Aerosolized leukotriene D4 converts monkeys that are negative aerosolized ascaris responders to positive airway responders.

We designed studies to determine if Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) could alter airway reactivity such that rhesus monkeys with positive skin reactivity and consistently negative airway responses would respond to ascaris airway challenge. The experiments were complicated by the observation that aerosolized LTD4 would occasionally increase airway hyperreactivity in some monkeys used as controls such that an airway response occurred to saline, the diluent for ascaris antigen. In spite of this, we were able to demonstrate induction of airway responsiveness to ascaris antigen. These results demonstrate that LTD4 will induce airway hyperreactivity to a nonspecific stimulus such as aerosolized saline or to an allergen.