The pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier function is controlled by the PGE2-EP4 signaling axis

Background Endothelial cells, like gate-keepers of the vascular bed, can actively protect against the inflammatory process. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) could be one of the mediators that can promote the barrier function of endothelial cells. PGE2 exerts its cellular effects by binding to four different E-prostanoid receptors (EP1–4) that belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. This project aimed at characterizing the barrier-protective properties of PGE2 and especially EP4 receptor on human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L).