α9- and α7-containing receptors mediate the pro-proliferative effects of nicotine in the A549 adenocarcinoma cell line.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Tobacco smoke contains many classes of carcinogens and although nicotine is unable to initiate tumourigenesis in humans and rodents, it promotes tumour growth and metastasis in lung tumours by acting on neuronal nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). The aim of this study was to identify molecularly, biochemically and pharmacologically which nAChR subtypes are expressed and functionally activated by nicotine in lung cancer cell lines.

Experimental approach

We used A549 and H1975 adenocarcinoma cell lines derived from lung tumours to test the in vitro effects of nicotine, and nAChR subtype-specific peptides and compounds.

Key results

The two adenocarcinoma cell lines express distinctive nAChR subtypes, and this affects their nicotine-induced prolifera

SUBMITTER: Mucchietto V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5980168 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature