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Protease‐activated receptor‐2 regulates BK channel activity in rat vagal bronchopulmonary sensory neurons (712.4)
Author(s) -
Moss Charles,
Gabriel Sabry,
Gu Qihai
Publication year - 2014
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.28.1_supplement.712.4
Subject(s) - bk channel , chemistry , sensory system , patch clamp , potassium channel , receptor , neuroscience , medicine , endocrinology , biology
Activation of protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR 2 ) by endogenous or exogenous agonists contributes to airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, the hallmark features of allergic asthma; and a neurogenic mechanism involving PAR 2 activation‐induced hypersensitivity of bronchopulmonary sensory nerves has been indicated. Large‐conductance Ca 2+ ‐activated potassium (BK) channels are known to play an important role in shaping the neuronal excitability. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of BK channels in contributing to the PAR 2 ‐induced neuronal hyperexcitability. Our immunohistochemical and RT‐PCR experiments demonstrated the expression of BK channels in rat bronchopulmonary sensory neurons. In whole‐cell perforated patch‐clamp recordings, BK currents were isolated from total K + currents with an application of selective BK channel blocker paxilline. Our results showed that pretreatment with PAR 2 ‐activating peptide (100 µM, 2 min) significantly reduced the BK current density in these sensory neurons. Our data suggest that the depression of BK channel activity and subsequent elevation of neuronal excitability of bronchopulmonary afferents may contribute to the pro‐inflammatory effects of PAR 2 activation in the lungs and airways .Grant Funding Source : Supported by funds from MEDCEN and MUSM