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Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
Is platelet-activating factor involved in bronchopulmonary hyperresponsiveness?
J Lefort1, M Pretolani, S Desquand
1Unité de Pharmacologie cellulaire, Unité Associée Institut Pasteur, INSERM U285, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Among the various lipid mediators, platelet-activating factor (PAF) is likely to participate in the development of inflammatory and allergic reactions. Indeed, PAF mimics the symptoms of anaphylactic shock and causes bronchial hyperreactivity in various species. The availability of specific PAF antagonists led to determination of the precise role of this mediator in experimental allergic situations. Here we provide evidence that the bronchopulmonary and inflammatory effects of PAF in the guinea-pig are different depending on the immunological status of the animals. Consequently, the search for novel PAF antagonists should take into account the experimental model developed for studying its implication in allergic reactions and in the accompanying airway inflammation.
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