Objective: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is an inducible eicosanoid-forming enzyme that is expressed at sites of inflammation. T lymphocytes and monocytes are found in close proximity at sites of inflammation, including synovitis. We investigated whether activated T lymphocytes express COX-2 and whether activated T cells upregulate monocyte COX-2 expression.
Methods: Human T lymphocytes and monocytes were isolated from fresh buffy coats by density gradient separation followed by passage through either nylon wool columns (T lymphocytes) or counter-current elutriation (monocytes). T lymphocytes were stimulated using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in a co-culture system with monocytes using transwells, which prevents cell-cell contact, but allows diffusion of soluble mediators.
Results: Repeated examination of COX isotypes in resting and stimulated T cells revealed COX-1, but not COX-2. Activated T cells produced a soluble mediator(s) that upregulated monocyte COX-2. Mediator production was inhibited by cyclosporin A. Activated T cells produced interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interferon-g (IFN-g), and in the co-culture IL-17-neutralizing antibodies partially reduced monocyte COX-2 expression, whereas IFN-g-neutralizing antibodies had the opposite effect. Exogenous IL-17 upregulated monocyte COX-2, although concentrations were high compared with those generated by stimulated T cells. By contrast, monocyte COX-2 expression was downregulated when monocytes were treated with IFN-g prior to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide.
Conclusion: Soluble mediators produced by activated T cells can influence induction of monocyte COX-2, with IL-17 acting as a positive paracrine regulator and IFN-g acting as a negative regulator. In rheumatoid joints, previously observed high concentrations of IL-17 and low concentrations of IFN-g could contribute to T cell-driven upregulation of monocyte COX-2.