Distribution of leukotriene B4 receptors in human hematopoietic cells

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a product of arachidonic acid metabolism, plays an important role in inflammatory responses. We have cloned from human erythroleukemia cells, a G protein-coupled receptor, designated P2Y(7), which was later identified as the receptor for LTB4 (B-LTR). We have investigated the distribution of LTB4 receptors in various hematopoietic cells. Northern blotting and reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses using radiolabeled LTB4 receptor cDNA as a probe indicated the presence of LTB4 receptor mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes but not in platelets. Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood cells using specific LTB4 receptor antibodies revealed that monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes, but not platelets, express LTB4 receptors. RT-PCR-Southern hybridization analysis revealed that peripheral blood leukocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells express the LTB4 receptor. Of the hematopoietic cell lines tested, promonocytic U937 cells, promyelocytic HL-60 cells, K562 cells, and human erythroleukemia cells express the LTB4 receptor. These results suggest a physiological role for the LTB4 receptor in the stimulation of monocytes, neutrophils, and endothelial cells.