Publication
Title
Functional expression of the multimodal extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells
Author
Abstract
The Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) is the master regulator of whole-body extracellular free ionized [Ca2+](o). In addition to sensing [Ca2+](o), CaSR integrates inputs from a variety of different physiological stimuli. The CaSR is also expressed in many regions outside the [Ca2+](o) homeostatic system, including the fetal lung where it plays a crucial role in lung development. Here, we show that neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) of the postnatal mouse lung express a functional CaSR. NEBs are densely innervated groups of neuroendocrine epithelial cells in the lung representing complex sensory receptors in the airways and exhibiting stem cell characteristics. qRT-PCR performed on laser microdissected samples from GAD67-GFP mouse lung cryosections revealed exclusive expression of the CaSR in the NEB microenvironment. CaSR immunoreactivity was present at NEB cells from postnatal day 14 onwards. Confocal imaging of lung slices revealed that NEB cells responded to an increase of [Ca2+](o) with a rise in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i)); an effect mimicked by several membrane-impermeant CaSR agonists (e. g. the calcimimetic R-568) and that was blocked by the calcilytic Calhex-231. Block of TRPC channels attenuated the CaSR-dependent increases in [Ca2+](i), suggesting that Ca2+ influx through TRPC channels contributes to the total [Ca2+](i) signal evoked by the CaSR in NEBs. CaSR also regulated baseline [Ca2+](i) in NEBs and, through paracrine signaling from Clara-like cells, coordinated intercellular communication in the NEB microenvironment. These data suggest that the NEB CaSR integrates multiple signals converging on this complex chemosensory unit, and is a key regulator of this intrapulmonary airway stem cell niche.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of cell science. - Cambridge, 1966, currens
Publication
Cambridge : 2013
ISSN
0021-9533 [print]
1477-9137 [online]
DOI
10.1242/JCS.131656
Volume/pages
126 :19 (2013) , p. 4490-4501
ISI
000325007500018
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Bidirectional communication between the enteric nervous system and elements of the immune system in inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.11.2013
Last edited 09.10.2023
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