Astrocytic and microglial nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: an overlooked issue in Alzheimer's disease.
It is increasingly recognized that astrocytes and microglia-associated dysfunction contribute to AD pathology. In addition, glial nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a role in AD-related phenomena, such as neuron survival, synaptic plasticity, and memory. From mechanistic point of view, the glial regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as common contributors in AD, is modulated by nAChRs. Astrocytic and microglial nAChRs contribute to Aβ metabolism, including Aβ phagocytosis and degradation as well as Aβ-related oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. These receptors are also involved in neurotransmission and gliotransmission through indirect interaction with N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4 isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors as well as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and intracellular calcium regulation. In addition, glial nAChRs participate in trophic factors-induced neuroprotection. This review gathers the most recent advances along with the previous data on astrocytic and microglial nAChRs role in AD pathogenesis.
Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Saeed
S
Sadigh-Eteghad
Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. alimaj1992@yahoo.com.
Alireza
A
Majdi
Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Javad
J
Mahmoudi
Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Samad E J
SEJ
Golzari
Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Mahnaz
M
Talebi
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology*
D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic
Alzheimer’s disease; Astrocyte; Microglia; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors