Invited review; Leukotriene receptors and experience as potential therapeutic targets.

Yokomizo,T., Nakamura,M., and Shimizu,T.

Leukotrienes, a class of arachidonic acid-derived bioactive molecules, are known as mediators for allergic and inflammatory reactions and considered to be important drug targets. Although an inhibitor for leukotriene biosynthesis and antagonists of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor are clinically used for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, these medications were developed before the molecular identification of leukotriene receptors. Numerous studies using cloned leukotriene receptors and genetically-engineered mice have unveiled new pathophysiological roles for leukotrienes. This review covers the recent findings on leukotriene receptors to revisit them as new drug targets.

J.Clin.Invest.

J.Clin.Invest.