CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Aims: Even though the presence of á7 nicotinic receptor (nAChR) in lymphocytes has been demonstrated, its functional role still remains elusive. The aim of our study was to characterize á7 nAChRs in human lymphocytes upon phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation.Even though the presence of á7 nicotinic receptor (nAChR) in lymphocytes has been demonstrated, its functional role still remains elusive. The aim of our study was to characterize á7 nAChRs in human lymphocytes upon phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation.á7 nAChRs in human lymphocytes upon phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. Main methods: Lymphocytes were activated with the mitogen PHA. á7 nAChRs were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real time PCR, flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The effects of nicotinic drugs on PHA-induced proliferation was evaluated by the [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay.Lymphocytes were activated with the mitogen PHA. á7 nAChRs were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real time PCR, flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The effects of nicotinic drugs on PHA-induced proliferation was evaluated by the [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay.flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The effects of nicotinic drugs on PHA-induced proliferation was evaluated by the [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay.3H]-thymidine incorporation assay. Key findings: Weshow that the expression of functionalá7 receptors increases afterPHA stimulation. The activation of peripheral lymphocytes by PHA increases 2.2-fold the á7 subunitmRNA expression and 4-fold the binding of the antagonist á-bungarotoxin (á-BTX) with respect to non activated lymphocytes. By measuring the increase of intracellular calciumin response to nicotinewe determine thatá7 receptors in lymphocytes are functional.Nicotinic drugs differentially modulate T cell activation. While nicotine tends to inhibit proliferative responses, specific á7 antagonists, such as á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division.findings: Weshow that the expression of functionalá7 receptors increases afterPHA stimulation. The activation of peripheral lymphocytes by PHA increases 2.2-fold the á7 subunitmRNA expression and 4-fold the binding of the antagonist á-bungarotoxin (á-BTX) with respect to non activated lymphocytes. By measuring the increase of intracellular calciumin response to nicotinewe determine thatá7 receptors in lymphocytes are functional.Nicotinic drugs differentially modulate T cell activation. While nicotine tends to inhibit proliferative responses, specific á7 antagonists, such as á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division.á7 subunitmRNA expression and 4-fold the binding of the antagonist á-bungarotoxin (á-BTX) with respect to non activated lymphocytes. By measuring the increase of intracellular calciumin response to nicotinewe determine thatá7 receptors in lymphocytes are functional.Nicotinic drugs differentially modulate T cell activation. While nicotine tends to inhibit proliferative responses, specific á7 antagonists, such as á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division.á-bungarotoxin (á-BTX) with respect to non activated lymphocytes. By measuring the increase of intracellular calciumin response to nicotinewe determine thatá7 receptors in lymphocytes are functional.Nicotinic drugs differentially modulate T cell activation. While nicotine tends to inhibit proliferative responses, specific á7 antagonists, such as á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division.á7 receptors in lymphocytes are functional.Nicotinic drugs differentially modulate T cell activation. While nicotine tends to inhibit proliferative responses, specific á7 antagonists, such as á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division.fic á7 antagonists, such as á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division.á-BTX and methyllycaconitine, enhance cell division. Significance: This study reveals that the á7 receptor modulates lymphocyte activation and contributes to clarifying the role of the non neuronal cholinergic system in the immune response.ficance: This study reveals that the á7 receptor modulates lymphocyte activation and contributes to clarifying the role of the non neuronal cholinergic system in the immune response.