Engagement of the EP2 prostanoid receptor closes the K+ channel KCa3.1 in human lung mast cells and attenuates their migration

Human lung mast cells (HLMC) express the Ca2+ -activated K+ channel K(Ca)3.1, which plays a crucial role in their migration to a variety of diverse chemotactic stimuli. K(Ca)3.1 activation is attenuated by the beta(2)-adrenoceptor and the adenosine A(2A) receptor through a G(s)-coupled mechanism independent of cyclic AMP. Prostaglandin E-2 promotes degranulation and migration of mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells through the G(i)-coupled EP3 prostanoid receptor, and induces LTC4 and cytokine secretion from human cord blood-derived mast cells. However, PGE(2) binding to the G(s)-coupled EP2 receptor on HLMC inhibits their degranulation. We show that EP2 receptor engagement closes K(Ca)3.1 in HLMC. The EP2 receptor-specific agonist butaprost was more potent than PGE(2) in this respect, and the effects of both agonists were reversed by the EP2 receptor antagonist AH6809. Butaprost markedly inhibited HLMC migration induced by chemokine-rich airway smooth muscle-conditioned media. Interestingly, PGE(2) alone was chemotactic for HLMC at high concentrations (1 mu M), but was a more potent chemoattractant for HLMC following EP2 receptor blockade. Therefore, the G(s)-coupled EP2 receptor closes K(Ca)3.1 in HLMC and attenuates both chemokine- and PGE(2)-dependent HLMC migration. EP2 receptor agonists with K(Ca)3.1 modulating function may be useful for the treatment of mast cell-mediated disease.