Frontiers in Pharmacology (Jun 2018)

Review and Meta-Analyses of TAAR1 Expression in the Immune System and Cancers

  • Lisa M. Fleischer,
  • Rachana D. Somaiya,
  • Gregory M. Miller,
  • Gregory M. Miller,
  • Gregory M. Miller

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00683
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Since its discovery in 2001, the major focus of TAAR1 research has been on its role in monoaminergic regulation, drug-induced reward and psychiatric conditions. More recently, TAAR1 expression and functionality in immune system regulation and immune cell activation has become a topic of emerging interest. Here, we review the immunologically-relevant TAAR1 literature and incorporate open-source expression and cancer survival data meta-analyses. We provide strong evidence for TAAR1 expression in the immune system and cancers revealed through NCBI GEO datamining and discuss its regulation in a spectrum of immune cell types as well as in numerous cancers. We discuss connections and logical directions for further study of TAAR1 in immunological function, and its potential role as a mediator or modulator of immune dysregulation, immunological effects of psychostimulant drugs of abuse, and cancer progression.

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