| 20309583 |
Wang XJ, Liu YF, Wang QY, Tsuruoka M, Ohta K, Wu SX, Yakushiji M, Inoue T: Functional expression of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and rat periodontal tissues. Biochem Pharmacol. 2009 Oct 1;78(7):844-51. Epub 2009 Jun 23.
Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor associated with chronic periodontitis, but the mechanisms that underlie this relationship are largely unknown. Recent reports proposed that nicotine plays an important role in tobacco-related morbidity by acting through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed by non-neuronal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether alpha7 nAChR was expressed in periodontal tissues and whether it functions by regulating IL-1beta in the process of periodontitis. In vitro, human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured with 10 (-12) M of nicotine and/or 10 (-9) M of alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Btx), a alpha7 nAChR antagonist. The expression of alpha7 nAChR and IL-1beta in PDL cells and the effects of nicotine/alpha-Btx administration on their expression were explored. In vivo, an experimental periodontitis rat model was established, and the effects of nicotine/alpha-Btx administration on expression of alpha7 nAChR and development of periodontitis were evaluated. We found that alpha7 nAChR was present in human PDL cells and rat periodontal tissues. The expressions of alpha7 nAChR and IL-1beta were significantly increased by nicotine administration, whereas alpha-Btx treatment partially suppressed these effects. This study was the first to demonstrate the functional expression of alpha7 nAChR in human PDL cells and rat periodontal tissues. Our results may be pertinent to a better understanding of the relationships among smoking, nicotine, and periodontitis. |
7(0,0,1,2) |