• Hong Wang, Hong Liao, Mahendar Ochani, Marilou Justiniani, Xinchun Lin, Lihong Yang, Yousef Al-Abed, Haichao Wang, Christine Metz, Edmund J Miller, Kevin J Tracey, and Luis Ulloa.
• The Center for Immunology and Inflammation, North Shore-LIJ Research Institute, North Shore University Hospital, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.
• Nat. Med. 2004 Nov 1;10(11):1216-21.

AbstractPhysiological anti-inflammatory mechanisms can potentially be exploited for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Here we report that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine inhibits HMGB1 release from human macrophages by signaling through a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Nicotine, a selective cholinergic agonist, is more efficient than acetylcholine and inhibits HMGB1 release induced by either endotoxin or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Nicotinic stimulation prevents activation of the NF-kappaB pathway and inhibits HMGB1 secretion through a specific 'nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway' that requires the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR). In vivo, treatment with nicotine attenuates serum HMGB1 levels and improves survival in experimental models of sepsis, even when treatment is started after the onset of the disease. These results reveal acetylcholine as the first known physiological inhibitor of HMGB1 release from human macrophages and suggest that selective nicotinic agonists for the alpha7nAChR might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of sepsis.

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