Citation

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are best known to function as ligand-gated ion channels in the nervous system. However, recent evidence suggests that nicotine modulates inflammation by desensitizing non-neuronal nAChRs, rather than by inducing channel opening. Silent agonists are molecules that selectively induce the desensitized state of nAChRs while producing little or no channel opening. A silent agonist of 7 nAChRs has recently been shown to reduce inflammation in an animal model of inflammatory pain. The objective of this study was to determine whether a silent agonist of 7 nAChRs can also effectively modulate inflammation and disease manifestation in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. We first evaluated the effects of various nAChR ligands and of an 7 nAChR-selective silent agonist, 1-ethyl-4-(3-(bromo)phenyl)piperazine (m-bromo PEP), on the modulation of mouse bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage (BMDM) numbers, phenotype and cytokine production. The non-competitive antagonist mecamylamine and the silent agonist m-bromo PEP reduced pro-inflammatory BMDM numbers by affecting their viability and proliferation. Both molecules also significantly reduced cytokine production by mouse BMDMs and significantly ameliorated disease in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Finally, m-bromo PEP also reduced chronic inflammatory pain in mice. Taken together, our results further support the hypothesis that nAChRs may modulate inflammation via receptor desensitization rather than channel opening. 7 nAChR-selective silent agonists may thus be a novel source of anti-inflammatory compounds that could be used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Copyright 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.