Article
Neurosciences
Yu Chen, Yue Zhang, Junying Wang, Shaoyuan Li, Yifei Wang, Zixuan Zhang, Jinling Zhang, Chen Xin, Yu Wang, Peijing Rong
Summary: By modulating the alpha 7nAchR/JAK2/STAT3/NF-kappa B pathway, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can reverse depressive behaviors and improve hypothalamic neuroinflammation in chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) rats.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuya Kanauchi, Takeshi Yamamoto, Minako Yoshida, Yue Zhang, Jaemin Lee, Shusaku Hayashi, Makoto Kadowaki
Summary: This study investigates the role of alpha 7nAChRs on pDCs in the pathology of UC and finds that activation of alpha 7nAChRs can suppress pDC migration to achieve therapeutic effects on UC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jun-ying Wang, Yue Zhang, Yu Chen, Yu Wang, Shao-yuan Li, Yi-fei Wang, Zi-xuan Zhang, Jinling Zhang, Peijing Rong
Summary: The anti-inflammatory signal of the vagus nerve mediated by alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7nAchR) plays a critical role in the antidepressant effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). The hippocampus region regulates emotions and has the most distribution of alpha 7nAchR, indicating its involvement in the taVNS antidepressant effect.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Melissa A. Tapia, Xiao-Tao Jin, Brenton R. Tucker, Leanne N. Thomas, Noah B. Walker, Veronica J. Kim, Steven E. Albertson, Naresh Damuka, Ivan Krizan, Seby Edassery, Jeffrey N. Savas, Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai, Sara R. Jones, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: This study investigated the behavior and neurobiological effects of intermittent nicotine intake in rats. The results suggest that intermittent nicotine intake may lead to increased craving and enhanced response to nicotine-associated cues. Additionally, intermittent nicotine intake also caused increased nicotine binding in the brain and specific changes in the proteome of certain neural structures.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiao-Tao Jin, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: The interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) is involved in nicotine dependence and regulation of fear responses, affective states, and novelty processing. Neurons in the IPN express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and receive cholinergic innervation. Studies have shown that IPL neurons express Chrna7 (alpha 7 nAChR subunit) and are sensitive to acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of cholinergic modulation in the IPN.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luyao Zhang, Zhiyang Wu, Jing Zhou, Shengfeng Lu, Chaofan Wang, Yiqiu Xia, Hongyan Ren, Zhihui Tong, Lu Ke, Weiqin Li
Summary: The study found that electroacupuncture can increase vagus nerve activity, suppress systemic inflammation, alleviate pancreatic histopathological manifestations, and increase the frequency of alpha 7nAchR. However, vagotomy or treatment with an alpha 7nAChR antagonist can weaken the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kaicheng Wu, Tongjie Cheng, Zimeng Zhai, Chunhui Jiang, Xujiao Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the neurovascular coupling mechanism underlying alpha 7-nAChR-mediated regulation of retinal capillary tone. The activation of alpha 7-nAChRs on the endothelial cell membrane caused vasodilation of retinal capillaries through the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/nitric oxide (NO)/guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway. Additionally, alpha 7-nAChR increased the release of GABA, which promoted the relaxation of blood vessels. These findings provide experimental evidence for the role of alpha 7-nAChR in retinal blood flow regulation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ahmet Muderrisoglu, Elif Babaoglu, Elif Tugce Korkmaz, Said Kalkisim, Erdem Karabulut, Salih Emri, Melih O. Babaoglu
Summary: In this study, smoking cessation treatment with varenicline was significantly more effective than treatments with nicotine replacement therapy or bupropion in Turkish subjects. Regardless of carrying wild-type or variant alleles, subjects with human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits alpha 3, alpha 4, and alpha 5 showed similar clinical outcomes and smoker/non-smoker status in response to pharmacological treatments.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Irida Papapostolou, Daniela Ross-Kaschitza, Florian Bochen, Christine Peinelt, Maria Constanza Maldifassi
Summary: Nicotine in tobacco induces tumor-promoting effects and chemotherapy resistance through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This study investigates the role of a5 subunit in nicotine-induced cancer cell proliferation and migration in breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. The results show that nicotine-induced proliferation and migration are mediated by a5.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria E. Hammarlund, C. Joakim Ek, Sukaina Akar, Alma Karlsson, Bagmi Pattanaik, Filip Mjornstedt, Pernilla Svedin, Maryam Ardalan, Eridan Rocha-Ferreira, Carina Mallard, Maria E. Johansson
Summary: Inflammation plays an important role in the development of neonatal brain injury. Activation of alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7nAChR) has shown to decrease acute inflammatory responses in male pups, but does not affect overall injury outcome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kohki Okada, Kano Matsuo
Summary: Nicotine, the main component in cigarettes, can alleviate the symptoms of ulcerative colitis by activating the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor 7 and suppressing the production of proinflammatory cytokines.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Omar Alijevic, Oihane Jaka, Ainhoa Alzualde, Diana Maradze, Wenhao Xia, Stefan Frentzel, Andrew N. Gifford, Manuel C. Peitsch, Julia Hoeng, Kyoko Koshibu
Summary: This study examined the neuropharmacological effects of natural alkaloids, including nicotine, cotinine, and anatabine. Nicotine showed anxiolytic-like behavioral effects in mice and zebrafish, while cotinine and anatabine had no detectable effects. Nicotine stimulated the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, while cotinine and anatabine mainly stimulated dopamine release. These findings suggest that natural nicotine alkaloids can induce an anxiolytic-like behavior in nonclinical animal models, which may depend on the activation of various nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and regulation of neurotransmitter systems.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiang Li, Jingtan Li, Jingting Wang, Jing Wang, Tong Lu, Yanfei Jia, Haiji Sun, Xiaoli Ma
Summary: Evidence has shown a strong relationship between smoking and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study identifies a novel pathway involving alpha 5-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 5-nAChR), PLEK2, and CFL1 in nicotine-induced LUAD progression. The alpha 5-nAChR/PLEK2/CFL1 pathway contributes to cell migration, invasion, and stemness in LUAD.
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bagmi Pattanaik, Maria Hammarlund, Filip Mjornstedt, Marcus A. Ulleryd, Wen Zhong, Mathias Uhlen, Anders Gummesson, Goran Bergstrom, Maria E. Johansson
Summary: The vagus nerve can regulate inflammation through the alpha 7nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7nAChR). The genetic variants of CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A can alter cytokine responses and are involved in immune responses. The CHRFAM7A gene may have a more pronounced role in regulating inflammatory processes in humans.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ziping Ye, Yunjuan Zhu, Nana Tang, Xiaojing Zhao, Jingyue Jiang, Jingjing Ma, Hongjie Zhang
Summary: The study found that the alpha 7nAChR agonist GTS-21 can attenuate DSS-induced colitis by increasing the expression of TJ proteins in colon tissues and improving intestinal barrier function.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)