Description
Leukotriene C
4 (LTC
4) is the parent cysteinyl leukotriene produced by the LTC
4 synthase catalyzed conjugation of glutathione to LTA
4. LTC
4 is produced by neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, and by transcellular metabolism in platelets. It is one of the constituents of slow-
reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-
A) and exhibits potent smooth muscle contracting activity. LTC
4-
induced bronchoconstriction and enhanced vascular permeability contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and acute allergic hypersensitivity. The concentration of LTC
4 required to produce marked contractions of lung parenchymal strips and isolated tracheal rings is about 1 nM.
