NICOTINIC ALPHA7 ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR: EXPRESSION, DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION IN NON-NEURONAL TISSUES
Mohammed A. S. Khan*, Mohammed Akbar and Sulie L. Chang
ABSTRACT
Alpha7 acetylcholine receptor (α7AChR) belongs to the family of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It was thought that the receptor was expressed exclusively in central nervous system (CNS). However, that notion has changed, and it is evident that peripheral tissues and cells, outside the CNS, such as skeletal muscle and immune cells also express the receptor. The α7AChR is not only an ion-gated channel that facilitates calcium flow for cellular activity but also participates as a major constituent of the anti-inflammatory reflex in different organs and innate immune response to injury and inflammation. It has drawn attention by virtue of the potential for therapeutic manipulation to treat inflammation-related conditions both inside and outside the CNS. In this review the distribution of the α7AChR and its pharmacology outside the CNS in peripheral tissues are presented.
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