Cyclooxygenase-2 as a therapeutic target.
Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is the predominant COX isoform present at sites of inflammation, and produces prostaglandins (PG) that cause swelling and pain. However, in situations where the release of protective PGs by COX-1 has been lost, the induction of COX-2 may compensate and reduce inflammatory responses. This is particularly likely in large blood vessels, where, under physiological conditions, the release of prostacyclin by COX-1, present in the endothelium, is an important component of cardiovascular homeostasis. We, and others, have recently shown that COX-2 can be induced by proinflammatory cytokines in human blood vessels, and also in human airway cells. Moreover, recent data from our group have suggested that in these structures, COX-2 is anti-inflammatory at the level of cellular proliferation, adhesion receptor expression, and cytokine release.
Mitchell
J A
JA
Unit of Critical Care Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK. J.mitchell@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
Evans
T W
TW
D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000201:enzymology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000201:enzymology; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D016023:Integrins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases