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Expression of functional prostaglandin D (DP) receptors in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 14, pages 446–452 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) binds to specific G-protein coupled receptors (DP) and induces smooth muscle relaxation by stimulating the synthesis of intracellular cAMP. In this study, we examined the role of PGD2 and DP receptors in regulating human penile smooth muscle contractility. We determined that human corpus cavernosum tissue and smooth muscle cells in culture expressed functional DP receptor and lipocalin-like prostaglandin D synthase by reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Functional PGD synthase activity was confirmed by the synthesis of PGD2 in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells upon addition of exogenous arachidonic acid. Organ bath preparations of human corpus cavernosum tissue strips, contracted with phenylephrine, relaxed in a dose-dependent fashion to either PGD2 or the DP selective agonist BW245C. Cultures of human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells treated with BW245C showed a two-fold increase in cAMP synthesis. These data are consistent with the expression of functional DP receptors in human corpus cavernosum. This suggests the presence of an intact prostanoid autocrine system that may play a role in regulating penile erectile function.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Cynthia Gallant, Sandra Kwak and Erika Liné as well as the administrative assistance of Jerie McGrath-Cerqua. This work was supported by grants R29-DK47950, R01-DK39080, R01-DK40025 and K01-DK02696 from the National Institutes of Health and a grant from the General Research Service of the Veterans Administration (MTW).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    R B Moreland, N N Kim, Kweon-sik Min, I Goldstein & A M Traish

  2. Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    A Nehra

  3. Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    H Albadawi & M T Watkins

  4. Department of Pathology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    H Albadawi & M T Watkins

  5. Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    A M Traish

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  1. R B Moreland
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  2. A Nehra
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  5. H Albadawi
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Correspondence to R B Moreland.

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Moreland, R., Nehra, A., Kim, N. et al. Expression of functional prostaglandin D (DP) receptors in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Int J Impot Res 14, 446–452 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900900

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