β-Adrenergic receptor (βAR) agonists exert a variety of effects on airway epithelial cells.
Among their best known actions is their ability to increase ciliary beat frequency, mediated
by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, stimulation of protein kinase A
(PKA), and phosphorylation of an outer dynein arm light chain. Submucosal glands express
βARs, and β-agonists may stimulate secretion of mucus from airways, although human data
are controversial. β-Agonists may also affect ion transport across epithelial cells by opening …