Related Experiment Videos
Keratinocyte acetylcholine receptors regulate cell adhesion.
Vu Thuong Nguyen1, Juan Arredondo, Alexander I Chernyavsky
1Department of Dermatology, University of California, School of Medicine, Davis, 4860 Y Street, #3400 Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Life Sciences
|March 12, 2003
Summary
Human epidermal keratinocytes (KC) use acetylcholine to control cell adhesion by regulating desmoglein (Dsg) expression and phosphorylation. This study reveals a novel mechanism for cholinergic regulation of keratinocyte desmosomal adhesion.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Human epidermal keratinocytes (KC) produce non-neuronal acetylcholine, suggesting intrinsic cholinergic signaling.
- Cholinergic signaling is implicated in regulating KC functions, including cell-to-cell adhesion.
- Desmogleins (Dsg) 1 and 3 are critical components of desmosomes, mediating keratinocyte adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of cholinergic control over keratinocyte cell-to-cell adhesion.
- To determine how acetylcholine affects desmoglein expression and phosphorylation in KC.
- To elucidate the role of cholinergic receptors in regulating desmosomal adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Semi-quantitative immunofluorescence and Western blot assays were used to measure desmoglein expression.
- KC monolayers were treated with cholinergic agonists (carbachol) and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (pyridostigmine bromide).
- The effects of cholinergic antagonists (atropine) on cell adhesion and desmoglein phosphorylation were assessed in DJM-1 cells.
Main Results:
- Both carbachol and pyridostigmine bromide increased the expression of desmoglein 1 and 3 in KC.
- Atropine induced acantholysis (cell detachment) and increased Dsg 3 phosphorylation by 33%.
- The atropine-induced Dsg 3 phosphorylation was reversed by carbachol, indicating receptor-mediated effects.
Conclusions:
- Keratinocyte cholinergic receptors regulate desmosomal adhesion.
- Cholinergic signaling modulates desmoglein 1 and 3 expression levels.
- Phosphorylation status of Dsg 3 is controlled by keratinocyte cholinergic receptors, impacting cell adhesion.