A silent agonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulates inflammation ex vivo and attenuates EAE.

ABSTRACT: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are best known to function as ligand-gated ion channels in the nervous system. However, recent evidence suggests that nicotine modulates inflammation by desensitizing non-neuronal nAChRs, rather than by inducing channel opening. Silent agonists are molecules that selectively induce the desensitized state of nAChRs while producing little or no channel opening. A silent agonist of α7 nAChRs has recently been shown to reduce inflammation in an animal model of inflammatory pain. The objective of this study was to determine whether a silent agonist of α7 nAChRs can also effectively modulate inflammation and disease manifestation in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. We first evaluated the effects of various nAChR ligands and of an α7 nAChR-selectiv

SUBMITTER: Godin JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7604877 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature