Prostaglandin D2 as a mediator of allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is caused by the aberrant expansion in the lung of T helper cells that produce type 2 (T(H)2) cytokines and is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils and bronchial hyperreactivity. This disease is often triggered by mast cells activated by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic challenge. Activated mast cells release Various chemical mediators, including prostaglandin D-2 (PCD2), whose role in allergic asthma has now been investigated by the generation of mice deficient in the PCD receptor (DP). Sensitization and aerosol challenge of the homozygous mutant (DP-/-) mice with ovalbumin (OVA) induced increases in the serum concentration of IgE similar to those in wild-type mice subjected to this model of asthma. However, the concentrations of T(H)2 cytokines and the extent of lymphocyte accumulation in the lung of OVA-challenged DP-/- mice were greatly reduced compared with those in wild-type animals. Moreover, DP-/- mice showed only marginal infiltration of eosinophils and failed to develop airway hyperreactivity. Thus, PGD(2) functions as a mast cell-derived mediator to trigger asthmatic responses.