Non-neuronal acetylcholine: a new modulator of immune response in multiple sclerosis patients (original) (raw)

Introduction. A dynamic balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is required to maintain homeostasis in the CNS. Acetylcholine has been demonstrated to participate to inflammatory response modulating synthesis and release of the main inflammatory mediators. Since aberrant immune responses occur in MS and influence disease outcome, we investigated the possible role of ACh in inflammatory phase of MS patients. Materials and methods. Fluorimetric and elisa assays were used to measure the levels of ACh, AChE and cytotokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of MS patients. Results. We observed both in CSF and serum of MS patients an altered profile of cytokines typically associated to high inflammatory response. We demonstrated that cholinergic agonist CCh inhibits the production of IL-10 and stimulate IL-1 via muscarinic receptors in PBMC of MS patients. On the other hand nicotinic receptors appear to sustain the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly we f...