Investigation into the involvement of phospholipases A2 and MAP kinases in modulation of AA release and cell growth in A549 cells

Prostaglandins (PGs) act as local hormones to regulate both physiological and pathological responses and have been implicated as causative factors in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including inflammation, asthma, atherosclerosis and cancer. Additionally, PGs can also act as autocrine modulators of cell proliferation in several cell lines including the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line (Croxtall & Flower, 1992). PGE2 production is regulated both by the release of AA from cellular phospholipids by PLA2 enzymes and by the conversion of AA to PGH2 by the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX).