TRPA1 agonists modulate the trachealis muscle tone via two independent mechanisms

TRPA1 is a cation channel of the transient receptor potential channel family that is predominantly expressed in sensory C-fibers and activated by a wide variety of environmental irritants and endogenous inflammatory mediators relevant for asthma. Activation increases [Ca2+]i, induces inward currents and action potential discharge in lung-innervating C-fibers in vitro and elicits central reflexes in vivo. However, it remained unclear if TRPA1-dependent central reflex activity is associated with changes in lung function. To examine our hypothesis that TRPA1 activation in C-fibers induces bronchoconstriction, we pe…