Acetylcholine Receptors in Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well known for their regenerative potential. Despite the fact that the ability of MSCs to proliferate and differentiate has been studied extensively, there still remains much to learn about the signalling mechanisms and pathways which control proliferation and influence differentiation phenotype. In recent years, there has been growing evidence for the utility of non-neuronal cholinergic signalling systems and that acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important, ubiquitous, role in cell-to-cell communication. Indeed, cholinergic signalling is hypothesised to occur in stem cells and ACh synthesis, as well as ACh receptor (AChR) expression, has been identified in several stem cell populations; including MSCs. Furthermore, AChRs have been found to influence MSC regenerative potential. In humans, there are two major classes of AChRs, muscarinic AChRs and nicotinic AChRs, with each class possessing several subtypes or subunits. In this review, the expression and function of AChRs in different types of MSC will be summarised with the aim of highlighting how AChRs play a pivotal role in regulating MSC regenerative function.

In vitro aging alters the gene expression and secretome composition of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

“…As cells age, these events decrease, consistent with the cellular quiescence observed in a later passage (P6) of the present study. Group P3 proteins displayed a significant association with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, Wnt, and CCKR signaling pathways, which play crucial roles in MSC regenerative function ( 38 ), cell proliferation/apoptosis inhibition ( 39 ), and adipocyte differentiation ( 40 ), respectively. The last, but very important finding within Group P3, concerns proteins associated with inflammation mediated by the chemokine and cytokine signaling, regulating trafficking and migration of immune cells ( 41 ).…”

Identification of the native Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor's glycan composition after a multi‐step sequential purification method using MALDI‐ToF MS

“…In neurons, these receptors are involved in the fast excitatory synaptic transmission mediated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. In addition, they are also present in non-neuronal cells, where they play a role in cell-to-cell communication and various physiological functions, including immune responses and inflammation [27,28]. The journey of purifying nAChRs began in 1970 when Jean-Pierre Changeux pioneered their selective binding and purification from Electrophorus electricus using α-bungarotoxin [29].…”