GABA (A) receptor subunits RNA expression in mice peritoneal macrophages modulate their IL-6/IL-12 production

The expression and functionality of the gamma aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA(A)R) in mice macrophages was explored. Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction showed that macrophages express the GABA(A)R RNA for the alpha1, alpha2, beta3 and delta subunits, but not for the alpha5, beta1, beta2 and gamma3 subunits. The expression of alpha1 subunit was also revealed by confocal microscopy. LPS-stimulated macrophages significantly reduced their in vitro production of IL-6 and IL-12 after GABA adding to the culture medium. These results showed that BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages express a functional subset of GABA(A)R subunits.