Mechanical strain increases velocity and extent of shortening in cultured airway smooth muscle cells

Paul G. Smith, Chaity Roy, Jamie Dreger, Frank Brozovich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abnormal mechanical stress on lung tissue is associated with increased mass and contractility of airway smooth muscle (ASM). We have reported that cultured ASM cells subjected to cyclic strain exhibit increased myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and stress filaments. Increased MLCK may increase contractile velocity, whereas increased stress filaments could impede cell shortening by increasing the cell's internal load. To study strain-induced changes in cell contractility, the time course of shortening of individual cells exposed to 90 mM KCl was recorded. Length vs. time plots revealed significantly greater maximal velocity of shortening in strain cells than control (no strain). This correlated with an increase in MLCK and myosin light chain phosphorylation measured in strain cells in separate experiments. The extent of cell shortening tended to be greater in the strain cells so that increased impedance to shortening was not detected. Mechanical stress may therefore increase the contractility of ASM by increasing the content of MLCK.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L343-L348
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Volume277
Issue number2 21-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1999

Keywords

  • Contractility
  • Light chain phosphorylation
  • Myosin light chain kinase

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mechanical strain increases velocity and extent of shortening in cultured airway smooth muscle cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this