To clarify the effect of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) on the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness, AChE activities in tracheal smooth muscle and lung tissue from congenitally bronchial-hypersensitive (BHS) and bronchial-hyposensitive (BHR) guinea pigs were compared. For this purpose, AChE activities were determined by measuring the rate of absorbance of tissue homogenate. Relative amounts ...

Purified smooth muscle myosin light chain can be phosphorylated at multiple sites by myosin light chain kinase and protein kinase C. We have determined the sites phosphorylated on myosin light chain in intact bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Stimulation with 10 microM carbachol resulted in 66 +/- 5% monophosphorylated and 11 +/- 2% diphosphorylated myosin light chain after 1 min, and 47 +/- 4% mo...

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, enhances synthesis of neuropeptides in sensory and sympathetic neurons. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of NGF on airway responsiveness and determine whether these effects are mediated through synthesis and release of substance P (SP) from the intrinsic airway neurons. Ferrets were instilled intratracheally with NGF...

Fluctuations in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca]i) constitute the main link in excitation-contraction coupling in the airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC). It has been recently reported that acetylcholine induces asynchronous recurring Ca waves in the intact ASMC of murine bronchioles. Using a novel technique that allows us to simultaneously measure sub-cellular [Ca]i and force genera...

OBJECTIVE In the presence of acute inflammation and necrosis of the wall, tracheo-bronchial defects are difficult to manage. The absence of adequate vascularization and the contaminated area prevent successful direct re-suturing. METHODS In order to restore a sufficient blood supply we used a pedicled latissimus dorsi or a pectoralis major flap that was entered into the thorax after a 10-cm r...

Fluctuations in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) constitute the main link in excitation-contraction coupling (E-C coupling) in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC). It has recently been reported that ACh induces asynchronous recurring Ca2+ waves in intact ASMC of murine bronchioles. With the use of a novel technique allowing us to simultaneously measure subcellular [Ca2+]i and force g...

The mechanisms of histamine- and bradykinin-induced reflex bronchospasm were determined in anesthetized guinea pigs. With intravenous administration, both autacoids evoked dose-dependent increases in tracheal cholinergic tone. Vagotomy or atropine prevented these tracheal reflexes. When delivered as an aerosol, bradykinin readily increased tracheal cholinergic tone, whereas histamine aerosols w...

Cortisol, a member of glucocorticoids, could potentiate the action of catecholamine by a non-genomic mechanism. Although this permissive effect has been well appreciated in the anti-asthmatic medication, the underlying signaling pathway has remained mysterious. Here, we show that extraneuronal monoamine transporter (EMT), a membraneous reuptake transporter for circulating catecholamine clearanc...