Figure 2. Neuroblastoma cells produce PGE₂ and dmPGE₂ increases cell viability.

(A) Neuroblastoma cells produce PGE₂. SK-N-BE(2) and SK-N-SH cells were cultured with or without 40 µM of arachidonic acid (AA) for 48 h and 10 ng/mL IL-1β for 12 h. Cell homogenates were incubated with 80 µM of arachidonic acid and the concentration of produced PGE₂ was measured using LC-MS/MS. (B) PGE₂ increases neuroblastoma cell viability. SK-N-BE(2) and SK-N-SH cells were incubated in a serum-free medium for 24 h before adding different concentrations of dmPGE₂. Cell viability was measured using MTT-assay after 24, 48, 72 or 96 h. Values are representative of two independent experiments and data are expressed as mean (±SD) in percentage of control at 24 h. A statistical analysis was performed using 2-way ANOVA p<0.0001 for both concentration and incubation time. (C) PGE₂ rescues neuroblastoma cells from celecoxib induced apoptosis. SK-N-BE(2) cells were incubated in 35 µM celecoxib alone or in combination with 5 µM dmPGE₂. After 48 h cell viability was assessed using MTT-assay. Mean (±SD) of six replicate wells is shown; values are representative of three independent experiments. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-sided t test P<0.0001.