Fig. 8: Scheme of our new findings of the CAP.

In the spleen, among the many types of immune cells that express α7nAChRs, α7nAChR on macrophages receive acetylcholine. Macrophages that receive cholinergic signals trigger cell-cell interactions between macrophages. This response results in the suppression of systemic TNF-α production and the reduction of kidney damage. CAP cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, TNF-α tumor necrosis factor α.