Immunobiology
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Cholinesterase inhibitors (Ch-I) improve survival in experimental sepsis consistent with activation of the cholinergic-anti-inflammatory-pathway. So far, less is known about whether Ch-I have a direct immunomodulatory effect on immune cells (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, PMN) in the absence of cholinergic neurons. We investigated the concentration-response-effects of physostigmine and neostigmine on the oxidative burst activity (human and rat PMN) and the expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of human PMN under in vitro conditions. ⋯ While neostigmine has no effect on functional and phenotypic changes of PMN, the lipid soluble Ch-I physostigmine causes a dose dependent reduction in PMA-induced oxidative burst, independent of neuronal released acetylcholine.