Expression of prostaglandin D synthase and the prostaglandin D2 receptors DP and CRTH2 in human nasal mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is released from mast cells during the allergic response.


OBJECTIVE
Since PGD2 has been shown to induce nasal congestion in humans, we investigated the distribution of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (PGDS) and the two PGD2 receptors, DP and CRTH2 in human nasal mucosa from healthy subjects and subjects suffering from polyposis, a severe form of chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
DP mRNA expression was detected by in situ hybridization while PGDS, CRTH2 and various leukocyte markers expression were revealed by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In the normal mucosa, PGDS was only detected in few resident mast cells while CRTH2 was undetectable. In contrast, DP receptor mRNA was detected in epithelial goblet cells, serous glands and in the vasculature. In the nasal mucosa of subjects suffering from polyposis: (1) PGDS was detected in mast cells and other large infiltrating inflammatory cells, (2) both DP mRNA and CRTH2 were detected in eosinophils and (3) CRTH2 was detected on a subset of infiltrating T cells. Although DP mRNA could not be detected in the T cells invading the nasal mucosa, it was found to be expressed in the T cells present in the lymph node and the thymus from normal individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that cells capable of producing PGD2 are present in the nasal mucosa and that both PGD2 receptors, DP and CRTH2, might play a role in inflammatory disease of the upper airways.
Nantel
François
F
Merck Frosst Canada & Co. 16711 Trans Canada Hwy., Kirkland, Que., Canada H9H 3L1.
Fong
Carolyn
C
Lamontagne
Sonia
S
Wright
D Hamish
DH
Giaid
Adel
A
Desrosiers
Martin
M
Metters
Kathleen M
KM
O'Neill
Gary P
GP
Gervais
François G
FG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D054834:Lipocalins; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D054834:Lipocalins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C022466:prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase; C036293:prostaglandin D2 receptor