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Bitter treats for better breathing

Nature Medicine volume 16, pages 1190–1191 (2010)Cite this article

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A new study in mice and human tissue shows that activation of bitter taste receptors in the airways relaxes airway smooth muscle, resulting in bronchodilation (pages 1299–1304). Agonists of these receptors seem to be better than current β2-adrenergic bronchodilators in a mouse asthma model, suggesting a new way to ease breathing during asthma.

Airway hyperresponsiveness, a key characteristic of asthma, results from an excessive narrowing of the airways and is associated with airway inflammation. Although the exact cause is unknown, contraction of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is a requirement. This muscle response involves Ca2+ signaling in ASM cells in the form of cytosolic calcium oscillations, which result from Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol upon G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) activation by agonists, including acetylcholine and histamine. Conversely, airway relaxation can be induced by other GPCRs responding to β2-adrenergic agonists that increase the amount of cAMP, reducing the frequency of the Ca2+ oscillations1.

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Figure 1: Bitter tastants induce bronchodilation in a mouse model of asthma.

Marina Corral

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Michael J. Sanderson is in the Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA,

    Michael J Sanderson

  2. J. Mark Madison is in the Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,

    J Mark Madison

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  1. Michael J Sanderson
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Correspondence to J Mark Madison.

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Sanderson, M., Madison, J. Bitter treats for better breathing. Nat Med 16, 1190–1191 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1110-1190

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