First Author | Kao J | Year | 1999 |
Journal | Am J Physiol | Volume | 277 |
Issue | 2 Pt 1 | Pages | L264-70 |
PubMed ID | 10444520 | Mgi Jnum | J:56842 |
Mgi Id | MGI:1342798 | Doi | 10.1152/ajplung.1999.277.2.L264 |
Citation | Kao J, et al. (1999) Ablation of the SERCA3 gene alters epithelium-dependent relaxation in mouse tracheal smooth muscle. Am J Physiol 277(2 Pt 1):L264-70 |
abstractText | Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 3 (SERCA3), an isoform of the intracellular Ca(2+) pump that has been shown to mediate endothelium-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, is also expressed in tracheal epithelium. To determine its possible role in regulation of airway mechanical function, we compared tracheal contractility in gene-targeted mice deficient in SERCA3 (SERCA3(-)) with that in wild-type tracheae. Cumulative addition of ACh elicited concentration-dependent increases in isometric force (ED(50) = 2 microM, maximum force = 8 mN/mm(2)) that were identical in SERCA3(-) and wild-type tracheae. After ACh stimulation, substance P (SP) elicited a transient relaxation (42.6 +/- 3.2%, n = 28) in both tracheae. However, the rate of relaxation was significantly (P < 0.04, n = 9) more rapid in the wild-type [half-time (t(1/2)) = 34.3 s] than in the SERCA3(-) (t(1/2) = 61.6 s) trachea. The SP relaxation was reduced by rubbing the trachea, indicative of epithelial cell involvement. This was verified using a perfused trachea preparation. SP in the outside medium had no effect, whereas SP in the perfusate bathing the epithelial side elicited a relaxation. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition (0.2 mM N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine) reduced the SP relaxation by 36.5 +/- 12.5%, whereas the SP effect was abolished by eicosanoid inhibition (10 microM indomethacin). ATP also elicited an epithelium-dependent relaxation similar to SP but with a more rapid relaxation in the SERCA3(-) trachea than in the wild-type trachea. Our results indicate that SERCA3 gene ablation does not directly affect smooth muscle, which is consistent with the distribution of the isoform, but suggest that SERCA3 plays a role in epithelial cell modulation of airway smooth muscle function. |