Mechanistic definition of the cardiovascular mPGES-1/COX-2/ADMA axis

Aims: Cardiovascular side effects caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which all inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, have prevented development of new drugs that target prostaglandins to treat inflammation and cancer. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors have efficacy in the NSAID arena but their cardiovascular safety is not known. Our previous work identified asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of eNOS, as a potential biomarker of cardiovascular toxicity associated with blockade of COX-2. Here we have used pharmacological tools and genetically modified mice to delineate mPGES-1 and COX-2 in the regulation of ADMA. Methods and Results: Inhibition of COX-2 but not mPGES-1 deletion resulted in increased plasma ADMA levels. mPGES-1 deletion but not COX-2 inhibition resulted in increased plasma prostacyclin levels. These differences were explained by distinct compartmentalisation of COX-2 and mPGES-1 in the kidney. Data from prostanoid synthase/receptor knockout mice showed that the COX-2/ADMA axis is controlled by prostacyclin receptors (IP and PPARβ/δ) and the inhibitory PGE2 receptor EP4, but not other PGE2 receptors. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that inhibition of mPGES-1 spares the renal COX-2/ADMA pathway and define mechanistically how COX-2 regulates ADMA

Widening the prostacyclin paradigm: tissue fibroblasts are a critical site of production and anti-thrombotic protection

BACKGROUND: Prostacyclin is a fundamental signaling pathway traditionally associated with the cardiovascular system and protection against thrombosis but which also has regulatory functions in fibrosis, proliferation, and immunity. Prevailing dogma states that prostacyclin is principally derived from vascular endothelium, although it is known that other cells can also synthesize it. However, the role of nonendothelial sources in prostacyclin production has not been systematically evaluated resulting in an underappreciation of their importance relative to better characterized endothelial sources. METHODS: To address this, we have used novel endothelial cell–specific and fibroblast-specific COX (cyclo-oxygenase) and prostacyclin synthase knockout mice and cells freshly isolated from mouse and human lung tissue. We have assessed prostacyclin release by immunoassay and thrombosis in vivo using an FeCl3-induced carotid artery injury model. RESULTS: We found that in arteries, endothelial cells are the main source of prostacyclin but that in the lung, and other tissues, prostacyclin production occurs largely independently of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Instead, in mouse and human lung, prostacyclin production was strongly associated with fibroblasts. By comparison, microvascular endothelial cells from the lung showed weak prostacyclin synthetic capacity compared with those isolated from large arteries. Prostacyclin derived from fibroblasts and other nonendothelial sources was seen to contribute to antithrombotic protection. CONCLUSIONS: These observations define a new paradigm in prostacyclin biology in which fibroblast/nonendothelial-derived prostacyclin works in parallel with endothelium-derived prostanoids to control thrombotic risk and potentially a broad range of other biology. Although generation of prostacyclin by fibroblasts has been shown previously, the scale and systemic activity was not tested and unappreciated. As such, this represents a basic change in our understanding and may provide new insight into how diseases of the lung result in cardiovascular risk

Production and characterization of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against human thromboxane synthase

Abstract Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were raised against human platelet thromboxane (Tx) synthase. Neither the antiserum nor the MoAbs inhibited the enzyme activity significantly. Three MoAbs, Tu 300, Kon 6, and Kon 7, were purified and further characterized. They are monospecific as shown by activity precipitation or Western blot analysis, and recognized different epitopes on Tx-synthase. Tu 300 could precipitate the enzyme and recognized conformational epitopes, whereas Kon 6 and Kon 7 only reacted in Western blots. Antibody Tu 300 can be used in immunohistology but shows no crossreactivity with Tx- synthase from other species. In human lung tissue staining with peroxidase, coupled Tu 300 was only found in alveolar macrophages.</jats:p

Production and characterization of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against human thromboxane synthase

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were raised against human platelet thromboxane (Tx) synthase. Neither the antiserum nor the MoAbs inhibited the enzyme activity significantly. Three MoAbs, Tu 300, Kon 6, and Kon 7, were purified and further characterized. They are monospecific as shown by activity precipitation or Western blot analysis, and recognized different epitopes on Tx-synthase. Tu 300 could precipitate the enzyme and recognized conformational epitopes, whereas Kon 6 and Kon 7 only reacted in Western blots. Antibody Tu 300 can be used in immunohistology but shows no crossreactivity with Tx- synthase from other species. In human lung tissue staining with peroxidase, coupled Tu 300 was only found in alveolar macrophages.</jats:p