 Musashidai, Fuchu-city, Tokyo 183, Japan.
Tajima
Sonoko
S
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
Fujimoto
Kazuko
K
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
Kasahara
Tadashi
T
Department of Biochemistry, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
Kawashima
Koichiro
K
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan.
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase