The effect of endogenous nitric oxide on mechanical ciliostimulation of human nasal mucosa

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 2006-10, Vol.36 (10), p.1254-1259
• Main Authors: Alberty, J., Stoll, W., Rudack, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergic diseases; allergic rhinitis; Biological and medical sciences; Cilia - physiology; Escherichia coli; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunopathology; Lipopolysaccharides - pharmacology; mechanical ciliostimulation; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Confocal; Mucociliary Clearance - physiology; mucociliary transport; Nasal Mucosa - physiology; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester - pharmacology; nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - physiology; Nitric Oxide Synthase - antagonists & inhibitors; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - metabolism; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - physiopathology; Stress, Mechanical; Tissue Culture Techniques; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02563.x

Summary Background Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production by the inducible NO‐synthase is enhanced in the nasal respiratory epithelium of patients with allergic rhinitis. Recent experimental data suggest endogenous NO to be strongly involved in the regulation of ciliary activity, the driving force of the mucociliary transport system. Objective In this study, we investigated the effect of endogenous NO on mechanical stimulation of ciliary activity in a nasal mucosa explant model. Methods Cultures of nasal mucosa explants were incubated with TNF‐α and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enhance endogenous NO production. Direct in vitro NO imaging was performed by the fluorescent NO‐indicator DAF‐2 DA and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was determined using a photoelectric technique. Mechanical stimulation was performed by two consecutive flow increments in a closed perfusion chamber. Endogenous NO‐synthesis was blocked by l‐NAME before the second flow stimulation. Results Under control conditions the mean rise of CBF relative to baseline was 30.2% during the first flow increment and 30.7% during the second flow increment. Blocking of the endogenous NO synthesis in TNF‐α/LPS‐stimulated cultures reduced baseline CBF by 10.6±2.1% (P