CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Neurotransmitters (NT) have been classically considered as neuron-secreted molecules. Yet, non-neuronal cells produce NT and express NT receptors. The physiological role of these extraneuronal systems is not clear. We explored the presence of neuronal components of nicotinic cholinergic and GABAergic systems in lymphocytes and their functional significance. We showed that lymphocytes express neuronal nicotinic a7 and GABA subunits. Moreover, electrophysiological and fluorescence microscopy studies revealed that these subunits assemble into functional receptors. We also detected mRNAs of enzymes responsible of acetylcholine and GABA synthesis and proteins involved in GABA metabolism, storage and transport. By studying the effect of nicotinic and GABAergic drugs in vital T-cell functions we demonstrated that nicotinic drugs decrease the number of cortisol-induced apoptotic cells. In addition, a7 and GABA receptors negatively modulate T-cell proliferation. Our results show that lymphocytes present similar NTs systems to those expressed in neurons. NTs regulate crucial T-cell functions acting in an autocrine/paracrine mode and may serve for communicating between brain and immune system. Pharmacological modulation of these systems may provide new approaches as new targets for inflammation control.