Inhibition of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) blocks endothelial PGI2 release but has no effect on von Willebrand factor secretion or E-selectin expression.

We have examined the potential role of MAP kinase in the regulation of endothelial cell PG12 synthesis, vWF secretion and E-selectin expression using the specific MEK inhibitor PD98059. PD98059 dose-dependently attenuated the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of p42 mapk in response to thrombin or inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition of thrombin-induced p42 mapk activation was paralleled by an inhibitory effect of PD98059 on thrombin-driven PG12 generation but not on vWF secretion or IL-1 alpha/TNF alpha-induced E-selectin expression. These results provide evidence for a key role for p42 mapk in the acute regulation of PG12 synthesis in human endothelial cells and suggest that activation of the MAP kinase cascade is not obligatory for cytokine-stimulated E-selectin expression.