Expression of functional leukotriene B4 receptors on human airway smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) increases in induced sputum and exhaled breath condensate in people with asthma. Furthermore, the T(H)2-type immune response and airway hyperresponsiveness induced by ovalbumin sensitization is markedly suppressed in LTB4 receptor (BLT) 1 null mice. These studies suggest that LTB4 may contribute to asthma pathophysiology. However, the direct effects of LTB4 on human airway smooth muscle (ASM) have not been studied.

Objectives

We sought to determine the expression of LTB4 receptors on human ASM and its functional role in mediating responses of human ASM cells, and the effect of LTB4 on these cells.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry were used to determine the expression of LTB4 receptors. To deter

SUBMITTER: Watanabe S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4301732 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature