BLTR mediates leukotriene B(4)-induced chemotaxis and adhesion and plays a dominant role in eosinophil accumulation in a murine model of peritonitis

J Exp Med. 2000 Aug 7;192(3):439-46. doi: 10.1084/jem.192.3.439.

Abstract

Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a potent chemoattractant active on multiple leukocytes, including neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory processes. A seven transmembrane-spanning, G protein-coupled receptor, called BLTR (LTB(4) receptor), has recently been identified as an LTB(4) receptor. To determine if BLTR is the sole receptor mediating LTB(4)-induced leukocyte activation and to determine the role of LTB(4) and BLTR in regulating leukocyte function in inflammation in vivo, we generated a BLTR-deficient mouse by targeted gene disruption. This mouse reveals that BLTR alone is responsible for LTB(4)-mediated leukocyte calcium flux, chemotaxis, and firm adhesion to endothelium in vivo. Furthermore, despite the apparent functional redundancy with other chemoattractant-receptor pairs in vitro, LTB(4) and BLTR play an important role in the recruitment and/or retention of leukocytes, particularly eosinophils, to the inflamed peritoneum in vivo. These studies demonstrate that BLTR is the key receptor that mediates LTB(4)-induced leukocyte activation and establishes a model to decipher the functional roles of BLTR and LTB(4) in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Chemotactic Factors / immunology*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Eosinophils / physiology
  • Gene Targeting
  • Leukotriene B4 / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscles / blood supply
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Peritonitis / chemically induced
  • Peritonitis / immunology*
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / genetics
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / immunology*
  • Thioglycolates / immunology
  • Thioglycolates / pharmacology
  • Venules

Substances

  • Chemotactic Factors
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4
  • Thioglycolates
  • Leukotriene B4
  • Calcium