Alpha7 nicotinic receptors as novel therapeutic targets for inflammation-based diseases

摘要: In recent years the etiopathology of a number debilitating diseases such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, sepsis, and ulcerative colitis has increasingly been linked to runaway cytokine-mediated inflammation. Cytokine-based therapeutic agents play major role in treatment these diseases. However, temporospatial changes various cytokines are still poorly understood attempts date have focused on inhibition specific TNF-α. As an alternative approach, preclinical studies confirmed potential targeting alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated anti-inflammatory effects through modulation proinflammatory cytokines. This “cholinergic pathway” modulates immune system cholinergic mechanisms that act receptors expressed macrophages cells. If findings translate into human efficacy this approach could potentially provide new therapies for treating broad array intractable conditions with inflammatory components.