Platelet-activating factor receptor develops airway hyperresponsiveness independently of airway inflammation in a murine asthma model
Ishii, S.; Nagase, T.; Shindou, H.; Takizawa, H.; Ouchi, Y.; Shimizu, T.
Journal of Immunology 172(11): 7095-7102
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 15153532 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.11.7095
Accession: 012424366
Lipid mediators play an important role in modulating inflammatory responses. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent proinflammatory phospholipid with eosinophil chemotactic activity in vitro and in vivo. We show in this study that mice deficient in PAF receptor exhibited significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness to muscarinic cholinergic stimulation in an asthma model. However, PAF receptor-deficient mice developed an eosinophilic inflammatory response at a comparable level to that of wild-type mice. These results indicate an important role for PAF receptor, downstream of the eosinophilic inflammatory cascade, in regulating airway responsiveness after sensitization and aeroallergen challenge.