Knockout of 5-Lipoxygenase Results in Age-Dependent Anxiety-Like Behavior in Female Mice

The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) has been implicated in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders including anxiety. Knockout of 5LO has previously been shown to alter anxiety-like behavior in mice at a young age but the effect of 5LO knockout on older animals has not been characterized.Here we used the elevated plus maze behavioral paradigm to measure anxiety-like behavior in female mice lacking 5LO (5LO-KO) at three different ages. Adolescent 5LO-KO animals did not significantly differ from wild-type (WT) animals in anxiety-like behavior. However, adult and older mice exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior compared to WT controls.These results indicate that 5LO plays a role in the development of the anxiety-like phenotype in an age-dependent manner in female mice. Future work should further investigate this interaction as 5LO may prove to be an important molecular target for the development of novel anxiolytic therapies

The role of ALOX5AP, LTA4H and LTB4R polymorphisms in determining baseline lung function and COPD susceptibility in UK smokers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have previously shown evidence that polymorphisms within genes controlling leukotriene B₄(LTB₄) production (<it>ALOX5AP </it>and <it>LTA4H</it>) are associated with asthma susceptibility in children. Evidence also suggests a potential role of LTB₄in COPD disease mechanisms including recruitment of neutrophils to the lung. The aim of the current study was to see if these SNPs and those spanning the receptor genes for LTB₄(<it>LTB4R1 </it>and <it>LTB4R2</it>) influence baseline lung function and COPD susceptibility/severity in smokers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight <it>ALOX5AP</it>, six <it>LTA4H </it>and six <it>LTB4R </it>single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in a UK Smoking Cohort (n = 992). Association with baseline lung function (FEV₁and FEV₁/FVC ratio) was determined by linear regression. Logistic regression was used to compare smoking controls (n = 176) with spirometry-defined COPD cases (n = 599) and to more severe COPD cases (GOLD stage 3 and 4, n = 389).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No association with <it>ALOX5AP</it>, <it>LTA4H </it>or <it>LTB4R </it>survived correction for multiple testing. However, we showed modest association with <it>LTA4H </it>rs1978331C (intron 11) with increased FEV₁(p = 0.029) and with increased FEV₁/FVC ratio (p = 0.020).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data suggest that polymorphisms spanning <it>ALOX5AP</it>, <it>LTA4H </it>and the <it>LTB4R </it>locus are not major determinants of baseline lung function in smokers, but provide tentative evidence for <it>LTA4H </it>rs1978331C (intron 11) in determining baseline FEV₁and FEV₁/FVC ratio in Caucasian Smokers in addition to our previously identified role in asthma susceptibility.</p

Leukotriene B4 receptor locus gene characterisation and association studies in asthma

BackgroundPolymorphisms spanning genes involved in the production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) e.g. ALOX5AP and LTA4H are associated with asthma susceptibility, suggesting a role for LTB4 in disease. The contribution of LTB4 receptor polymorphism is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to characterise the genes for the two pivotal LTB4 receptors, LTB4R1 and LTB4R2 in lung tissue and determine if polymorphisms spanning these genes are associated with asthma and disease severity. MethodsRapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was used to characterise the LTB4R1 and LTB4R2 gene structure in lung. The LTB4R1/2 locus on chromosome 14q11.2 was screened for polymorphic variation. Six LTB4R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 370 Caucasian asthma families and 299 Adult Asthma Individuals (n=1877 total) and were evaluated for association with asthma and severity (BTS) outcome measures using Family Based Association Test, linear regression and chi square. ResultsLTB4R1 has complex mRNA arrangement including multiple 5[prime]-untranslated exons, suggesting additional levels of regulation. Three potential promoter regions across the LTB4R1/2 locus were identified with some airway cell specificity. 22 SNPs (MAF&gt;0.01) were validated across the LTB4R locus in the Caucasian population. LTB4R1 and LTB4R2 SNPs were not associated with asthma susceptibility, FEV1 or severity. ConclusionsLTB4R1 and LTB4R2 shows splice variation in the 5[prime]-untranslated region and multiple promoter regions. The functional significance of this is yet to be determined. Both receptor genes were shown to be polymorphic. LTB4R polymorphisms do not appear to be susceptibility markers for the development of asthma in Caucasian subjects. <br/

EAACI position paper:Influence of dietary fatty acids on asthma, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis

The prevalence of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis has increased dramatically during the last decades, which is associated with altered environmental exposures and lifestyle practices. The purpose of this review was to highlight the potential role for dietary fatty acids, in the prevention and management of these disorders. In addition to their nutritive value, fatty acids have important immunoregulatory effects. Fatty acid-associated biological mechanisms, human epidemiology, and intervention studies are summarized in this review. The influence of genetics and the microbiome on fatty acid metabolism is also discussed. Despite critical gaps in our current knowledge, it is increasingly apparent that dietary intake of fatty acids may influence the development of inflammatory and tolerogenic immune responses. However, the lack of standardized formats (ie, food versus supplement) and standardized doses, and frequently a lack of prestudy serum fatty acid level assessments in clinical studies significantly limit our ability to compare allergy outcomes across studies and to provide clear recommendations at this time. Future studies must address these limitations and individualized medical approaches should consider the inclusion of specific dietary factors for the prevention and management of asthma, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis