Reverse‐mode NCX current in mouse airway smooth muscle: Na+ and voltage dependence, contributions to Ca2+ influx and contraction, and altered expression in a model of allergen‐induced hyperresponsiveness

AIM: We examined the electrophysiological properties of reverse-mode Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchange (NCX) in mouse airway smooth muscle (ASM), assessing its contributions to regulation of [Ca(2+) ], and its expression in acute and chronic airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). METHODS: Membrane currents were studied in single murine ASM cells under voltage clamp at -60 mV using ramp depolarizing commands to +80 mV. Confocal fluorimetric and RT-PCR …