Persistence of intracellular infection depends on the exploitation of factors that negatively regulate the host immune response. In this study, we elucidated the role of macrophage PGE2, an immunoregulatory lipid, in successful survival of Leishmania donovani, causative agent of the fatal visceral leishmaniasis. PGE2 production was induced during infection and resulted in increased cAMP level i...

The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with a lower risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, in which overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is frequently reported. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), a COX-2-derived eicosanoid, is implicated in the promotion of cancer growth. However, the precise role of PGE(2) in the disease development of esophageal squamous cell carc...

Higher-order exceptional points (EPs) in non-Hermitian systems have attracted great interest due to their advantages sensitive enhancement and distinct topological features. However, realization of such EPs is still challenged because more fine-tuning parameters generically required quantum systems, compared the second-order EP (EP2). Here, we propose a three-mode optomechanical system blue-sid...

Hyperfiltration subjects podocytes to increased tensile stress and fluid flow shear stress (FFSS). We showed a 1.5- to 2.0-fold increase in FFSS in uninephrectomized animals and altered podocyte actin cytoskeleton and increased synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) following in vitro application of FFSS. We hypothesized that increased FFSS mediates cellular changes through specific receptors of ...

BACKGROUND The ovulatory gonadotropin surge increases synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by the periovulatory follicle. PGE2 actions on granulosa cells are essential for successful ovulation. The aim of the present study is to determine if PGE2 also acts directly at the oocyte to regulate periovulatory events. METHODS Oocytes were obtained from monkeys and mice after ovarian follicular stim...

Human leukemic early T cells of the HSB.2 line coexpress the EP2, EP3 and EP4 subtypes of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptors (Rs). EP3 Rs have previously been demonstrated to transduce PGE2 stimulation of secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 by HSB.2 T cells through Ca++-dependent enhancement of MMP-9 mRNA transcription. We now show that PGE2 and the EP4/EP2/EP3 R-selective agonist miso...

PURPOSE To investigate the ocular hypotensive effect of the prostanoid EP2 receptor agonist butaprost and to establish its mechanism of action. METHODS All experiments were performed in cynomolgus monkeys after topical application of butaprost (0.1%). The effects of butaprost on aqueous humor flow were determined by fluorophotometry. Total outflow facility was measured by the two-level, const...

Inflammatory activation of microglia and β amyloid (Aβ) deposition are considered to work both independently and synergistically to contribute to the increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies indicate that long-term use of phenolic compounds provides protection against AD, primarily due to their anti-inflammatory actions. We previously suggested that phenolic compound curcumin ...

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) blocks mast-cell (MC)-dependent allergic responses in humans but activates MCs in vitro. We assessed the functions of the EP receptors for PGE2 on cultured human MCs (hMCs). hMCs expressed the EP3, EP2, and EP4 receptors. PGE2 stimulated the accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and suppressed both Fc epsilonRI-mediated eicosanoid production and tumor ne...