Demonstration of an inducible cyclooxygenase in human endothelial cells using antibodies raised against the carboxyl-terminal region of the cyclooxygenase-2.

Cyclooxygenase (Cox) exists in two forms in human endothelial cells (HUVEC). We have raised antibodies that recognize the sequence of the carboxyl-terminal portion of the human Cox-2 (C)-NASSSRSGLD-DINPTVLLK. Cyclooxygenase activity of HUVEC challenged with interleukin 1 alpha or a phorbol ester increased in parallel with the mass of a protein doublet analyzed by Western blot using antibodies directed against the Cox-2 peptide; a monoclonal antibody directed against Cox-1 showed a small change in protein mass. A 35S-labeled protein doublet with a molecular mass of approximately 70,000 daltons was immunoprecipitated with the anti-Cox-2 antiserum in L-[35S] methionine-labeled cells stimulated with interleukin 1 alpha. This protein was not recovered by pretreating the antiserum with the Cox-2 peptide before immunoprecipitation. A minor variation in 35S-immunoprecipitated protein was obtained with the polyclonal anti-Cox-1 antibody. Both immunoprecipitated Cox-1 and Cox-2 possessed cyclooxygenase activity that was inhibited by flurbiprofen. Endoglycosidase H treatment of immunoprecipitated Cox-2 proteins caused a decline in the apparent molecular size similar to that observed with immunoprecipitated Cox-1 or sheep cyclooxygenase but did not suppress the doublet. These results show by direct protein measurement that HUVEC synthesize the novel Cox-2 under appropriate stimulation, with little changes of Cox-1.