Critical Role of Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 in the Hydronephrosis Caused by Lactational Exposure to Dioxin in Mice

Hydronephrosis induced in the kidney of neonatal mice exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) via lactation is a sensitive and characteristic hallmark of TCDD teratogenicity. We previously found that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity induced in mouse neonate kidneys by lactational TCDD exposure is required for this toxicity. COX-2 is an inducible form of cyclooxygenase and is responsible for producing prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane. PGE(2), a prostaglandin, is elevated in TCDD-exposed mouse pups. In this study, we investigated the role of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), an inducible form of PGE(2) synthase, in TCDD-induced hydronephrosis. A dose of 10 μg TCDD/kg to dams increased mPGES-1 messenger RNA abundance, urinary PGE(2) levels, and the incidence of hydronephrosis in mPGES-1 wild-type pups. In homozygous mPGES-1 knockout (KO) mice, in contrast, TCDD-induced hydronephrosis was suppressed, demonstrating an essential role of mPGES-1 in the response. Lack of the mPGES-1 gene also suppressed urinary PGE(2) level to near the basal level in TCDD-exposed pups. In conclusion, mPGES-1 upregulation upon lactational TCDD exposure is a causal factor for TCDD-induced hydronephrosis in mouse neonates.