Variability in P2X receptor composition in human taste nerves: implications for treatment of chronic cough

Background Antagonists to the P2X purinergic receptors on airway sensory nerves relieve refractory or unexplained chronic cough (RCC/UCC) but can evoke unwanted dysgeusias because the gustatory nerves innervating taste buds express this same family of receptors. However, the subunit composition of the P2X receptors in these systems may differ, with implications for pharmacological intervention of RCC/UCC. In most species, the extrapulmonary airway nerves involved in cough predominantly express P2X3 subunits that form homotrimeric P2X3 receptors. In contrast, most sensory nerves innervating taste buds in mice express both P2X2 and P2X3 subunits, so the majority of receptors in that system are likely P2X2/P2X3 heteromers. Methods Since neural P2X subunit composition can differ across species, we used immunohistochemistry to test whether taste nerves in humans and rhesus macaque monkeys express both P2X2 and P2X3 as in mice. Results In taste bud samples of fungiform papillae and larynx from humans and monkeys, all taste bud samples exhibited P2X3+ nerve fibres, but the majority lacked substantial P2X2+. Of the 35 human subjects, only four (one laryngeal and three fungiform) showed strong P2X2 immunoreactivity in taste nerves; none of the rhesus monkey samples showed immunoreactivity for P2X2. Conclusions These findings suggest that for most humans, unlike mice, taste buds are innervated by nerve fibres predominantly expressing only P2X3 homomeric receptors and not P2X2/P2X3 heteromers. Thus, antagonists specific for P2X3 homomeric receptors might not be spared from affecting taste function in RCC/UCC patients

Chemical Synapses without Synaptic Vesicles: Purinergic Neurotransmission through a CALHM1 Channel-mitochondrial Signaling Complex

Conventional chemical synapses in the nervous system involve a presynaptic accumulation of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles, which fuse with the plasma membrane to release neurotransmitters that activate postsynaptic receptors. In taste buds, type II receptor cells do not have conventional synaptic features but nonetheless show regulated release of their afferent neurotransmitter, ATP, through a large-pore, voltage-gated channel, CALHM1. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CALHM1 was localized to points of contact between the receptor cells and sensory nerve fibers. Ultrastructural and super-resolution light microscopy showed that the CALHM1 channels were consistently associated with distinctive, large (1- to 2-μm) mitochondria spaced 20 to 40 nm from the presynaptic membrane. Pharmacological disruption of the mitochondrial respiratory chain limited the ability of taste cells to release ATP, suggesting that the immediate source of released ATP was the mitochondrion rather than a cytoplasmic pool of ATP. These large mitochondria may serve as both a reservoir of releasable ATP and the site of synthesis. The juxtaposition of the large mitochondria to areas of membrane displaying CALHM1 also defines a restricted compartment that limits the influx of Ca2+ upon opening of the nonselective CALHM1 channels. These findings reveal a distinctive organelle signature and functional organization for regulated, focal release of purinergic signals in the absence of synaptic vesicles

ABO blood group and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer within the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium

Purpose Previous studies have examined the association between ABO blood group and ovarian cancer risk, with inconclusive results. Methods In 8 studies participating in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC), we determined ABO blood groups and diplotypes by genotyping 3 SNPs in the ABO locus. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in each study using logistic regression; individual study results were combined using random effects meta-analysis. Results Compared to blood group O, the A blood group was associated with a modestly increased ovarian cancer risk: (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01–1.18; p=0.03). In diplotype analysis, the AO, but not the AA diplotype was associated with increased risk (AO: OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.22; p=0.03; AA: OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.87–1.21; p=0.76). Neither AB nor the B blood groups were associated with risk. Results were similar across ovarian cancer histologic subtypes. Conclusion Consistent with most previous reports, the A blood type was associated modestly with increased ovarian cancer risk in this large analysis of multiple studies of ovarian cancer. Future studies investigating potential biologic mechanisms are warranted