In airway smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from mouse lung slices, ≥10 μM ATP induced Ca2+oscillations that were accompanied by airway contraction. After ∼1 min, the Ca2+oscillations subsided and the airway relaxed. By contrast, ≥0.5 μM adenosine 5′- O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (nonhydrolyzable) induced Ca2+oscillations in the SMCs and an associated airway contraction that persisted for >2 min. Adenosine 5′- O-(3-thiotriphosphate)-induced Ca2+oscillations occurred in the absence of external Ca2+but were abolished by the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor xestospongin. Adenosine, AMP, and α,β-methylene ATP had no effect on airway caliber, and the magnitude of the contractile response induced by a variety of nucleotides could be ranked in the following order: ATP = UTP > ADP. These results suggest that the SMC response to ATP is impaired by ATP hydrolysis and mediated via P2Y2or P2Y4receptors, activating phospholipase C to release Ca2+via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. We conclude that ATP can serve as a spasmogen of airway SMCs and that Ca2+oscillations in SMCs are required to sustain airway contraction.
Mast cells are associated with exacerbations and eosinophilia in children with severe asthma
