Role of prostaglandin D2 and CRTH2 blockade in early- and late-phase nasal responses.
BACKGROUND
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2 ) plays an important role in allergic inflammation. The PGD2 receptor, CRTH2, is expressed on basophils, eosinophils, and Th2 lymphocytes and mediates chemotactic activity.


OBJECTIVE
To define the role of CRTH2 in allergen-induced nasal responses in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis (AR), a potent, selective CRTH2 receptor antagonist, ARRY-063 was administered in a model of allergic rhinitis in mice.


METHODS
ARRY-063 was administered orally to ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized and challenged mice. To assess nasal obstruction, respiratory frequency (RF) was monitored by whole-body plethysmography immediately after the 4th challenge (early-phase response, EPR) and 24 h after the 6th challenge (late-phase response, LPR). Nasal resistance (RNA ) was also measured in the LPR. PGD2 was administered with or without OVA to determine the effect of PGD2 on nasal responsiveness. Cytokine levels and histopathological changes in nasal tissue were analysed.


RESULTS
Instillation of PGD2 in the nose of sensitized mice together with a low concentration of OVA induced both an EPR and LPR. Treatment with the CRTH2 receptor antagonist prevented the decreases in RF seen immediately following the 4th challenge of sensitized mice (EPR). In the LPR, decreases in RF and increases in RNA were also prevented by antagonist treatment associated with reduced cytokine levels and inflammation in nasal tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
These data identify PGD2 as a mediator of both the EPR and LPR in this model of AR and suggest that antagonism of CRTH2 prevents the development of both the EPR and LPR as well as nasal inflammation.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cell Biology, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.
Y
Y
Shiraishi
K
K
Takeda
J
J
Domenico
E W
EW
Gelfand
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000485:Allergens; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D015230:Prostaglandin D2; C036293:prostaglandin D2 receptor
CRTH2; allergic rhinitis; prostaglandin D2