A Bacterial Signal Peptide Increases Mucociliary Clearance in Explanted Mouse Trachea

Objective: Bacterial signal peptides are known to trigger innate immunity responses by activation of formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) present in immune cells, e.g. leukocytes. Members of the FPR-family are also found in the murine vomeronasal organ where they are candidates for chemosensory recognition of bacterial pathogens. Here, we investigated the effects of bacterial signal peptides on mucociliary clearance in the murine trachea. Methods: The trachea of C57Bl6, TRPM5-deficient (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5; a crucial component of the canonical bitter and umami taste transd…