Induction of Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene in Pancreatic β-Cells by 12-Lipoxygenase Pathway Product 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid

Abstract

AbstractCyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) gene are preferentially expressed over other types of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase in pancreatic β-cells. Inhibition of either COX-2 or 12-LO can prevent cytokine-induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction as defined by inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. As cellular stress induces both genes and their respective end products in pancreatic β-cells, we evaluated the role of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) on COX-2 gene expression, protein expression, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production.We demonstrate that 12-HETE significantly increases COX-2 gene expression and consequent product formation, whereas a closely related lipid, 15-HETE, does not. In addition, IL-1β-stimulated prostaglandin E2 production is completely inhibited by a preferential lipoxygenase inhibitor cinnaminyl-3,4-dihydroxy-α-cyanocinnamate.We then evaluated IL-1β-induced PGE2 production in islets purified from control C57BL/6 mice and 12-LO knockout mice lacking cytokine-inducible 12-HETE. IL-1β stimulated an 8-fold increase in PGE2 production in C57BL/6 islets but failed to stimulate PGE2 in 12-LO knockout islets. Addition of 12-HETE to 12-LO knockout islet cells produced a statistically significant rise in PGE2 production. Furthermore, 12-HETE, but not 15-HETE, stimulated COX-2 promoter and activator protein-1 binding activity. These data demonstrate that 12-HETE mediates cytokine-induced COX-2 gene transcription and resultant PGE2 production in pancreatic β-cells.