Research Article

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibits L-Type Ca2+ Channels in Sensitized Guinea Pig Airway Smooth Muscle through ERK 1/2 Pathway

Figure 1

Sensitization diminished KCl-induced contraction in guinea pig tracheas. Responses to 3 consecutive stimulations of 60 mM KCl were higher in tracheal rings from nonsensitized guinea pigs (NS, ) than in tissues from sensitized (S, ) animals (inset). (a) The third KCl response from NS tissues was considered as 100%, and statistical difference was found when compared with the S group. (b) Nonsensitized tracheas, incubated with different percentage (V/V) concentrations of sensitized guinea pigs serum (Ser-S, , each), showed decreased responses to KCl (20–60 mM), reaching statistical significance only with the highest Ser-S concentration tested. , compared with control group. Bars and symbols represent mean ± SEM.
(a)
(b)