Leukotriene B(4) Receptor 2 Mediates the Production of G-CSF That Plays a Critical Role in Steroid-Resistant Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been suggested to be closely associated with neutrophilic asthma pathogenesis. However, little is known about the factors regulating the production of G-CSF in neutrophilic asthma. We previously reported that a leukotriene B(4) receptor 2, BLT2, played an important role in neutrophilic airway inflammation. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated whether BLT2 plays a role in the production of G-CSF in lipopolysaccharide/ovalbumin (LPS/OVA)-induced steroid-resistant neutrophilic asthma. The data showed that BLT2 critically mediated G-CSF production, contributing to the progression of neutrophilic airway inflammation. We also observed that 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO), which catalyzes the synthesis of the BLT2 ligand 12(S)-HETE, was also necessary for G-CSF production. Together, these results suggest that the 12-LO-BLT2-linked signaling network is critical for the production of G-CSF, contributing to the development of neutrophilic airway inflammation. Our findings can provide a potential new target for the therapy of severe neutrophilic asthma.