5-HT
2 receptor activation alleviates airway inflammation and structural remodeling in a chronic mouse asthma model.
Life Sci 2019;
236:116790. [PMID:
31626791 DOI:
10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116790]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS
Although the bulk of research into the biology of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors has focused on its role in the CNS, selective activation of these receptors in peripheral tissues can produce profound anti-inflammatory effects. We previously demonstrated that the small molecule 5-HT2 receptor agonist (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI] inhibits TNF-α-mediated proinflammatory signaling cascades and inflammation via 5-HT2A receptor activation and prevents the development of, and inflammation associated with, acute allergic asthma in a mouse ovalbumin (OVA) model. Here, we investigated the ability of (R)-DOI to reverse inflammation and symptoms associated with established asthma in a newly developed model of chronic asthma.
METHODS
An 18-week ovalbumin challenge period was performed to generate persistent, chronic asthma in BALB/c mice. Four once daily intranasal treatments of (R)-DOI were administered one week after allergen cessation, with respiratory parameters being measured by whole-body plethysmography (WBP). Cytokine and chemokine levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in homogenized lung tissue, bronchoalveolar (BALF) fluid was analyzed for chemokine modulation by multiplex assays, and Periodic Acid-Schiff and Masson's Trichrome staining was performed to determine goblet cell infiltration and overall changes to lung morphology.
KEY FINDINGS
5-HT2 activation via (R)-DOI attenuates elevated airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, reduces pulmonary inflammation and mucus production, and reduces airway structural remodeling and collagen deposition by nearly 70%.
SIGNIFICANCE
Overall, these data provide support for the therapeutic potential of (R)-DOI and 5-HT2 receptor activation for the treatment of asthma, and identifies (R)-DOI as a novel therapeutic compound against pulmonary fibrosis.
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