title: Endothelial cell COX-2 expression and activity in hypoxia.
abstract: The clinical experience with selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors reveals there are important protective roles for COX-2 in the cardiovascular system. This study examined the response to hypoxia of endothelial cell eicosanoid synthesis with respect to the role of COX-2 and its molecular regulation in hypoxia. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to hypoxia and the effects on COX-2, prostacyclin (PGI(2)) and thromboxane (TXA(2)) synthesis were examined. COX-2 promoter constructs were used to examine the role of Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs) in COX-2 responses to hypoxia. Hypoxia caused an increase in PGI(2) synthesis, but not TXA(2) synthesis. PGI(2), but not TXA(2) synthesis, was absolutely dependent on upregulation of COX-2 by hypoxia. Mutations of transcription factor binding sites in the promoter showed a lack of involvement of NFkappaB in the response to hypoxia, but suggested involvement of HIFs. Transfection of HUVEC with HIF expression vectors increased activity of the promoter construct and increased native COX-2 expression in normoxia. EMSA showed HIF binding in nuclear extracts of hypoxic HUVEC to a region of the COX-2 promoter. The endothelial cell response to hypoxia involves increased production of the anti-thrombotic eicosanoid, PGI(2), which is dependent on COX-2 upregulation by a HIF-mediated process.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cook-Johnson
authors.forename: Maryanne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demasi
authors.forename: Leslie G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Saint
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D011464:Epoprostenol; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2