Title:Role of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology: Current Trends and Perspectives
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Jielin Deng and Hong Jiang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, Hubei,China
Keywords:
Cardiovascular effects, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, nervous system, non-neuronal tissue, mammalian cells,
neuronal growth.
Abstract:
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) comprise a large family of ligand-gated ion
channels that have a broad distribution in neurons and non-neuronal cells throughout the body. Native
nAChRs, activated by acetylcholine (ACh) endogenously, are involved in a variety of physiological
and pathophysiological processes. They regulate processes necessary for network operations
through neurotransmitter release, cell excitability and neuronal integration.
Emerging evidence suggests that nAChRs are capable of regulating cardiovascular (CV) functions
in a cell type-specific manner, through the nervous system and non-neuronal tissues. The aim of
this review is to describe the most recent findings regarding the role of nAChRs inside and outside
the nervous system in the regulation of CV activities.