Prostaglandin E(2) increases surfactant secretion via the EP(1) receptor in rat alveolar type II cells.

Prostaglandin E(2), the predominant cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid in alveolar type II cells, can stimulate pulmonary surfactant secretion. The actions of prostaglandin E(2) are mediated by four prostaglandin E (EP) receptor subtypes designated EP(1), EP(2), EP(3) and EP(4). These subtypes couple to different signal transduction pathways. However, it is not clear which of these subtypes is expressed on type II cells and mediates surfactant secretion. We found that the four subtypes of EP receptors are expressed on the primary cultured alveolar type II cells from adult rats. We also concluded that EP(1) receptor appears to mediate prostaglandin E(2)-induced surfactant secretion through Ca(2+) mobilization.