title: Effects of prostaglandin D2 on helper T cell functions.
abstract: Prostaglandin (PG) D(2) is abundantly produced by mast cells in the sites of allergic inflammations and acts on various cell types through its receptors DP and CRTH2. Among human T cells, CRTH2 is preferentially expressed on Th2-type cells. However, distribution of DP among T cells and impacts of CRTH2- and DP-mediated signals on T cell functions are presently unclear. Here, we show that CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells producing IFN-gamma and IL-2 were reduced by DP-mediated signals, while CRTH2-mediated signals enhanced IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production by Th2 cells. CRTH2 signals also caused up-regulation of CD11b and CD40L in resting Th2 cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed distribution of DP among Th cell subsets. On CRTH2(+) Th2 cells, the CRTH2-mediated PGD(2) effects were dominantly observed. Thus, PGD(2) favors Th2 functions through CRTH2 while restraining Th1 functions via DP, which may contribute to development of Th2-dominated status in allergic inflammations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Medicine and Development, BML, Inc., Saitama 350-1101, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Kinya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagata
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015230:Prostaglandin D2; C036293:prostaglandin D2 receptor