Anti‐inflammatory effects of serotonin 5‐HT 2A receptor activation in ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma models
The FASEB Journal – April 01, 2017
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A compelling new avenue in Medicine reveals that activating a specific Serotonin receptor, the 5-HT 2A receptor, holds promise for treating Asthma. In models of allergic inflammation, a pharmacology agent targeting this receptor, (R)-DOI, effectively prevents many symptoms when given before allergen exposure. Crucially, in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model, administering (R)-DOI *after* allergic inflammation developed significantly attenuated elevated airway hyperresponsiveness, a key feature of asthma and respiratory diseases. This Immunology research offers a novel strategy for developing new treatments.
Abstract
Only recently has the full therapeutic value of serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HT)] receptor activation begun to be explored. Currently there are two 5‐HT 2A receptor agonists in human clinical trials for the treatment of depression and obesity. An exciting new therapeutic avenue in which 5‐HT 2A agonists might be employed is the modulation of inflammation in allergic airways disease. Our lab has previously used an ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced asthma model to demonstrate that administration of (R)‐2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodoamphetamine [(R)‐DOI] prior to allergen challenge prevents many of the symptoms of allergic asthma. Here we have utilized a modified protocol to test the effectiveness of (R)‐DOI in treating persistent allergic asthma. We demonstrate that administration of (R)‐DOI in a chronic model attenuates the elevated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) typically observed in an asthmatic response. We also have probed for the expression of inflammatory markers in the lung and BALF. We concurrently are testing for the impact psilocybin and other tryptamines have on AHR in rodents using our OVA model. Overall our strategy is to develop 5‐HT 2A receptor agonism as a viable treatment modality against asthma and other inflammatory disorders. Support or Funding Information American Asthma Foundation Scholar Grant Award