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Review ArticleReview Article

Inhaled β2 Adrenergic Agonists and Other cAMP-Elevating Agents: Therapeutics for Alveolar Injury and Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome?

Krishna Sriram, Michael B. Insel and Paul A. Insel
Clive Page, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Pharmacological Reviews October 2021, 73 (4) 1659-1697; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000356
Krishna Sriram
Departments of Pharmacology (K.S., P.A.I.) and Medicine (P.A.I.), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Medicine (M.B.I.) University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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Michael B. Insel
Departments of Pharmacology (K.S., P.A.I.) and Medicine (P.A.I.), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Medicine (M.B.I.) University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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Paul A. Insel
Departments of Pharmacology (K.S., P.A.I.) and Medicine (P.A.I.), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Medicine (M.B.I.) University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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Clive Page
Roles: ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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Abstract

Inhaled long-acting β-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) and short-acting β-adrenergic agonists are approved for the treatment of obstructive lung disease via actions mediated by β2 adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) that increase cellular cAMP synthesis. This review discusses the potential of β2-AR agonists, in particular LABAs, for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We emphasize ARDS induced by pneumonia and focus on the pathobiology of ARDS and actions of LABAs and cAMP on pulmonary and immune cell types. β2-AR agonists/cAMP have beneficial actions that include protection of epithelial and endothelial cells from injury, restoration of alveolar fluid clearance, and reduction of fibrotic remodeling. β2-AR agonists/cAMP also exert anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system by actions on several types of immune cells. Early administration is likely critical for optimizing efficacy of LABAs or other cAMP-elevating agents, such as agonists of other Gs-coupled G protein–coupled receptors or cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Clinical studies that target lung injury early, prior to development of ARDS, are thus needed to further assess the use of inhaled LABAs, perhaps combined with inhaled corticosteroids and/or long-acting muscarinic cholinergic antagonists. Such agents may provide a multipronged, repurposing, and efficacious therapeutic approach while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Significance Statement Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after pulmonary alveolar injury (e.g., certain viral infections) is associated with ∼40% mortality and in need of new therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes the pathobiology of ARDS, focusing on contributions of pulmonary and immune cell types and potentially beneficial actions of β2 adrenergic receptors and cAMP. Early administration of inhaled β2 adrenergic agonists and perhaps other cAMP-elevating agents after alveolar injury may be a prophylactic approach to prevent development of ARDS.

Footnotes

    • Received March 29, 2021.
    • Accepted August 15, 2021.
  • https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000356.

  • Copyright © 2021 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Pharmacological Reviews: 73 (4)
Pharmacological Reviews
Vol. 73, Issue 4
1 Oct 2021
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Review ArticleReview Article

Inhaled β2 Adrenergic Agonists for ARDS

Krishna Sriram, Michael B. Insel and Paul A. Insel
Pharmacological Reviews October 1, 2021, 73 (4) 1659-1697; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000356

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Review ArticleReview Article

Inhaled β2 Adrenergic Agonists for ARDS

Krishna Sriram, Michael B. Insel and Paul A. Insel
Pharmacological Reviews October 1, 2021, 73 (4) 1659-1697; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000356
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • I. Introduction
    • II. β2-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling and Pharmacology
    • III. Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Overview
    • IV. Evidence Regarding the Use of Long-Acting β-Adrenergic Agonists in Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
    • V. Effects of β-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists on Pulmonary Cell Types in Alveolar Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
    • VI. Fibroblasts
    • VII. Endothelial Cells
    • VIII. Immune Cells
    • IX. Do Inhaled Long-Acting β-Adrenergic Agonists Reduce Pulmonary Inflammation in Patients?
    • X. Do β2-Adrenergic Receptors Cause Pathologic Pulmonary Immune Suppression in Patients?
    • XI. Platelets
    • XII. Summary and Conclusions
    • Acknowledgments
    • Authorship Contributions
    • Footnotes
    • Abbreviations
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