Alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist inhibits the development of endometriosis by regulating inflammation

Kaori Yamada-Nomoto, Osamu Yoshino, Ikumi Akiyama, Akemi Ushijima, Yosuke Ono, Tomoko Shima, Akitoshi Nakashima, Shusaku Hayashi, Makoto Kadowaki, Yutaka Osuga, Shigeru Saito*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: We investigated α-7 nAchR expression in human peritoneal macrophages and examined whether activation of nAchR might be a new therapy for endometriosis. Materials and methods: Human peritoneal fluid mononuclear cells (PFMC) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of α-7 nAChR agonists. In a murine endometriosis model, α-7 nAChR modulators were administered. Results: Human PFMC expressed α-7 nAChR at the mRNA and protein levels. Activation of α-7 nAChR with its agonists led to significant (P<.01) suppression of LPS-induced interleukin (IL) -1β expression. In a murine endometriosis model, one week after inoculation of endometrium to the peritoneal cavity, α-7 nAChR agonist significantly suppressed the expression of IL-1β mRNA (P<.01), which was negated when α-7 nAChR antagonist was administered simultaneously. α-7 nAChR agonist significantly suppressed the formation of endometriotic lesions, which was reversed with α-7 nAChR antagonist. Conclusion: Activation of nAChR might be a new candidate for treatment of endometriosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)491-498
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Reproductive Immunology
Volume76
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016/12/01

Keywords

  • endometriosis
  • inflammation
  • nicotine
  • α-7 nAChR

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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