Lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of prostaglandin H synthase-2 in alveolar macrophages is inhibited by dexamethasone but not by aspirin

M. G. O′sullivan, E. M. Huggins, C. E. McCall

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50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Alveolar macrophages cultured with lipopolysaccharide release markedly increased amounts of prostanoids upon subsequent stimulation, an effect that is due to induction of prostaglandin H synthase-2 (J. Biol. Chem., (1992), 267, 14545-14550, and Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., (1992), 187, 1123-1127). The effects of dexamethasone and aspirin on this enhanced formation of thromboxane by stimulated lipopolysaccharide-primed alveolar macrophages were investigated. Under conditions of maximum inhibition, dexamethasone and aspirin decreased the formation of thromboxane by approximately 50% and 80%, respectively. Expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced prostaglandin H synthase-2 in dexamethasone-treated macrophages was similarly inhibited by about 50%, as determined by Northern blot and immunoprecipitation. In contrast, levels of lipopolysaccharide-induced prostaglandin H synthase-2 mRNA and protein were not reduced in aspirin-treated macrophages. We conclude that inhibition of prostaglandin H synthase-2 expression represents a mechanism by which dexamethasone, but not aspirin, may inhibit prostanoid formation by alveolar macrophages.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1294-1300
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume191
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 31 1993
Externally publishedYes

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