title: Selective COX-2 Inhibition Exerts No Negative Effects on Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Allergic Asthmatics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reduces the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which can have both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects on allergic inflammation. Moreover, in vitro PGE2 has been shown to affect inflammation through the modulation of lymphocyte responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen subjects with mild allergic asthma were recruited to a two-period cross-over study: one treatment period with the selective COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib and one without. Each treatment period ended with an airway challenge with the patient's relevant allergen. Antigen-specific proliferation with the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, was analysed in PBMCs. CD4+ T cells were phenotyped using flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of FOXP3 in anti-CD3-stimulated CD4+ cells were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant impact of in vivo inhibition of COX-2 was detected on the proportion of Th1, Th2, or Treg cells in peripheral blood. Likewise, the treatment had minor effects on the stimulated expression of FOXP3 mRNA in CD4+ T cells. Proliferation of PBMCs to the major cat allergen Fel d 1 was slightly reduced by etoricoxib treatment in cat-allergic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib had a minor impact on T-cell responses, supporting its safe use also in subjects exposed to triggers of lymphocyte activation.
authors.affiliation: Immunology and Allergy Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Guro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gafvelin
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grundström
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edin Grimheden
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sánchez Vidaurre
authors.forename: Kameran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Daham
authors.forename: Sven-Erik
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Dahlén
authors.forename: Barbro
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dahlén
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Hage
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2