The lateral organization of a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor, the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), was investigated in living cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy, taking advantage of the recently developed acyl carrier protein (ACP) labeling technique. The NK1R was expressed as fusion protein with ACP to which small fluorophores were then covalently bound. Ou...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular signaling mechanisms by which substance P (SP) modulates lymphatic muscle contraction and to determine whether SP stimulates both contractile as well as inflammatory pathways in the lymphatics. METHODS A rat mesenteric lymphatic muscle cell culture model (RMLMCs) and known specific pharmacological inhibitors were utilized to delin...

Maropitant is a neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) antagonist that is clinically used as a new anti-emetic drug for dogs. Substance P (SP) and its receptor NK1R are considered to modulate gastrointestinal peristalsis. In addition, SP works as an inflammatory mediator in gastrointestinal diseases. Aim of this study is to clarify the effects of maropitant on intestinal motility and inflammation in mice...

Objective. Glucocorticoid injections are used by rheumatologists to treat chronic tendinopathy. Surprisingly, the mechanisms by which corticosteroids induce pain relief in this condition have not been investigated. Previous studies have shown local substance P (SP) levels to be correlated with tendon pain and tissue pathology. The objective of this study was to determine whether SP production i...

Cell surface receptors allow the cell to sense and respond to external signals. Receptormalfunctions are associated with many diseases. The diffusional behavior of receptors is of particular interest to understand how the cell modulates receptor function in the complex, heterogenous plasmamembrane. Unlike traditional ensemble methods, single-molecule techniques give access to events taking plac...

Method On days 1 and 8, wild type C57Bl/6 mice, IL-13, TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) A1, TRPV1 and mast cell deficient mice were dermally sensitized with 1% TDI (toluene-2.4-diisocyanate) or vehicle (acetone/olive oil) on both ears. On day 15, the mice received a single intranasal challenge with 0.1% TDI or vehicle. In a second experiment TDI or vehicle sensitized wild type C57Bl/6 mice re...