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Functional expression of the extracellular Ca 2+ ‐sensing receptor in pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies
Author(s) -
Lembrechts Robrecht,
Brouns Inge,
Schnorbusch Kathy,
Pintelon Isabel,
Kemp Paul J,
Timmermans Jean-Pierre,
Riccardi Daniela,
Adriaensen Dirk
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.894.16
Subject(s) - extracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , immunostaining , respiratory epithelium , biology , chemistry , anatomy , immunology , immunohistochemistry , respiratory system , biochemistry
The extracellular Ca 2+ ‐sensing receptor (CaR) is a multimodal sensor that allows cells to detect and respond to changes in the extracellular Ca 2+ concentration [Ca 2+ ] o . Besides its role in Ca 2+ homeostasis, the CaR has been shown in various specialized cells, suggesting its involvement in multiple cellular functions. Prenatal CaR expression was detected in mouse airway epithelium between E11,5 and E16,5 and was shown to play a role in airway branching morphogenesis. In postnatal lung tissue, the CaR so far has not been reported. Neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) are densely innervated groups of neuroendocrine airway epithelial cells, believed to represent complex sensory receptors that are ideally placed to detect changes in the microenvironment. Immunostaining of postnatal mouse lungs showed a selective CaR expression on the basolateral membrane of NEB cells. Confocal Ca 2+ imaging of NEBs in live mouse lung slices revealed that NEBs respond with a Ca 2+ rise both to changes in [Ca 2+ ] o and to various known CaR agonists (spermine, neomycin, calcimimetic R‐568). All responses were blocked by Calhex, a calcilytic CaR antagonist. The presented expression and proven functionality of the CaR in postnatal NEBs offer interesting perspectives for further unraveling NEB cell physiology. Support: IWT fellowship SB/81162 (RL); FWO grants G.0081.08 (DA) and G.0589.11N (DA, JPT); UA grants GOA BOF 2007 (DA) and KP BOF 2006 (IB)