OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg-LPS) on the bio-thythetic pathway of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its difference from lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli (Ec-LPS).

METHODSPurified Pg-LPS and Ec-LPS were used to stimulate a human monocytic cell strain THP-1. PGE2 concentration was determined by an enzyme immunoassay kit. The release of tritium labeled arachidonic acid (AA) was detected by a liquid scintillation counter. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to analyse the expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1).

RESULTSThe effect of Pg-LPS on induction of PGE2 and release of AA was significantly weaker than that of Ec-LPS (P < 0.05).Increased secretion of PGE2 was observed after stimulation with Pg-LPS for 6 h, which peak at 24 h at (221.40 +/- 29.46) ng/L; or with Ec-LPS for 1-48 h, at (161.80 +/- 17.31) approximately (379.80 +/- 37.35) ng/L. The highest levels of COX-2 and mPGES-1 were shown after 16 h treatment by Pg-LPS, or after 8 h and 16 h by Ec-LPS respectively.cPLA2 inhibitor AACOCF3 could lower the level of LPS-induced release of AA, while it did not influence the production of PGE2. COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 could remarkably reduce the concentration of PGE2.

CONCLUSIONSPg-LPS showed delayed and weaker effect on PGE2 biosynthetic pathway than Ec-LPS. Pg-LPS-induced PGE2 synthesis was mainly due to enhanced expression of COX-2 and mPGES-1, whereas cPLA2 played an insignificant role.