title: D prostanoid receptor 2 (chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on TH2 cells) protein expression in asthmatic patients and its effects on bronchial epithelial cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The D prostanoid receptor 2 (DP2; also known as chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on TH2 cells) is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, but its expression within bronchial biopsy specimens is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to investigate the bronchial submucosal DP2 expression in asthmatic patients and healthy control subjects and to explore its functional role in epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  DP2 protein expression was assessed in bronchial biopsy specimens from asthmatic patients (n = 22) and healthy control subjects (n = 10) by using immunohistochemistry and in primary epithelial cells by using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and quantitative RT-PCR. The effects of the selective DP2 agonist 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin D2 on epithelial cell migration and differentiation were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numbers of submucosal DP2(+) cells were increased in asthmatic patients compared with those in healthy control subjects (mean [SEM]: 78 [5] vs 22 [3]/mm(2) submucosa, P < .001). The bronchial epithelium expressed DP2, but its expression was decreased in asthmatic patients compared with that seen in healthy control subjects (mean [SEM]: 21 [3] vs 72 [11]/10 mm(2) epithelial area, P = .001), with similar differences observed in vitro by primary epithelial cells. Squamous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium was increased in asthmatic patients and related to decreased DP2 expression (rs = 0.69, P < .001). 13, 14-Dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin D2 promoted epithelial cell migration and at air-liquid interface cultures increased the number of MUC5AC(+) and involucrin-positive cells, which were blocked with the DP2-selective antagonist AZD6430.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DP2 is expressed by the bronchial epithelium, and its activation drives epithelial differentiation, suggesting that in addition to its well-characterized role in inflammatory cell migration, DP2 might contribute to airway remodeling in asthmatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Lung Health, Department of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sally E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Lung Health, Department of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Amrani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Lung Health, Department of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ceb17@le.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Brightling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000235:genetics; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D001980:Bronchi / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C094103:TFDP2 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Expression; asthma; biopsy; immunohistochemistry; prostaglandin D(2)