Effects of Repeated Antigen Exposure on Endothelin-1–Induced Bronchial Smooth Muscle Contraction and Activation of RhoA in Sensitized Rats

Authors: Chiba, Yoshihiko; Sakai, Hiroyasu; Yu, Yingyan; Misawa, Miwa

Source: The Journal of Biochemistry, Volume 137, Number 6, June 2005 , pp. 751-756(6)

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Abstract:

Changes in endothelin-1 (ET-1)–induced contraction and activation of RhoA in bronchial smooth muscle of repeatedly antigen-challenged rats, which exhibit marked airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), were examined. The ET-1–induced contraction of bronchial smooth muscle was significantly enhanced in the repeatedly antigen-challenged group. In normal control animals, ET-1 induced time- and concentration-dependent translocation of RhoA to the plasma membrane, indicating activation of RhoA by ET-1 in rat bronchial smooth muscle. The level of ET-1–induced RhoA translocation was increased much more markedly in the AHR group than in the control animals. It is suggested that the augmented activation of RhoA observed in the hyperresponsive bronchial smooth muscle might be responsible for the enhanced ET-1–induced contraction of bronchial smooth muscle in AHR rats.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvi091

Affiliations: 1: To whom correspondence should be addressed., chiba@hoshi.ac.jp, Tel: +81-3-5498-5786, Fax: +81-3-5498-5787

Publication date: 2005-06-01