Figure 7.

Compression increases microsomal prostaglandin E synthase type 1 (mPGES-1) gene expression but not mPGES-2 nor cytosolic PGES (cPGES) in mouse costal cartilage explants. The rates of mPGES-1, cPGES and mPGES-2 expression in response to compressive stress at 2 h and 4 h were analyzed by (a-c) real-time quantitative RT-PCR and (d) immunoblotting. (a-c) Up-regulation of mPGES-1 mRNA expression but not cPGES and mPGES-2 mRNA expression by mechanical stress appeared at 2 hours until 4 hours. Values are the mean ± SEM of 3 independent experiment with n = 1/group/experiment. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 versus control (NC). (d) Increased translational expression of mPGES-1 but not cPGES and mPGES-2 was observed on the immunoblot (15% gradient gels), from 4 hours until 24 hours. Each blot is representative of three independent experiments.