ROLES OF PGE$_2$ AND 15-DEOXY-${\delta}^{12.14}$ PROSTAGLANDIN J$_2$ IN ET -18-O-$CH_3$-INDUCED INFLAMMATORY CELL DEATH

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme expressed in response to a variety of cytokines and other proinflammatory stimuli. It has been known that aberrant up-regulation of COX-2 is associated with resistance to apoptosis. Contrary to the above notion. treatment of MCF10A-ras cells with the anti-tumor agent ET -18-O-$CH_3$ caused increased expression of COX-2 and its mRNA transcript. while inducing apoptosis as revealed by proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase. caspase-3 activation, and positive TUNEL staining. (omitted)