Characterization of cellular sources for non-quantal ACh release in mouse airways

Acetylcholine (ACh) is the major transmitter to induce contraction of the airway smooth muscle (ASM). In addition to the quantal vesicular ACh release after stimulation of parasympathetic neurons, non-quantal ACh (nqACh) release is observed in tracheal preparations after eserine treatment, which is capable to induce ASM contraction. In order to identify which cell population in the airways contributes to nqACh synthesis, expression of the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high affinity choline transporter-1 (CHT1), and the low-affinity choline transporter-like family (CTL1 – 5) was evaluated by RT-PCR in primary…