title: New insights into the role of COX 2 in inflammation.
abstract: Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) is responsible for the synthesis of bioactive prostanoids, the inhibition of which serves as the basis for the mode of action of clinically used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While there were suggestions as early as the 1970s that an inducible isoform of COX exists, it was only in the early 1990s that COX 2 was identified, cloned and sequenced. Not surprisingly, this new isoform was expressed at sites of inflammation and reported to contribute to the inflammatory response. Recently, however, evidence is emerging to suggest that COX 2 also has anti-inflammatory properties. In this review, the two faces of COX 2 are examined, with emphasis on its role in regulating inflammatory resolution, including possible mechanisms of action
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Research Center and Division of Hematology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Gilroy
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Colville-Nash
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008954:Models, Biological; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011453:Prostaglandins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases