Abr, a negative regulator of Rac, attenuates cockroach allergen-induced asthma in a mouse model.

ABSTRACT: Abr deactivates Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac), a master molecular switch that positively regulates many immune cell functions, by converting it to its GDP-bound conformation. In this article, we report that, in the absence of Abr function, cockroach allergen (CRA)-immunized mice experienced a fatal asthma attack when challenged with CRA. The asthma in abr(-/-) mice was characterized by increased pulmonary mucus production, elevated serum IgE, and leukocyte airway infiltration. Decreased pulmonary compliance was further documented by increased airway resistance upon methacholine challenge. Peribronchial and bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophils, key cells associated with allergic asthma, were increased in abr(-/-) mice, but adoptive transfer of this cell type from immunized mi

SUBMITTER: Gong D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3806305 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature