GABA (A) receptor subunits RNA expression in mice peritoneal macrophages modulate their IL-6/IL-12 production

The expression and functionality of the gamma aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) in mice macrophages was explored. Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction showed that macrophages express the GABA(A)R RNA for the alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 3 and delta subunits, but not for the alpha 5, beta 1, beta 2 and gamma 3 subunits. The expression of ot I subunit was also revealed by confocal microscopy. LPS-stimulated macrophages significantly reduced their in vitro production of IL-6 and IL- 12 after GABA adding to the culture medium. These results showed that BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages express a functional subset of GABAAR subunits. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.