Prostaglandin D2 as a Mediator of Allergic Asthma

Tashiyuki Matsuoka et al

Science 287, 2013-2017 (2000)

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Abstract:

   Prostaglandin D2(PGD2), the major cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid produced by mast cells and other inflammatory in response to antigen challenge . PGD2 is released in large amounts during asthmatic attack in humans, and it has been proposed as a marker of mast cell activation in asthma.
   A transgenic homozygous PGD2 receptor mutant (DP-/-) mouse model has been established. To induce asthma-like inflammatory responses in mice, immunization and subsequent inhalation with Ovalalbumin(OVA) were performed, and typical asthmatic symptoms such as TH2 cytokine production, inflammatory cells infiltration, and acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstrction arose. In contrast, transgenic DP deficient mice react to OVA challenge to significantly less extent in terms of inflammatory responses in their airways with the same magnitude OVA-specific IgE response.

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