Pathophysiological role of mast cells in collagen-induced arthritis: Study with a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, montelukast

Our previous study showed that the number of mast cells was increased in the inflamed paws of collagen-induced arthritis in mice, and treatment with a mast cell-stabilizing compound effectively suppressed the development of collagen-induced arthritis. A recent in vitro study showed that mast cells express cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor, and that a cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist inhibits the production of TNF-α by mast cells. To further investigate the role of mast cells in vivo, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of a cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist, montelukast, on the development of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Montelukast (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was orally administered to mice for 12 weeks, starting 6 weeks after immunization with bovine type II collagen. Treatment with montelukast significantly reduced clinical scores and X-ray scores of collagen-induced arthritis, and decreased the number of mast cells in the inflamed paws of collagen-induced arthritic mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that mast cells in the inflamed synovium were one of the major cells producing TNF-α and that the number of TNF-α positive mast cells was significantly reduced by treatment with montelukast. Furthermore, TNF-α and SCF mRNA levels in the paws of collagen-induced arthritic mice were markedly decreased by montelukast treatment. Montelukast may lead to a beneficial therapeutic effect by inhibiting TNF-α production by mast cells.