Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2003 Modulatory role of tachykinin NK1 receptor in cholinergic contraction of mouse trachea1 Dept Respiratory Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, and 2 Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine, De Pintelaan, Ghent, Belgium CORRESPONDENCE: K. De Swert, Dept Respiratory Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium. Fax: 32 92402341. E-mail: Katelijne.Deswert@rug.ac.be Keywords: airway contraction, knockout mice, neuropeptides, substance P receptor, tachykinins
Received: January 31, 2002
This study was supported by the Concerted Research Initiative of Ghent University (GOA Project 98-6). K.G. Tournoy was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders. K.O. De Swert was supported by the Concerted Research Initiative of Ghent University (GOA Project 98-6).
The role of the NK1 receptor in airway contraction induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was evaluated by comparing the response in NK1 receptor knockout mice (NK1R/) with that of NK1 receptor wild-type controls (WT).
A frequency/response curve on tracheas from NK1R/ mice and NK1R WT littermates was constructed. After incubation with [3H]choline, [3H]acetylcholine release upon EFS was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid scintillation counting. The effects of atropine (1x106 M), tetrodotoxin (1x106 M) and a specific NK1R antagonist (SR140333
Upon EFS, NK1R/ mice had a significant lower trachea contractility than the NK1R WT animals, accompanied with less [3H]acetylcholine release. Pretreatment with atropine or tetrodotoxin abolished the EFS-induced contraction in both strains. Pretreatment with the NK1R antagonist SR140333
The data presented here provide direct evidence that the NK1 receptor augments cholinergic neurotransmission in mouse trachea.
This article has been cited by other articles:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||