Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) the most stable of the cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) binds poorly to classical type 1 (CysLT1) and 2 (CysLT2) receptors although it induces potent responses in human airways in vivo, such as bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory cell influx suggesting the presence of a novel receptor that preferentially responds to LTE4.The objective of the study was to to identify such a receptor, intracellular signalling and gene expression response to LTE4 were examined in two human mast cell lines, LAD2 and LUVA.

LAD2 cells were cultured and stimulated for 2 h with LTD4 (100nM), LTE4 (100nM) or medium (vehicle) control. LUVA cell were cultured. Total RNA was extracted and analysed using Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST Arrays.

LTD4 and LTE4

Vehicle control

LAD2 cells were stimulated with either vehicle control, LTD4(100 nM) or LTE4(100nM) for 2 hours in the presence of L-cysteine (3 mmol/L).