The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture from preeclampsia.

We have shown the HUVEC from normal pregnancy contained COX-1 protein but not COX-2 protein and released 6-keto-PGF1 alpha 277 +/- 5 ng/ml (for 24 h). In contrast, HUVEC from preeclampsia contained both COX-1 and COX-2 protein and released significantly lesser amounts of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (159 +/- 8 ng/ml for 24 h; p < 0.05). Thus, COX-2 is expressed in HUVEC from preeclampsia but not in normal pregnancy and affects the release of prostacyclin suggesting the involvement of COX-2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The development of selective inhibitors of COX-2 may have a potential role in prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.