Biochem/physiol Actions
Most biologically active prostaglandin. PGE2 induces cervical ripening and parturition; mediates bradykinin-induced vasodilation; regulates adenylyl cyclase. Tumor cells that over-express cyclooxygenase 2 display increased invasiveness, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis that may be due to the PGE2-induced expression of angiogenic factors and stabilization of the anti-apoptotic protein, survivin.The effect of PGE2 on the immune system is mixed. It inhibits T cell activation in vitro, suggesting it is an immunosuppressant. However, in vivo, it appears to effect expansion of the Th17 subset and differentiation of the Th1 subset of T helper cells, marking it as an immunoactivator.1