Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is widely distributed in the nervous and non-cholinergic immune systems. It is necessary for the cholinergic transmitter to participate in the regulation of inflammatory response and is the key element of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP). Because of the profound impact of CAP on the immune system, α7nAChR is considered as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Available evidences confirmed that manipulation of CAP by activating α7nAChR with either endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) or cholinergic agonists can substantially alleviate inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanism through which CAP curbs the excessive pro-inflammatory responses and maintains immune homeostasis is not fully understood. Obtained clues suggest that the crosstalk between CAP and classical inflammatory pathways is the key to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism, and the impacts of CAP activation in α7nAChR-expressing immune cells are the foundation of the immunoregulatory property. In this article, we review and update the knowledge concerning the progresses of α7nAChR-based CAP, including α7nAChR properties, signal transductions, interactions with classic immune pathways, and immunoregulatory functions in different immune cells. Certain critical issues to be addressed are also highlighted. By providing a panoramic view of α7nAChR, the summarized evidences will pave the way for the development of novel anti-inflammatory reagents and strategy and inspire further researches.

α 7 烟碱乙酰胆碱受体 (α7nAChR) 广泛分布于神经和非胆碱能免疫系统中。胆碱能递质参与炎症反应的调节是必需的，是胆碱能抗炎通路（CAP）的关键要素。由于 CAP 对免疫系统的深远影响，α7nAChR 被认为是治疗炎症性疾病的潜在治疗靶点。现有证据证实，通过用内源性乙酰胆碱 (ACh) 或胆碱能激动剂激活 α7nAChR 来操作 CAP 可以显着减轻体内和体外的炎症反应. 然而，CAP抑制过度促炎反应和维持免疫稳态的机制尚不完全清楚。获得的线索表明，CAP与经典炎症通路之间的串扰是阐明抗炎机制的关键，而CAP激活对表达α7nAChR的免疫细胞的影响是免疫调节特性的基础。在本文中，我们回顾和更新有关基于 α7nAChR 的 CAP 进展的知识，包括 α7nAChR 特性、信号转导、与经典免疫途径的相互作用以及不同免疫细胞的免疫调节功能。还强调了一些需要解决的关键问题。通过提供 α7nAChR 的全景图，