Augmented prostaglandin E2 generation resulting from increased activities of cytosolic and secretory phospholipase A2 and induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in interleukin-1 beta-stimulated rat calvarial cells during the mineralizing phase.

OBJECTIVE AND
DESIGN: To assess prostaglandin (PG) E2 production by osteoblasts during the mineralizing phase after interleukin (IL)-1beta stimulation, using an in vitro system of rat calvarial cells cultured for 21 days.
METHODS: The cells, which reached confluence after 3 days, were designated day 0 cells. Culture was continued for a further 21 days after confluence. The cells on the 21st day of the culture were designated day 21 cells.
RESULTS: The PGE2 concentration in the medium of the day 21 cells was increased 72 h after IL-1beta treatment, and reached a peak level approximately 1,400 times that of the day 0 cells 6 h after IL-1beta treatment. We examined the effects of IL-1beta on PGE2 production and changes in the relevant enzyme activities, and found that the activities of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), type II secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the day 21 cells were increased. Both selective COX-2 inhibitor and cPLA2 inhibitor abolished PGE2 generation, whereas an sPLA2 inhibitor partially inhibited it. Taken together, these results indicate that COX-2 and cPLA2 play pivotal roles and sPLA2 is involved in IL-1beta-stimulated PGE2 production by these cells. Furthermore, we found that IL-Ibeta treatment induced PGE synthase activity and this correlated well with PGE2 production.
CONCLUSION: Augmented PGE2 production by mineralizing osteoblasts after IL-1beta treatment, and the involvement of IL-1beta-induced cPLA2, sPLA2, COX-2 and PGE synthase activities in this phenomenon were demonstrated.