Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and vascular remodeling

Cardiovascular disease is the most serious health threat in China. Disruption of vascular functional and structural homeostasis, such as hypertension, aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty, is the main cause of cardiovascular events with high disability and mortality and causes serious economic and health problems in China. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-derived, cyclooxygenase-mediated bioactive prostanoid synthesized from arachidonic acid. It plays an important role in vascular homeostasis through its four G protein-coupled receptors, i.e., EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4. In the past decades, our laboratory and many other groups have been engaged in determining the role of PGE₂ receptors in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. Here, we mainly review research progress on the essential role of the PGE₂-EPs axis in the regulation of vascular function and structural integrity. We also briefly discuss the potential of EP1–EP4 as therapeutic targets in developing clinical agents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.