Nicotine stimulates ion transport via metabotropic β4 subunit containing nicotinic ACh receptors.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Mucociliary clearance is an innate immune process of the airways, essential for removal of respiratory pathogens. It depends on ciliary beat and ion and fluid homeostasis of the epithelium. We have shown that nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) activate ion transport in mouse tracheal epithelium. Yet the receptor subtypes and signalling pathways involved remained unknown.

Experimental approach

Transepithelial short circuit currents (I_SC ) of freshly isolated mouse tracheae were recorded using the Ussing chamber technique. Changes in [Ca²⁺ ]_i were studied on freshly dissociated mouse tracheal epithelial cells.

Key results

Apical application of the nAChR agonist nicotine transiently increased I_SC . The nico

SUBMITTER: Kumar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7707097 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature