title: Expression of prostanoid receptors (EP1, 2, 3, and 4) in normal and methimazole-treated mouse olfactory epithelium.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) are expressed in the olfactory epithelium (OE), and the EP4 prostanoid receptor may play an important role in the OE.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization of the four types of prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) in the OE of normal and methimazole-treated mice to gain more complete knowledge about the functional significance of the prostanoid receptors in OE.
  
  
  METHODS
  CBA/J mice were used in this study. The localization of the prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) in the OE was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The changes in expression of prostanoid receptors were studied in methimazole-treated mice. Furthermore, the effect of EP agonists on the methimazole-induced degeneration of OE was assessed by morphological analysis and by assessment of apoptosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All four types of EP receptors were recognized in mouse OE. Expression of EP4 in the OE was significantly reduced after methimazole treatment. In the methimazole-treated mice, an EP4 agonist reduced OE damage and apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima, Japan. tf0407@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuiri
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takumida
authors.forename: Yousuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakashimo
authors.forename: Katsuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirakawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D008713:Methimazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000819:agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D008713:Methimazole