Streptococcus Pneumoniae-induced P38 MAPK and NF-kB dependent COX-2 expression in human lung epithelium

Abstract

Introduction: S. pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia and death due to infectious diseases in industrialized countries. Lung airway and alveolar epithelial cells comprise an important barrier against airborne pathogens. Cyclooxygenase (COX) derived prostaglandins like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are considered as important regulators of lung function. Herein we tested the hypothesis that pneumococci induced COX-2 dependent PGE2 production in pulmonary epithelial cells.