Inflammatory stimuli increase prostaglandin D synthase levels in cerebrospinal fluid of rats

Myeloid-derived β-hexosaminidase is essential for neuronal health and lysosome function: implications for Sandhoff disease

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a large disease class involving lysosomal dysfunction, often resulting in neurodegeneration. Sandhoff disease (SD) is an LSD caused by a deficiency in the β subunit of the β-hexosaminidase enzyme (Hexb). Although Hexb expression in the brain is specific to microglia, SD primarily affects neurons. To understand how a microglial gene is involved in maintaining neuronal homeostasis, we demonstrated that β-hexosaminidase is secreted by microglia and integrated into the neuronal lysosomal compartment. To assess therapeutic relevance, we treated SD mice with bone marrow transplant and colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibition, which broadly replaced Hexb -/- microglia with Hexb-sufficient cells. This intervention reversed apoptotic gene signatures, improved behavior, restored enzymatic activity and Hexb expression, ameliorated substrate accumulation, and normalized neuronal lysosomal phenotypes. These results underscore the critical role of myeloid-derived β-hexosaminidase in neuronal lysosomal function and establish microglial replacement as a potential LSD therapy.

Sleep, plasticity and the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders: the potential roles of protein synthesis and other cellular processes

Sleep is important for neural plasticity, and plasticity underlies sleep-dependent memory consolidation. It is widely appreciated that protein synthesis plays an essential role in neural plasticity. Studies of sleep-dependent memory and sleep-dependent plasticity have begun to examine alterations in these functions in populations with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Such an approach acknowledges that disordered sleep may have functional consequences during wakefulness. Although neurodevelopmental disorders are not considered to be sleep disorders per se, recent data has revealed that sleep abnormalities are among the most prevalent and common symptoms and may contribute to the progression of these disorders. The main goal of this review is to highlight the role of disordered sleep in the pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders and to examine some potential mechanisms by which sleep-dependent plasticity may be altered. We will also briefly attempt to extend the same logic to the other end of the developmental spectrum and describe a potential role of disordered sleep in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. We conclude by discussing ongoing studies that might provide a more integrative approach to the study of sleep, plasticity, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The role of lipocalins in airway disease

The pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation and disease is complex and still not fully understood. Many cells, factors and mediators are involved in the different aspects of induction, maintenance and persistence of airway inflammation. The heterogeneity and redundancy of this system is one of the main reasons why novel therapeutic targets focusing on the pathogenesis of asthma only hesitantly reach the market and clinical application. Thus, it seems mandatory that we proceed in our efforts to better understand this micro cosmos to succeed in the development of safe and effective drugs for the treatment of more severe and refractory forms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One of the more recently discovered mediators in the context of airway inflammation are the lipocalins (Lcns). They are a family of proteins that share functional and structural similarities and are involved in the transport of small hydrophobic molecules such as steroids and lipids into the cell. Lcns are found in many different cell types from plants and bacteria through invertebrate cells to cells of vertebrate origin. The purpose of this review is to summarize the role of Lcns in airway diseases, focusing on allergic and infectious inflammation. In particular, we will summarize the present knowledge about Lipocalin 1 and Lipocalin 2, where exciting new discoveries in the recent years have highlighted their role in pulmonary disease and infection. This new class of proteins is another putative candidate for the development of novel drugs against airway inflammation.

Estradiol regulation of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase promoter activity: evidence for direct and indirect mechanisms

In the CNS, lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is predominantly a non-neuronal enzyme responsible for the production of PGD(2), an endogenous sleep promoting substance. We have previously demonstrated that estradiol differentially regulates L-PGDS transcript levels in the rodent brain. In hypothalamic nuclei, estradiol increases L-PGDS transcript expression, whereas in the ventrolateral preoptic area L-PGDS gene expression is reduced after estradiol treatment. In the present study, we have used an immortalized glioma cell line transfected with a L-PGDS reporter construct and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ERbeta expression plasmids to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying estradiol regulation of L-PGDS gene expression. We found that physiologically relevant concentrations of estradiol evoked an inverted U response in cells expressing ERalpha. The most effective concentration of estradiol (10(-11)M) increased the promoter activity 3-fold over baseline. Expression of ERbeta did not increase activity over control and when ERbeta was co-expressed with ERalpha there was a significant attenuation of the promoter activity. While ERalpha significantly increased L-PGDS promoter activity, our previous in vivo studies demonstrate a greater magnitude of change in L-PGDS gene expression in the presences of estradiol. This led us to ask whether estradiol is signaling via a paracrine factor released by the neighboring neurons. Conditioned media from estradiol treated neurons applied to the glioma cell line resulted in a significant 7-fold increase in L-PGDS promoter activity supporting the possibility that neuronal-glial interactions are involved in estradiol regulation of L-PGDS.

Gene expression is altered in the lateral hypothalamus upon activation of the mu opioid receptor

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a brain structure that controls hedonic properties of both natural rewards and drugs of abuse. Mu opioid receptors are known to mediate drug reward, but whether overstimulation of these receptors impacts on LH function has not been studied. Here we have used a genome-wide microarray approach to identify LH responses to chronic mu opioid receptor activation at the transcriptional level. We have subjected wild-type and mu opioid receptor knockout mice to an escalating morphine regimen, which produces severe physical dependence in wild-type but not mutant animals. We have analyzed gene profiles in LH samples using the 430A.2 Affymetrix array and identified a set of 25 genes whose expression is altered by morphine in wild-type mice only. The regulation was confirmed for a subset of these genes using real-time quantitative PCR on samples from independent treatments. Altered expression of aquaporin 4, apolipoprotein D, and prostaglandin synthase is indicative of modified LH physiology. The regulation of two signaling genes (the serum glucocorticoid kinase and the regulator of G protein signaling 4) suggests that neurotransmission is altered in LH circuitry. Finally, the downregulation of apelin may indicate a potential role for this neuropeptide in opioid signaling and hedonic homeostasis. Altogether, our study shows that chronic mu opioid receptor stimulation induces gene expression plasticity in the LH and provides a unique collection of mu opioid receptor-dependent genes that potentially contribute to alter reward processes in addictive diseases.

Increased production of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in leptomeningeal cells through contact with astrocytes

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is dominantly expressed in the leptomeninges surrounding the brain and secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid as beta-trace, a major cerebrospinal fluid protein. To examine the interaction between the leptomeninges and the brain parenchyma, we co-cultured rat leptomeningeal cells with cells dissociated from the neonatal rat cortex and found that the production of L-PGDS was remarkably increased after the co-cultivation. A similar increase in L-PGDS production was observed by the co-culturing of the leptomeningeal cells with cells dissociated from astrocyte-rich cultures or with 1321-N1 astrocytoma cells. When a crude membrane fraction prepared from 1321-N1 cells was added to leptomeningeal cell cultures, L-PGDS gene expression was slowly increased up to 48 h after the addition. These results indicate that leptomeningeal cells enhance their L-PGDS production by a slow activation of L-PGDS gene expression through their contact with astrocytes.

The choroid plexus response to peripheral inflammatory stimulus

Increased interest is being raised on the interaction between systemic inflammation and the brain. The choroid plexus (CP) constitutes a monolayer of epithelial cells located within the brain ventricles and is responsible for the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite the knowledge that the CP capillaries are fenestrated, allowing free passage of molecules and cells, the involvement of the vast blood-brain boundary represented by the CP/CSF barrier in brain inflammatory processes has seldom been considered. In the present study we investigate, in mice, how the expression of genes encoding major constitutively expressed CP proteins is influenced by a systemic inflammatory stimulus. Confirming that the CP responds to peripheral inflammation, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha are rapidly induced. As for the constitutively expressed proteins, while the mRNA for genes encoding transthyretin and transferrin remain unaltered by the inflammatory challenge, that for prostaglandin D2 synthase (LPTGDS) is up-regulated at 6 h, and stays up-regulated up to 24 h after lipopolysacharide administration. Accordingly, LPTGDS CSF levels are also augmented. LPTGDS catalyzes the synthesis of the major prostanoid of the CNS and, being increased in the CSF, might mediate immune signaling into the brain. These observations emphasize that the CP must be considered a relevant mediator of immune signals between the periphery and the brain.

Systemic inflammation induces COX-2 mediated prostaglandin D2 biosynthesis in mice spinal cord

Although prostaglandin (PG)D2 is one of the main metabolites of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway of arachidonate metabolism in the brain, relatively little is known about the regulation of PGD2 biosynthesis in the spinal cord during systemic inflammation. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the effect of endotoxin treatment on spinal PGD2 biosynthesis in BALB/c mice. Spinal inflammatory response to systemic endotoxin was verified by determination of spinal TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA. COX-1, COX-2, membrane-bound prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The concentrations of immunoreactive PGD2 and PGE2 were measured in superfusion media of spinal cord samples in-vitro. Endotoxin treatment (1 mg/kg; 24 h before) enhanced the expression of COX-2, mPGES-1, and L-PGDS mRNA and protein in spinal cord, while there was no significant effect on COX-1 mRNA and protein. In superfusion media of spinal cord samples obtained from endotoxin treated mice, the concentrations of immunoreactive PGE2 and PGD2 were higher than in the control group suggesting enhanced spinal PG biosynthesis after endotoxin treatment. Addition of the selective COX-2 inhibitor lumiracoxib (100 nM) to the superfusion medium did not significantly affect PGE2 or PGD2 release in spinal cord obtained from non-treated mice. In spinal cord of endotoxin-treated mice, lumiracoxib (100 nM) attenuated PGE2 and PGD2 release to values similar to those observed in tissue obtained from non-endotoxin-treated mice. These results show enhanced expression of spinal L-PGDS and increased spinal PGD2 biosynthesis during systemic inflammation whereby enhanced biosynthesis seems to be dependent primarily on COX-2 activity.

Cyclooxygenase-2 mediates the development of cortical spreading depression-induced tolerance to transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

We examined the role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the development of ischemic tolerance induced by cortical spreading depression against transient, focal brain ischemia. Cortical spreading depression was continuously induced for 2 h with topical KCl (13+/-1 depolarizations/2 h) in male Wistar rats. At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days following recovery, the middle cerebral artery was transiently occluded for 120 min. Four days later, the animals were killed and infarct volume was determined. Additionally, cyclooxygenase-2 levels in the cerebral cortex and 15 deoxy-Delta(12, 14) PGJ2 levels in cerebrospinal fluid were determined at these times with Western blotting and immunoassay, respectively. Infarct volume was reduced compared with non-cortical spreading depression control animals (274.3+/-15.3 mm3) when cortical spreading depression was performed 3 and 4 days before middle cerebral artery occlusion (163.9+/-14.2 mm3, 154.9+/-14.2 mm3) but not at 1, 2 and 5 days (280.4+/-17.3 mm3, 276.3+/-16.9 mm3 and 268.5+/-17.3 mm3). Cyclooxygenase-2 levels increased most dramatically starting at 2 days, peaked at 3 days, and started to return toward baseline at 4 days after cortical spreading depression. 15 Deoxy-Delta(12, 14) PGJ2 levels increased from 134.7+/-83 pg/ml at baseline to 718+/-98 pg/ml at 3 days. Administration of N-[2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl] methanesulphonamide (10 mg/kg, i.v.), a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, at 1 h prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion in cortical spreading depression preconditioned animals did not affect infarct volume (162.6+/-62.1 mm3). However, administration of N-[2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl] methanesulphonamide given three times prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion prevented the reduced infarct volume induced by cortical spreading depression preconditioning (272.9+/-63.2 mm3). Administration of L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (4 mg/kg, i.v.) prior to cortical spreading depression blocked increases in cyclooxygenase-2 normally seen at 3 and 4 days. We conclude that NO-mediated cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation by cortical spreading depression protects the brain against ischemic damage.

Fever suppression in near-term pregnant rats is dissociated from LPS-activated signaling pathways

Near-term pregnant rats show a suppressed fever response to LPS that is associated with reduced induction of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the hypothalamus. The objective of this study is to explore whether the LPS-activated signaling pathways in the fever-controlling region of the hypothalamus are specifically altered at near term. Three rat groups consisting of 15-day pregnant rats, near-term 21- to 22-day pregnant rats, and day 5 lactating rats were injected with a febrile dose of LPS (50 μg/kg ip). The hypothalamic preoptic area and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) were collected 2 h after LPS injection. The activation of three transcription modulators, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), was assessed using semiquantitative Western blot analysis. LPS activated the NF-κB pathway in all rat groups, and this response was not altered at near term. ERK1/2 and STAT5 were constitutively activated during all reproductive stages, and their levels were not significantly affected by LPS injection. Plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist), and corticosterone were unaffected during the three reproductive stages after LPS challenge. We observed a sharp decrease in the expression of a prostaglandin-producing enzyme called lipocalin-prostaglandin D2 synthase in near-term pregnant and lactating rats. Thus fever suppression at near term is not due to an alteration in either LPS-activated intracellular signaling pathways or LPS-induced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production.

Identification of autotaxin as a neurite retraction-inducing factor of PC12 cells in cerebrospinal fluid and its possible sources

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) induced neurite retraction of differentiated PC12 cells; the action was observed in 15 min (a rapid response) and the activity further increased until 6 h (a long-acting response) during exposure of CSF to the cells. The CSF action was sensitive to monoglyceride lipase and diminished by homologous desensitization with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and by pretreatment with an LPA receptor antagonist Ki16425. Although fresh CSF contains LPA to some extent, the LPA content in the medium was increased during culture of PC12 cells with CSF. The rapid response was mimicked by exogenous LPA, and a long-acting response was duplicated by a recombinant autotaxin, lysophospholipase D (lyso-PLD). Although the lyso-PLD substrate lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) was not detected in CSF, lyso-PLD activity and an approximately 120-kDa autotaxin protein were detected in CSF. On the other hand, LPC but not lyso-PLD activity was detected in the conditioned medium of a PC12 cell culture without CSF. Among neural cells examined, leptomeningeal cells expressed the highest lyso-PLD activity and autotaxin protein. These results suggest that leptomeningeal cells may work as one of the sources for autotaxin, which may play a critical role in LPA production and thereby regulate axonal and neurite morphological change.

Global gene expression in a type 2 Gaucher disease brain

Gaucher disease is a member of a family of inherited disorders called sphingolipidoses that among others includes Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases. It is caused by the accumulation of glucosylceramide (glucocerebroside) due to deficient activity of the enzyme glucosylceramide-beta-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase). As with other glycosphingolipidoses, severe neurodegeneration is present in types 2 and 3 Gaucher disease. We have used Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) to characterize the gene expression profiles in brain of patients with glycosphingolipid storage diseases to understand the molecular details of neurodegeneration. In the current study we have determined the gene expression profile from the brain of a patient with type 2 Gaucher disease, the acute neuronopathic form of the disorder. We found that the expression profile of the type 2 Gaucher brain is significantly altered relative to the normal control brain profile. There were also differences when compared with profiles from Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff patients, in particular in levels of genes related to macrophage activation. Intriguingly we found that gamma-synuclein, a family member of proteins involved the pathogenesis of other neurodegenerative disorders, was elevated in the one Gaucher type 2 patient brain we examined.

A novel antipyretic action of 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 in the rat brain

Fever is an important part of the host defense response, yet fever can be detrimental if it is uncontrolled. We provide the first evidence that 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), an endogenous ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), can attenuate the febrile response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats via an action on the brain. Furthermore, we show that PPARgamma is expressed in the hypothalamus, an important locus in the brain for fever generation. In addition, 15d-PGJ2 and its synthesizing enzyme (PGD2 synthase) were present in rat cerebrospinal fluid, and their levels were enhanced in response to systemic injection of LPS. The antipyretic effect of 15d-PGJ2 was associated with reduction in LPS-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the hypothalamus but not in p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation or in the expression of the PPARgamma. Thus it is likely that there is a parallel induction of an endogenous prostanoid pathway in the brain capable of limiting deleterious actions of the proinflammatory prostaglandin E2-dependent pathway.

Effects of interleukin-1beta and prostaglandin E2 on prostaglandin D synthase production in cultivated rat leptomeningeal cells

Although the interleukin (IL)-1 receptor is densely distributed in the leptomeninges constituting the blood/cerebrospinal fluid barrier, its physiologic significance has remained unclear. In the present study, we show that in cultured leptomeningeal cells, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factors, or lipopolysaccharide causes a prominent increase in the synthesis and release of prostaglandin (PG) D synthase, which catalyzes the final step in the biosynthesis of PGD2. Although significant increases in the amount of PGD synthase were also observed with cells exposed to somatostatin, thrombin, or ciliary neurotrophic factor, these were much smaller than were those induced by the proinflammatory cytokines. Other agents tested including IGF-I had no effect upon the enzyme levels in the culture media. Furthermore, we found that the increased secretion of PGD synthase by IL-1beta was completely inhibited by 10(-7) M PGE2. The same dose of PGD2 or 15-deoxy-Delta(12-14)PGJ2 had no effect upon the IL-1beta action. In addition, PGE2 increased the level of fibronectin and eliminated the expression of zonula occludentes-1, a tight junction-associated protein from cultured cells, effects likely reflecting a loss of barrier integrity. These results demonstrate the importance of inflammatory stimuli as a physiologic regulator of the leptomeningeal cell function.

Regulation of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase gene expression by Hes-1 through E-box and interleukin-1 beta via two NF-kappa B elements in rat leptomeningeal cells

The promoter function of the rat lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) gene was characterized in primary cultures of leptomeningeal cells prepared from the neonatal rat brain. Luciferase reporter assays with deletion and site-directed mutation of the promoter region (-1250 to +77) showed that an AP-2 element at -109 was required for activation and an E-box at +57, for repression. Binding of nuclear factors to each of these cis-elements was demonstrated by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Several components of the Notch-Hes signaling pathway, Jagged, Notch1, Notch3, and Hes-1, were expressed in the leptomeningeal cells. Human Hes-1 co-expressed in the leptomeningeal cells bound to the E-box of the rat L-PGDS gene, and repressed the promoter activity of the rat L-PGDS gene in a dose-dependent manner. The L-PGDS gene expression was up-regulated slowly by interleukin-1 beta to the maximum level at 24 h. The reporter assay with deletion and mutation revealed that two NF-kappa B elements at -1106 and -291 were essential for this up-regulation. Binding of two NF-kappa B subunits, p65 and c-Rel, to these two NF-kappa B elements occurred after the interleukin-1 beta treatment. Therefore, the L-PGDS gene is the first gene identified as the target for the Notch-Hes signal through the E-box among a variety of genes involved in the prostanoid biosynthesis, classified to the lipocalin family, and expressed in the leptomeninges. Moreover, the L-PGDS gene is a unique gene that is activated slowly by the NF-kappa B system.

Lipocalin-type and hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthases as a novel example of functional convergence

Prostaglandin (PG) D2 is a major PG produced in the central nervous system and is involved in the regulation of sleep and pain responses through DP receptors. It is also actively produced by mast cells, basophils, and Th2 cells, acting as an allergic mediator through DP and CRTH2 receptors. PGD2 is further dehydrated to produce PGJ2, delta12-PGJ2, and 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-PGJ2, the last being a ligand for the nuclear receptor PPARgamma. PGD synthase (PGDS) catalyzes the isomerization of PGH2 to PGD2 in the presence of sulfhydryl compounds. Two distinct types of PGDS have been identified: one is the lipocalin-type PGDS (L-PGDS); and the other, the hematopoietic PGDS (H-PGDS). We isolated the human and mouse cDNAs and genes for L-PGDS and H-PGDS, determined their X-ray crystallographic structures, examined their tissue distribution profiles and cellular localization, and generated gene-knockout mice and human enzyme-overexpressing transgenic mice. L-PGDS and H-PGDS are quite different from each other, in terms of their amino acid sequence, tertiary structure, evolutional origin, chromosomal and cellular localization, tissue distribution, and also functional relevance. Therefore, L-PGDS and H-PGDS are considered to be a novel example of functional convergence.

Biomarker discovery in urine by proteomics

A hypothesis was formed that it would be possible to isolate an adequate amount of protein from a patient, having normal renal function, to identify biological markers of a particular disease state using a variety of proteomics techniques. To support this hypothesis, three samples of urine were collected from a volunteer: first when healthy, later when experiencing acute inflammation due to a pilonidal abcess, and again later still after successful recovery from the condition. The urine from these samples was processed by solid-phase extraction to concentrate and desalt the endogenous proteins and peptides. The proteins and peptides from these urine samples were analyzed in three different experiments: (1) traditional two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by proteolysis and mass spectrometric identification of various protein spots, (2) whole mixture proteolysis followed by one-dimensional packed capillary liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, (3) whole mixture proteolysis followed by two-dimensional capillary liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. In all three cases, a set of proteins was identified representing putative biomarkers. Each of these proteins was then found to have been previously linked in the scientific literature to inflammation. One acute phase reactant in particular, orosomucoid, was readily observed in all three experiments to dramatically increase in abundance, thereby supporting the hypothesis.

Pronounced eosinophilic lung inflammation and Th2 cytokine release in human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase transgenic mice

PGD(2) is a major lipid mediator released from mast cells, but little is known about its role in the development of allergic reactions. We used transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing human lipocalin-type PGD synthase to examine the effect of overproduction of PGD(2) in an OVA-induced murine asthma model. The sensitization of wild-type (WT) and TG mice was similar as judged by the content of OVA-specific IgE. After OVA challenge, PGD(2), but not PGE(2), substantially increased in the lungs of WT and TG mice with greater PGD(2) increment in TG mice compared with WT mice. The numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were significantly greater in TG mice than in WT mice on days 1 and 3 post-OVA challenge, whereas the numbers of macrophages and neutrophils were the same in both WT and TG mice. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, and eotaxin in BAL fluid were also significantly higher in TG mice than in WT mice, although the level of IFN-gamma in the BAL fluid of TG mice was decreased compared with that in WT mice. Furthermore, lymphocytes isolated from the lungs of TG mice secreted less IFN-gamma than those from WT mice, whereas IL-4 production was unchanged between WT and TG mice. Thus, overproduction of PGD(2) caused an increase in the levels of Th2 cytokines and a chemokine, accompanied by the enhanced accumulation of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the lung. These results indicate that PGD(2) plays an important role in late phase allergic reactions in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma.