title: Formyl peptide-induced contraction of human airways in vitro.
abstract: Formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) is a synthetic analogue of bacterial chemotactic factors. We studied the contraction of human airway tissue in vitro by FMLP. FMLP induced a concentration-dependent contraction of all bronchial spiral strips studied (n = 45). The maximum tension generated in response to FMLP was 86.6 +/- 7.0% (SE) of the maximum response to histamine. The contraction was not reduced by the histamine H1-receptor antagonist pyrilamine, the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors indomethacin and BW755C, the muscarinic antagonist atropine, or capsaicin which depletes stores of substance P. The concentration-response curve was shifted to the right by the polypeptide antagonist N-t-BOC-phenylalanylleucylphenylalanylleucylphenylalanine and the leukotriene antagonist FPL 55712. When 2 successive FMLP concentration-response curves were performed the maximum response was significantly reduced from 114.8 +/- 9.1% of the histamine maximum to 39.3 +/- 6.1%. The contraction of human airways in vitro by an agent that is structurally and functionally similar to chemotactic peptides released from bacteria may have important implications in airway disease.
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
chemical_list: D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine