Impaired vagus-mediated immunosuppression in microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 deficient mice

Our data show that mPGES-1 and consequently PGE2 are crucial in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Moreover, the mechanisms involved do not affect PG content in the spleen, but lack of mPGES-1 was found to strongly affect cholinergic mechanisms in the inflamed spleen. These findings illustrate previously unrecognized associations between the cholinergic and prostaglandin systems, and may be of importance for further development of therapeutic strategies directed at modulation of the inflammatory reflex, and immunosuppression in chronic inflammatory diseases.