Inhibition of mucociliary clearance by anesthetics is independent of the two-pore-domain K+-channel, TASK-1, in the mouse trachea

Volatile anesthetics inhibit airway mucociliary clearance. One of their molecular targets is the two-pore-domain K+-channel, TASK-1, in that they increase its open probability. The present study aimed to clarify whether TASK-1 regulates cilia-driven mucociliary clearance in the mouse trachea utilizing particle transport speed (PTS) at the mucosal surface as readout. Tracheas from TASK-1 gene-deficient mice and corresponding wild-type mice were investigated by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, laser-assisted microdissection of the epithelium followed by RT-PCR, and by assessment of PTS at the mucosal surface of…