Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Autoantibodies to beta 2-adrenergic receptors with antiadrenergic activity from patients with allergic asthma
1Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin-Buch, Germany.
Abstract:
The serum gamma-globulin fraction from patients with allergic bronchial asthma (8/8), in contrast to the fraction from nonatopic control subjects (10/10), was found to inhibit the positive chronotropic action of the beta 2-selective adrenergic agonist, clenbuterol, on pyruvate- or lactate-treated cultured neonatal rat heart myocytes. No inhibition was exerted on the positive chronotropic response to prenalterol, which acted via beta 1-adrenergic receptors. The inhibitory effect of the asthmatic gamma-globulins was concentration dependent. It could nearly be abolished by immunoprecipitation with antihuman gamma-globulin and antihuman IgG, but not with antihuman IgM. This finding means that the inhibitory immunoglobulins of the patients with asthma were chiefly autoantibodies of the IgG isotype, capable of cross-reacting with chronotropic beta 2-adrenergic receptors on the cultured rat cardiomyocytes. These findings provide support for the notion that autoimmunity plays a role in the impairment of beta-adrenergic responsiveness in patients with allergic bronchial asthma.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...
Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and anaphylaxis:...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of ɑ-Receptor Blockers
Nonselective α-blockers: Nonselective α-blockers contain haloalkylamine or imidazoline moieties. Phenoxybenzamine, with a haloalkylamine...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of ɑ-Receptor Blockers
α1-blockers: These drugs inhibit α1-adrenoceptors on smooth muscle cells, resulting in vasodilation. This vasodilation lowers blood pressure, making α1-blockers valuable in treating hypertension. Additionally, α1-blockers effectively address urinary obstruction...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...

