Stimulation of the efferent pathway of the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter which interacts with the α7 subunit of the nicotinic AChR (α7 nAChR). nAChR is expressed on the cell membrane of macrophages and other cytokine secreting cells. Binding of acetylcholine to nAChR activates intracellular signal transduction which inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Activation of the vagus nerve's efferent pathway releases acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that binds to the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). This receptor is found on the surface of macrophages and other immune cells. When acetylcholine binds to the receptor, it triggers an intracellular response that reduces the release of inflammatory cytokines.