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Expression of cysteinyl leukotriene synthetic and signalling proteins in inflammatory cells in active seasonal allergic rhinitis
Author(s) -
Figueroa D. J.,
Borish L.,
Baramki D.,
Philip G.,
Austin C. P.,
Evans J. F.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01786.x
Subject(s) - leukotriene c4 , receptor , leukotriene , allergic inflammation , immunology , inflammation , lipid signaling , leukotriene d4 , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , medicine , chemistry , asthma , biochemistry , in vitro
Summary Background Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are bioactive lipids that have been shown to contribute to allergic and inflammatory diseases. Eosinophils and mast cells have the capacity to produce large amounts of CysLTs after allergic or non‐allergic stimulation. Molecular identification of both the synthetic and signalling proteins in the CysLT pathway allows the investigation of expression of the CysLT enzymes and receptors in active allergic rhinitis. Objective We examined the expression of the proteins involved in the synthesis of CysLTs and the cysteinyl leukotriene‐1 (CysLT 1 ) and cysteinyl leukotriene‐2 (CysLT 2 ) receptors in inflammatory cells from patients with active seasonal allergic rhinitis. Methods Nasal lavage samples were obtained from patients during active seasonal allergic rhinitis. Specific cellular immunocytochemical techniques were used to detect the cysteinyl leukotriene synthetic proteins, namely 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO), 5‐lipoxygenase‐activating protein (FLAP) and leukotriene C 4 synthase (LTC4S). In situ hybridization and immunocytochemical techniques were used to identify the mRNA and proteins for the CysLT 1 and CysLT 2 receptors. Results 5‐LO, FLAP and LTC4S, and the CysLT 1 and CysLT 2 receptors were expressed in the majority of eosinophils and in subsets of mast cells and mononuclear cells. 5‐LO, FLAP and the CysLT 1 receptor, but not LTC4S or the CysLT 2 receptor, were expressed in a subset of nasal neutrophils. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the presence of CysLT pathway proteins in key allergic and inflammatory cells from the upper airway of patients with active seasonal allergic rhinitis. Our expression data highlight the potential of CysLT‐modifying agents to treat both upper and lower airway symptoms in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis and asthma.