β2-Adrenoceptor agonists are required for development of the asthma phenotype in a murine model.

ABSTRACT: β(2)-Adrenoceptor (β2AR) agonists are the most effective class of bronchodilators and a mainstay of asthma management. The first potent β2AR agonist discovered and widely used in reversing the airway constriction associated with asthma exacerbation was the endogenous activator of the β2AR, epinephrine. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of the β2AR by epinephrine is paradoxically required for development of the asthma phenotype. In an antigen-driven model, mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin showed marked elevations in three cardinal features of the asthma phenotype: inflammatory cells in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, mucin over production, and airway hyperresponsiveness. However, genetic depletion of epinephrine using mice lacking the enzyme to synthesize epinep

SUBMITTER: Thanawala VJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3604060 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature