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Expression of nicotinic subtypes acethyl choline receptors within airway related vagal preganglionic neurons in ferrets
Author(s) -
Neziri Burim M,
Krasniqi Shaip,
Devaja Shqipe,
Jakupaj Muharrem,
Krasniqi Avdyl
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.27
Subject(s) - homomeric , nicotinic agonist , acetylcholine receptor , acetylcholine , receptor , hexamethonium , cholinergic , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , muscarinic acetylcholine receptor , medulla oblongata , biology , central nervous system , biochemistry , protein subunit , gene
Acetylcholine is the primary parasympathetic neurotransmitter in the airways, and is traditionally associated with inducing airway smooth muscle contraction and mucus secretion. Nicotine administred topically to the ventrolateral region of medulla oblongata where the airway related vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs) are located, elevates cholinergic outflow to the airways, inducing bronchoconstriction and airway submucosal gland secretion. These effects could be blocked by intracisternally administred hexamethonium (HXM), a general blocker of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), suggesting the presence of nAChRs on AVPNs. Furthermore in the present study, we examined the role of three main functionally characterized subtypes of nAChRs in the CNS, the alpha7 homomeric and alpha4beta2 heteromeric receptors in cholinergic outflow to the airways, by microinjection into AVPNs of specific blocker of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Additionaly we characterized the expression of these subtypes of receptors at the message (mRNA) and protein levels in brain tissues taken from the rNA region, the site where AVPNs are located. These results indicate that in ferrets the majority of neurons from group of AVPNs express the alpha7 homomeric receptors, while the minority of them shows expression of alpha4beta2 heteromeric receptors.