title: Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in H5N1 viral pathogenesis and the potential use of its inhibitors.
abstract: 1. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), along with TNF-α and other proinflammatory cytokines, was hyperinduced in H5N1- infected macrophages in vitro and in epithelial cells of autopsied lung tissues of infected patients. 2. The COX-2 mediated amplification of the proinflammatory response is rapid, and the effects elicited by the H5N1-triggered proinflammatory cascade are broader than those arising from direct viral infection. 3. Selective COX-2 inhibitors suppress the H5N1- hyperinduced cytokines in the proinflammatory cascade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. suki@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: J S M
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Peiris
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000187:drug effects; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2