Comparing Effects of Short- and Long-Term Exposure of Cigarette Smoke Extract on Human Vocal Fold Fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of short- and long-term cigarette smoke extract (CSE) stimulation on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and inflammatory cytokines in an in vitro model for studying Reinke's edema using human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFF). STUDY DESIGN: Experimental pilot study using intervention with CSE in vitro. METHODS: Immortalized hVFF were pretreated with 5% CSE or control medium over a period of 2 or 8 weeks, followed by a final 3-day incubation time. We evaluated cell proliferation and examined gene and protein expression of control- and CSE-treated cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western Blot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Cell numbers of CSE-treated hVFF strongly decreased after 8 weeks and limited the overall duration of the experiment. We observed significant upregulations in gene expression and protein levels of inflammatory markers (cyclooxygenase COX1, COX2) and ECM components (decorin, matrix metalloproteinase 1, transglutaminase 2, gremlin 2) induced by CSE after 2 and 8 weeks. Interleukin 1 receptor 1, prostaglandin I2 synthase, collagen- and hyaluronan-related gene expression showed minor upregulations. The majority of the observed genes were similarly regulated at both time points. However, the CSE-induced mRNA level of COX1 was ablated after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment did not yield results significantly different from the short-term protocol. Therefore, we propose that prolonged CSE exposure is not superior to short-term settings, which save both time and materials.

Introducing a new type of alternative laryngeal mucosa model.

Research of human vocal fold (VF) biology is hampered by several factors. The sensitive microstructure of the VF mucosa is one of them and limits the in vivo research, as biopsies carry a very high risk of scarring. A laryngeal organotypic model consisting of VF epithelial cells and VF fibroblasts (VFF) may overcome some of these limitations. In contrast to human VFF, which are available in several forms, availability of VF epithelial cells is scarce. Buccal mucosa might be a good alternative source for epithelial cells, as it is easily accessible, and biopsies heal without scarring. For this project, we thus generated alternative constructs consisting of immortalized human VF fibroblasts and primary human buccal epithelial cells. The constructs (n = 3) were compared to native laryngeal mucosa at the histological and proteomic level. The engineered constructs reassembled into a mucosa-like structure after a cultivation period of 35 days. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed a multi-layered stratified epithelium, a collagen type IV positive barrier-like structure resembling the basement membrane, and an underlying layer containing VFF. Proteomic analysis resulted in a total number of 1961 identified and quantified proteins. Of these, 83.8% were detected in both native VF and constructs, with only 53 proteins having significantly different abundance. 15.3% of detected proteins were identified in native VF mucosa only, most likely due to endothelial, immune and muscle cells within the VF samples, while 0.9% were found only in the constructs. Based on easily available cell sources, we demonstrate that our laryngeal mucosa model shares many characteristics with native VF mucosa. It provides an alternative and reproducible in vitro model and offers many research opportunities ranging from the study of VF biology to the testing of interventions (e.g. drug testing).

Strawberry notch homolog 2 regulates the response to interleukin-6 in the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) modulates a variety of inflammatory processes and, context depending, can mediate either pro- or anti-inflammatory effects. Excessive IL-6 signalling in the brain is associated with chronic inflammation resulting in neurodegeneration. Strawberry notch homolog 2 (Sbno2) is an IL-6-regulated gene whose function is largely unknown. Here we aimed to address this issue by investigating the impact of Sbno2 disruption in mice with IL-6-mediated neuroinflammation. METHODS: Mice with germline disruption of Sbno2 (Sbno2-/-) were generated and crossed with transgenic mice with chronic astrocyte production of IL-6 (GFAP-IL6). Phenotypic, molecular and transcriptomic analyses were performed on tissues and primary cell cultures to clarify the role of SBNO2 in IL-6-mediated neuroinflammation. RESULTS: We found Sbno2-/- mice to be viable and overtly normal. By contrast GFAP-IL6 × Sbno2-/- mice had more severe disease compared with GFAP-IL6 mice. This was evidenced by exacerbated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and enhanced IL-6-responsive gene expression. Cell culture experiments on primary astrocytes from Sbno2-/- mice further showed elevated and sustained transcript levels of a number of IL-6 stimulated genes. Notably, despite enhanced disease in vivo and gene expression both in vivo and in vitro, IL-6-stimulated gp130 pathway activation was reduced when Sbno2 is disrupted. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we propose a role for SBNO2 as a novel negative feedback regulator of IL-6 that restrains the excessive inflammatory actions of this cytokine in the brain.

Vocal Fold Fibroblasts in Reinke's Edema Show Alterations Involved in Extracellular Matrix Production, Cytokine Response and Cell Cycle Control.

The voice disorder Reinke's edema (RE) is a smoking- and voice-abuse associated benign lesion of the vocal folds, defined by an edema of the Reinke's space, accompanied by pathological microvasculature changes and immune cell infiltration. Vocal fold fibroblasts (VFF) are the main cell type of the lamina propria and play a key role in the disease progression. Current therapy is restricted to symptomatic treatment. Hence, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the molecular causes of the disease. In the present study, we investigated differential expression profiles of RE and control VFF by means of RNA sequencing. In addition, fast gene set enrichment analysis (FGSEA) was performed in order to obtain involved biological processes, mRNA and protein levels of targets of interest were further evaluated. We identified 74 differentially regulated genes in total, 19 of which were upregulated and 55 downregulated. Differential expression analysis and FGSEA revealed upregulated genes and pathways involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, inflammation and fibrosis. Downregulated genes and pathways were involved in ECM degradation, cell cycle control and proliferation. The current study addressed for the first time a direct comparison of VFF from RE to control and evaluated immediate functional consequences.

Exploring the Pathophysiology of Reinke's Edema: The Cellular Impact of Cigarette Smoke and Vibration.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the isolated or combined effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and vibration on human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFF) in an in vitro setting in order to elucidate their influence in the pathophysiology of Reinke's edema (RE). STUDY DESIGN: Immortalized hVFF were exposed to CSE or control medium under static or vibrational conditions. A phonomimetic bioreactor was used to deliver vibrational patterns to hVFF over a period of 5 days. METHODS: Cytotoxicity was quantified using a lactate dehydrogenase assay. We employed reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Magnetic Luminex(R) assays (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) to assess the influence on extracellular matrix production, fibrogenesis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. RESULTS: We observed significant changes induced by CSE alone (hyaluronic acid, matrix metalloproteinase 1, Interleukin-8, cyclooxygenase [COX]1, COX2, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]D), as well as settings in which only the combination of CSE and vibration led to significant changes (transforming growth factor beta 1, VEGFA, VEGFC). Also, CSE-induced levels of COX2 were only significantly reduced when vibration was applied. CONCLUSION: We were able to explore the cellular effects of CSE and vibration on hVFF by employing a phonomimetic bioreactor. Whereas cigarette smoke is generally accepted as a risk factor for RE, the role of vibration remained unclear as it is difficult to study in humans. Our data showed that some genes and proteins in the pathophysiological context of RE were only affected when CSE in combination with vibration was applied. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:E547-E554, 2021.

In vitro mechanical vibration down-regulates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signaling in human vocal fold fibroblasts.

INTRODUCTION: Voice rest following phonotrauma or phonosurgery has a considerable clinical impact, but clinical recommendations are inconsistent due to inconclusive data. As biopsies of the vocal folds (VF) for molecular biology studies in humans are unethical, we established a new in vitro model to explore the effects of vibration on human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFF) in an inflammatory and normal state, which is based on previously published models. METHODS: By using a phonomimetic bioreactor we were able to apply predefined vibrational stress patterns on hVFF cultured under inflammatory or normal conditions. Inflammatory and pro-fibrotic stimuli were induced by interleukin (IL)1ß and transforming growth factor (TGF)ß1, respectively. Mechanical stimulation was applied four hours daily, over a period of 72 hours. Outcome measurements comprised assessment of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related components, angiogenic factors, and inflammatory and fibrogenic markers on gene expression and protein levels. RESULTS: Under inflammatory conditions, the inflammatory cytokine IL11, as well as the myofibroblast marker alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were significantly reduced when additional vibration was applied. The desirable anti-fibrotic ECM component hyaluronic acid was increased following cytokine treatment, but was not diminished following vibration. CONCLUSION: Our experiments revealed the effect of vibrational stress on hVFF in an inflammatory state. Elevated levels of certain pro-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic factors could be mitigated by additional vibrational excitation in an in vitro setting. These findings corroborate clinical studies which recommend early voice activation following an acute event.

Involvement of EP2 and EP4 Receptors in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The prostaglandin D2 receptor DP2 has been implicated in eosinophil infiltration and the development of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). AIMS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated an involvement of PGE2 (EP1-EP4) and PGD2 (DP1) receptors in EoE by measuring their expression in peripheral blood eosinophils and esophageal mucosal biopsies of EoE patients and by performing migration and adhesion assays with eosinophils from healthy donors. RESULTS: Expression of EP2 and EP4, but not EP1 and EP3, was decreased in blood eosinophils of patients with EoE vs. control subjects. Adhesion of eosinophils to esophageal epithelial cells was decreased by EP2 receptor agonist butaprost and EP4 agonist ONO-AE1-329, whereas DP1 agonist BW245C increased adhesion. In chemotaxis assays with supernatant from human esophageal epithelial cells, only ONO-AE1-329 but not butaprost or BW245C inhibited the migration of eosinophils. Expression of EP and DP receptors in epithelial cells and eosinophils was detected in sections of esophageal biopsies from EoE patients by immunohistochemistry. qPCR of biopsies from EoE patients revealed that gene expression of EP4 and DP1 was the highest among PGE2 and PGD2 receptors. Esophageal epithelial cells in culture showed high gene expression for EP2 and EP4. Activation of EP2 and EP4 receptors decreased barrier integrity of esophageal epithelial cells in impedance assays. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of EP2 and EP4 receptors may inhibit eosinophil recruitment to the esophageal mucosa. However, their activation could negatively affect esophageal barrier integrity suggesting that eosinophilic rather than epithelial EP2 and EP4 have a protective role in EoE.

Members of the endocannabinoid system are distinctly regulated in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the protection against intestinal inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC); however, human data are scarce. We determined members of the ECS and related components of the 'endocannabinoidome' in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CRC, and compared them to control subjects. Anandamide (AEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) were increased in plasma of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients while 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was elevated in patients with CD, but not UC. 2-AG, but not AEA, PEA and OEA, was elevated in CRC patients. Lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) 18:0 showed higher levels in patients with IBD than in control subjects whereas LPI 20:4 was elevated in both CRC and IBD. Gene expression in intestinal mucosal biopsies revealed different profiles in CD and UC. CD, but not UC patients, showed increased gene expression for the 2-AG synthesizing enzyme diacylglycerol lipase alpha. Transcripts of CNR1 and GPR119 were predominantly decreased in CD. Our data show altered plasma levels of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like lipids in IBD and CRC and distinct transcript profiles in UC and CD. We also report alterations for less known components in intestinal inflammation, such as GPR119, OEA and LPI.

Cellular localization and regulation of receptors and enzymes of the endocannabinoid system in intestinal and systemic inflammation.

Surveys suggest that Cannabis provides benefit for people with inflammatory bowel disease. However, mechanisms underlying beneficial effects are not clear. We performed in situ hybridization RNAscope® combined with immunohistochemistry to show cell-specific distribution and regulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 (CB1, CB2), G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) mRNA in immune cells using murine models of intestinal and systemic inflammation. In healthy animals, the presence in enteric ganglia is high for CB1 mRNA, but low for CB2 and GPR55 mRNAs. MGL mRNA is predominant throughout the intestinal wall including myenteric neurons, epithelium, circular and longitudinal muscular layers, and the lamina propria. Within the immune system, B220+ cells exhibit high gene expression for CB2 while the expression of CB2 in F4/80+ and CD3+ cells is less prominent. In contrast, GPR55 mRNA is highly present in F4/80+ and CD3+ cells. qRT-PCR of total colonic segments shows that the expression of GPR55 and MGL genes drops during intestinal inflammation. Also at cellular levels, GPR55 and MGL gene expression is reduced in F4/80+, but not CD3+ cells. As to systemic inflammation, reduced gene expression of MGL is observed in ileum by qRT-PCR, while at cellular levels, altered gene expression is also seen for CB1 and GPR55 in CD3+ but not F4/80+ cells. In summary, our study reveals changes in gene expression of members of the endocannabinoid system in situ attesting particularly GPR55 and MGL a distinct cellular role in the regulation of the immune response to intestinal and systemic inflammation.

G protein-coupled receptor GPR55 promotes colorectal cancer and has opposing effects to cannabinoid receptor 1.

The putative cannabinoid receptor GPR55 has been shown to play a tumor-promoting role in various cancers, and is involved in many physiological and pathological processes of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. While the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1 ) has been reported to suppress intestinal tumor growth, the role of GPR55 in the development of GI cancers is unclear. We, therefore, aimed at elucidating the role of GPR55 in colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer worldwide. Using azoxymethane (AOM)- and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-driven CRC mouse models, we found that GPR55 plays a tumor-promoting role that involves alterations of leukocyte populations, i.e. myeloid-derived suppressor cells and T lymphocytes, within the tumor tissues. Concomitantly, expression levels of COX-2 and STAT3 were reduced in tumor tissue of GPR55 knockout mice, indicating reduced presence of tumor-promoting factors. By employing the experimental CRC models to CB1 knockout and CB1 /GPR55 double knockout mice, we can further show that GPR55 plays an opposing role to CB1 . We report that GPR55 and CB1 mRNA expression are differentially regulated in the experimental models and in a cohort of 86 CRC patients. Epigenetic methylation of CNR1 and GPR55 was also differentially regulated in human CRC tissue compared to control samples. Collectively, our data suggest that GPR55 and CB1 play differential roles in colon carcinogenesis where the former seems to act as oncogene and the latter as tumor suppressor.

Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids: An Option for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cancer of the Colon?

In the past few years, we have witnessed a surge of new reports dealing with the role of cannabinoids, synthetic as well as herbal, in the mechanisms of inflammation and carcinogenesis. However, despite the wealth of in vitro data and anecdotal reports, evidence that cannabinoids could act as beneficial drugs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or in neoplastic development of the human gastrointestinal tract is lacking. Some insight into the effects of medical Cannabis (usually meaning dried flowers) and cannabinoids in IBD has been gained through questionnaires and small pilot studies. As to colorectal cancer, only preclinical data are available. Currently, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its synthetic forms, dronabinol and nabilone, are used as an add-on treatment to alleviate chronic pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea. The use of medical Cannabis is authorized only in a limited number of countries. None of the mentioned substances are currently indicated for IBD. This review is an update of our knowledge on the role of cannabinoids in intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis and a discussion on their potential therapeutic use.

Eosinophils Contribute to Intestinal Inflammation via Chemoattractant Receptor-homologous Molecule Expressed on Th2 Cells, CRTH2, in Experimental Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Prostaglandin [PG] D2 activates two receptors, DP and CRTH2. Antagonism of CRTH2 has been shown to promote anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated whether CRTH2 may play a role in Crohn's disease [CD], focusing on eosinophils which are widely present in the inflamed mucosa of CD patients and express both receptors. METHODS: Using the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid [TNBS]-induced colitis model, involvement of CRTH2 in colitis was investigated by pharmacological antagonism, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunoassay, and leukocyte recruitment. Chemotactic assays were performed with isolated human eosinophils. Biopsies and serum samples of CD patients were examined for presence of CRTH2 and ligands, respectively. RESULTS: High amounts of CRTH2-positive cells, including eosinophils, are present in the colonic mucosa of mice with TNBS colitis and in human CD. The CRTH2 antagonist OC-459, but not the DP antagonist MK0524, reduced inflammation scores and decreased TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 as compared with control mice. OC-459 inhibited recruitment of eosinophils into the colon and also inhibited CRTH2-induced chemotaxis of human eosinophils in vitro. Eosinophil-depleted ΔdblGATA knockout mice were less sensitive to TNBS-induced colitis, whereas IL-5 transgenic mice with lifelong eosinophilia were more severely affected than wild types. In addition, we show that serum levels of PGD2 and Δ(12)-PGJ2 were increased in CD patients as compared with control individuals. CONCLUSIONS: CRTH2 plays a pro-inflammatory role in TNBS-induced colitis. Eosinophils contribute to the severity of the inflammation, which is improved by a selective CRTH2 antagonist. CRTH2 may, therefore, represent an important target in the pharmacotherapy of CD.

Strawberry notch homolog 2 is a novel inflammatory response factor predominantly but not exclusively expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) participates in the host response to injury and infection in the central nervous system (CNS). We identified strawberry notch homolog 2 (Sbno2) as an IL-6-stimulated gene in murine astrocytes. Sbno2 is a mouse homolog of the sno gene in Drosophila but little is known about the regulation or function of the mammalian gene. Here we examined the regulation of the Sbno2 gene in astrocytes in vitro and in the murine CNS following systemic endotoxin administration. In murine and human cultured astrocytes, Sbno2 gene expression was significantly upregulated in a dose- and time-dependent fashion by hyper-IL-6 (IL-6 + soluble IL-6 receptor). The level of Sbno2 mRNA was also upregulated significantly in murine astrocytes by other glycoprotein130 cytokine-family members and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha. These changes were reflected by corresponding alterations in the level of the SBNO2 protein. Inhibiting protein synthesis resulted in higher Sbno2 mRNA and did not abolish the upregulation of Sbno2 mRNA mediated by hyper-IL-6. Inhibition of transcription led to a rapid reduction in hyper-IL-6-induced Sbno2 mRNA in astrocytes suggesting that the Sbno2 mRNA is quite unstable. Following intra-peritoneal lipopolysaccharide injection in mice, Sbno2 mRNA levels in the brain were significantly increased. Cellular localization studies revealed that this increase in Sbno2 mRNA occurred predominantly in astrocytes and in the choroid plexus and in some microglia, endothelial cells, and neurons. These findings are consistent with SBNO2 functioning as an acute inflammatory response gene in astrocytes as well as other cells in the CNS.

Effect of endotoxin treatment on the expression and localization of spinal cyclooxygenase, prostaglandin synthases, and PGD2 receptors.

Systemic inflammation leads to increased expression of spinal cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and to a subsequent increase of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, which contribute to the development of hyperalgesia and allodynia. In this study, endotoxin caused a sequential induction of membrane bound prostaglandin E synthase-1 and lipocalin-type PGD synthase (L-PGDS) in the mouse spinal cord. L-PGDS expression was detected in the leptomeninges, oligodendrocytes, and interestingly, in discrete perivascular cells. Endotoxin-caused increase was most prominent in oligodendrocytes. Endotoxin-induced COX-2 and membrane bound prostaglandin E synthase-1 were restricted to the leptomeninges and perivascular cells. COX-1 was not influenced by endotoxin. We found COX-1 expressed in microglia, some of them in close proximity to L-PGDS-positive oligodendrocytes and co-localization of COX-1 with L-PGDS in perivascular and leptomeningeal cells under control conditions. It can be assumed, that PGD2 biosynthesis under control conditions is mediated via COX-1 and that during inflammation, increased PGD2 is dependent on COX-2. We found the PGD2 receptors DP1 and chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on T helper type 2 cells (CRTH2) localized in neurons of the dorsal, and motoneurons in the ventral horn. The localization of the PGD2 receptors DP1 and CRTH in spinal cord neurons, particularly in neurons of lamina I and II involved in the processing of nociceptive stimuli, supports a role of PGD2 under inflammatory conditions.

Systemic inflammation induces COX-2 mediated prostaglandin D2 biosynthesis in mice spinal cord.

Although prostaglandin (PG)D2 is one of the main metabolites of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway of arachidonate metabolism in the brain, relatively little is known about the regulation of PGD2 biosynthesis in the spinal cord during systemic inflammation. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the effect of endotoxin treatment on spinal PGD2 biosynthesis in BALB/c mice. Spinal inflammatory response to systemic endotoxin was verified by determination of spinal TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA. COX-1, COX-2, membrane-bound prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The concentrations of immunoreactive PGD2 and PGE2 were measured in superfusion media of spinal cord samples in-vitro. Endotoxin treatment (1 mg/kg; 24 h before) enhanced the expression of COX-2, mPGES-1, and L-PGDS mRNA and protein in spinal cord, while there was no significant effect on COX-1 mRNA and protein. In superfusion media of spinal cord samples obtained from endotoxin treated mice, the concentrations of immunoreactive PGE2 and PGD2 were higher than in the control group suggesting enhanced spinal PG biosynthesis after endotoxin treatment. Addition of the selective COX-2 inhibitor lumiracoxib (100 nM) to the superfusion medium did not significantly affect PGE2 or PGD2 release in spinal cord obtained from non-treated mice. In spinal cord of endotoxin-treated mice, lumiracoxib (100 nM) attenuated PGE2 and PGD2 release to values similar to those observed in tissue obtained from non-endotoxin-treated mice. These results show enhanced expression of spinal L-PGDS and increased spinal PGD2 biosynthesis during systemic inflammation whereby enhanced biosynthesis seems to be dependent primarily on COX-2 activity.

Sequential induction of prostaglandin E and D synthases in inflammation.

Enhanced biosynthesis of prostaglandin (PG)D(2) and subsequent formation of 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2) has been suggested to contribute to resolution of inflammation. The primary aim of the present study in mouse heart was, therefore, to determine at the transcriptional level if there is sequential induction of PGE and PGD synthases (S) during inflammation. Expression of interleukin (IL)-1beta in heart was enhanced 4h after systemic inflammation and declined thereafter within 3-5 days to basal levels. In contrast to cyclooxygenase-2 and membrane-bound (m)-PGES-1, which both peaked 4h after endotoxin administration, hematopoietic (H)-PGDS expression was enhanced only >or=48h after endotoxin. The expression of lipocalin-type (L)-PGDS was not significantly influenced. mRNA encoding the putative target of 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, was enhanced between 4 and 24h after induction of inflammation. Treatment of mice with acetylsalicylic acid or indomethacin at doses effective to cause near-complete inhibition of PGE(2) and PGD(2) biosynthesis in heart ex vivo resulted in enhanced expression of IL-1beta 24h after endotoxin administration. These results provide additional support for the hypothesis of a shift towards PGD(2) biosynthesis during resolution of inflammation.