Figure 1From: Involvement of RhoA-mediated Ca2+ sensitization in antigen-induced bronchial smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness in miceCumulative concentration-response curves to Ca2+ of bronchial rings obtained from sensitized control (Control; open circles) and repeatedly ovalbumin-challenged (OA-challenged; closed circles) mice. Bronchial rings were preincubated with 10-3 M acetylcholine (ACh) in the presence of 10-6 M nicardipine (A) or isotonic 60 mM K+ in the presence of 10-6 M atropine (B) in Ca2+-free, 0.05 mM EGTA solution. Each point represents the mean ± S.E. from 6 experiments. The Ca2+-induced contraction of the ACh-stimulated bronchial smooth muscles was significantly augmented in the OA-challenged group (A; P < 0.05 by ANOVA), whereas no significant change in the Ca2+-induced contraction of the high K+-depolarized muscles was observed between groups (B).Back to article page