Muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists: Effects on inflammation and immunity

Abstract

In this chapter, we will review what is known about muscarinic regulation of immune cells and the contribution of immune cell muscarinic receptors to inflammatory disease and immunity. In particular, immune cell expression of cholinergic machinery, muscarinic receptor subtypes and functional consequences of agonist stimulation will be reviewed. Lastly, this chapter will discuss the potential therapeutic effects of selective antagonists on immune cell function and inflammatory disease in recent animal studies and human clinical trials. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.