Eosinophil-induced release of acetylcholine from differentiated cholinergic nerve cells

One immunological component of asthma is believed to be the interaction of eosinophils with parasympathetic cholinergic nerves and a consequent inhibition of acetylcholine muscarinic M2 receptor activity, leading to enhanced acetylcholine release and bronchoconstriction. Here we have used an in vitro model of cholinergic nerve function, the human IMR32 cell line, to study this interaction. IMR32 cells, differentiated in culture for 7 days, expressed M2 receptors. Cells were radiolabeled with [3H]choline and electrically stimulated. The stimulation-induced release of acetylcholine was prevented by the removal of Ca2+. The muscarinic M1/M2 receptor agonist arecaidine reduced the release of acetylcholine after stimulation (to 82 ± 2% of control at 10-7 M), and the M2 receptor antagonist AF-DX 116 increased it (to 175 ± 23% of control at 10-5 M), indicating the presence of a functional M2 receptor that modulated acetylcholine release. When human eosinophils were added to IMR32 cells, they enhanced acetylcholi...