Leukotrienes

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

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2. Molecular mechanisms of leukotriene synthesis: the changing paradigm

   • M. Peters-Golden

   Pages 1-9

3. Leukotriene receptors

   • S.-E. Dahlén

   Pages 11-23

4. Enzymes involved in the production of leukotrienes and related molecules

   • A. W. Ford-Hutchinson, P.-J. Jakobsson

   Pages 25-34

5. Cysteinyl-leukotriene receptors and transduction mechanisms in airway cells

   • S. Nicosia, G. E. Rovati, V. Capra, S. Ravasi, M. Mezzetti, T. Viganò et al.

   Pages 35-42

6. How to measure leukotrienes in man

   • M. Kumlin

   Pages 43-54

7. Influence of leukotrienes and anti-leukotrienes on airway tone and migration of inflammatory cells

   • B. E. A. Lams, T. H. Lee

   Pages 55-62

8. Leukotrienes in airways obstruction and inflammation evoked by allergen

   • N. C. Barnes, A. J. MacFarlane

   Pages 63-72

9. Leukotrienes in induced airway obstruction

   • K. F. Rabe

   Pages 73-77

10. Role of leukotrienes in aspirin-induced asthma

    • A. Szczeklik, M. Sanak

    Pages 79-88

11. How to use anti-leukotrienes in the treatment of asthma

    • J. C. Kips, R. A. Pauwels

    Pages 89-94

12. Transcription factors HSF and NF-КB as targets for cytoprotective eicosanoids: a new strategy for therapeutic intervention

    • M. G. Santoro

    Pages 95-102

13. Vascular biology of the leukotrienes

    • J.-P. Gascard, C. Brink

    Pages 103-110

14. Leukotrienes in cardiovascular disease

    • A. Sala

    Pages 111-117

15. Leukotriene B4: agonist for the fat regulator PPARα

    • P. R. Devchand, W. Wahli

    Pages 119-124

16. The role of leukotrienes in rhinitis

    • P. H. Howarth

    Pages 125-137

17. Back Matter

    Pages 139-143

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In the two decades since the elusive "slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis" (SRS-A) was identified as a product of the action of the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme on arachidonic acid, it has been well established that the leukotrienes are key mediators of both alIergy and inflammation. Their release by alIergen or other challenge has been demonstrated in the lungs of asthmatic subjects, and measurement of urinary leukotriene concentrations in such patients has been shown to be a valuable, non­ invasive indicator. Significant progress has been made towards the characterization of the leukotriene receptor subtypes, exemplified by the cloning of the LTB4 receptor earlier this year. Coupled with this there has been a continued elucidation of signal transduction mechanisms underlying receptor activation. Consequent upon these advances has been the development of potent antagonists of the CysLT receptor, J and both these and inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis have entered clinical practice in the therapy of asthma. In this clinical setting antagonists of the CysLTJ receptor have been shown to be an effective therapy in chronic asthmatics, against antigen- and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and in aspirin-intolerant asthmatics. The advent of this new class of agents promises to change the way in which asthmatic patients are currently treated.

• asthma
• cardiovascular disease
• inflammation
• research

• Merck Frosst Canada, Inc., Pointe-Claire-Dorval, Canada

  Ian Rodger

• The William Harvey Research Institute, Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, London, UK

  Jack Botting

• Asthma and Allergy Research, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

  Sven-Erik Dahlén

Jack Botting is Consultant at the William Harvey Research Institute, an independent charitable foundation within Queen Mary and Westfield College of the University of London, UK.

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