Biosynthesis and Regulation

• Derived from arachidonic acid via cyclooxygenase (COX).
• Regulation involves:
• Transcriptional control of COX and PGES enzymes.
• Substrate availability and cellular stress responses.
• Inflammatory mediators and cytokine signalling.
• Hormonal and neural influences.
• Environmental factors and tissue conditions.
• Intricate control ensures management of PGE2 levels in natural and disease situations.

Physiological Functions and Signalling Mechanisms

• Interacts with four G-protein coupled E-prostanoid (EP) receptors: EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4.
• Key physiological functions:
• Inflammation and Immune Response:
• Vasodilation and increased blood flow.
• Pain sensitization.
• Fever induction.
• Immune cell recruitment and activation.
• Gastrointestinal Protection:
• Mucus secretion.
• Bicarbonate production.
• Maintenance of mucosal integrity.
• Regulation of acid secretion.
• Reproductive Function:
• Ovulation.
• Fertilization.
• Implantation.
• Labor induction.
• Other Systems:
• Bone metabolism.
• Kidney function.
• Neural plasticity.
• Cancer development.

Role in Disease and Therapeutic Applications

• Dysregulation can lead to various health issues:
• Inflammatory Diseases:
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Asthma and allergic responses.
• Neuroinflammatory conditions.
• Cancer:
• Tumor growth and progression.
• Metastasis.
• Immune evasion.
• Angiogenesis.
• Current therapeutic approaches:
• NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that inhibit COX enzymes.
• Selective COX-2 inhibitors.
• EP receptor-specific antagonists.
• Novel drug delivery systems.
• Combination therapies with other anti-inflammatory agents.

Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

• Molecular Understanding:
• Discovery of new signalling pathways.
• Identification of tissue-specific effects.
• Understanding of temporal regulation.
• Role in cellular metabolism.
• Clinical Applications:
• Development of targeted therapies.
• Biomarker potential.
• Personalized medicine approaches.
• Novel drug delivery systems.
• Future research prospects:
• Creating medications that target receptor subtypes.
• Exploring immune system regulation.
• Investigating tissue-specific roles.
• Innovative cancer treatment approaches.
• Advances in technology:
• Techniques harnessing CRISPR technology.
• Cutting-edge imaging methods.
• Enhanced analytical techniques.
• Innovative drug testing methods.
• Challenges:
• Developing therapies that precisely regulate PGE2 signalling in tissues.
• Minimizing side effects.
• Thorough evaluation during drug development.
• Growing understanding of PGE2 functions in wellness and illness.