[Research advances of prostaglandin E 2 synthases and receptors in cardiovascular diseases].

Prostaglandin E ₂ (PGE ₂ ) is an important lipid mediator derived from arachidonic acid. It is widely distributed in various tissues and involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Based on the inhibition of inflammatory PGE ₂ production, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered as the most commonly used drugs to treat pain and inflammation. However, clinical trials have revealed that NSAIDs, especially cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors, may predispose patients to a remarkably increased cardiovascular risk, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. This promotes scientists to develop new drugs to not only afford pain relief but also have cardiovascular efficacy. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), the key terminal enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of inflammatory PGE ₂ , and the four PGE ₂ receptors (EP1-4) have gained more attention as the promising alternative drug targets for the development of novel NSAIDs. The role of mPGES-1 and EP receptors in cardiovascular diseases also has been widely studied. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances from our and other studies on the role of PGE ₂ , particularly mPGES-1 and the four PGE ₂ receptors, in cardiovascular diseases.