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Among the four prostaglandin E2 receptors, EP3 receptor is the one most abundantly expressed in white adipose tissue (WAT). The mouse EP3 gene gives rise to three isoforms, namely EP3α, EP3β, and EP3γ, which differ only at their C-terminal tails. To date, functions of EP3 receptor and its isoforms in WAT remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we found that the expression of all EP3 isoforms were downregulated in WAT of both db/db and high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Genetic ablation of three EP3 receptor isoforms (EP3 -/- mice) or EP3α and EP3γ isoforms with EP3β intact (EP3β mice) led to an obese phenotype with increased food intake, decreased motor activity, reduced insulin sensitivity, and elevated serum triglycerides. Since the differentiation of preadipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts to adipocytes was markedly facilitated by either pharmacological blockade or genetic deletion/inhibition of EP3 receptor via the cAMP/PKA/PPARγ pathway, increased adipogenesis may contribute to obesity in EP3 -/- and EP3β mice. Moreover, both EP3 -/- and EP3β mice had increased lipolysis in WAT mainly due to the activated cAMP/PKA/hormone-sensitive lipase pathway. Taken together, our findings suggest that EP3 receptor and its α and γ isoforms are involved in both adipogenesis and lipolysis and influence food intake, serum lipid levels, and insulin sensitivity., (© The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, IBCB, SIBS, CAS. All rights reserved.)

Mice carrying a targeted disruption of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) E-prostanoid receptor 3 (EP3) gene, Ptger3, were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), or a micronutrient matched control diet, to investigate the effects of disrupted PGE2-EP3 signaling on diabetes in a setting of diet-induced obesity. Although no differences in body weight were seen in mice fed the control diet, when fed a HFD, EP3(-/-) mice gained more weight relative to EP3(+/+) mice. Overall, EP3(-/-) mice had increased epididymal fat mass and adipocyte size; paradoxically, a relative decrease in both epididymal fat pad mass and adipocyte size was observed in the heaviest EP3(-/-) mice. The EP3(-/-) mice had increased macrophage infiltration, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-6 expression, and necrosis in their epididymal fat pads as compared with EP3(+/+) animals. Adipocytes isolated from EP3(+/+) or EP3(-/-) mice were assayed for the effect of PGE2-evoked inhibition of lipolysis. Adipocytes isolated from EP3(-/-) mice lacked PGE2-evoked inhibition of isoproterenol stimulated lipolysis compared with EP3(+/+). EP3(-/-) mice fed HFD had exaggerated ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle and liver, with evidence of hepatic steatosis. Both blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were similar between genotypes on a control diet, but when fed HFD, EP3(-/-) mice became hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic when compared with EP3(+/+) fed HFD, demonstrating a more severe insulin resistance phenotype in EP3(-/-). These results demonstrate that when fed a HFD, EP3(-/-) mice have abnormal lipid distribution, developing excessive ectopic lipid accumulation and associated insulin resistance.

An anti-inflammatory effect of PGI(2) has been suggested by increased inflammation in mice that are deficient in the PGI(2) receptor (IP) or in respiratory syncytial viral- or OVA-induced CD4 T cell-associated responses. To determine the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect, we hypothesized that PGI(2) analogs inhibit CD4 T cell effector cytokine production. To test this hypothesis, we activated purified CD4 T cells with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies under Th1 and Th2 polarizing conditions for 4 days and restimulated the T cells with anti-CD3 in the presence of PGI(2) analogs for 2 days. We found that PGI(2) analogs (cicaprost and iloprost) inhibited the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) in a dose-dependent pattern. The inhibitory effect was partially dependent on the IP receptor signaling and was correlated with elevated intracellular cAMP and down-regulated NF-kappaB activity. Pretreatment of the CD4 T cells with 8-bromoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp-isomer, to inhibit a key signaling molecule in the cAMP pathway, protein kinase A (PKA), attenuated the suppressive effect of PGI(2) analogs significantly, suggesting that PKA, in part, mediates the inhibition of the cytokine production. These data indicate that PGI(2) analogs have an immune-suppressive effect on previously activated and differentiated CD4 T cells in vitro and suggest that PGI(2) may have a similar function in vivo.

During ovulation, the oocyte and surrounding somatic cumulus cells contained within a specialized, mucoid matrix are released from the ovary. One matrix component, TNF-alpha-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6), is a hyaluronan binding protein induced in cumulus cells of preovulatory follicles by the LH surge and is decreased in cumulus cells of COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor subtype EP2 null mice that exhibit impaired ovulation and cumulus expansion. To determine if TSG-6 was hormonally induced in cumulus cells in vitro and was functional during the formation of the expanded matrix, we established a cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC) culture system. This system was used to analyze the effects of FSH, PGE2, EP2 receptor, and selected protein kinase inhibitors on TSG-6 production as well as specific antibodies to the TSG-6 link module on TSG-6 function. We document that TSG-6 message and protein are induced by cAMP/protein kinase A/MAPK signaling pathways and that blocking these cascades prevents expansion and the production of TSG-6. FSH but not PGE2 rescued expansion and production of TSG-6 in the EP2 null COCs, indicating that generation of a cAMP signal is essential. Furthermore, disruption of the functional interactions between TSG-6, inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor, and hyaluronan with specific antibodies severely altered matrix formation and cumulus expansion, as recorded by time-lapse imaging. Collectively, these results indicate that TSG-6 mRNA is induced in cumulus cells in culture by cAMP and that the secreted TSG-6 protein is a key structural component of the mouse COC matrix.

Ovulation, the release of fertilizable oocytes from mature follicles, involves tissue remodeling and increased prostaglandin (PG) signaling. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is the rate-limiting enzyme during PG synthesis. Female mice null for either COX-2 or the PGE(2) receptor EP2 are infertile, show decreased ovulation, and exhibit abnormal cumulus expansion. Cumulus expansion is the production of a complex extracellular matrix surrounding the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). Matrix components consist of hyaluronan, proteoglycans, and proteins with hyaluronan binding domains. One such hyaluronan binding protein is TNFalpha-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6). By various methods, we show induction of TSG-6 and hyaluronan synthase-2 mRNA in ovaries of mice treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. By in situ hybridization, we show that both genes are expressed in periantral mural granulosa cells and cumulus cells of the mouse ovary. Notably, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization show that TSG-6 mRNA but not hyaluronan synthase-2 mRNA expression is selectively reduced in cumulus cells of COX-2 and EP2 null mice. Western analysis further confirms that TSG-6 protein is reduced in isolated COCs but remains covalently associated with inter alpha-trypsin inhibitor in COX-2 null mice. These observations identify TSG-6 as a target of PG action and show that its production in ovulatory follicles is associated with proper formation of the cumulus-derived extracellular matrix.

Previous observations of ovulation and fertilization defects in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-deficient mice suggested that COX-2-derived ovarian prostaglandins (PGs) participate in these events. However, the specific PG and its mode of action were unknown. Subsequent studies revealed that mice deficient in EP(2), a PGE(2)-receptor subtype, have reduced litter size, apparently resulting from poor ovulation but more dramatically from impaired fertilization. Using a superovulation regimen and in vitro culture system, we demonstrate herein that the ovulatory process, not follicular growth, oocyte maturation, or fertilization, is primarily affected in adult COX-2- or EP(2)-deficient mice. Furthermore, our results show that in vitro-matured and -fertilized eggs are capable of subsequent preimplantation development. However, severely compromised ovulation in adult COX-2- or EP(2)-deficient mice is not manifested in immature (3-wk-old) COX-2- or EP(2)-deficient mice, suggesting that the process of ovulation is more dependent on PGs in adult mice. Although the processes of implantation and decidualization are defective in COX-2(-/-) mice, our present results demonstrate that these events are normal in EP(2)-deficient mice, as determined by embryo transfer and experimentally induced decidualization. Collectively, previous and present results suggest that whereas COX-2-derived PGE(2) is essential for ovulation via activation of EP(2), COX-2-derived prostacyclin is involved in implantation and decidualization via activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates the formation of osteoclast-like tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells (TRAP + MNC) in vitro. This effect likely results from stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, which is mediated by two PGE2 receptors, designated EP2 and EP4. We used cells from mice in which the EP2 receptor had been disrupted to test its role in the formation of TRAP + MNC. EP2 heterozygous (+/-) mice in a C57BL/6 x 129/SvEv background were bred to produce homozygous null (EP2 -/-) and wild-type (EP2 +/+) mice. PGE2, PTH, or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D increased TRAP+ MNC in 7-day cultures of bone marrow cells from EP2 +/+ mice. In cultures from EP2 -/- animals, responses to PGE2, PTH, and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D were reduced by 86%, 58%, and 50%, respectively. A selective EP4 receptor antagonist (EP4RA) further inhibited TRAP+ MNC formation in both EP2 +/+ and EP2 -/- cultures. In cocultures of spleen and calvarial osteoblastic cells, the response to PGE2 or PTH was reduced by 92% or 85% when both osteoblastic cells and spleen cells were from EP2 -/- mice, by 88% or 68% when only osteoblastic cells were from EP2 -/- mice and by 58% or 35% when only spleen cells were from EP2 -/- mice. PGE2 increased receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand (RANKL) messenger RNA expression in osteoblastic and bone marrow cell cultures from EP2 +/+ mice 2-fold but had little effect on cells from EP2 -/- mice. Spleen cells cultured with RANKL and macrophage colony stimulating factor produced TRAP+ MNC. PGE2 increased the number of TRAP+ MNC in spleen cell cultures from EP2 +/+ mice but not in cultures from EP2 -/- mice. EP4RA had no effect on the PGE2 response in spleen cell cultures. PGE2 decreased the expression of messenger RNA for granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in spleen cell cultures from EP2 +/+ mice but had little effect on cells from EP2 -/- mice. These data demonstrate that the prostaglandin EP2 receptor plays a role in the formation of osteoclast-like cells in vitro. A major defect in EP2 -/- mice appears to be in the capacity of osteoblastic cells to stimulate osteoclast formation. In addition, there appears to be a defect in the response of cells of the osteoclastic lineage to PGE2 in EP2 -/- mice.