Final Report Summary - NRHACC (Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in human adrenal chromaffin cells)
The Marie Curie Incoming International Fellowship (IIF) Project Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Human Adrenal Chromaffin Cells (NRACC) was awarded to a citizen of the United States to conduct a research project in Spain. The principal goal of the project was to investigate and characterize the nicotine receptors, or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, found in human adrenal chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland, cells that release adrenaline into the blood stream as part of the flight-or-fight response. The nicotinic receptors expressed by these cells are key players in the transmission of neural information from the brain to the adrenal gland. The intended experiments aimed to shed further light on these receptors and their functional role in the physiology of the chromaffin cells. This information is critical for better understanding how these receptors might contribute to the pathology of human diseases such as tumors of the adrenal gland, or pheochromocytomas. The research of the project successfully identified the predominant nicotinic receptor subtype expressed by human chromaffin cells as well the receptor subtypes expressed in chromaffin cells of other species including cow and rat. Additional experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of nicotine and therapeutic drugs used in the treatment of nicotine addiction. This line of research made important discoveries with respect to the activity of these drugs on the physiology of human chromaffin cells. Specifically, both nicotine and certain drugs used to treat nicotine addiction activate chromaffin cell nicotinic receptors which increases the excitability of these cells and may, under certain circumstances, increase the release of adrenaline. These experiments have thus far resulted in one publication in a high ranking peer reviewed scientific journal and three additional publications are expected. The information contained in these publications has the potential to guide the development of improved therapeutics for the treatment of nicotine addiction. Improved therapeutics may assist people´s efforts to stop smoking and therefore may have a broad impact on society as a result of a decreased incidence of nicotine addiction and the related health problems associated with smoking. Thus, the project has been a resounding success from a scientific standpoint.
The project will have a positive socioeconomic impact. The funds provided for the project allowed the principal scientist to contract a PhD level scientist for a period of two years which freed up funds to contract other laboratory personnel. Secondly, the successful completion of a Marie Curie research project will have a significant impact on the prestige of the host institution as well has the hosting laboratory. This coupled with publication of high impact research articles will facilitate success in attracting additional funding in the future.
The project will have a positive socioeconomic impact. The funds provided for the project allowed the principal scientist to contract a PhD level scientist for a period of two years which freed up funds to contract other laboratory personnel. Secondly, the successful completion of a Marie Curie research project will have a significant impact on the prestige of the host institution as well has the hosting laboratory. This coupled with publication of high impact research articles will facilitate success in attracting additional funding in the future.