Journal List > Immune Netw > v.6(3) > 1033730

TOOLS
Kim: Ectopic Expression of Caveolin-1 Induces COX-2 Expression in Rabbit Articular Chondrocytes via MAP Kinase Pathway
Original Article

Immune Network 2006; 6(3): 123-127.

Published online: 30 September 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4110/in.2006.6.3.123

Ectopic Expression of Caveolin-1 Induces COX-2 Expression in Rabbit Articular Chondrocytes via MAP Kinase Pathway

Song-Ja Kim

Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, College of Natural Sciences, Gongju, Korea.

Correspondence to: Song-Ja Kim, Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, 182, Shinkwan-dong, Gongju 314-701, Korea (Tel) 82-41-850-8507, (Fax) 82-41-850-8479, ksj85@kongju.ac.kr

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Association of Immunologists

(open-access):

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Background

Caveolin-1 is a principal component of caveolae membranes in vivo. Although expression of caveolae structure and expression of caveolin family, caveolin-1, -2 and -3, was known in chondrocytes, the functional role of caveolae and caveolins in chondrocytes remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of caveolin-1 in articular chondrocytes.

Methods

Rabbit articular chondrocytes were prepared from cartilage slices of 2-week-old New Zealand white rabbits by enzymatic digestion. Caveolin-1 cDNA was transfected to articular chondrocytes using LipofectaminePLUS. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels were determined by immunoblot analysis, immunostaining, immunohistochemistry, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) assay was used to measure the COX-2 activity.

Results

Ectopic expression of caveolin-1 induced COX-2 expression and activity, as indicated by immunoblot analysis and PGE2 assay. And also, overexpression of caveolin-1 stimulated activation of p38 kinase and ERK-1/-2. Inhibition of p38 kinase and ERK-1/-2 with SB203580 and PD98059, respectively, led to a dose-dependent decrease COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in caveolin-1-transfected cells.

Conclusion

Taken together, our data suggest that ectopic expression of caveolin-1 contributes to the expression and activity of COX-2 in articular chondrocytes through MAP kinase pathway.

Keywords: Caveolin-1, COX-2, prostaglandin E2, p38 kinase

TOOLS
Similar articles