Leukotriene E4–induced pulmonary inflammation is mediated by the P2Y12 receptor

Abstract

Of the potent lipid inflammatory mediators comprising the cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTs; LTC₄, LTD₄, and LTE₄), only LTE₄ is stable and abundant in vivo. Although LTE₄ shows negligible activity at the type 1 and 2 receptors for cys-LTs (CysLT₁R and CysLT₂R), it is a powerful inducer of mucosal eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness in humans with asthma. We show that the adenosine diphosphate (ADP)–reactive purinergic (P2Y₁₂) receptor is required for LTE₄-mediated pulmonary inflammation. P2Y₁₂ receptor expression permits LTE₄ -induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in Chinese hamster ovary cells and permits chemokine and prostaglandin D₂ production by LAD2 cells, a human mast cell line. P2Y₁₂ receptor expression by LAD2 cells is required for competition between radiolabeled ADP and unlabeled LTE₄ but not for direct binding of LTE₄, suggesting that P2Y₁₂ complexes with another receptor to recognize LTE₄. Administration of LTE₄ to the airways of sensitized mice potentiates eosinophilia, goblet cell metaplasia, and expression of interleukin-13 in response to low-dose aerosolized allergen. These responses persist in mice lacking both CysLT₁R and CysLT₂R but not in mice lacking P2Y₁₂ receptors. The effects of LTE₄ on P2Y₁₂ in the airway were abrogated by platelet depletion. Thus, the P2Y₁₂ receptor is required for proinflammatory actions of the stable abundant mediator LTE₄ and is a novel potential therapeutic target for asthma.