Blocking the leukotriene B4 receptor 1 inhibits late-phase airway responses in established disease

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2011 Oct;45(4):851-7. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2010-0455OC. Epub 2011 Mar 18.

Abstract

Most of the studies investigating the effectiveness of blocking the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor 1 (BLT1) have been performed in models of primary or acute allergen challenge. The role of the LTB4-BLT1 pathway in secondary challenge models, where airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation have been established, has not been defined. We investigated the effects of blocking BLT1 on early- and late-phase development of AHR and airway inflammation in previously sensitized and challenged mice. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized (Days 1 and 14) and challenged (primary, Days 28-30) with ovalbumin. On Day 72, mice were challenged (secondary) with a single OVA aerosol, and the early and late phases of AHR and inflammation were determined. Specific blockade of BLT1 was attained by oral administration of a BLT1 antagonist on Days 70 through 72. Administration of the antagonist inhibited the secondary ovalbumin challenge-induced alterations in airway responses during the late phase but not during the early phase, as demonstrated by decreases in AHR and in bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophilia and eosinophilia 6 and 48 hours after secondary challenge. The latter was associated with decreased levels of KC protein, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and IL-17 in the airways. These data identify the importance of the LTB4-BLT1 pathway in the development of late-phase, allergen-induced airway responsiveness after secondary airway challenge in mice with established airway disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / drug therapy*
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL1 / metabolism
  • Chemokine CXCL2 / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Leukotriene Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / drug effects
  • Ovalbumin
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia / immunology
  • Pneumonia / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / prevention & control
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Antibodies
  • Chemokine CXCL1
  • Chemokine CXCL2
  • Cxcl1 protein, mouse
  • Cxcl2 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-17
  • Leukotriene Antagonists
  • Ltb4r1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4
  • Ovalbumin