Cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin e2 protects mouse embryonic stem cells from apoptosis

Little is known about prostaglandin synthesis and function in embryonic stem cells. We postulated that mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells possess enzymes to synthesize protective prostaglandins. Compared with differentiated adult cells, mES cells were less susceptible to H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. However, their apoptosis was enhanced by indomethacin or SC-236, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Analysis of COX pathway enzymes by Western blotting revealed expression of COX-2 and cytosolic and microsomal prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthases. COX-1 and prostacyclin (PGI(2)) synthases were undetectable. mES cells produced PGE(2) but not PGI(2). Importantly, PGE(2) rescued mES cells from apoptosis. To elucidate the signaling mechanism by which PGE(2) inhibits apoptosis, we analyzed E-type prostaglandin (EP) receptors by Western blots. All EP isoforms were detected except EP4. Butaprost, a specific EP2 agonist, rescued mES cells from apoptosis, whereas sulprostone, an EP1/EP3 agonist, had no effect, suggesting selective interaction of PGE(2) with EP2. The antiapoptotic effect of PGE(2) was abrogated by Ly-294002 or wortmannin but not H-89 or a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, suggesting signaling via phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K). Akt was constitutively active in mES cells, which were inhibited by indomethacin and rescued by PGE(2). The rescuing effect of PGE(2) was abrogated by Ly-294002. These results indicate that mES cells constitutively express COX-2 and PGE synthases and produce PGE(2), which confers resistance to apoptosis via EP2-mediated activation of PI-3K to the Akt pathway. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.