Prostanoids in allergy

• Main Authors: Tetsuya Honda, Kenji Kabashima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2015-01-01
• Series: Allergology International
• Subjects: Atopic dermatitis; Contact dermatitis; Prostaglandin; Prostanoid; Thromboxane
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1323893014000094

Prostanoids, which include prostaglandin and thromboxane, are metabolites of arachidonic acid released in various pathophysiological conditions. They induce a range of actions mediated through their respective receptors expressed on target cells. It has been demonstrated that each prostanoid receptor has multiple functions and that the effect of receptor stimulation can vary depending on context; this sometimes results in opposing effects, such as simultaneous excitatory and inhibitory outcomes. The balance between the production of each prostanoid and the expression of its receptors has been shown to be important for maintaining homeostasis but also involved in the development of various pathological conditions such as allergy. Here, we review the recent findings on the roles of prostanoids in allergy, especially focusing on atopic dermatitis and asthma.