Secondhand smoke exposure causes bronchial hyperreactivity via transcriptionally upregulated endothelin and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cigarette smoke exposure is strongly associated with airway hyperreactivity (AHR) which is the main characteristic seen in asthma. The intracellular MAPK signaling pathways are suggested to be associated with the airway damage to the AHR. In the present study, we hypothesize that secondhand cigarette smoke (SHS) exposure upregulates the bronchial contractile receptors via activation of the Raf/ERK/MAPK pathway.

Methodology/principal findings

Rats were exposed to SHS for 3 h daily for up to 8 weeks. The receptor agonists-induced bronchial contractile reactivity was analyzed with a sensitive myograph system. The mRNA transcription and protein translation of the target receptors and the kinases in Raf/ERK/MAPK pathway were investigated by real-time PCR, Western blott

SUBMITTER: Cao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3428315 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature