Disconnected Cardiac Autonomic Nerves in Genetic Ganglionic Acetylcholine Receptor Alpha-3 Subunit Deficiency

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Karsten Heusser - , Institute of Aerospace Medicine (Author)
  • Florian Erger - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Ulrich Ebner - , Internal Medicine Practice (Author)
  • Barbara Namer - , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Graeme Eisenhofer - , Department of Internal Medicine III, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Carl-Albrecht Haensch - , Witten/Herdecke University (Author)
  • Henning Weis - , Institute of Aerospace Medicine (Author)
  • Matthias Schmidt - , Uniklinik Köln, University of Cologne (Author)
  • Alexander Drzezga - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Jens Tank - , Institute of Aerospace Medicine (Author)
  • Christian Netzer - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Jens Jordan - , German Aerospace Center (DLR) (Author)

Abstract

The alpha-3 subunit encoded by the CHRNA3 gene is a crucial component of ganglionic acetylcholine receptors, which convey efferent sympathetic and parasympathetic activity to postganglionic autonomic neurons and are required to maintain blood pressure while standing. Antagonistic alpha-3 subunit antibodies abolish sympathetic and parasympathetic traffic and can cause autonomic failure.1,2 Pathogenic CHRNA3 variants have been identified in rare patients with autonomic failure and severe orthostatic hypotension.3 In a patient with a previously undescribed combination of mutated alleles, we conducted detailed investigations to delineate the mechanism mediating cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. We hypothesized that postganglionic autonomic nerves innervating the cardiovascular system are intact but disconnected from central autonomic input.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e137-e139
JournalHypertension
Volume80
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85165517189

Keywords

Keywords

  • Autoantibodies, Autonomic Nervous System Diseases, Autonomic Pathways, Heart, Humans, Receptors, Cholinergic

Library keywords