Eicosanoid synthesis by cultured human urothelial cells: potential role in bladder cancer

Prostaglandin (PG) H synthase and eicosanoid products of arachidonic acid metabolism have been implicated in several steps in the carcinogenic process. This study assessed these parameters using primary cultures of human urothelial cells. To determine the possible presence of permeability barriers to agonist stimulation, incubations were performed with adherent cells in the presence or absence of thioglycolate pretreatment or with cell suspensions. No evidence for permeability barriers was observed. With adherent cells in the absence of thioglycolate, radioimmunoassayable PGE2 was stimulated by epinephrine less than 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate = thrombin less than bradykinin = A23187 much less than arachidonic acid. Tumor promoters but not non-tumor promoters stimulated PGE2 synthesis. 1-Oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol which like 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate activates protein kinase C also increased PGE2 synthesis. Cells prelabeled with [14C]arachidonic acid were exposed to agonists and the profile of eicosanoids synthesized was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography. With bradykinin, the pattern of eicosanoids synthesized was 6-keto-PGE1 alpha (12% of total 14C label), thromboxane B2 (0.4%), PGF2 alpha (1.7%), PGE2 (18%), PGD2 (1%), leukotrienes (0.4 to 1%), 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (3%), 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (4%), 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (0%) and 5-hydroxy-5,8,12,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (2%). Thus, human urothelial cells contain both prostaglandin H synthase and lipoxygenase pathways with the former being more prominent. These pathways may participate in urinary bladder carcinogenesis.