Publication Date:
2015-03-23
Description:
The airway epithelia initiate and modulate the inflammatory responses to various pathogens. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-mediated Cl− secretion system plays a key role in mucociliary clearance of inhaled pathogens. We have explored the effects of Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite, on Cl− secretion of the mouse tracheal epithelia. In this study, ATP-induced Cl− secretion indicated the presence of a biphasic short-circuit current (Isc) response, which was mediated by a Ca2+-activated Cl− channel (CaCC) and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. However, the ATP-evoked Cl− secretion in T. gondii-infected mouse tracheal epithelia and the elevation of [Ca2+]i in T. gondii-infected human airway epithelial cells were suppressed. Quantitative reverse transcription–PCR revealed that the mRNA expression level of the P2Y2 receptor (P2Y2-R) increased significantly in T. gondii-infected mouse tracheal cells. This revealed the influence that pathological changes in P2Y2-R had on the downstream signal, suggesting that P2Y2-R was involved in the mechanism underlying T. gondii infection in airways. These results link T. gondii infection as well as other pathogen infections to Cl− secretion, via P2Y2-R, which may provide new insights for the treatment of pneumonia caused by pathogens including T. gondii.
Print ISSN:
0027-8424
Electronic ISSN:
1091-6490
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
,
Natural Sciences in General
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