The mechanism of nicotine on human bronchial smooth muscle cell contraction

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of contractility dysfunction of human bronchial smooth muscle cells induced by nicotine. Methods: Primary human bronchial smooth muscle cells were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into a control group and a nicotine group which was treated with 10(-5) mol/L nicotine for 48 h and transfected with or without α7nAChR-siRNA (The siNC group, siNC + nicotine group and siα7nAChR + nicotine group). The effects of nicotine on the cell contractile function were examined by collagen gel shrinkage assay. The expressions of α7nAChR and TRPC6 protein in nicotine-treated human bronchial smooth muscle cells were detected by Western blotting. The change of intracellular calcium concentration by nicotine was detected by calcium ion imaging system.Data were analyzed by t test or single factor analysis of variance. Results: The area of collagen gel in the nicotine group (24±8)% was significantly lower than that in the control group (59±14)% (t=3.78, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of α7nAChR protein in nicotine-induced group (173±16)% was significantly higher than that of controls 100±0)%, t=-6.848, P<0.05. Compared with the siNC group [(72±10)%, (0.79±0.07), (0.41±0.04) and (0.17±0.02) respectively], the collagen gel area of siNC + nicotine group was significantly reduced by (37±10)%. However, the basal calcium level (1.04±0.02), store operated calcium entry level (SOCE, 0.68±0.03) and receptor operated calcium entry level (ROCE, 0.36±0.02) were remarkably elevated in the nicotine treated group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, compared with siNC + nicotine group, the area of collagen gel in siα7nAChR + nicotine group was significantly increased (62±10)%, and the basal calcium level (0.78±0.06), SOCE level (0.39±0.05) and ROCE level (0.15±0.02) were significantly reduced (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Nicotine can increase the expression of TRPC6 protein, SOCE and ROCE level, and increase the intracellular calcium concentration by upregulating the expression of α7nAChR protein, thereby promoting smooth muscle cell contraction.