Regulation of manganese superoxide dismutase in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was shown to produce an induction of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) mRNA levels in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). Additional studies in porcine PAEC also demonstrated induction of Mn SOD mRNA in response to the inflammatory mediators interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor. On the other hand, we observed no change in Mn SOD mRNA within 24 h of a hyperoxic exposure. The induction of Mn SOD by LPS was blocked by both a RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, and a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. The data implicate the involvement of Mn SOD in the acute phase response of pulmonary endothelial cells.