An update on the role of leukotrienes in asthma

Purpose of review Leukotrienes are lipid mediators involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. There is significant new information about the actions of leukotrienes in asthma and the evolving role of antileukotriene therapies. We review recent findings on regulation of leukotriene synthesis, biological function of leukotrienes in disease models, and use of leukotriene modifiers in clinical practice. Recent findings Our understanding of the regulation of leukotriene synthesis at a molecular level has greatly advanced. Recent evidence indicates that genetic variation in the leukotriene synthetic pathway affects the clinical response to leukotriene modifiers. The participation of leukotriene B-4 in the allergic sensitization process in animal models suggests a larger role for leukotriene B-4 in asthma. Preclinical and in-vitro models suggest that the cysteinyl leukotrienes are important in airway remodeling. Leukotrienes are key mediators of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction with recent studies demonstrating that leukotriene modifiers reduce the severity of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction during short-term and long-term use. Summary Leukotrienes are clearly involved in airway inflammation and certain clinical features of asthma. Evolving evidence indicates that leukotriene B-4 has an important role in the development of asthma and that cysteinyl leukotrienes are key mediators of the airway remodeling process.