Enhanced Prostaglandin E2 Synthesis Research Articles

The Toll‐like receptor 7/8‐ligand resiquimod (R‐848) primes human neutrophils for leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2and platelet‐activating factor biosynthesis

Toll-like receptors (TLR) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and play important roles in the innate immune system. While single-stranded viral RNA is the natural ligand of TLR7/TLR8, the imidazoquinoline resiquimod (R-848) is recognized as a potent synthetic agonist of TLR7/TLR8. We investigated the effects of TLR7/8 activation on lipid mediator production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to R-848. Although R-848 had minimal effects by itself, it strongly enhanced leukotriene B4 formation on subsequent stimulation by fMLP, platelet-activating factor, and the ionophore A23187. R-848 acted via TLR8 but not TLR7 as shown by the lack of effect of the TLR7-specific ligand imiquimod. Priming with R-848 also resulted in enhanced arachidonic acid release and platelet-activating factor formation following fMLP stimulation, as well as enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis following the addition of arachidonic acid. Western blot analysis demonstrated that R-848 induced the phosphorylation of the cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha, promoted 5-lipoxygenase translocation and potently stimulated the expression of the type 2 cyclooxygenase. Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of endosomal acidification, efficiently inhibited all R-848-induced effects. These studies demonstrate that TLR8 signaling strongly promotes inflammatory lipid mediator biosynthesis and provide novel insights on innate immune response to viral infections.

Paclitaxel regulates cell cycle, dedifferentiation and COX‐2 expression in primary culture

Paclitaxel is one of the chemotherapeutic agents frequently used in the treatment of various cancers. Paclitaxel works by promoting assembly of microtubules and stabilizing them, prventing depolymerzation. This inability to depolymerize microtubules prevents cellular replication. In this study, we used rabbit articular chondrocytes as models to determine whether paclitaxel-induced G2/M arrest might be associated with cell cycle related proteins. In chondrocytes during paclitaxel treatment, normally flat cells became rounded and in shape. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that paclitaxel accumulate cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. To further cell cycle delay is mediated by mitotic cell cycle related proteins that include Cyclin B, Cdc2, Rb. Taken together, paclitaxel induced cell cycle delay. Paclitaxel-mediated mitotic arrest is associated with the modulation of cell cycle related proteins expression. Also we next investigated the effects of paclitaxel on dedifferentiation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescene study revealed that paclitaxel caused a induced dedifferentiation and suppressed COX-2 expression. Furthermore, paclitaxel enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis dependent of time course but independent of concentration. Thus, our data suggest that paclitaxel contributes to the expression of COX-2 and dedifferentiation in articular chondrocytes.

Effects of Cyclic Mechanical Stress on the Production of Inflammatory Agents by Nucleus Pulposus and Anulus Fibrosus Derived Cells In Vitro

Cyclic mechanical stress (CMS) was applied to cultured nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus cells, and the production of inflammatory agents by these cells was evaluated. To investigate the involvement of CMS in the production of inflammatory agents by disc cells. It has been reported that CMS affects degeneration of the disc. However, little is known about the effect of CMS on the production of inflammatory agents by both cell types in vitro. Cells derived from nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus of Sprague-Dawley rat tails were cultured with or without CMS applied by the Flexercell Strain Unit (Flexcell International Corp., Hillsborough, NC) in the presence or absence of inflammatory stimulus. Doses of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) were measured in the culture supernatants. Semiquantitative evaluations of the expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and phospholipase-A2 IIA messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) were also examined. Sole application of CMS on nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus cells increased PGE2 synthesis. Coincidence of CMS and inflammatory stimulus synergistically enhanced PGE2 synthesis of both cell types. Anulus fibrosus cells showed a stronger reactivity to these stimuli than nucleus pulposus cells. The expression of COX-2 mRNA of anulus fibrosus cells tended to correlate to the amount of PGE2, whereas COX-2 mRNA was constitutively expressed in nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting that the roles of COX-2 might be different between nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus. Phospholipase-A2 IIA mRNA was constitutively expressed in both cell types. The results of this study suggested that CMS might be involved in the pathomechanism of pain induction of lumbar disc diseases.

Epidermal Growth Factor–Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Is Mediated through Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase, Not Mitogen-Activated Protein/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Kinase, in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomas

Recurrent respiratory papillomas, caused by human papillomaviruses, are premalignant tumors that overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The goals of this study were as follows: (a) to evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in papillomas, (b) to investigate the role of EGFR signaling in COX-2 expression, and (c) to determine whether COX-2 activity is important for the growth of papilloma cells. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR were used to determine levels of COX-2 in papilloma and normal laryngeal tissue. Explant cultures of both normal laryngeal and papilloma cells were used to define the signaling pathways that regulate COX-2 expression and investigate the potential of targeting COX-2 as a strategy to suppress papilloma growth. COX-2 levels were markedly increased in papillomas. In vitro studies suggested that overexpression in papillomas reflected activation of EGFR-->phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling. Treatment with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induced COX-2, whereas celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, suppressed levels of COX-2, suggesting a positive feedback loop. Moreover, treatment with PGE2 stimulated papilloma cell growth, whereas celecoxib suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis. Overexpression of COX-2 in papillomas seems to be a consequence of enhanced EGFR-->phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling. We propose a positive feedback loop for COX-2 expression, with induction of COX-2 resulting in enhanced PGE2 synthesis and further expression of COX-2 that contributes to the growth of papillomas in vivo. These data strengthen the rationale for evaluating whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, prototypic COX inhibitors, will be useful in the management of respiratory papillomas.

Effect of HDL and apoAI on PGE2 production by monocyte-derived macrophages.

Effect of antiatherogenic high density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) on production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by human monocyte-derived macrophages was investigated. Macrophages were loaded with acetylated low density lipoprotein followed by incubation with HDL3 or apoAI. PGE2 produced and secreted in culture supernatant was quantified by enzyme immunoassay. HDL3 induced production of PGE2 by macrophages in a time-dependent manner. 24 h after incubation, PGE2 production by HDL3-treated macrophages increased 3.7-fold of that by control cells. ApoAI also induced PGE2 secretion to 2.1-fold, which was significantly less than HDL3. The data indicate that both HDL3 and lipid-free apoAI enhance PGE2 synthesis and secretion by human macrophages and this may further contribute to the protection from atherosclerosis.

Functional Coupling of Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 to Discrete Prostanoid Synthases in Liver Macrophages

The profile of released prostanoids after addition of exogenous arachidonic acid to resident liver macrophages is different from the profile obtained in lipopolysaccharide-pretreated cells. In resident and lipopolysaccharide-pretreated cells, AA leads to a release of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin F2α, E2, and D2. A specifically enhanced formation of prostaglandin E2 is obtained in lipopolysaccharide-pretreated cells. Resident liver macrophages express cyclooxygenase 1, and thromboxane A2-, prostaglandin F2α-, E2-, and D2-synthase. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide induces—in addition to cyclooxygenase 2—an enhanced expression of the prostaglandin E2 synthase. In resident liver macrophages, the formation of prostanoids from exogenous arachidonic acid is completely inhibited by SC560 (a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 1), but remains unchanged with SC236 (a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2). In lipopolysaccharide-pretreated liver macrophages, the formation of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin F2α and D2 is equally inhibited by SC560 and SC236 by about 50%. In contrast, the formation of prostaglandin E2 is inhibited to a greater extent by SC560 (75%) compared to SC236 (26%). We conclude from these data, that in lipopolysaccharide-pretreated liver macrophages (i) cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 couple both to discrete prostanoid synthases, (ii) the functional coupling of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 to the thromboxane A2-, prostaglandin F2α-, and D2-synthase is almost identical, and (iii) the enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis is due to an enhanced expression of the prostaglandin E2 synthase, which is coupled more efficiently to cyclooxygenase 1.

Ceramide Regulates the Transcription of Cyclooxygenase-2: EVIDENCE FOR INVOLVEMENT OF EXTRACELLULAR SIGNAL-REGULATED KINASE/c-Jun N-TERMINAL KINASE AND p38 MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE PATHWAYS

The ceramide signaling pathway is activated by the sphingomyelinase (SMase)-mediated hydrolysis of cell membrane sphingomyelin to ceramide. We determined whether ceramide, a lipid second messenger, induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human mammary epithelial cells. Treatment of cells with neutral SMase or C2- or C6-ceramide enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis and increased levels of COX-2 protein and mRNA. Nuclear runoff assays revealed increased rates of COX-2 transcription after treatment with SMase and C2- and C6-ceramide. Transient transfections utilizing COX-2 promoter deletion constructs and COX-2 promoter constructs in which specific enhancer elements were mutagenized indicated that the effects of ceramide were mediated via a cAMP response element. The induction of COX-2 by ceramide was inhibited by calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Induction of COX-2 promoter activity by SMase was blocked by overexpressing kinase-deficient Raf-1. Triggering of the ceramide pathway also led to increases in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities; pharmacological inhibitors of MAPK kinase (MEK) and p38 MAPK blocked the induction of COX-2 by SMase. Overexpressing ERK1, JNK, or p38 led to severalfold increases in COX-2 promoter activity. By comparison, overexpression of dominant negatives for ERK1/2, JNK, or p38 blocked the activation of COX-2 promoter activity by SMase. A dominant negative for c-Jun inhibited the activation of COX-2 promoter activity by ceramide. Thus, in response to ceramide, increased MAPK signaling activates c-Jun, which, in turn, induces COX-2 gene expression via the cAMP response element in the COX-2 promoter.

Sucralfate induces proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes in culture and granulation tissue formation in full-thickness skin wounds

Sucralfate is used to induce healing of gastrointestinal tract ulcers. We evaluated its potential utility in the healing of skin wounds. Initial experiments examined the effects of the sucralfate on proliferation of cultured dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Sucralfate induced proliferation in quiescent cultures of both cell types. Additionally, sucralfate enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis in basal keratinocytes and in interleukin-1-stimulated keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Basal interleukin-1 and 6 release were not affected by sucralfate, but the agent enhanced interleukin-1-stimulated interleukin-6 release from fibroblasts. When applied daily to full-thickness wounds in rats, sucralfate increased the thickness of granulation tissue when assessed at day 12.

Prevention of chronic cerebral vasospasm in dogs with ibuprofen and high-dose methylprednisolone.

Severe chronic cerebral vasospasm was produced in dog basilar arteries by two injections, 2 days apart, of autologous blood into the cisterna magna of 25 dogs. Treatment with ibuprofen (n = 8) or high-dose methylprednisolone (n = 8) after the first injection of blood prevented or reduced angiographic vasospasm. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (a metabolite of prostacyclin), and thromboxane B2 (a metabolite of thromboxane A2) were measured in both treated and untreated (n = 7) dogs. In untreated dogs, the level of prostaglandin E2 increased 94-fold by Day 8 after the first injection of blood and was strongly and positively correlated with the degree of angiographic vasospasm. Treatment with ibuprofen and high-dose methylprednisolone prevented or significantly reduced this increase in prostaglandin E2 concentration. Smaller increases in cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of thromboxane B2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha occurred after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage; the magnitude of these increases was also reduced by ibuprofen or high-dose methylprednisolone treatment. In contrast, prostaglandin F2 alpha levels were not significantly altered during the study. These data show that enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis occurs during experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the by-products generated in its synthesis may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm.

Aluminum enhances the stimulatory effect of NaF on prostaglandin E2 synthesis in a clonal osteoblast-like cell line, MOB 3-4, in vitro.

The effect of NaF on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in a clonal osteoblast-like cell line, MOB 3-4, was examined in the presence of Al3+. The MOB 3-4 cell line, which was derived from neonatal mouse calvaria, displays many osteoblastic characteristics, including the biosynthesis of PGE2. In the absence of Al3+, 1 mM NaF increased PGE2 synthesis (per well) to about 340% of the control level, whereas NaF at lower concentrations (below 0.1 mM) did not show such a significant effect. In the presence of 10 microM Al3+, NaF concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1 mM increased PGE2 synthesis in a dose-dependent manner, though 10 microM Al3+ had no effect by itself. Similar effects were observed on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity per well, but a stimulatory effect of NaF on protein synthesis was observed only in the presence of 10 microM Al3+. These data demonstrated that PGE2 synthesis per protein was increased by NaF alone, and this effect was markedly enhanced by the addition of AlCl3. ALP activity per protein was, however, significantly increased by NaF in the absence of AlCl3. Taken together with our previous finding that Al3+ enhances the NaF-induced Ca2+ mobilization in MOB 3-4 cells, these results suggest that F- combined with Al3+ (i.e., AlF4-) is a more potent stimulator of PGE2 synthesis in cells than F- alone, and that the AlF4- -enhanced PGE2 synthesis may be caused by an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration during activation of the G protein by AlF4-.

Possible induction of fatty acid cyclooxygenase in mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) by cAMP

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a bone-resorption factor, was essentially the sole arachidonate metabolite in an osteoblastic cell line cloned from mouse calvaria (MC3T3-E1). When the cells were cultured in the presence of 2% newborn bovine serum, 1 μM epinephrine markedly stimulated PGE2 synthesis from endogenous arachidonic acid. The PGE2 synthesis commenced after a lag phase of 1–2 h, and reached a maximum at about 3 h after the addition of epinephrine. The effect of epinephrine was inhibited by propranolol, and epinephrine could be replaced by isoproterenol, suggesting β-adrenergic stimulation of PGE2 production. A rapid increase in intracellular cAMP was observed upon the addition of epinephrine. When the intracellular cAMP level was raised using cholera toxin or forskolin, the PGE2 synthesis was also stimulated. The enhanced PGE2 synthesis was attributed to an increased level of cyclooxygenase, which was shown by immunoprecipitation of the enzyme using anti-cyclooxygenase antibody. Inhibitors of transcription and translation suppressed the epinephrine-dependent increase in cyclooxygenase activity. These findings suggest induction of cyclooxygenase involving cAMP via an as yet unclarified mechanism.

Interleukin 1 amplifies receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase A2 in 3T3 fibroblasts.

Human recombinant interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and IL-1 beta stimulated prostaglandin E2 synthesis in 3T3 fibroblasts in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis after IL-1 treatment was apparent by 1 hr and continued to increase for at least 2 days. Half-maximal stimulation occurred at 0.5 pM IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, and both interleukins were equally effective, with maximal stimulation occurring in response to 5-10 pM IL-1. In contrast to IL-1, bradykinin stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis is rapid; its effect is maximal by 5 min. In cells that had been pretreated with IL-1 for 24 hr, prostaglandin E2 synthesis in response to bradykinin was amplified more than 10-fold. IL-1 also amplified the receptor-mediated formation of prostaglandin E2 by bombesin and thrombin. The lymphokine did not affect bradykinin receptor number or affinity. IL-1 treatment induced phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase but not phospholipase C or prostaglandin E isomerase. It also enhanced bradykinin-stimulated GTPase activity, suggesting possible induction of the GTP-binding regulatory protein coupled to the bradykinin receptor. Thus, IL-1 enhanced receptor-mediated release of prostaglandin E2 in response to bradykinin, bombesin, and thrombin by increasing the cellular levels of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and GTP-binding regulatory protein(s).

Calcium dependency of prostaglandin E2 production in rat glomerular mesangial cells. Evidence that protein kinase C modulates the Ca2+-dependent activation of phospholipase A2.

Calcium has been implicated as an important factor in prostaglandin production. Phospholipase A2, the enzyme believed to be rate limiting for prostaglandin synthesis, is stimulated by Ca2+; however, the levels of Ca2+ necessary to stimulate phospholipase A2 in cell-free systems are higher than levels achieved in intact cells in response to agonists that stimulate prostaglandin synthesis. We examined the calcium dependency of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in the glomerular mesangial cell. Vasopressin enhanced PGE2 synthesis by mechanisms independent of extracellular Ca2+ concentration. The Ca2+ concentration dependency of PGE2 production was established by rendering cells permeable with digitonin and clamping Ca2+ concentration at various levels. When cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]f) was set at levels equal to those measured after stimulation with vasopressin in the intact cell, the PGE2 production by the Ca2+-clamped permeabilized cells was approximately one-half of that obtained in nonpermeabilized cells stimulated with vasopressin. Since stimulation of mesangial cells with vasopressin increases protein kinase C activation as well as [Ca2+]f the effects on PGE2 production of protein kinase C activation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were examined. When permeabilized cells were exposed to Ca2+ concentrations in the range of [Ca2+]f measured in cells treated with vasopressin the addition of PMA approximately doubled PGE2 production. No increase in PGE2 production was observed with PMA when Ca2+ concentration was fixed at basal levels of less than 100 nM. Ca2+-dependent acylhydrolase activity and PGE2 production were inhibited by calmodulin inhibitors, W-7 and compound 48/80. Thus, vasopressin-induced PGE2 production could be explained by a synergistic effect of protein kinase C activation together with an increase in [Ca2+]f. A synergistic action of Ca2+ and PMA on acylhydrolase activity could also be observed in nonpermeabilized cells where A23187 was used to increase [Ca2+]f. The effect of PMA was mimicked by another stimulant of protein kinase C, 1-oleoyl 2-acetylglycerol, albeit with lower potency. Neither PMA nor 1-oleoyl 2-acetylglycerol alone had any effect on acylhydrolase activity. Vasopressin, in the presence of GTP gamma S, stimulated phospholipase C in permeabilized cells when [Ca2+]f was fixed at less than 100 nM, without an associated increase in acylhydrolase activity. This evidence, together with inhibition of acylhydrolase activity with phospholipase A2 inhibitors, dibucaine and mepacrine, indicates that the primary acylhydrolase activity was due to phospholipase A2. The enhanced phospholipase A2 activity observed with protein kinase C activation when [Ca2+]f is increased may be related to phosphorylation of phospholipase A2 itself or phospholipase A2 modulatory proteins. These experiments demonstrate that both Ca2+ and protein kinase C play important roles in the regulation of phospholipase A2 and PGE2 synthesis.

Role of phospholipase C and protein kinase C in vasoconstrictor-induced prostaglandin synthesis in cultured rat renal mesangial cells.

It was the aim of the present study to find out if a common mechanism exists by which the vasoconstrictive hormones angiotension II, noradrenaline and 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC) increase prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in cultures of rat renal mesangial cells. Angiotension II, noradrenaline and AGEPC stimulated PGE2 synthesis and uptake of 45Ca2+ in cultured mesangial cells. Both of these effects could be completely suppressed by the calcium channel blocker verapamil. Angiotensin II, noradrenaline and AGEPC caused a rapid breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate with a concomitant increase of 1,2-diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate, indicating an activation of phospholipase C by these hormones. Addition of verapamil had no effect on the hormone-induced stimulation of phospholipase C. The synthetic analogue of diacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), both of which are known to stimulate protein kinase C, enhanced PGE2 synthesis. Chelation of extracellular calcium with EDTA or addition of verapamil abolished the effect of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and phorbol ester on PGE2 synthesis. 1-Oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and phorbol ester increased the uptake of 45Ca2+ by the cells in a dose-dependent manner and this effect could be blocked by verapamil. The entirety of these data leads us to suggest that vasoconstrictor-evoked synthesis of PGE2 in rat mesangial cells is mediated by the subsequent activation of phospholipase C and protein kinase C. The activation of protein kinase C by diacylglycerol is likely to be involved in the increase of the calcium permeability of the plasma membrane which is a prerequisite for PGE2 synthesis induced by vasoconstrictive hormones.

Effect of sustained water diuresis on prostaglandin E2 excretion in humans.

The relationship of the renal excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to urine flow during a water diuresis was examined using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seven normal women fasted overnight were water loaded with 20 ml/kg orally, and each hour for 3 h they drank water to replace the urine volume plus 20 ml. The osmolality of the collected urines ranged from 49 to 1,073 mosmol/kg. Assay of urinary PGE2 concentrations by both RIA and GC-MS gave a correlation coefficient of 0.94. Eight normal women were then studied with a water diuresis sustained for 6 h. The excretion of PGE2 (measured with the validated RIA) increased for the 1st 2-3 h (from 1.8 +/- 0.5 to 25.8 +/- 16.6 pg X kg-1 X min-1), but then fell to base-line level by the 5th h (to 2.9 +/- 0.8 pg X kg-1 X min-1) even though the water diuresis was sustained. The urinary concentration vs. time curves for PGE2 and for the freely diffusible solute urea were compared. PGE2 concentration remained elevated for 3 h before falling (from the 100 pg/ml range to 15 pg/ml) while urea concentration decreased steadily from the 1st h. This finding suggests that the early urinary PGE2 excretion was not a washout phenomenon and is consistent with a transient increase in PGE2 synthesis. We conclude that urinary excretion of PGE2 is not a simple function of urine flow after a water load. There is a transient initial increase in urinary PGE2 excretion at the start of a water load that probably reflects an increase in renal PGE2 synthesis. However, with a sustained water diuresis, PGE2 excretion falls, indicating that an enhanced PGE2 synthesis rate is not required to sustain a water diuresis.

Synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in different segments of isolated collecting tubules from adult and neonatal rabbits.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibits the action of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in isolated collecting tubules. A negative feedback loop has been postulated whereby ADH stimulates PGE2 synthesis. Furthermore, lysyl-bradykinin (LBK) inhibits the antidiuretic effect of ADH, probably via PGE2. Enhanced PGE2 synthesis has also been implicated as contributing to the inability to maximally concentrate urine during the neonatal period. We investigated PGE2 synthesis in microdissected cortical (CCT), medullary (MCT), and branched cortical (BCT) collecting tubules from adult and in corticomedullary collecting tubules (CT) from newborn rabbits. Isolated BCT produced significantly less PGE2 (12 +/- 2 pg X mm-1 X 20 min-1) than CCT (65 +/- 9) or MCT (76 +/- 8) from kidneys of adult rabbits. CT from newborn rabbits produced only 19 +/- 3 pg/mm, significantly less than either CCT or MCT from adults. A large variability in basal PGE2 production and hormonal response was observed from tubule to tubule. Under either basal conditions or in the presence of 2 microM arachidonic acid, LBK enhanced PGE2 synthesis in CCT and MCT from adults. ADH enhanced PGE2 production in MCT under basal conditions and in CCT in the presence of arachidonic acid. Neither LBK nor ADH stimulated PGE2 synthesis in neonatal CT. A23187 consistently stimulated PGE2 synthesis in CCT and MCT from adults and, to a lesser extent, in CT from newborn rabbits. Our results support the hypothesis that ADH and LBK enhance PGE2 synthesis in the collecting tubule. This response is, however, subject to large variations from tubule to tubule and depends on the in vitro incubation conditions.

Fibroblast prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Persistence of an abnormal phenotype after short-term exposure to mononuclear cell products.

Acquired abnormalities of connective tissue metabolism in inflammatory diseases often persist when lesional tissue is maintained in in vitro culture. Although connective tissue cells are exposed to inflammatory cell-derived mediators in vivo and such mediators have been shown to alter connective tissue cell behavior, it is unclear whether the persistence of metabolic defects in vitro could result from remote in vivo exposure to these mediators. An in vitro model was used to test whether transient exposure of normal fibroblasts to inflammatory mediators could lead to metabolic alterations that persist during in vitro culture. Short-term exposure of human foreskin fibroblasts in vitro to supernates of mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells led to persistent abnormalities of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) metabolism. Fibroblasts previously exposed to mononuclear cell products synthesized more than twice as much PGE2 when stimulated compared with similarly stimulated but previously unexposed control fibroblasts of the same strain. The enhanced PGE2 synthesis persisted for as long as 20 wk and 19 cell generations after the original exposure to mononuclear cell products. Exposure of fibroblast populations to mononuclear cell products may, thus, lead to metabolite alterations that are still evident after multiple cell generations.