Endothelin-1 increases expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and production of interlukin-8 in hunan pulmonary epithelial cells

Inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in inflammatory processes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Endothelin-1 (ET-1) might be also involved in the pathophysilogical processes in COPD. In the present study, we determined whether ET-1 could regulate the expression of COX-2 and alter the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549). Induced sputum samples were collected from 13 stable COPD patients and 14 healthy subjects. The COX-2 protein, ET-1, PGE2 and IL-8 in these sputum samples were analyzed. A549 cells were incubated with ET-1 in the presence or absence of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor. The expression of COX-2 protein in the cell and the amounts of PGE2 and IL-8 in the medium were measured. The levels of COX-2 protein, ET-1, PGE2 and IL-8 were significantly increased in induced sputum from COPD patients when compared to healthy subjects. ET-1 increased the expression of COX-2 protein, as well as the production of PGE2 in A549 cells. Increased production of PGE2 was inhibited by celecoxib. ET-1 also increased the production of IL-8. Interestingly, ET-1-induced production of IL-8 was also inhibited by celecoxib. These findings indicate that ET-1 plays important roles in regulating COX-2 expression and production of IL-8 in A549 cells. ET-1 mediated production of IL-8 is likely through a COX-2-dependent mechanism.