[Effect of cyclooxygenase-2 on vascular endothelial cell apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke extract]

Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2009 Feb;32(2):128-32.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 on vascular endothelial cell apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke extract.

Methods: Human vascular endothelial cells (ECV-304) were cultured in vitro, and those at the exponential growth phase were studied in experiments. The experiment was completed through 3 steps: (1) ECV-304 cells were cultured with 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0% CSE for 12 h. (2) ECV-304 cells were exposed to 5.0% CSE for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h. (3) Endothelial cells were treated by 5% CSE, together with different concentrations of selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 50.0 micromol/L concentrations) for 9 h. The cell apoptosis rate was tested by Hoechst staining and flow cytometry methods, and the expression of COX-2 protein by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting.

Results: CSE induced ECV-304 cell apoptosis and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis rate of ECV-304 cells with 5.0% CSE was the highest (5.40+/-0.39)%. CSE- induced COX-2 expression reached the highest level with 5.0% CSE (206.1+/-15.5), the differences being significant (F=90.03, 159.94, all P<0.05). Furthermore CSE induced both apoptosis rate and COX-2 expression time-dependently, with the apoptosis rate achieving the peak after 24 h (8.87+/-0.41)%, while COX-2 expression reached the highest level at 9 h. The selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib inhibited COX-2 protein expression partially and augmented cell apoptosis induced by CSE.

Conclusions: CSE induces endothelial cell apoptosis and increases the expression of COX-2 protein in vascular endothelial cells. Celecoxib, the selective COX-2 inhibitor, reduces the expression of COX-2 protein and promotes cell apoptosis induced by CSE in vascular endothelial cells. COX-2 may play an important role in protecting development of CSE-associated apoptosis of endothelial cells.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Celecoxib
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Nicotiana
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Smoke / adverse effects*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Pyrazoles
  • Smoke
  • Sulfonamides
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Celecoxib