Abstract
To clarify the role of prostaglandins in peripheral nerve demyelination, we examined the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) using selected nerve specimens from patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. COX-2 protein was up-regulated in macrophages causing active demyelination. In situ hybridization revealed that COX-2 mRNA signals were strongly expressed on macrophages adhering to the demyelinating nerve fibers at the endoneurium. This observation may provide a rationale for application of neuroprotective strategies employing COX-2 inhibitors in inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Antigens, CD / analysis
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Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / analysis
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Child
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Cyclooxygenase 2
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Female
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Humans
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Isoenzymes / genetics*
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Isoenzymes / metabolism*
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Macrophages / metabolism
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Macrophages / pathology
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Macrophages / ultrastructure
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Male
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Membrane Proteins
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Middle Aged
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / metabolism
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / pathology
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure
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Peripheral Nerves / enzymology*
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Peripheral Nerves / pathology
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Peripheral Nerves / ultrastructure
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Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / drug therapy
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Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / enzymology*
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Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / pathology
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / genetics*
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Up-Regulation / genetics*
Substances
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Antigens, CD
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Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
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CD68 antigen, human
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Isoenzymes
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Membrane Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Cyclooxygenase 2
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PTGS2 protein, human
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases