Prostaglandin synthesis in bovine coronary endothelial cells: comparison with other commonly studied endothelial cells

Comparison of arachidonic acid metabolism by bovine coronary artery endothelial cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells and human umbilical endothelial cells indicated potentially important differences in relative amounts of the different prostaglandins produced. Bovine coronary endothelial cells converted ¹⁴C-arachidonic acid to radioactive 6-keto PGF₁ (the stable metabolite of PGI₂) and to a lesser extent PGE₂. Bovine aortic cells synthesized 6-keto PGF₁ and 6,15-diketo PGF₁ as the major products. PGE₂, 6-keto PGE₁, PGE₂, and PGD₂ were minor metabolites. By comparison, endothelia cells isolated from human umbilical artery or vein formed mainly 6-keto PGF₁ and substantial amounts of PGF₂, PGE₂ and PGD₂. Basal concentrations of 6-keto PGF₁ were two-fold higher in bovine coronary cells than in bovine aortic endothelial cells, but seven-fold less than in endothelial cells cultured from human umbilical vessels. Histamine, bradykinin and thrombin stimulated PGI₂ synthesis in both coronary endothelial cells and human umbilical cells, but only bradykinin stimulated PGI₂ synthesis in bovine aortic cells. This comparative study indicates that endothelial cells vary in the metabolites of arachidonic acid that they produce depending upon the vascular origin of the cells. Also, endothelial cells from different vascular beds respond differently to specific vasoactive agents.