Posted on

An Orally Bioavailable Small Molecule Antagonist of CRTH2, Ramatroban (BAYu3405), Inhibits Prostaglandin D2-Induced Eosinophil Migration in Vitro

Ramatroban (Baynas, BAY u3405), a thromboxane A2(TxA2) antagonist marketed for allergic rhinitis, has been shown to partially attenuate prostaglandin (PG)D2-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness in humans, as well as reduce antigen-induced early- and late-phase inflammatory responses in mice, guinea pigs, and rats. PGD2 is known to induce eosinophilia following intranasal administration, and to induce eosinophil activation in vitro. In addition to the TxA2 receptor, PGD2 is known as a ligand for the PGD2receptor, and the newly identified G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2). To fully characterize PGD2-mediated inflammatory responses relevant to eosinophil activation, further analysis of the mechanism of action of ramatroban has now been performed. PGD2-stimulated human eosinophil migration was shown to be mediated exclusively through activation of CRTH2, and surprisingly, these effects were completely inhibited by ramatroban. This is also the first report detailing an orally bioavailable small molecule CRTH2 antagonist. Our findings suggest that clinical efficacy of ramatroban may be in part mediated through its action on this Th2-, eosinophil-, and basophil-specific chemoattractant receptor.

http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/305/1/347.long

Posted on

Expression of RANTES by Normal Airway Epithelial Cells after Influenza Virus A Infection

The chemokine regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES), is a C-C chemokine and a potent chemoattractant for monocytes, T lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. Its expression by human airway epithelium has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. We investigated whether RANTES is expressed by normal human airway epithelial cells after influenza viral infection and examined its bioactivity. Epithelial cells were obtained from bronchial tissue or nasal polyps of patients who had undergone lobectomy for lung cancer or polypectomy for nasal polyps. These cells were cultured by the outgrowth method. Cultured cells were infected with influenza virus A (subtype H3N2) after which the supernatants and the cells were collected 8 to 72 h after infection. RANTES mRNA (messenger RNA) was analyzed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis of its product. Concentrations of RANTES in the supernatants were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RANTES protein and mRNA were not detected in the media of uninfected cells. PCR products for RANTES were clearly detected in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells 24 h after infection. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the PCR products were indeed specific for RANTES mRNA. Twenty-four to 72 h after infection, significant levels of RANTES protein were detected in culture media. We also investigated the chemotactic activity of the supernatant of cultured cells. The supernatant of the cells 48 h after infection had potent chemotactic activity for eosinophils, which was attenuated by the addition of anti-RANTES antibodies. These findings suggest that influenza virus infection may induce expression of bioactive RANTES by normal human bronchial and nasal epithelial cells.

http://ajrcmb.atsjournals.org/content/18/2/255.long

Posted on

BLTR mediates leukotriene B(4)-induced chemotaxis and adhesion and plays a dominant role in eosinophil accumulation in a murine model of peritonitis.

Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a potent chemoattractant active on multiple leukocytes, including neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory processes. A seven transmembrane-spanning, G protein-coupled receptor, called BLTR (LTB(4) receptor), has recently been identified as an LTB(4) receptor. To determine if BLTR is the sole receptor mediating LTB(4)-induced leukocyte activation and to determine the role of LTB(4) and BLTR in regulating leukocyte function in inflammation in vivo, we generated a BLTR-deficient mouse by targeted gene disruption. This mouse reveals that BLTR alone is responsible for LTB(4)-mediated leukocyte calcium flux, chemotaxis, and firm adhesion to endothelium in vivo. Furthermore, despite the apparent functional redundancy with other chemoattractant-receptor pairs in vitro, LTB(4) and BLTR play an important role in the recruitment and/or retention of leukocytes, particularly eosinophils, to the inflamed peritoneum in vivo. These studies demonstrate that BLTR is the key receptor that mediates LTB(4)-induced leukocyte activation and establishes a model to decipher the functional roles of BLTR and LTB(4) in vivo.

http://jem.rupress.org/content/192/3/439.long

Posted on

Prostaglandin D2 is a potent chemoattractant for human eosinophils that acts via a novel DP receptor

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is released following exposure of asthmatics to allergen and acts via the adenylylcyclase–coupled receptor for PGD2 (DP receptor). In this study, it is reported that human eosinophils possess this receptor, which would be expected to inhibit their activation. In contrast, it was found that prostaglandinD2 is a potent stimulator of eosinophil chemotaxis, actin polymerization, CD11b expression, and L-selectin shedding. These responses are specific for eosinophils, as neutrophils display little or no response to prostaglandinD2. They were not due to interaction with receptors for other prostanoids, as prostaglandins E2 and F2a, U46619 (a thromboxane A2 analogue), and carbaprostacyclin (a prostacyclin analogue) displayed little or no activity. Furthermore, they were not shared by the selective DP receptor agonist BW245C and were not prevented by the selective DP receptor antagonist BWA868C, indicating that they were not mediated by DP receptors. In contrast, the prostaglandin D2 metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-oxoprostaglandin D2 induced eosinophil activation but did not stimulate DP receptor–mediated adenosine 3,5–cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation. These results indicate that in addition to the classic inhibitory DP1 receptor, eosinophils possess a second, novel DP2 receptor that is associated with PGD2-induced cell activation. These 2 receptors appear to interact to regulate eosinophil responses to PGD2, as blockade of DP1 receptor–mediated cAMP production by BWA868C resulted in enhanced DP2 receptor–mediated stimulation of CD11b expression. The balance between DP1 and DP2 receptors could determine the degree to which prostaglandin D2 can activate eosinophils and may play a role in eosinophil recruitment in asthma.

link to pdf at bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/content/98/6/1942.full.pdf

Posted on

Ramatroban (BAY u3405), Inhibits Prostaglandin D2-Induced Eosinophil Migration in Vitro

Ramatroban (Baynas, BAY u3405), a thromboxane A2(TxA2) antagonist marketed for allergic rhinitis, has been shown to partially attenuate prostaglandin (PG)D2-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness in humans, as well as reduce antigen-induced early- and late-phase inflammatory responses in mice, guinea pigs, and rats. PGD2 is known to induce eosinophilia following intranasal administration, and to induce eosinophil activation in vitro. In addition to the TxA2 receptor, PGD2 is known as a ligand for the PGD2receptor, and the newly identified G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2). To fully characterize PGD2-mediated inflammatory responses relevant to eosinophil activation, further analysis of the mechanism of action of ramatroban has now been performed. PGD2-stimulated human eosinophil migration was shown to be mediated exclusively through activation of CRTH2, and surprisingly, these effects were completely inhibited by ramatroban. This is also the first report detailing an orally bioavailable small molecule CRTH2 antagonist. Our findings suggest that clinical efficacy of ramatroban may be in part mediated through its action on this Th2-, eosinophil-, and basophil-specific chemoattractant receptor.

http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/305/1/347.full