α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit in angiogenesis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
Cigarette smoking is strongly correlated with many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration. Nicotine, the main active and addictive component of tobacco smoke has recently been shown to enhance angiogenesis in many experimental systems and animal models. The pro-angiogenic activity of nicotine is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, particularly the alpha 7 subunit, that are expressed on a variety of non-neuronal cells including those in the vasculature such as endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. The present review focuses on the role of α7nAChR in mediating the pro-angiogenic effects of nicotine and describes the molecular mechanisms involved in nicotine-induced angiogenesis as well as epithelial to mesenchymal transition. These observations on nicotine function highlight the therapeutic potential of α7nAChR agonists and antagonists for combating angiogenesis related diseases.
Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Mail Code: SRB3, Tampa, FL 33647, USA.
Smitha
S
Pillai
Srikumar
S
Chellappan
D000818:Animals; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
C579167:Chrna7 protein, human; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; D009538:Nicotine