The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in lymphocyte development.
The sizes of lymphocyte populations in lymphoid organs of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor knockout and chimera (knockout/wild-type) mice were studied by flow cytometry. The absence of beta2 subunit decreased, while nicotine treatment increased B lymphocyte numbers in the bone marrow. In chimera mice, either beta2 or alpha7 subunits influenced lymphocyte populations in primary lymphoid organs, while in the spleen, only alpha7 receptors were critical. More annexin V-positive B cells were found in the bone marrow of knockout than wild-type animals. We conclude that nicotinic receptors are involved in regulating lymphocyte development and control the B lymphocyte survival.
Skok
Marina
M
Department of Molecular Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, 01601 Kiev, Ukraine. skok@biochem.kiev.ua
Grailhe
Regis
R
Agenes
Fabien
F
Changeux
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D011828:Radiation Chimera / Q000502:physiology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
D015703:Antigens, CD; D009538:Nicotine; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; C579166:Chrna7 protein, mouse