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Biological effects of montelukast, a cysteinyl‐leukotriene receptor‐antagonist, on T lymphocytes
Author(s) -
Spinozzi F.,
Russano A. M.,
Piattoni S.,
Agea E.,
Bistoni O.,
De Benedictis D.,
De Benedictis F. M.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.02119.x
Subject(s) - propidium iodide , montelukast , microbiology and biotechnology , annexin , apoptosis , fluorescein isothiocyanate , cd3 , jurkat cells , cytokine , t cell receptor , t cell , biology , programmed cell death , chemistry , immunology , cd8 , flow cytometry , antigen , immune system , biochemistry , asthma , physics , quantum mechanics , fluorescence
Summary Background Montelukast (MNT), a cysteinyl‐leukotriene receptor (Cys‐LTR) antagonist, has anti‐inflammatory activity in the treatment of allergic diseases. If this effect is due only to blocking leukotrienes or also owing to inhibiting proliferation and survival of inflammatory cells, is actually unknown. Objective Testing the hypothesis that MNT could influence T lymphocyte functional behaviour in vitro . Methods Normal T lymphocytes were analysed for surface expression of Cys‐LTR 1 and Cys‐LTR 2 by means of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), in the resting state and after activation with T helper type 2 cytokine or T cell receptor (TcR) stimulation. Proliferative activity, as well as IL‐4 andIFN‐γ production, were simultaneously determined in samples exposed to molar concentrations of MNT from 10 −8 to 10 −5 . Programmed cell death in cultured samples was evaluated by means of propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated anti‐Annexin V mAb staining. The complementary DNA microarray technique was adopted to identify gene products involved in apoptosis induction. Results Resting T cells expressed low levels of Cys‐LTR. Upon anti‐CD3 mAb activation, a progressive increase in Cys‐LTR 1 and ‐LTR 2 expression was observed. Exposure to MNT reduced proliferative response to TcR engagement, increased IFN‐γ production and led to apoptosis at minimal concentrations of 10 −6 m . A progressive loss in BAD and B cell lymphoma/leukaemia‐2 activities, and an increase in the expression of CD27, TRAF3, TRAIL, p53 and Fas genes were also observed. Conclusions Biological effects of MNT delineate a complex picture of gene activation and repression, probably induced by Cys‐LTR blockade. The induction of apoptosis in allergen‐specific T cell population, as a final result, appears fundamental in the treatment of asthma.