Prostaglandin H Synthase-2 mRNA Research Articles

Prostaglandin-H synthase-1 (PGHS-1) gene is expressed in specific neurons of the brain of the late gestation ovine fetus

Prostaglandin (PG) E 2 acts on the brain stem to modulate breathing activity in the ovine fetus. The source of this PGE 2 is unknown and we hypothesized that it is produced locally in the developing brain and functions in a paracrine and/or autocrine manner. The purpose of the present study was to establish whether prostaglandin-H synthase-1 (PGHS-1), a crucial enzyme in de novo prostaglandin synthesis, is present and its gene expressed in the ovine fetal brain. Immunohistochemical and molecular hybridization techniques were used to identify sites of PGHS-1 immunoreactivity and PGHS-1 mRNA expression respectively in the brain of the ovine fetus in late gestation (approximately 126 days gestation, term 145 days). PGHS-1 immunoreactivity was localized to specific regions of the fetal brain, including the cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampal formation, superior colliculus of the midbrain, parabrachial nucleus of the pons, and the reticular formation, raphe, nucleus of the solitary tract, and gracile and cuneate nuclei of the medulla. The relative abundance of PGHS-1 mRNA in selected brain regions, as determined by Northern blot analysis, correlated qualitatively with the number of PGHS-1 immunoreactive neurons identified in each region. In situ hybridization demonstrated PGHS-1 mRNA to be localized in the same neurons or nuclei as PGHS-1 immunoreactivity. These results indicate that PGHS-1 is synthesized de novo in many brain regions including two that are important in respiratory control: the pneumotaxic center (parabrachial nucleus) and the dorsal respiratory group (nucleus tractus solitarius) suggesting that prostaglandins that modulate fetal respiratory activity are synthesized endogenously.

Prostaglandin H synthase 2 is expressed abnormally in human colon cancer: evidence for a transcriptional effect.

Evidence from epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and animal experiments indicates that inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis lower the risk of colon cancer. We tested the hypothesis that abnormal expression of prostaglandin H synthase 2 (PHS-2), which can be induced by oncogenes and tumor promoters, occurs during colon carcinogenesis by examining its level in colon tumors. Human colon cancers were found to have an increased expression of PHS-2 mRNA compared with normal colon specimens from the same patient (n = 5). In situ hybridization showed that the neoplastic colonocytes had increased expression of PHS-2 (n = 4). Additionally, five colon cancer cell lines were shown to express high levels of PHS-2 mRNA even in the absence of a known inducer of PHS-2. To study the basis for this increased gene expression, we transfected a colon cancer cell line, HCT-116, with a reporter gene containing 2.0 kb of the 5' regulatory sequence of the PHS-2 gene. Constitutive transcription of the reporter gene was observed, whereas normal control cell lines transcribed the reporter only in response to an exogenous agonist. We conclude that PHS-2 is transcribed abnormally in human colon cancers and that this may be one mechanism by which prostaglandins or related compounds that support carcinogenesis are generated.

Prostanoid Production in Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum: I. Regulation by Oxygen Tension

Purpose To investigate the effects of oxygen tension on prostanoid synthesis in rabbit penile corpus cavernosum tissue (RCC) in organ culture. Materials and Methods Strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum were incubated in organ culture media under varying oxygen conditions (0 percent, 12 percent and 21 percent oxygen), in the presence or absence of acetylcholine and arachidonate stimulation. Prostanoids were measured in collected media by radioimmunoassay. Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) protein levels and mRNA PGHS expression were measured under both 0 percent and 21 percent oxygen conditions. Results Basal and acetylcholine-stimulated PGI 2 release was progressively diminished as a function of diminishing oxygen tension (pO 2 from approximately 165 to 25 mm.Hg). The basal and stimulated production of other prostanoids, thromboxane A 2, PGF 2 alpha and PGE 2, was also significantly inhibited under 0 percent oxygen (approximately 25 mm.Hg) conditions. However, incubation under 0 percent oxygen did not alter PGHS protein levels nor mRNA PGHS expression. Cavernosal strips incubated under 0 percent oxygen but supplemented with exogenous arachidonate (10 micromolar) maintained significantly lower PGI 2 production than tissues exposed to 21 percent oxygen (approximately 165 mm.Hg). Conclusions These data demonstrate that oxygen tension regulates prostaglandin production in corporal tissue. The reduction in prostanoid production during hypoxia can be attributed to inhibition of PGHS activity rather than the expression of the enzyme. In view of the role of PGI 2 as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation and white cell-endothelial adhesion, our findings may provide mechanistic insight into the alteration in corporal blood homeostasis during ischemic-hypoxic priapism.

Interleukin‐4 inhibits lipopolysaccharide‐induced expression of prostaglandin H synthase‐2 in human alveolar macrophages

Several studies have shown that interleukin-4 (IL-4) down-regulates synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). We evaluated the mechanisms for this suppression in human alveolar macrophages (HAMs). Normal HAMs were obtained from healthy nonsmoking volunteers. The cells either remained unstimulated, or were exposed to 10 micrograms/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or various amounts of IL-4. LPS alone induced the synthesis of large amounts of PGE2 and prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) protein. This effect of LPS was suppressed by increasing amounts of IL-4. Expression of LPS-induced PGHS-2 mRNA was also inhibited by IL-4. In addition, IL-4 inhibited expression of CD14, which is a receptor for LPS bound to the LPS-binding protein (LBP). We conclude that IL-4 down-regulates LPS-induced release of PGE2, by reducing expression of the enzyme, PGHS-2. One potential mechanism for this effect of IL-4 is a reduced expression of CD14, which is the LPS-LBP receptor.

Differential expression of prostaglandin-H synthase isoenzymes in normal and activated keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro.

Normal mouse epidermis constitutively expresses prostaglandin-H synthase 1 (PGHS-1) but no PGHS-2. Acute inflammation and epidermal hyperplasia, (hyperplastic transformation), as evoked in adult mouse skin in vivo by wounding or by the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), resulted in a transient induction of PGHS-2 expression while PGHS-1 remained unchanged. Under conditions of a stationary epidermal hyperplasia, as in neonatal mouse epidermis, PGHS-1, but not PGHS-2, expression was observed. Induction of 'balanced hyperproliferation' by 4-O-methyl-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (4-O-methyl-PMA) did not lead to PGHS-2 expression. When keratinocytes were isolated from neonatal mouse skin and separated by Percoll density-gradient centrifugation according to their stage of differentiation, PGHS-1 mRNA expression and protein were found to be highest in the differentiated cells compared with those from the proliferative compartment. A similar distribution of PGHS-1 mRNA was found in keratinocytes from adult mice, whereas PGHS-1 protein was equally distributed in all cell types. Contrary to the situation in intact epidermis, PGHS-2 mRNA but no protein was detected in all cell fractions. Established keratinocyte lines constitutively expressed both isoenzymes at different ratios. In the mouse line MSCP5 an almost exclusive expression of PGHS-2 was found, which was further enhanced by PMA treatment. These data indicate that the expression of PGHS-2 in mouse epidermis is specifically related to the emergency reaction of hyperplastic transformation.

Localization of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) and PGHS mRNA in ovine placenta throughout gestation

Localization of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) and PGHS mRNA in ovine placenta throughout gestation

Synthesis of prostaglandin H synthase-2 by human alveolar macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharide is inhibited by decreased cell oxidant tone

We previously demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases expression of the prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) gene (Hempel, S.L., Monick, M.M., and Hunninghake, G.W. (1994) J. Clin. Invest. 93, 391-396). In this study, the expression of the PGHS-2 gene in response to changes in cell oxidant tone was studied. During LPS exposure, inhibition of synthesis of the free radical, NO., resulted in a small decrease in prostaglandin E2 synthesis that did not reach statistical significance. There was no effect on enzyme mass or mRNA. In contrast, incubation of alveolar macrophages in the presence of LPS plus the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide, or hypoxia, resulted in near complete inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis, PGHS-2 enzyme synthesis, and gene transcription of PGHS-2 mRNA. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity. These results demonstrate that synthesis of PGHS-2 in response to LPS is inhibited by agents that decrease cell oxidant tone.

Lipopolysaccharide induces prostaglandin H synthase-2 protein and mRNA in human alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes.

We and others have previously demonstrated that human alveolar macrophages produce more PGE2 in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) than do blood monocytes. We hypothesized that this observation was due to a greater increase in prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) enzyme mass in the macrophage compared to the monocyte. To evaluate this hypothesis, alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes were obtained from healthy nonsmoking volunteers. The cells were cultured in the presence of 0 to 10 micrograms/ml LPS. LPS induced the synthesis of large amounts of a new 75-kD protein in human alveolar macrophages, and a lesser amount in monocytes. Synthesis of this protein required more than 6 h and peaked in 24 to 48 h; the protein reacted with an anti-PGHS-2 antibody prepared against mouse PGHS-2. Associated with synthesis of the protein was a marked increase in LPS-stimulated and arachidonic acid-stimulated synthesis of PGE2 by alveolar macrophages compared to monocytes. Cells not exposed to LPS contained only PGHS-1 and synthesized very little PGE2 during culture or in response to exogenous arachidonic acid. An LPS-induced mRNA, which hybridized to a human cDNA probe for PGHS-2 mRNA, was produced in parallel with production of this new protein and was produced in much greater amounts by alveolar macrophages compared to blood monocytes. This mRNA was not detectable in cells not exposed to LPS. In contrast, both types of cells contain mRNA, which hybridizes to a cDNA probe for PGHS-1. This mRNA did not increase in response to LPS. LPS also had no effect on PGHS-1 protein. These data demonstrate that PGE2 synthesis in human alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes correlates to the mass of PGHS-2 in the cell. We conclude that the greater ability of the macrophage to synthesize PGE2 in response to LPS is due to greater synthesis of PGHS-2 by the macrophage.

Serum and Glucocorticoid Regulation of Gene Transcription and Expression of the Prostaglandin H Synthase-1 and Prostaglandin H Synthase-2 Isozymes

Mitogenic stimulation has been shown to increase both prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase-1 (PGHS-I) and PGH synthase-2 (PGHS-2) mRNA levels, although the time course and magnitude of induction are different for the two genes. To investigate the mechanism for mRNA induction, we conducted nuclear run-off assays of these two genes in 3T3 cells and correlated mitogen-induced changes in PGHS gene transcription with changes in PGHS mRNA and PGHS isozyme expression. We also examined the mechanism for glucocorticoid inhibition of PGHS mRNA expression and the effects of glucocorticoids on PGHS isozyme expression. Serum stimulation of quiescent 3T3 cells led to a sequential increase in PGHS-2 gene transcription, PGHS-2 mRNA. and PGHS-2 enzyme levels. PGHS-2 gene transcription increased over 25-fold within 30 min of serum addition resulting in an over 70-fold increase in PGHS-2 mRNA by 1 h, and maximal PGHS-2 enzyme expression by 2 h. Increased PGHS-2 isozyme expression thus appears to depend on transcriptional activation of the gene. Transcription of the PGHS-2 gene declined after 30 min, and PGHS-2 mRNA levels declined similarly after 1 h, leading to a return of PGHS-2 levels to near basal levels by 6 h. Glucocorticoids, which previously have been shown to inhibit mitogen-stimulated increases in PGHS-2 levels, were found to inhibit serum-stimulated increases in PGHS-2 gene transcription by 70%, resulting in a 70% reduction in peak serum-stimulated PGHS-2 mRNA levels also. Western blotting with PGHS-2 specific antisera demonstrated that while dexamethasone simply reduced PGHS-2 mRNA levels, it completely suppressed expression of PGHS-2 protein. The coincidental reduction in PGHS-2 transcription, PGHS-2 mRNA, and enzyme levels by dexamethasone, provides further support for the hypothesis that control of transcription is one primary control mechanism for regulating PGHS-2 expression. That complete suppression of PGHS-2 enzyme expression occurs following partial suppression of PGHS-2 mRNA, however, suggests that other mechanisms may also contribute to the glucocorticoid effect. A small, but reproducible, increase in transcription of the PGHS-1 gene occurred 3 h following serum stimulation, coincident with a three- to fourfold increase in PGHS-1 mRNA; PGHS-1 mRNA remained elevated for at least 3 h. Dexamethasone reduced, but did not completely inhibit, the serum-stimulated increases in PGHS-1. However, changes in PGHS-1 mRNA were not accompanied by detectable changes in PGHS-1 protein in the presence or absence of dexamethasone.

MyoD and Regulation of Prostaglandin H Synthase

MM14 myoblasts, in contrast to their differentiation defective variant (DD-1) cells, do not synthesize detectable levels of prostaglandins or of the initial enzyme in the pathway of prostaglandin synthesis, prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) but do exhibit readily detectable level of PGHS mRNA (Steiner, S., et al., 1991, Exp. Cell Res. 192, 643). These findings suggest a possible relationship between the myogenic phenotype and the synthesis of prostaglandins. This relationship was examined in the current study by analysis of the effect of transfection of DD-1 cells with a MyoD expression vector (termed MyoDD-1 cells) on expression of MyoD and synthesis of prostaglandins. Proliferating MyoDD-1 cells express readily detectable levels of MyoD protein and mRNA and exhibit markedly diminished levels of PGHS protein and prostaglandins. In contrast, serum-deprived MyoDD-1 cells express little MyoD mRNA or protein and exhibit a readily detectable level of PGHS protein despite having only a slightly higher PGHS mRNA abundance compared to growing MyoDD-1 cells. These studies are consistent with the hypothesis that MyoD expression contributes to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Inhibition of endothelial cell prostaglandin H synthase gene expression by naproxen

Naproxen is a potent anti-inflammatory drug whose action is attributed to inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. In view of our recent discovery that aspirin and sodium salicylate are capable of reducing cellular levels of prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase mRNA, we have evaluated the effect of naproxen on PGH synthase protein and mRNA levels in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PGH synthase mRNA levels were quantified by a competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay; protein was assessed by Western blotting. Naproxen decreased the PGH synthase protein level in HUVEC in a concentration-dependent manner. It abolished entirely the 70 kDa PGH synthase subunit at 5 μg/ml. It appears more effective in blocking interleukin-1 inducible PGH synthase levels. Naproxen also inhibited the synthase mRNA level in a concentration-dependent manner; levels were reduced by 33% at 5 μg/ml and 60% at 30 μg/ml naproxen. These results indicate that naproxen, like the salicylates, inhibits PGH synthase levels in cultured endothelial cells either by inhibiting transcription of the PGH synthase gene or by destabilizing its messenger RNA.

Aspirin inhibits interleukin 1-induced prostaglandin H synthase expression in cultured endothelial cells.

Prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase (EC 1.14.99.1) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxane, and prostacyclin. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, interleukin 1 (IL-1) is known to induce the synthesis of this enzyme, thereby raising the level of PGH synthase protein severalfold over the basal level. Pretreatment with aspirin at low concentrations (0.1-1 micrograms/ml) inhibited more than 60% of the enzyme mass and also the cyclooxygenase activity in IL-1-induced cells with only minimal effects on the basal level of the synthase enzyme in cells without IL-1. Sodium salicylate exhibited a similar inhibitory action whereas indomethacin had no apparent effect. Similarly low levels of aspirin inhibited the increased L-[35S]methionine incorporation into PGH synthase that was induced by IL-1 and also suppressed expression of the 2.7-kilobase PGH synthase mRNA. These results suggest that in cultured endothelial cells a potent inhibition of eicosanoid biosynthetic capacity can be effected by aspirin or salicylate at the level of PGH synthase gene expression. The aspirin effect may well be due to degradation of salicylate.

Regulation of Prostaglandin H Synthase mRNA Levels and Prostaglandin Biosynthesis by Platelet-derived Growth Factor

Stimulation of serum-starved NIH-3T3 cells with 20 ng/ml recombinant platelet-derived growth factor BB (rPDGF) results in the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that is detectable within 10 min and which peaks after 2 h. Inhibition of translation with 36 microM cycloheximide inhibits rPDGF-stimulated PGE2 synthesis (greater than 90%), suggesting that de novo synthesis of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) is required for growth factor stimulation of PGE2 synthesis. Paradoxically, the addition of 10 microM exogenous arachidonate to the serum-starved cells resulted in 2-fold more PGE2 synthesis, and maximal synthesis occurred at 30 min compared to 2 h following rPDGF treatment. These data suggest that the serum-starved cells have ample biosynthetic capacity to support maximal rPDGF-stimulated PGE2 synthesis without de novo enzyme synthesis. Kinetic analysis of PGHS mRNA levels showed that although rPDGF did elevate the steady-state level of PGHS mRNA, the increase occurred after maximal PGE2 synthesis was achieved. Quantification of PGHS levels by immunoblot showed that there was no significant increase in enzyme levels following rPDGF stimulation even under conditions where PGHS mRNA levels were elevated. Irreversible inactivation of PGHS by treatment with aspirin and subsequent stimulation with rPDGF synchronized the maximal elevation of PGHS mRNA levels and PGE2 synthesis; both peaked at 3 h. Interestingly, aspirin pretreatment increased both the rate and amplitude of rPDGF-stimulated PGHS mRNA induction. The enhanced induction was not simply the result of a loss in PGE2 production since treatment with exogenous PGE2 also induced PGHS mRNA levels. Since rPDGF-stimulated PGE2 synthesis is blocked by both transcription and translation inhibitors but arachidonate-stimulated PGE2 synthesis is unaffected, the requirement for protein synthesis does not appear to involve de novo PGHS synthesis. The synthesis of a protein required for coupling of the rPDGF receptor to phospholipase activation and arachidonic acid mobilization is a more likely interpretation. In summary, our data suggest that rPDGF can induce PGHS mRNA levels, but that rPDGF-stimulated PGE2 synthesis is not dependent upon de novo PGHS synthesis.