Prostaglandin as a Target Molecule for Pharmacotherapy of Allergic Inflammatory Diseases

抄録

The purpose of this review is to summarize the role of prostaglandins (PGs) in allergic inflammation and to know the value of PGs, as a target molecule for an anti-allergic drug.
PGD₂ is the major PG produced by the cyclooxygenase pathway in mast cells. Our and others findings indicate that PGD₂ is one of the potent allergic inflammatory mediators and must be a target molecule of anti-allergic agent. From our data, one of PGD₂ receptor antagonists show clear inhibition of airway hypersensitivity caused by allergic reaction. Concerning the role of PGE₂ in allergic inflammation, conflicting results have been reported. Many experimental data suggest an individual role of each PGE₂ receptor, EP₁, EP₂, EP₃ and EP₄ in allergic reaction. Our results indicate the protective action of PGE₂ on allergic reaction via EP₃. In addition, one of EP₃ agonists clearly inhibits the allergic airway inflammation. These findings indicate the value of EP₃ agonists as an anti-allergic agent.
In addition, some investigators including us reported that PGI₂ plays an important role for the protection of the onset of allergic reaction. However, the efficacy of PGI₂ analogue as an anti-allergic agent is not yet fully investigated.
Finally, the role of thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) in allergic reaction is discussed. Our experimental results suggest a different participation of TxA₂ in allergic reaction of airway and skin. In this review, the role of PGs in allergic inflammation is summarized and the value of PGs as a target molecule for developing a new anti-allergic agent will be discussed.