Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) antagonists may be useful antivirals for the treatment of viral bronchiolitis and possibly as primary preventatives for asthma.
Queensland-led research has shown that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection up-regulates hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase expression resulting in PGD2 release by airway epithelial cells. They also found PGD2 production was elevated in nasopharyngeal samples from infants hospitalised with RSV bronchiolitis compared to healthy infants.
In an experimental model of severe viral bronchiolitis, they also found DP2 antagonism decreased viral load, immunopathology and morbidity and ablated the predisposition for subsequent asthma onset in later life.
![A/Prof Simon Phipps, QIMR](/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Simon-Phipps_700x700-300x300.jpg)
A/Prof Simon Phipps
The limbic asked Associate Professor Simon Phipps, group leader in Respiratory Immunology at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, about the research.
We know that RSV infections are a risk factor for the development of asthma in children. What aspect of this research excites you the most?
This is a great example of a preclinical model that faithfully simulates the clinical scenario. After identifying a novel pathogenic role for PGD2 in the mouse model we validated our findings by sampling nasopharyngeal samples of hospitalized infants, and also through the use of in vitro cultured human airway epithelial cells infected with RSV. This work was supported by our collaborators, Prof Mark Everard (UWA) and A/Prof Kirsten Spann (QUT).
You also found that the beneficial effect of DP2 antagonism is mediated through interferon-λ rather than any effect on type 2 inflammation. What is the significance of this?