Nature Communications (Feb 2017)
Identification of BPIFA1/SPLUNC1 as an epithelium-derived smooth muscle relaxing factor
Abstract
Asthma is characterized by abnormal airway hyperresponsiveness. Here the authors identify BPIFA1 as a factor secreted by airway epithelial cells, and show that it regulates contractility of airway smooth muscle cells by binding to and regulating the Orai1 Ca2+channel.