title: Serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor activation prevents allergic asthma in a mouse model.
abstract: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lung characterized by airways hyper-responsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and mucus hyperproduction. Current mainstream therapies include bronchodilators that relieve bronchoconstriction and inhaled glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation. The small molecule hormone and neurotransmitter serotonin has long been known to be involved in inflammatory processes; however, its precise role in asthma is unknown. We have previously established that activation of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2A) receptors has potent anti-inflammatory activity in primary cultures of vascular tissues and in the whole animal in vasculature and gut tissues. The 5-HT(2A) receptor agonist, (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI] is especially potent. In this work, we have examined the effect of (R)-DOI in an established mouse model of allergic asthma. In the ovalbumin mouse model of allergic inflammation, we demonstrate that inhalation of (R)-DOI prevents the development of many key features of allergic asthma, including AHR, mucus hyperproduction, airways inflammation, and pulmonary eosinophil recruitment. Our results highlight a likely role of the 5-HT2 receptors in allergic airways disease and suggest that 5-HT2 receptor agonists may represent an effective and novel small molecule-based therapy for asthma.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nau
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Jordy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saravia
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahlert
authors.forename: Bangning
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Kyle I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Happel
authors.forename: Stephania A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cormier
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Nichols
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000378:metabolism; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D058826:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2; D058826:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; C015952:4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine