Expression of 5‐HT_3A receptors in cells of the immune system

Abstract

There is evidence from both human and animal research that 5‐hydroxytryptamine₃ (5‐HT₃) receptor antagonists, particularly tropisetron, exert analgesic and antiinflammatory effects. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects including the expression of 5‐HT₃ receptors in cells of the immune system have not yet been investigated in detail. Therefore, we investigated the expression of the 5‐HT_3A receptor in primary human monocytes, chondrocytes, T‐cells, dendritic cells, and synovial tissue. We found that 5‐HT_3A receptors are expressed in monocytes, chondrocytes, T‐cells, and synovial tissue but not in dendritic cells. Our data show that 5‐HT_3A receptors are widely expressed in cells of the immune system and that they might play an important role in inflammatory events and in the observed antiphlogistic effects of 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonists.