Gq protein level increases concurrently with antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in rats

In the present study, bronchial Gq protein level of the airway hyperresponsive rats was determined by using immunoblot analysis. In the airway hyperresponsive rats that were sensitized and repeatedly antigen challenged, the in vitro bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine was significantly enhanced as compared with that in the sensitized control group. Moreover, the bronchial contraction induced by 10 microM AlF(4)(-) (generated by 10 microM AlCl(3) plus 10 mM NaF) was significantly elevated after repeated antigen challenge (0.44+/-0.13 and 1.09+/-0.09 g tension in the control and airway hyperresponsive groups, respectively; P<0.01). In both groups, immunoblotting with the antibody against G alpha q gave a single 42 kD band. The G alpha q protein levels in the airway hyperresponsive group (0.58+/-0.12) estimated by G alpha q/beta-actin ratio was significantly greater than those in the control group (0.30+/-0.10; P<0.05). These findings suggest that the increase in G alpha q protein level may be involved in the pathogenesis of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in rats.