Effect of leukotriene C4 exposure on ciliated cells of the nasal mucosa.

To clarify the effects of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) on human ciliated epithelium, ciliary activity of the ethmoid sinus mucosa was measured photoelectrically in tissue culture. At concentrations ranging from 10(-6)M to 10(-9)M, LTC4 showed minimal effects on the ciliated epithelium during the initial 30 minutes of exposure; thereafter, ciliary inhibition was observed in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Irrigation of the mucosa with culture medium 15 minutes after exposure prevented the LTC4-induced ciliary inhibition. However, irrigation 60 minutes after exposure failed to inhibit 10(-8)M LTC4-induced ciliary dysfunction and mucosal damage. The LTC4-induced ciliary inhibition was blocked in the presence of FPL-55712 and/or Ly-171883, both leukotriene receptor antagonists. L-serine and sodium tetraborate complex (SBC), a gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) inhibitor, also inhibited the LTC4-induced ciliary inhibition. These findings indicate that LTC4 is converted to LTD4 by gamma-GTP during 60 minutes of exposure, and LTC4 itself has minimal direct effects on the ciliated cells.