Inhaled iloprost suppresses the cardinal features of asthma via inhibition of airway dendritic cell function

M Idzko, H Hammad, M van Nimwegen… - The Journal of …, 2007 - Am Soc Clin Investig
M Idzko, H Hammad, M van Nimwegen, M Kool, N Vos, HC Hoogsteden, BN Lambrecht
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2007Am Soc Clin Investig
Inhalation of iloprost, a stable prostacyclin (PGI2) analog, is a well-accepted and safe
treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although iloprost mainly acts as a vasodilator
by binding to the I prostanoid (IP) receptor, recent evidence suggests that signaling via this
receptor also has antiinflammatory effects through unclear mechanisms. Here we show in a
murine model of asthma that iloprost inhalation suppressed the cardinal features of asthma
when given during the priming or challenge phase. As a mechanism of action, iloprost …
Inhalation of iloprost, a stable prostacyclin (PGI2) analog, is a well-accepted and safe treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although iloprost mainly acts as a vasodilator by binding to the I prostanoid (IP) receptor, recent evidence suggests that signaling via this receptor also has antiinflammatory effects through unclear mechanisms. Here we show in a murine model of asthma that iloprost inhalation suppressed the cardinal features of asthma when given during the priming or challenge phase. As a mechanism of action, iloprost interfered with the function of lung myeloid DCs, critical antigen-presenting cells of the airways. Iloprost treatment inhibited the maturation and migration of lung DCs to the mediastinal LNs, thereby abolishing the induction of an allergen-specific Th2 response in these nodes. The effect of iloprost was DC autonomous, as iloprost-treated DCs no longer induced Th2 differentiation from naive T cells or boosted effector cytokine production in primed Th2 cells. These data should pave the way for a clinical effectiveness study using inhaled iloprost for the treatment of asthma.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation