Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide up-regulates COX-2 expression through NF-κB in rat astrocytes

Cyclooxygenase may be important in the pathogenesis of smoking-related cancer because it activates carcinogens and is highly inducible in inflammation. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is one of the most common ingredients of cigarette smoke and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) is a metabolic product of B[a]P. Cigarette smoking-induced inflammation has been found in several tissues and in association with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The contribution of COX-2 to peripheral inflammation is well documented, however, little is known about its role in brain inflammation. We studied COX-2 expression following treatment with BPDE in the cortical cells of Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo, as well as in DI TNC1 rat astrocytes and rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells (neurons) cultured in vitro. Our data showed that BPDE increases levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein in cortical cells of Sprague-Dawley rats. BPDE also increases levels of COX-2 mRNA in PC-12 and DI TNC1 cells. Induction of COX-2 protein was only found in DI TNC1 cells. Gel shift assay and western blot revealed increased NF-κB binding activity and protein level after treatment with BPDE. Experiments were performed to define the signaling mechanism by which BPDE induces COX-2, and suggested that BPDE-mediated COX-2 induction increases the risk of brain inflammation.