0000000000699888
AUTHOR
Katrin S. Lips
Acetylcholine and Molecular Components of its Synthesis and Release Machinery in the Urothelium
Abstract Objectives Previous studies provided indirect evidence for urothelial synthesis and release of acetylcholine (ACh). We aimed to determine directly the ACh content in the urothelium and to characterize the molecular components of its synthesis and release machinery. Methods The study was performed on mouse bladder and abraded urothelium, and human mucosal bladder biopsies. ACh content was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry served to investigate expression of ACh-synthesizing enzymes—choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and carnitine acetyltransferase (CarAT)—vesicular ACh t…
Administration of keratinocyte growth factor down-regulates the pulmonary capacity of acetylcholine production.
Abstract Keratinocyte growth factor protects the lung against various injurious stimuli. The protective mechanisms, however, are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of keratinocyte growth factor on the pulmonary capacity to synthesize acetylcholine, a potent regulator of pulmonary functions which is potentially involved in lung damage. Rats were treated twice (days 1 and 2) intratracheally with keratinocyte growth factor and analyzed at day 4. The mRNA expression of choline acetyltransferase – the acetylcholine synthesizing enzyme – was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR in the lung and in isolated alveolar epithelial type II cells. Choline acetyltransfer…
Pivotal Advance: Up-regulation of acetylcholine synthesis and paracrine cholinergic signaling in intravascular transplant leukocytes during rejection of rat renal allografts.
Abstract A new role and source of the old mediator acetylcholine is described, which is produced by graft monocytes and attenuates monocytic ATP-signaling. During acute rejection, large numbers of leukocytes accumulate in the blood vessels of experimental renal allografts. About 70% of them are activated, cytotoxic monocytes that appear to be involved in allograft destruction. ACh exerts anti-inflammatory effects upon monocytes/macrophages and has been proposed to be a key player in neuroimmunological interactions. Its short half-life, however, makes it unlikely that neuronal ACh affects blood leukocytes. Renal transplantation was performed in the allogeneic DA to LEW and in the isogeneic L…