D prostanoid receptor 2 (chemoattractant receptor–homologous molecule expressed on T(H)2 cells) protein expression in asthmatic patients and its effects on bronchial epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: The D prostanoid receptor 2 (DP2; also known as chemoattractant receptor–homologous molecule expressed on T(H)2 cells) is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, but its expression within bronchial biopsy specimens is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the bronchial submucosal DP2 expression in asthmatic patients and healthy control subjects and to explore its functional role in epithelial cells. METHODS: DP2 protein expression was assessed in bronchial biopsy specimens from asthmatic patients (n = 22) and healthy control subjects (n = 10) by using immunohistochemistry and in primary epithelial cells by using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and quantitative RT-PCR. The effects of the selective DP2 agonist 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin D(2) on epithelial cell migration and differentiation were determined. RESULTS: Numbers of submucosal DP2(+) cells were increased in asthmatic patients compared with those in healthy control subjects (mean [SEM]: 78 [5] vs 22 [3]/mm(2) submucosa, P < .001). The bronchial epithelium expressed DP2, but its expression was decreased in asthmatic patients compared with that seen in healthy control subjects (mean [SEM]: 21 [3] vs 72 [11]/10 mm(2) epithelial area, P = .001), with similar differences observed in vitro by primary epithelial cells. Squamous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium was increased in asthmatic patients and related to decreased DP2 expression (r(s) = 0.69, P < .001). 13, 14-Dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin D(2) promoted epithelial cell migration and at air-liquid interface cultures increased the number of MUC5AC(+) and involucrin-positive cells, which were blocked with the DP2-selective antagonist AZD6430. CONCLUSIONS: DP2 is expressed by the bronchial epithelium, and its activation drives epithelial differentiation, suggesting that in addition to its well-characterized role in inflammatory cell migration, DP2 might contribute to airway remodeling in asthmatic patients.