Mast cells are key regulators in allergy and inflammation, and release histamine upon clustering of their IgE receptors. Here we demonstrate that murine mast cell responses are exacerbated in vitro and in vivo by autocrine signals through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and require functional phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kgamma). Adenosine, acting through the A(3) adenosine receptor (A(3)AR) as well as other agonists of G(alphai)-coupled GPCRs, transiently increased PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) exclusively via PI3Kgamma. PI3Kgamma-derived PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) was instrumental for initiating a sustained influx of external Ca(2+) and degranulation. Mice lacking PI3Kgamma did not form edema after intradermal injection of adenosine and when challenged by passive systemic anaphylaxis. PI3Kgamma thus relays inflammatory signals through various G(i)-coupled receptors and is central to mast cell function.

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The data identify Debio-0719 as a drug candidate with metastasis suppressor activity, inducing dormancy at secondary tumor sites.

Background-Although leptin, an adipocyte derived hormone which regulates food intake and energy balance, is released after injections of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1, plasma concentrations have not been characterised in chronic inflammation. Leptin may contribute to the anorexia and body weight loss associated particularly with the acute stages of inflammatory bowel disease. Aims-To investigate plasma leptin concentrations during the time course of intestinal inflammation in diVerent animal models. Methods-Plasma leptin was measured at diVerent time points in rats with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis, indomethacin induced ileitis, or endotoxic shock caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Systemic TNF-was also measured during acute inflammation. Results-Plasma leptin concentrations increased fourfold eight hours after induction of TNBS colitis (p<0.0001) and twofold after administration of ethanol alone (p<0.02). Plasma leptin responses throughout the first post-treatment day were correlated with myeloperoxidase activity and gross damage scores. Similar leptin overexpression was observed in indomethacin induced ileitis and in rats with endotoxic shock. Plasma concentrations were lower in TNBS treated rats than in controls on day 5 before reaching a similar concentration on day 14. Anorexia and body weight loss were observed during the first four days post-TNBS. A significant increase in systemic TNFwas only detected in LPS treated rats. Conclusion-Elevated plasma leptin concentrations, correlated with the degree of inflammation and associated with anorexia, were induced in rats during the early stages of experimental intestinal inflammation but proved transient; this might account for discrepancies in recent results concerning concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Chronic inflammation and allergy involve the activation of tissue-resident cells and, later on, the invasion of effector cells. We have previously shown that the loss of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) γ impairs chemokine-dependent migration of neutrophils and macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. On the other hand, PI3Kγ is not required either during phagocytic processes or in the activation of bactericidal activities like granule secretion and particle-mediated respiratory burst in neutrophils. Tissue mast cells are key regulators in allergy and inflammation and release histamine upon clustering of their IgE receptors. We have demonstrated that murine mast cell responses are exacerbated in vitro and in vivo by autocrine signals, and require functional PI3Kγ . Adenosine, acting through the A 3 adenosine receptor, as well as other agonists of G αi -coupled receptors, transiently increased PtdIns(3,4,5)P 3 exclusively via PI3Kγ . PI3Kγ -derived PtdIns(3,4,5)P 3 was instrumental for initiation of a sustained influx of external Ca 2+ and degranulation. Mice that lacked PI3Kγ did not form oedema when challenged by passive systemic anaphylaxis. PI3Kγ thus relays inflammatory signals through various GPCRs, and is thus central to mast cell function. Taken together, this suggests that pharmaceutical targeting of PI3Kγ might alleviate inflammation at both early and late stages of the allergic response.