Leukotrienes in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Immunol Res. 2014 May;58(2-3):387-93. doi: 10.1007/s12026-014-8492-5.

Abstract

Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid mediators derived from the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism and are markers and mediators of pulmonary inflammation. Research over the past two decades has established that LTs modulate inflammation in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of LTs in the pathophysiology of PAH and to highlight a recent study that advances our understanding of how leukotriene B4 (LTB4) specifically contributes to pulmonary vascular remodeling. The results of these studies suggest that pharmacological inhibition of LT pathways, especially LTB4, has high potential for the treatment of PAH.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / genetics
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / metabolism
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / genetics
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / genetics
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / metabolism*
  • Leukotrienes / biosynthesis
  • Leukotrienes / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Artery / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Leukotrienes
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II