GABA (A) receptor subunits RNA expression in mice peritoneal macrophages modulate their IL-6/IL-12 production

The expression and functionality of the gamma aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) in mice macrophages was explored. Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction showed that macrophages express the GABAAR RNA for the α1, α2, β3 and δ subunits, but not for the α5, β1, β2 and γ3 subunits. The expression of α1 subunit was also revealed by confocal microscopy. LPS-stimulated macrophages significantly reduced their in vitro production of IL-6 and IL-12 after GABA adding to the culture medium. These results showed that BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages express a functional subset of GABAAR subunits.