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Related Concept Videos

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic01:25

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine. 
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...
Parasympathetic Signaling01:30

Parasympathetic Signaling

Parasympathetic signaling plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes. It involves the release of acetylcholine (ACh) by parasympathetic neurons, which can have localized and short-lived effects. The majority of ACh released is rapidly inactivated at the synapse by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which hydrolyzes Ach into choline and acetate. Additionally, the tissue cholinesterase deactivates any ACh diffusing into the surrounding tissues.
The effects of...
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:23

Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...

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Related Experiment Video

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Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development
07:54

Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development

Published on: April 29, 2015

Expression and function of genes encoding cholinergic components in murine immune cells.

Koichiro Kawashima1, Ken Yoshikawa, Yoshihito X Fujii

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan. kawashima-ki@kyoritsu-ph.ac.jp

Life Sciences
|March 27, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Immune cells like T cells release acetylcholine, which influences immune responses by binding to specific receptors. This study confirms the presence of cholinergic system components in various immune cells, suggesting a role in immune cell modulation.

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Published on: May 19, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Acetylcholine (ACh) is synthesized by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and released by T cells.
  • ACh modulates T and B cell and dendritic cell (DC) function by binding to muscarinic (mAChR) and nicotinic (nAChR) receptors.
  • The role of the cholinergic system within immune cells themselves requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of cholinergic system components in mouse mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs), dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages.
  • To determine if these immune cells express key enzymes, receptors, and signaling molecules involved in cholinergic neurotransmission.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect mRNA expression.
  • Analysis was performed on resting and activated MNLs, DCs, and macrophages from C57BL/6J mice.

Main Results:

  • ChAT mRNA was detected in activated MNLs and LPS-stimulated DCs, but not in resting cells or macrophages.
  • All tested cell types (MNLs, DCs, macrophages) expressed mRNAs for all five mAChR subtypes and several nAChR subunits (α2, α5, α6, α7, α10, β2).
  • Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) mRNA was found in MNLs and macrophages, alongside VIP receptors (VPAC1, VPAC2) and SLURP-1/2 mRNAs in all cell types.

Conclusions:

  • The lymphocytic cholinergic system is activated during antigen presentation via ACh acting on mAChRs and nAChRs, modulating immune cell function.
  • VIP signaling through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors on immune cells may contribute to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex.