The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in lymphocyte development

The sizes of lymphocyte populations in lymphoid organs of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor knockout and chimera (knockout/wild-type) mice were studied by flow cytometry. The absence of beta 2 subunit decreased, while nicotine treatment increased B lymphocyte numbers in the bone marrow. In chimera mice, either beta 2 or alpha 7 subunits influenced lymphocyte populations in primary lymphoid organs, while in the spleen, only alpha 7 receptors were critical. More annexin V-positive B cells were found in the bone marrow of knockout than wild-type animals. We conclude that nicotinic receptors are involved in regulating lymphocyte development and control the B lymphocyte survival. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.