15d-PGJ(2) is acting as a 'dual agent' on the regulation of COX-2 expression in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

The PGD(2) metabolite 15-deoxy-delta12,14 PGJ(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), a potent peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) activator, has recently received attention for its potential antiinflammatory effects, but its effect on the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) production is still under debate. We investigated the effect of 15d-PGJ(2) on COX-2 and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in the absence or the presence of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes.Data showed that, as expected, IL-1beta induced both COX-2 and PGE(2) production. The addition of 15d-PGJ(2) completely blocked (by 93%) the IL-1beta-induced PGE(2) synthesis, whereas COX-2 level was only partially reduced (by 72%). Interestingly in the absence of any COX-2 inducer, 15d-PGJ(2) up-regulated COX-2 expression without concomitant elevation of PGE(2) synthesis. This study showed that the PPARgamma agonist, 15d-PGJ(2), exerts a dual effect on COX-2 production. The mechanisms by which 15d-PGJ(2) favors COX-2 production will be discussed. Copyright 2002 OsteoArthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.