title: The second PGD(2) receptor CRTH2: structure, properties, and functions in leukocytes.
abstract: Prostaglandin (PG) D(2) plays a broad range of physiological and pathophysiological functions. Until just a few years ago, it was thought that most of the biological actions of PGD(2) are mediated via the classical PGD(2) receptor DP. Recently, we identified a second PGD(2) receptor, chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on T helper (Th)2 cells (CRTH2), with different functions relative to DP. Here, we review the recent findings on the structure, tissue distribution, ligand selectivity, signalling pathways, and functions in leukocytes of this receptor. The data suggest that the PGD(2)/CRTH2 system play important roles in allergic inflammation through its stimulatory effects on Th2 cells, eosinophils, and basophils.
authors.affiliation: R&D Centre, Bio Medical Laboratories, Inc, 1361-1 Matoba, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-1101, Japan. nagata@alk.co.jp
authors.forename: Kinya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirai
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001491:Basophils / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D015230:Prostaglandin D2; C036293:prostaglandin D2 receptor