title: Cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 expression is abnormally regulated in human nasal polyps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is evidence that impairment of prostanoid metabolism might be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs). Prostanoids are synthesized by 2 cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzymes, one constitutive (Cox-1) and another inducible (Cox-2).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of these studies was to investigate Cox-1 and Cox-2 regulation in NPs of aspirin-tolerant human patients compared with that seen in nasal mucosa (NM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cultured explants from human NPs and healthy mucosa from patients undergoing polypectomy and corrective nasal surgery, respectively, were examined for Cox-1 and Cox-2 expression by means of semiquantitative competitive PCR and Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cox-1 mRNA was spontaneously upregulated in cultured NM but not in NPs. A spontaneous but delayed upregulation of Cox-2 mRNA was found in NPs (24 hours) compared with that seen in NM (6 hours). After cytokine stimulation (IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha), the induction of Cox-2 mRNA and protein was also faster in NM (1 hour) than in NPs (4 hours).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data showing an abnormal regulation of Cox-1 and Cox-2 in NPs from aspirin-tolerant patients reinforce the concept that prostanoid metabolism might be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory nasal diseases and suggest a potential role for this alteration in the formation of NPs.
authors: Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Institut Clínic de Pneumologia I Cirurgia Toràcica, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Joaquim
authors: J
authors: Mullol
authors: Joan C
authors: JC
authors: Fernàndez-Morata
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Roca-Ferrer
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Pujols
authors: Antoni
authors: A
authors: Xaubet
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Benitez
authors: Cesar
authors: C
authors: Picado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D046508:Culture Techniques; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases