GABA_A receptor α₄-subunit knockout enhances lung inflammation and airway reactivity in a murine asthma model.

ABSTRACT: Emerging evidence indicates that hypnotic anesthetics affect immune function. Many anesthetics potentiate γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA_AR) activation, and these receptors are expressed on multiple subtypes of immune cells, providing a potential mechanistic link. Like immune cells, airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells also express GABA_ARs, particularly isoforms containing α₄-subunits, and activation of these receptors leads to ASM relaxation. We sought to determine if GABA_AR signaling modulates the ASM contractile and inflammatory phenotype of a murine allergic asthma model utilizing GABA_AR α₄-subunit global knockout (KO; Gabra4^0/0 ) mice. Wild-type (WT) and Gabra4 KO mice were sensitized with hous

SUBMITTER: Yocum GT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5582940 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature