Regular Article
Modulation of Airway Epithelial Cell Ciliary Beat Frequency by Nitric Oxide

https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1993.1187Get rights and content

Abstract

NOS activity has been recently described in airway epithelial cells. Because these cells are often ciliated we hypothesized that NO modulates airway ciliary beating. CBF was measured in cultured BBECs using video microscopy. L-NMMA, a NOS inhibitor, caused a 40% decrease in CBF following pre-stimulation with isoproterenol (8.5 ± 0.3 Hz vs 14.6 ± 0.2 Hz; p <0.0001) which lasted approximately 60 minutes. Similar attenuation in CBF alter isoproterenol pre-treatment was observed with another NOS inhibitor, L-NAME. NOS inhibitor-induced CBF slowing was also observed when cells were pre-stimulated with either bradykinin or substance P and was completely reversed by L-arginine or SNP but not by D-arginine. These observations demonstrate a novel NO-dependent mechanism that upregulates ciliary motility in response to stimulation.

References (0)

Cited by (343)

  • Utility of NO and H<inf>2</inf>S donating platforms in managing COVID-19: Rationale and promise

    2022, Nitric Oxide - Biology and Chemistry
    Citation Excerpt :

    The same has been reported in mouse nasal and tracheal epithelial cells [164]. These actions are mediated through the cGMP pathway [165,166]. Additionally, NO increases mucus secretion, stimulating the feline and human submucosal glands by l-arginine and isosorbide dinitrate enhanced secretion activity [167].

  • Computational modeling of nasal nitric oxide flux from the paranasal sinuses: Validation against human experiment

    2021, Computers in Biology and Medicine
    Citation Excerpt :

    Moreover, the paranasal sinuses typically exhibit NO concentrations exceeding those derived directly from the nasal mucosa by 1-2 orders of magnitude [2,3], thereby serving as a “reservoir” of and major contributor to nNO. NO functions importantly in the respiratory system as bronchodilator [4], vasodilator [5], neurotransmitter [6,7], and as an immune modulator involved in regulation of inflammation [8,9] and in surveillance for neoplasia [10–15]. NO is also involved in the response to respiratory pathogens by upregulating mucociliary function [16–18]. Clinically, supplemental NO at levels exceeding physiologic values has been shown to benefit patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [19] and both adults and newborns with pulmonary hypertension [20,21].

  • The three noses of the EVO-DEVO theory

    2021, Bulletin de l'Academie Nationale de Medecine
View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text