Effect of enhanced prostacyclin synthesis by adenovirus-mediated transfer on lipopolysaccharide stimulation in neuron-glia cultures.

Prostacyclin (PG12) is known as a short-lived, potent vasodilator and platelet anti-aggregatory eicosanoid. This work attempts to selectively augment PG12 synthesis in neuron-glia cultures by adenoviral (Ad) gene transfer of PGI synthase (PGIS) or bicistronic cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1)/PGIS and examines whether PG12 confers protection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Cultures released low levels of eicosanoids. Upon Ad-PGIS or Ad-COX-1/PGIS infection, cultures selectively increased prostacyclin release. Both PGIS- and COX-1/PGIS-overexpressed cultures contained fewer microglial numbers. Further, they significantly attenuated LPS-induced iNOS expression and lactate, nitric oxide, and TNF-alpha production. Taken together, enhanced prostacyclin synthesis in neuron-glial cultures reduced microglia number and suppressed LPS stimulation.