Prostaglandin synthesis in bovine coronary endothelial cells: comparison with other commonly studied endothelial...

Comparison of arachidonic acid metabolism by bovine coronary artery endothelial cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells and human umbilical endothelial cells indicated potentially important differences in relative amounts of the different prostaglandins produced. Bovine coronary endothelial cells converted 14C-arachidonic acid to radioactive 6-keto PGF1 alpha (the stable metabolite of PGI2) and to a lesser extent PGE2. Bovine aortic cells synthesized 6-keto PGF1 alpha and 6,15-diketo PGF1 alpha as the major products. PGE2, 6-keto PGE1, PGF2 alpha and PGD2 were minor metabolites. By comparison, endothelial cells isolated from human umbilical artery or vein formed mainly 6-keto PGF1 alpha and substantial amounts of PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and PGD2. Basal concentrations of 6-keto PGF1 alpha were two-fold higher in bovine coronary cells than in bovine aortic endothelial cells, but seven-fold less than in endothelial cells cultured from human umbilical vessels. Histamine, bradykinin and thrombin stimulated PGI2 synthesis in both coronary endothelial cells and human umbilical cells, but only bradykinin stimulated PGI2 synthesis in bovine aortic cells. This comparative study indicates that endothelial cells vary in the metabolites of arachidonic acid that they produce depending upon the vascular origin of the cells. Also, endothelial cells from different vascular beds respond differently to specific vasoactive agents.