Putative α7-selective ligands interact with α9-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modulate immune functions of human mononuclear phagocytes

Our findings provide a more nuanced framework for interpreting the roles of nAChR subtypes in non-neuronal immune modulation, highlighting the complexity and potential importance of α9* nAChRs in the context of inflammation and innate immunity. The results underscore the importance of considering the nAChR subunit α9 when developing α7-selective ligands for immunomodulation and provides novel insights into the role of α9* nAChRs as potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases and pain.