Heterologous desensitisation

Heterologous desensitisation is a biological process that occurs when a cell becomes less responsive to stimulation by a specific agonist due to prior exposure to a different agonist. This phenomenon is a form of adaptive immune response and is a key component of the body's ability to regulate its responses to various stimuli.

Mechanism

The mechanism of heterologous desensitisation involves the down-regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the cell surface. When a cell is exposed to an agonist, the GPCRs bind to the agonist and initiate a series of intracellular events that lead to the cell's response. However, if the cell is subsequently exposed to a different agonist, the GPCRs may become less responsive or even unresponsive to the original agonist. This is due to a process called receptor desensitisation, in which the receptors are phosphorylated and internalised, reducing their availability on the cell surface.

Role in Disease

Heterologous desensitisation has been implicated in a number of diseases, including asthma, COPD, and heart failure. In these conditions, the desensitisation of GPCRs can lead to a reduced response to medications that target these receptors, resulting in decreased efficacy of treatment.

Research and Future Directions

Research into heterologous desensitisation is ongoing, with a focus on understanding the precise mechanisms involved and how they can be manipulated for therapeutic benefit. Potential areas of interest include the development of drugs that can prevent or reverse receptor desensitisation, and the use of genetic engineering to modify the expression of GPCRs in disease states.

See Also

• Homologous desensitisation
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Receptor desensitisation
• Adaptive immunity