Regulation of acetylcholinesterase during the lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory responses in microglial cells

Abstract The non‐classical function of acetylcholine (ACh) has been reported in neuroinflammation that represents the modulating factor in immune responses via activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), i.e., a cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway (CAP). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme for ACh hydrolysis, has been proposed to have a non‐classical function in immune cells. However, the involvement of AChE in neuroinflammation is unclear. Here, cultured BV2 cell, a microglial cell line, and primary microglia from rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation and to explore the regulation of AChE during this process. The expression profiles of AChE, α7 nAChR, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were revealed in BV2 cells. The expression of AChE (G4 form) was induced significantly in LPS‐treated BV2 cells: the induction was triggered by NF‐κB and cAMP signaling. Moreover, ACh or α7 nAChR agonist suppressed the LPS‐induced production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, as well as the phagocytosis of microglia, by activating α7 nAChR and followed by the regulation of NF‐κB and CREB signaling. The ACh‐induced suppression of inflammation was abolished in AChE overexpressed cells, but did not show a significant change in AChE mutant (enzymatic activity knockout) transfected cells. These results indicate that the neuroinflammation‐regulated function of AChE may be mediated by controlling the ACh level in the brain system.