Prostanoids in the cutaneous immune response

Prostanoids, consisting of the prostaglandins and the thromboxanes, are the cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. They exert a range of actions mediated by their respective receptors expressed in the target cells. In the skin, it is well known that prostanoids are abundantly produced and that the prostanoid receptors are highly expressed. However, the physiological role of prostanoids in the skin has not been clarified. Recent developments in the molecular biology of the prostanoid receptors have enabled the investigation of the physiological roles of each receptor by disruption of the respective genes in combination with prostanoid receptor selective compounds. Here, we review novel findings relating to the roles of prostanoids in the cutaneous immune responses. These may prove useful in the development of new therapeutic agents that can selectively manipulate the actions mediated by each receptor. (C) 2004 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.