title: Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist regulates allergic airway inflammation in an organ- and cytokine-specific manner.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are very important factors in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. Cys-LT receptor antagonists (LTRAs) decrease allergic airway inflammation. The aim of the present study was to determine the differential effects of LTRAs and corticosteroids on allergic airway inflammation and allergen-specific cytokine production from lymphoid tissues using a murine model of asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four groups of female BALB/c mice [control (Cont); Dermatophagoides farinae allergen-sensitized (AS); pranlukast (Prl), an LTRA-treated AS; and dexamethasone (Dex)-treated AS] were examined. Lung pathology and cytokine production by prepared mononuclear cells isolated from mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) and spleen were compared among these groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AS mice exhibited allergic airway inflammation and significant increases in allergen-specific Th1 and Th2 cytokines in MLNs and spleen. Prl-treated mice showed significant attenuation of allergic airway inflammation concomitant with reduction of Th2 cytokines and IFN-g in MLNs but not in spleen. In contrast, Dex significantly decreased Th1 and Th2 cytokines in MLNs and also decreased them (except IL-13 and IL-2) in spleen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inflammatory effects of cys-LTs could differ in lymphoid organs. LTRAs potentially regulate allergic airway inflammation in an organ- and cytokine-specific manner, while systemic corticosteroid shows nonspecific effects.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuse
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuchida
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukahori
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Chizu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishino
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohno
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D002867:Chromones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002867:Chromones; D016207:Cytokines; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene; C083169:leukotriene D4 receptor; C047681:pranlukast