Potential therapeutic interventions via EP2/EP4 prostaglandin receptors

Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2012 May 30:66:287-94. doi: 10.5604/17322693.998859.

Abstract

Prevention and treatment of pathological inflammatory processes requires application of various classes of immune suppressors, such as calcineurin inhibitors, steroids and non-steroid inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. However, each type of these immune suppressors causes less or more serious adverse side-effects. Exploration of the role played by prostanoids in the immune response and identification of functionally distinct prostaglandin E receptors (EP1-EP4) opened new perspectives in therapy of inflammation, autoimmunity and prevention of graft rejection. The EP4 receptor appeared to be an attractive target to affect manifestations of various pathological states by application of either agonists or antagonists of the receptor. This article presents a short overview of experimental approaches aimed at manipulation of signaling via EP2 and EP4 receptors that could have therapeutic utility.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis / drug therapy
  • Arthritis / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / drug effects
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • Dinoprostone / pharmacology
  • Gastroenteritis / drug therapy
  • Gastroenteritis / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Prostaglandins
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / immunology*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / immunology*
  • Reperfusion Injury / immunology
  • Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control

Substances

  • Prostaglandins
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • Dinoprostone