title: Functional characterization of human cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor gene structure.
abstract: The 5-lipoxygenase pathway has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disorders, such as bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs), 5-lipoxygenase pathway products, are recognized now not only as important factors in asthmatic inflammation, but also as mediators of cell trafficking and innate immune responses. To study a role of cysLTs in inflammatory reactions we have characterized the gene structure of human cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type I (cysLT(1)R). The cysLT(1)R gene consists of 5 exons that are variably spliced and a single promoter region with multiple transcription start sites. Four different cysLT(1)R transcripts were identified. RT-PCR showed dominant and wide expression of the transcript I, containing exons 1, 4, and 5, with the strongest presence in blood leukocytes, spleen, thymus, lung, and heart. The expression of cysLT(1)R is functionally regulated at the transcriptional level by IL-4 through a STAT6 response element localized to the proximal cysLT(1)R promoter region. IL-4 stimulation increased cysLT(1)R mRNA (real-time PCR) and surface protein expression (flow cytometry) in a time-dependent fashion. CysLTs (LTD(4) and LTC(4)) induced an increased production of a potent monocyte chemoattractant CCL2 (MCP-1) in IL-4-primed THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was effectively inhibited by the cysLT(1)R-selective antagonist MK571 in a dose-dependent manner and only partially by a nonselective cysLT(1)R/cysLT(2)R inhibitor BAY-u9773, implying a cysLT(1)R-mediated mechanism. Thus, cysLTs signaling through cysLT(1)R might contribute to inflammatory reactions by cooperating with IL-4 in enhanced CCL2 production in human monocytic cells.
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Woszczek
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pawliczak
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Sahrudaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagineni
authors.forename: Sura
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alsaaty
authors.forename: Carolea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Logun
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shelhamer
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D020298:U937 Cells
chemical_list: C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; C494101:STAT6 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4; C083169:leukotriene D4 receptor