Prostaglandin synthesis in bovine coronary endothelial cells: comparison with other commonly studied endothelial cells

Abstract

Comparison of arachidonic acid metabolism by bovine coronary artery endothelial cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells and human umbilical endothelial cells indicated potentially important differences in relative amounts of the different prostaglandins produced. Bovine coronary endothelial cells converted 14C-arachidonic acid to radioactive 6-keto PGF 1α (the stable metabolite of PGI 2) and to a lesser extent PGE 2. Bovine aortic cells synthesized 6-keto PGF 1α and 6,15-diketo PGF 1α as the major products. PGE 2, 6-keto PGE 1, PGE 2α, and PGD 2 were minor metabolites. By comparison, endothelia cells isolated from human umbilical artery or vein formed mainly 6-keto PGF 1α and substantial amounts of PGF 2α, PGE 2 and PGD 2. Basal concentrations of 6-keto PGF 1α were two-fold higher in bovine coronary cells than in bovine aortic endothelial cells, but seven-fold less than in endothelial cells cultured from human umbilical vessels. Histamine, bradykinin and thrombin stimulated PGI 2 synthesis in both coronary endothelial cells and human umbilical cells, but only bradykinin stimulated PGI 2 synthesis in bovine aortic cells. This comparative study indicates that endothelial cells vary in the metabolites of arachidonic acid that they produce depending upon the vascular origin of the cells. Also, endothelial cells from different vascular beds respond differently to specific vasoactive agents.