The functional expression of extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Background: The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) belongs to family C of the G protein coupled receptors. Whether the CaSR is expressed in the pulmonary artery (PA) is unknown. Methods: The expression and distribution of CaSR were detected by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. PA tension was detected by the pulmonary arterial ring technique, and the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+](i)) was detected by a laser-scanning confocal microscope. Results: The expressions of CaSR mRNA and protein were found in both rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and PAs. Increased levels of [Ca2+](o) ( extracellular calcium concentration) or Gd3+ (an agonist of CaSR) induced an increase of [Ca2+] i and PAs constriction in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the above-mentioned effects of Ca2+ and Gd3+ were inhibited by U73122 (specific inhibitor of PLC), 2-APB (specific antagonist of IP3 receptor), and thapsigargin (blocker of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase). Conclusions: CaSR is expressed in rat PASMCs, and is involved in regulation of PA tension by increasing [Ca2+] i through G PLC IP3 pathway.