Effects of histamine and endothelin-1 on membrane potentials and ion currents in bovine tracheal smooth-muscle cells

Regulation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-gated P2X(4) receptors on tracheal smooth muscle cells

We examined the effects of extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on single airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells from porcine trachea using a patch-clamp technique. ATP induced a sustained inward current. Phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 failed to inhibit the current, suggesting the involvement of P2X receptor. A specific effecter of P2X(4), ivermectin, augmented the current indicating the existence of P2X(4) receptors. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction analysis and Western blot analysis also showed the distribution of the P2X(4) receptors. The inward current was reduced by SKF-96365, an inhibitor of both voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) and voltage-independent Ca(2+) channels, although a VDCC antagonist, verapamil, did not affect the current. SKF-96365 caused complete suppression of both the increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and the contraction of ASM cells induced by ATP. Our results demonstrate that P2X(4) receptors exist on ASM and that the receptors are responsible for Ca(2+) influx. These findings suggest that the Ca(2+) influx regulated by P2X(4) receptors plays an important role in ASM contraction by a pathway distinct from VDCC.

Bradykinin activates calcium-dependent potassium channels in cultured human airway smooth muscle cells

Bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory mediator that can cause bronchoconstriction. In this study, we investigated the membrane currents induced by BK in cultured human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. Depolarization of the cells induced outward currents, which were inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.33 microM. The currents were increased by elevating intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, suggesting they are calcium-activated potassium channels [I(K(Ca))]. Preexposure to inhibitor of I(K(Ca)) of large conductance (BKCa), iberiotoxin, and small conductance (SKCa), apamin, inhibited the increase of outward current induced by BK. The relative contribution of BKCa was greatest in early passage cells. Both nickel and SKF-96365 (10 microM) inhibited the increase of the I(K(Ca)) induced by BK; however, the l-type Ca2+ channel blocker, nifedipine, had no effect. Activation of the BK-induced current was inhibited by heparin, indicating dependence on intact inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. BK also increased inositol phosphate accumulation and induced a transient Ca2+-activated chloride current (CACC) and a sustained nonselective cation current (I(CAT)). In summary, BK activates BKCa, SKCa, CACC, and I(CAT) via IP3-sensitive stores in human ASM.

Transient receptor potential and other ion channels as pharmaceutical targets in airway smooth muscle cells

Regardless of the triggering stimulus in asthma, contraction of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is considered to be an important pathway leading to the manifestation of asthmatic symptoms. Therefore, the various ion channels that modulate ASM contraction and relaxation are particularly attractive targets for therapy. Although voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOCC) are the most extensively characterised Ca(2+)-permeable channels in ASM cells and are obvious pharmacological targets, blockers of VOCC have not been successful in alleviating ASM contraction in asthma. Similarly, although the Cl- and K+ channels also modulate ASM contraction and relaxation by regulating plasma membrane potential, pharmacological interventions directed against these channels have failed to abrogate ASM contraction in asthma. A large body of evidence suggests that store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCC) and Ca(2+)-permeable second messenger-activated non-selective cation channels (NSCC) predominantly mediate ASM contraction. However, development of pharmacological interventions involving these channels has been hampered by the paucity of information regarding their molecular identity. Members of the mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) protein family, which form voltage-independent channels with variable Ca2+ selectivity that are activated by store depletion and/or by intracellular messengers, are potential molecular candidates for SOCC and NSCC in ASM cells. While the function of TRP channels in ASM cells remains to be elucidated and there are, at present, essentially no good TRP channel antagonists, this group of proteins is a potentially valuable pharmaceutical target for the treatment of asthma.