Resistance of the renal biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 to the inhibitory effect of indomethacin in the rat in vivo

B Lymphocytes Are Critical for Lung Fibrosis Control and Prostaglandin E2 Regulation in IL-9 Transgenic Mice

We previously showed that overexpression of IL-9 controls lung fibrosis induced by silica particles in mice (Arras and colleagues; Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2001;24:368-375). This protection was associated with an expansion of lung B lymphocytes. To explore the contribution of these cells in the protective effect of IL-9, we crossed IL-9 transgenic (IL-9+) and B-deficient (B-) mice. The antifibrotic effect of IL-9 was abolished in mice deficient in B lymphocytes (B-IL-9+) and restored by reconstituting these mice with B lymphocytes. The expression of the antifibrotic mediator prostaglandin (PG)E2 was markedly increased in the lung of IL-9+ mice at baseline, and similarly high levels were found in both wild-type and transgenic strains upon silica treatment. This PGE2 expression was completely abolished in B- mice, both at baseline and upon silica administration. In vitro, alveolar and peritoneal macrophages from IL-9+ mice had an increased capacity to produce PGE2 in response to LPS or silica. This capacity was markedly reduced in macrophages obtained from B- mice and restored by co-incubating macrophages with B lymphocytes from IL-9+ mice. The increased PGE2 response of IL-9+ macrophages was dependent on cyclooxygenase 2 expression, based on transcript analysis and inhibition by NS398. We conclude that B lymphocytes are essential for the protection against lung fibrosis and macrophage overexpression of PGE2 in IL-9 transgenic animals.

Prostanoids, but not nitric oxide, counterregulate angiotensin II mediated vasoconstriction in vivo

To evaluate the modulating effects of nitric oxide and prostanoids during angiotensin II-mediated vasoconstriction, male Wistar rats (n=25) were infused with increasing doses of angiotensin II following pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the nitric oxide-synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) plus sodium nitroprusside to restore mean arterial blood pressure, or saline. Hemodynamics were studied with the radioactive microsphere method. Indomethacin did not alter systemic or regional hemodynamics. L-NAME+sodium nitroprusside reduced cardiac output, as well as systemic and renal vascular conductance. Angiotensin II increased mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and decreased systemic vascular conductance as well as vascular conductance in gastrointestinal tract, kidney, skeletal muscle, skin, mesentery+pancreas, spleen and adrenal. Indomethacin enhanced the angiotensin II-mediated effects in all vascular beds, whereas L-NAME+sodium nitroprusside enhanced its effect in mesentery+pancreas only. In conclusion, vasodilator prostanoids, but not nitric oxide, counterregulate angiotensin II-mediated vasoconstriction in vivo.