Endotoxin enhances arachidonic acid metabolism by cultured rabbit microvascular endothelial cells

This study demonstrates that bacterial lipopolysaccharide and lipid A exert a significant effect on eicosanoid formation by primary cultures of microvascular endothelial cells (MECs). Qualitative studies using [14C]-arachidonic acid demonstrated that prostaglandin E2 was the primary eicosanoid formed by MECs after 20 h of treatment with either vehicle or lipopolysaccharide. Significant, dose-dependent productions of PGE2 and prostacyclin, beginning at an endotoxin dose of 0.01 ng/ml, were quantified by radioimmunoassay in supernatants of cells treated for 20 h with lipopolysaccharide or lipid A. This eicosanoid production was inhibited by meclofenamate and cycloheximide and occurred without cellular injury. The time course and kinetics of eicosanoid production in response to endotoxin demonstrate a significant, time-related enhancement. Endotoxin-treated MECs responded to exogenous substrate with augmented PGE2 production, suggesting enhanced prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase activity. These results demonstrate a significant interaction of endotoxin with endothelial cells of microvascular origin that results in an enhanced potential for eicosanoid metabolism. This effect may be mediated in part through induction of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase.