Administration of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) modulates the pulmonary expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits α7, α9 and α10

Administration of recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (rHuKGF, Δ23N-KGF, palifermin) protects the lung against a variety of injurious stimuli. The exact mechanisms leading to lung protection are unknown. Alterations in the non-neuronal cholinergic system of the lung might be involved, as vital pulmonary functions are regulated by acetylcholine. Here, we investigated the effect of KGF on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits α7, α9 and α10 in rat lungs. Adult rats were treated via intratracheal instillation with rHuKGF or with an equivalent volume of PBS. The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits was analyzed by real-time RT–PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Treatment with rHuKGF led to a decreased expression of nicotinic receptor subunit α7 in the total lung. In contrast, the expression of the receptor subunits α9 and α10 was up-regulated. In conclusion, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are differentially regulated by KGF treatment in vivo, which might result in changes in the biological effects of acetylcholine.