Tachykinin NK3-receptor deficiency does not inhibit pulmonary eosinophilia in allergic mice

Pharmacol Res. 2004 Dec;50(6):611-5. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2004.07.002.

Abstract

Tachykinins are important in the development of pulmonary inflammation in mice but the tachykinin receptor subtype mediating this response has not been defined. To elucidate the role of tachykinin NK3-receptors on allergen-induced pulmonary inflammation, studies were performed on ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized and challenged mice with genetic disruption of the tachykinin NK3-receptor (NK3-/-). Aerosol OVA (0.5%) challenge produced eosinophil influx into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue, goblet cell hyperplasia and damage to the airway epithelium of both NK3-/- mice and in wild type control mice (NK3+/+). There was no difference in the magnitude of these allergic inflammatory pulmonary responses between NK3-/- and NK3+/+ mice. These results find no role for tachykinin NK3-receptors on the pulmonary eosinophilia and lung damage after antigen challenge in mice.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Female
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / genetics
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-3 / deficiency*
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-3 / genetics
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-3 / physiology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / metabolism*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-3