Prostaglandin E2 inhibits transforming growth factor beta 1-mediated induction of collagen alpha 1(I) in hepatic stellate cells.
OBJECTIVE
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been implicated in a number of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) functions but its relationship to transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)-mediated fibrogenesis is unknown. We assessed the impact of COX-2 inhibition and PGE(2) on the regulation of TGF-beta 1-stimulated matrix synthesis in an immortalized human HSC line, LX-1 and corroborated these findings in primary stellate cells.


METHODS
Expression of COX-2 was assessed by Western blotting and real time quantitative PCR. The effect of NS398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, and PGE(2) on TGF-beta 1-mediated fibrogenesis was examined by measuring mRNA levels of collagen alpha1(I). PGE(2) receptor expression was analyzed by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Under basal conditions, NS398 suppressed PGE(2) synthesis and induced collagen alpha 1(I) whereas exogenous PGE(2) suppressed expression of collagen alpha1(I). TGF-beta 1 induced COX-2 mRNA, COX-2 protein and PGE(2) biosynthesis. Importantly, TGF-beta 1-mediated induction of collagen alpha 1(I) was markedly suppressed by the addition of exogenous PGE(2). All four major PGE(2) receptors were expressed in LX-1 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that COX-2-derived PGE(2) inhibits both basal and TGF-beta 1-mediated induction of collagen synthesis by HSC. Based on these findings, it will be important to determine whether inhibiting COX-derived PGE(2) synthesis alters the progression of liver fibrosis in vivo.
Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Alex Y
AY
Hui
Andrew J
AJ
Dannenberg
Joseph J Y
JJ
Sung
Kotha
K
Subbaramaiah
Baoheng
B
Du
Peter
P
Olinga
Scott L
SL
Friedman
D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009578:Nitrobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E / Q000378:metabolism; D015843:Serpins; D051785:Smad Proteins; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D024042:Collagen Type I; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009578:Nitrobenzenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D015843:Serpins; D051785:Smad Proteins; D013449:Sulfonamides; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C080955:N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone