Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISMFs) are mesenchymal cells that reside in the subepithelial region throughout the intestine. When the intestine is damaged, the migratory and mitotic responses of ISMFs are crucial for
wound closure. However, their mechanism of action remains unknown. We have investigated the role of
cyclooxygenase (COX) and its metabolite
prostaglandin E(2) (
PGE(2)) in the
wound repair process of bovine ISMFs. The action of a mechanical scratch in a layer of ISMFs in cell culture elevated the levels of both COX-2
mRNA expression and
PGE(2) secretion 1 and 6 h after the event. After 24 h ISMFs had migrated to and reduced the wounded area around the site of the scratch. Treatment with the COX-1/2 inhibitor
indomethacin, the
COX-2 inhibitor 3-(4-methylsulphonylphenyl)-4-phenyl-5-trifluoromethylisoxazole (CAY10404), or E
prostanoid receptor 2 to 4 (EP2-EP4) antagonists significantly inhibited
wound repair. Conversely, inhibition of
wound closure by indomethicin was reversed by treatment with
PGE(2) or agonists of the receptors EP2, EP3, or EP4 but not of EP1. Although EP2 to EP4 stimulation did not influence ISMF proliferation, it did stimulate ISMF migration in the transwell cell migration assay. It is noteworthy that cell migration stimulated by EP2 and EP4 was inhibited by the
tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor
genistein and also by (Z)-3-[2,4-dimethyl-5-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]-
propionic acid (
SU6668). However, cell migration stimulated by EP3 was unaffected. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed EP2 or EP4 stimulation elevated the level of
mRNA expression for
fibroblast growth factor-2, which stimulates ISMF migration. Collectively, COX-2-dependent
PGE(2) secretion promotes wound healing by ISMFs. PGE(2)-EP3 signaling may directly stimulate ISMF migration.
PGE(2)-EP2/4 signaling indirectly stimulates ISMF migration by elevating the level of
growth factor secretion.