[Isolation of rat tracheal smooth muscle cells and electrophysiological examination of the L- type calcium channel].
OBJECTIVE
To establish a method for acute enzymatic isolation of rat tracheal smooth muscle cells (TSMCs) and study the electrophysiological properties of the L-type calcium channel of the cells.


METHODS
Single rat TSMC was isolated by means of pronase E, followed by recording the electric currents in the single calcium channel using patch-clamp technique with cell attached configuration.


RESULTS
Large amount of viable TSMCs were isolated through this method, characterized by normal cell morphology and easy detection of the L-type calcium channel activity in the cells.


CONCLUSIONS
This method is relatively simple for high-yield isolation of TSMCs with normal morphology.
Cheng
Shi-hu
SH
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. dfzqrfll@yeah.net
Luo
Ya-ling
YL
Yang
Jun
J
Lai
Wen-yan
WY
Luo
Liang
L
D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000502:physiology*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014132:Trachea / Q000166:cytology*
D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type