Importance of group X-secreted phospholipase A2 in allergen-induced airway inflammation and remodeling in a mouse asthma model.

Arachidonic acid metabolites, the eicosanoids, are key mediators of allergen-induced airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. The availability of free arachidonate in cells for subsequent eicosanoid biosynthesis is controlled by phospholipase A(2)s (PLA(2)s), most notably cytosolic PLA(2)-alpha. 10 secreted PLA(2)s (sPLA(2)s) have also been identified, but their function in eicosanoid generation is poorly understood.

Reversal of allergen-induced airway remodeling by CysLT1 receptor blockade.

Rationale: Airway inflammation in asthma is accompanied by structural changes, including goblet cell metaplasia, smooth muscle cell layer thickening, and subepithelial fibrosis. This allergen-induced airway remodeling can be replicated in a mouse asthma model.

Objectives: The study goal was to determine whether established airway remodeling in a mouse asthma model is reversible by administration of the cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT)1 receptor antagonist montelukast, the corticosteroid dexamethasone, or the combination montelukast + dexamethasone.

Tryptase inhibition blocks airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model.

Release of human lung mast cell tryptase may be important in the pathophysiology of asthma. We examined the effect of the reversible, nonelectrophilic tryptase inhibitor MOL 6131 on airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity in a murine model of asthma. MOL 6131 is a potent selective nonpeptide inhibitor of human lung mast cell tryptase based upon a beta-strand template (K(i) = 45 nM) that does not inhibit trypsin (K(i) = 1,061 nM), thrombin (K(i) = 23, 640 nM), or other serine proteases.

A role for cysteinyl leukotrienes in airway remodeling in a mouse asthma model.

Airway inflammation and remodeling in chronic asthma are characterized by airway eosinophilia, hyperplasia of goblet cells and smooth muscle, and subepithelial fibrosis. We examined the role of leukotrienes in a mouse model of allergen-induced chronic lung inflammation and fibrosis. BALB/c mice, after intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization on Days 0 and 14, received intranasal OVA periodically Days 14-75.