Relationship between alpha 7 nAChR and apoptosis in human lymphocytes.
The presence of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in blood cells has been demonstrated. However, little is known about their functional roles. We have detected mRNA of alpha7 nAChR in peripheral human lymphocytes and determined that its expression is highly variable among individuals and within the same individual at different times. Upregulation of alpha7 is systematically observed after incubation of lymphocytes with nicotine or alpha-bungarotoxin. In addition, the incubation with these drugs decreases the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by the exposure to cortisol. Our results suggest that alpha7 nAChRs are involved in the modulation of cortisol-induced apoptosis.
De Rosa
María José
MJ
Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, UNS-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
Esandi
María Del Carmen
Mdel C
Garelli
Andrés
A
Rayes
Diego
D
Bouzat
Cecilia
C
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
D002038:Bungarotoxins; C579167:Chrna7 protein, human; C579165:Chrna7 protein, rat; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; D009538:Nicotine; C022616:thiazolyl blue; D006854:Hydrocortisone