Distinct Roles of α7 nAChRs in Antigen-Presenting Cells and CD4 T Cells in the Regulation of T Cell Differentiation.

It is now apparent that immune cells express a functional cholinergic system and that α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) are involved in regulating T cell differentiation and the synthesis of antigen-specific antibodies and proinflammatory cytokines. Here, we investigated the specific function α7 nAChRs on T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) by testing the effect of GTS-21, a selective α7 nAChR agonist, on differentiation of CD4 T cells from ovalbumin (OVA)-specific TCR transgenic DO11.10 mice activated with OVA or OVA peptide (OVAp).