title: COX-2 and the vasculature: angel or evil?
abstract: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may modulate atherosclerotic plaque stability or instability according to the prostaglandin synthase coupled with it. Whereas upregulation of COX-2 and prostaglandin (PG) E synthase is associated with plaque instability, overexpression of COX-2 and lipocalin-type PGD synthase leads to plaque stability. Thus, the role of COX-2 in atherothrombosis appears to be quite complex. In this article we summarize our recent papers investigating mechanisms regulating the expression and pharmacologic modulation of COX-2 in atherosclerotic plaques.
authors.affiliation: Centro Regionale per la Prevenzione dell'Aterosclerosi, Via Colle dell'Ara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuccurullo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mezzetti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cipollone
mesh_terms: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D054834:Lipocalins; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D054834:Lipocalins; D011464:Epoprostenol; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C022466:prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases