Cyclo-oxygenase-1 and cyclo-oxygenase-2 and cardiovascular system.
Prostaglandins play important roles in the pathophysiological mechanism of action of platelets and endothelial cells in the cardiovascular system. The two isoforms of cyclo-oxygenase, respectively cyclo-oxygenase-1 and cyclo-oxygenase-2, are differently expressed in these cells. Activated platelets show a relatively large amount of cyclo-oxygenase-1, whereas endothelial cells have the gene for cyclo-oxygenase-2, the expression of which follows cell activation. In the atherosclerosis lesion, prostaglandin synthesis is mainly mediated by the inducible cyclo-oxygenase-2 expressed in macrophages/foam cells, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Aspirin, a selective platelet cyclo-oxygenase-1 inhibitor still remains the most extensively studied antiplatelet agent, even though there is growing evidence that many other compounds could be valuable either in association, or alternatives in antithrombotic therapy.
Lettino
M
M
Department of Cardiology, S. Matteo Hospital, IRCCS Pavia, Italy. m.lettino@smatteo.pv.it
Cantù
F
F
Mariani
M
M
D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000187:drug effects; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D015777:Eicosanoids; C428190:Esam protein, mouse; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D001241:Aspirin