|
|
Article: Scientists discover link between serotonin and airway allergic inflammation.
- Article from:
- Immunotherapy Weekly
- Article date:
- October 6, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 NewsRX. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
2004 OCT 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Molecular Medicine (LJIMM) have discovered that serotonin, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that is elevated in the blood of asthmatics, can directly cause an influx of eosinophils, which are proinflammatory cells generated in the bone marrow.
These cells are recruited to sites of allergic inflammation, including the lungs, where they release toxic substances to produce symptoms of allergic reactions, including asthma.
Their report demonstrates that serotonin attracts eosinophils because of its ability to interact with a serotonin-specific receptor called 5-HT2A.
...