Atropine-enhanced, antigen challenge-induced airway hyperreactivity in guinea pigs is mediated by eosinophils and nerve growth factor

Norah G. Verbout, David B. Jacoby, Gerald J. Gleich, Allison D. Fryer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although anticholinergic therapy inhibits bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients and antigen-challenged animals, administration of atropine 1 h before antigen challenge significantly potentiates airway hyperreactivity and eosinophil activation measured 24 h later. This potentiation in airway hyperreactivity is related to increased eosinophil activation and is mediated at the level of the airway nerves. Since eosinophils produce nerve growth factor (NGF), which is known to play a role in antigen-induced airway hyperreactivity, we tested whether NGF mediates atropine-enhanced, antigen challenge-induced hyperreactivity. Antibody to NGF (Ab NGF) was administered to sensitized guinea pigs with and without atropine pretreatment (1 mg/kg iv) 1 h before challenge. At 24 h after challenge, animals were anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and ventilated. Electrical stimulation of both vagus nerves caused bronchoconstriction that was increased in challenged animals. Atropine pretreatment potentiated antigen challenge-induced hyperreactivity. Ab NGF did not affect eosinophils or inflammatory cells in any group, nor did it prevent hyperreactivity in challenged animals that were not pretreated with atropine. However, Ab NGF did prevent atropine-enhanced, antigen challenge-induced hyperreactivity and eosinophil activation (assessed by immunohistochemistry). This effect was specific to NGF, since animals given control IgG remained hyperreactive. These data suggest that anticholinergic therapy amplifies eosinophil interactions with airway nerves via NGF. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that target both eosinophil activation and NGF-mediated inflammatory processes in allergic asthma are likely to be beneficial.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L228-L237
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Volume297
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2009

Keywords

  • Anticholinergic
  • Asthma
  • Muscarinic receptors
  • Neurotrophins
  • Parasympathetic nerves

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)
  • Cell Biology

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