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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action01:18

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists work by interacting with an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the synaptic cleft. They can be reversible or irreversible inhibitors and have different effects on the enzyme.
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex, leading to...
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...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:22

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...

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Generation of Bone Marrow Derived Murine Dendritic Cells for Use in 2-photon Imaging
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Published on: July 9, 2008

Cholinergic modulation of dendritic cell function.

Gabriela Salamone1, Gabriela Lombardi, Soledad Gori

  • 1Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas and Instituto de Estudios Oncológicos Fundación Maissa, Academia Nacional de Medicina, Argentina. salamone.gabriela@gmail.com

Journal of Neuroimmunology
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Summary

Acetylcholine (ACh) modulates dendritic cell (DC) function by influencing their maturation and T cell priming. This study reveals an autocrine/paracrine loop where ACh impacts DC immune responses.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial antigen-presenting cells that activate T lymphocytes.
  • Acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter, also acts as a paracrine factor.
  • The role of the cholinergic system in DC function is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of the cholinergic system in DCs.
  • To determine how acetylcholine (ACh) modulates DC maturation and T cell priming.
  • To elucidate the autocrine/paracrine signaling pathways involving ACh in DCs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cholinergic system components (receptors, enzymes) in DCs.
  • Assessment of DC maturation markers (HLA-DR, CD86) and cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12, IL-10) after stimulation with cholinergic agents (carbachol, ACh) or inhibitors (neostigmine).
  • Evaluation of T cell priming capacity of DCs and the impact of cholinergic modulation on LPS-induced responses, using antagonists (atropine) and cytokine inhibitors (etanercept).

Main Results:

  • DCs express muscarinic receptors (M3, M4, M5) and ACh-metabolizing enzymes (ChAT, AChE).
  • Cholinergic stimulation (carbachol, ACh) enhances DC maturation markers, T cell priming, and TNF-α production, while inhibiting LPS-induced maturation and IL-12 production.
  • TNF-α mediates carbachol-induced DC maturation, suggesting an autocrine/paracrine loop for ACh in DC function.

Conclusions:

  • Dendritic cells possess a functional cholinergic system.
  • Acetylcholine (ACh) plays a significant role in modulating DC maturation and immune responses.
  • ACh influences DC function through autocrine/paracrine signaling, impacting T cell priming and inflammatory cytokine production.