Abstract

The relative contributions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 in mediating prostaglandin (PG)-dependent chloride secretion were investigated in segments of mouse colon mounted in Ussing-type diffusion chambers. COX-2 mRNA and protein were constitutively expressed as shown by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western immunoblot, respectively. COX-2 immunoreactivity was detected immunohistochemically in cells lying subjacent to the crypt epithelial cells. In segments of colon mounted in Ussing chambers, arachidonic acid caused a concentration-dependent increase in short-circuit current that was blocked by piroxicam, the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, and the COX-1 inhibitor SC-560. Exposure to the PG-dependent secretagogue, bradykinin, also caused an increase in short-circuit current that was not blocked by piroxicam or SC-560, and only by the highest dose of NS-398. When incubated in the presence of 10 μM arachidonic acid, segments of mouse colon produced both PGE₂ and PGD₂. Synthesis of PGE₂but not PGD₂ was blocked by NS-398 and SC-560. These data demonstrate that both COX-1 and COX-2 are constitutively expressed in the mouse colon, and both contribute to PG-dependent electrolyte transport.