title: Active smoking increases microsomal PGE2-synthase-1/PGE-receptor-4 axis in human abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2/microsomal PGE-synthase- (mPGES-) 1/PGE-receptor- (EP-) 4 axis could play a key role in the physiopathology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in humans. In this study, we investigated the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on the expression of the PGE2 pathway in human AAA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aortic (n = 89) and plasma (n = 79) samples from patients who underwent AAA repair were collected. Patients were grouped according to risk factors. COX-isoenzymes, mPGES-1, EPs, α-actin, and CD45 and CD68 transcripts levels were quantified by QRT-PCR and plasma PGE2 metabolites by EIA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current smoking (CS) patients compared to no-CS had significantly higher local levels of mPGES-1 (P = 0.009), EP-4 (P = 0.007), and PGE2 metabolites plasma levels (P = 0.008). In the multiple linear regression analysis, these parameters remained significantly enhanced in CS after adding confounding factors. Results from association studies with cell type markers suggested that the increased mPGES-1/EP-4 levels were mainly associated with microvascular endothelial cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that elements of the PGE2 pathway, which play an important role in AAA development, are increased in CS. These results provide insight into the relevance of tobacco smoking in AAA development and reinforce the potential of mPGES-1 and EP-4 as targets for therapy in AAA patients.
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain ; Vascular Surgery Department, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime-Félix
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dilmé
authors.affiliation: Autonomous University of Barcelona, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Solà-Villà
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain ; Vascular Surgery Department, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellmunt
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain ; Vascular Surgery Department, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José-María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain ; Vascular Surgery Department, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José-Román
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Escudero
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5970-3294
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research of Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau (II-B Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0150-6129
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vila
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; D058309:Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D058309:Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C000605862:PTGES protein, human; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases