Calcitonin gene‐related peptide is localised to human airway nerves and potently constricts human airway smooth muscle

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
1 In human airways synthetic human sequence calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP), a novel peptide produced by alternative processing of mRNA from the calcitonin gene, caused concentration-dependent contraction of human bronchi (EC50 4.9 × 10−9 m) and was significantly more potent than substance P or carbachol. 2 The contractile response was unaffected by atropine (2 × 10−6 m), propranolol (10−6 m), indomethacin (10−5 m), tetrodotoxin (3 × 10−6 m), chlorpheniramine (10−4 m), cimetidine (10−5 m), or FPL55712 (10−4 m) suggesting a direct effect of CGRP on airways smooth muscle. 3 CGRP was detected in human airways by radioimmunoassay with highest concentrations in cartilaginous airways. 4 CGRP was localised by immunocytochemistry to both nerves and ganglia in human airways. 5 CGRP, is a potent constrictor of human airways and may have important effects on airway function and be implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyper-responsiveness and asthma.