Reduced responsiveness of bronchoalveolar cells from sensitised guinea-pigs to the cyclic AMP—Stimulating effect of prostaglandin E2 and β-adrenoceptor agonists

Summary Prostaglandin E 2 and the β -adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol were less effective in increasing the intracellular cAMP content of bronchoalveolar cells and adherent alveolar macrophages from ovalbumin-sensitised as compared to control guinea-pigs. This refractoriness to the cyclic AMP-stimulating effects of PGE 2 and salbutamol induced by the sensitisation procedure may be relevant to the altered bronchopulmonary responsiveness in asthma.