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Acute and selective activation of pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies by mild hypo‐osmotic stimuli
Author(s) -
Lembrechts Robrecht,
Brouns Inge,
Schnorbusch Kathy,
Pintelon Isabel,
Timmermans JeanPierre,
Adriaensen Dirk
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.612.10
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , osmotic pressure , lung , osmotic shock , chemistry , stimulation , biophysics , medicine , biology , biochemistry , gene
Neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) are morphologically well‐defined airway receptors composed of densely innervated groups of neuroendocrine cells. Besides other functions, NEBs have been proposed as transducers of mechanical changes in the airways. So far, however, physiological data are lacking. Hypo‐osmotic solutions cause cell swelling that will likely increase pressure in the tight junction sealed airway epithelium and more specifically in the NEB microenvironment. This study aimed at finding out whether NEBs are sensitive to hypo‐osmotic stimuli. Mouse lung vibratome slices were used for confocal live cell imaging of pulmonary NEBs. Short term (30s) perfusion with a hypo‐osmotic solution (230 mOsm) of lung slices loaded with the Ca 2+ indicator Fluo‐4 showed a fast reversible Ca 2+ rise in NEB cells, dependent on extracellular Ca 2+ , and a typical delayed activation of the shielding Clara‐like cells. All other airway epithelial cells, which in contrast to NEBs abundantly express hypo‐osmosensitive TRP channels, appeared to show a Ca 2+ rise only at osmolarities lower than 200 mOsm, suggesting different signalling mechanisms. The first physiological evidence is provided for direct activation of NEBs by mild acute hypo‐osmotic stress that potentially mimics mechanical stimulation. Support: IWT fellowship SB/81162 (R.L); FWO grant G.0081.08 (D.A.); UA grants GOA BOF 2007 (D.A.) and KP BOF 2006 (I.B.)