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Inflammation Research
Published in: Inflammation Research 9/2012

01-09-2012 | Review

Acetylcholine and the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor: a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of periodontal disease?

Authors: Noha Zoheir, David F. Lappin, Christopher J. Nile

Published in: Inflammation Research | Issue 9/2012

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this review is to examine the evidence for a functional cholinergic system operating within the periodontium and determine the evidence for its role in periodontal immunity.

Introduction

Acetylcholine can influence the immune system via the ‘cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway’. This pathway is mediated by the vagus nerve which releases acetylcholine to interact with the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) on proximate immuno-regulatory cells. Activation of the α7nAChR on these cells leads to down-regulated expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and thus regulates localised inflammatory responses. The role of the vagus nerve in periodontal pathophysiology is currently unknown. However, non-neuronal cells can also release acetylcholine and express the α7nAChR; these include keratinocytes, fibroblasts, T cells, B cells and macrophages. Therefore, by both autocrine and paracrine methods non-neuronal acetylcholine can also be hypothesised to modulate the localised immune response.

Methods

A Pubmed database search was performed for studies providing evidence for a functional cholinergic system operating in the periodontium. In addition, literature on the role of the ‘cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway’ in modulating the immune response was extrapolated to hypothesise that similar mechanisms of immune regulation occur within the periodontium.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests a functional non-neuronal ‘cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway’ may operate in the periodontium and that this may be targeted therapeutically to treat periodontal disease.
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Metadata
Title
Acetylcholine and the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor: a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of periodontal disease?
Authors
Noha Zoheir
David F. Lappin
Christopher J. Nile
Publication date
01-09-2012
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
Inflammation Research / Issue 9/2012
Print ISSN: 1023-3830
Electronic ISSN: 1420-908X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-012-0513-z

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