TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION USING ALPHA 7 RECEPTOR-BINDING AGONISTS
Methods of inhibiting release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a macrophage are provided. The methods comprise treating the macrophage with a cholinergic agonist in an amount sufficient to decrease the amount of the proinflammatory cytokine that is released from the macrophage, wherein the cholinergic agonist is selective for an α7 nicotinic receptor. Methods for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient are also provided. The methods comprise treating the patient with a cholinergic agonist in an amount sufficient to inhibit the inflammatory cytokine cascade, wherein the cholinergic agonist is selective for an α7 nicotinic receptor. Methods for determining whether a compound is a cholinergic agonist reactive with an α7 nicotinic receptor are also provided. The methods comprise determining whether the compound inhibits release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a mammalian cell. Additionally, methods for determining whether a compound is a cholinergic antagonist reactive with an α7 nicotinic receptor are provided. These methods comprise determining whether the compound reduces the ability of a cholinergic agonist to inhibit the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a mammalian cell. Oligonucleotides or mimetics capable of inhibiting attenuation of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF release from a mammalian macrophage upon exposure of the macrophage to a cholinergic agonist are also provided. The oligonucleotides or mimetics consist essentially of a sequence greater than 5 nucleotides long that is complementary to an mRNA of an α7 receptor. Additionally, methods of inhibiting attenuation of TNF release from a mammalian macrophage upon exposure of the macrophage to a cholinergic agonist are provided. These methods comprise treating the macrophage with the above-described oligonucleotide or mimetic.
1 - 55 . (canceled)
56 . A method of treating an inflammatory condition comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a cholinergic agonist selective for an α7 nicotinic receptor in an amount sufficient to decrease the amount of a proinflammatory cytokine that is released from a macrophage, wherein said inflammatory condition is selected from the group consisting of appendicitis, peptic, gastric or duodenal ulcers, ulcerative cholitis, peritonitis, pancreatitis, acute or ischemic colitis, diverticulitis, epiglottis, achalasia, cholangitis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, Crohn's disease, enteritis, Whipple's disease, asthma, allergy, anaphylactic shock, immune complex disease, organ ischemia, reperfusion injury, organ necrosis, hay fever, sepsis, septicemia, endotoxic shock, cachexia, hyperpyrexia, eosinophilic granuloma, granulomatosis, sarcoidosis, septic abortion, epididymitis, vaginitis, prostatitis, urethritis, bronchitis, emphysema, rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonitis, pneumoultramicroscopic silicovolcanoconiosis, alvealitis, bronchiolitis, pharyngitis, pleurisy, sinusitis, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, disseminated bacteremia, Dengue fever, candidiasis, malaria, filariasis, amebiasis, hydatid cysts, burns, dermatitis, dermatomyositis, sunburn, urticaria, warts, wheals, vasulitis, angiitis, endocarditis, arteritis, artherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, pericarditis, myocarditis, myocardial ischemia, periarteritis nodosa, rheumatic fever, Alzheimer's disease, coeliac disease, congestive heart failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral infarction, cerebral embolism, Guillame-Barre syndrome, neuritis, neuralgia, spinal cord injury, paralysis, uveitis, arthritides, arthralgias, osteomyelitis, fasciitis, Paget's disease, gout, periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, synovitis, myasthenia gravis, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Goodpasture's syndrome, Behcet's syndrome, allograft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, ankylosing spondylitis, Berger's disease, Retier's syndrome, and Hodgkins disease.
57 . The method of claim 56 , wherein the condition is selected from: hepatitis, hay fever, sarcoidosis, bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, and atherosclerosis.
58 . A method of treating an inflammatory condition comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a cholinergic agonist selective for an α7 nicotinic receptor in an amount sufficient to decrease the inflammatory cytokine cascade.
59 . The method of claim 58 , wherein said cascade causes either a systemic reaction or is mediated by a localized inflammatory cytokine cascade.
60 . A method of treating an inflammatory condition comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a cholinergic agonist selective for an α7 nicotinic receptor in an amount sufficient to decrease the amount of a proinflammatory cytokine that is released from a macrophage, wherein said inflammatory condition is a dermatological disease or condition of the skin.