Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B by prostaglandin A(1): An effect associated with heat shock transcription factor activation

Prostaglandins (PGs) function as intracellular signal mediators in the regulation of a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including inflammation and immune responses. Cyclopentenone PGs are characterized by antiviral activity against several viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and by the ability to induce heat shock protein expression through activation of the heat shock transcription factor. Here we report that PGA(1) is a potent inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation in human cells and of NF-kappa B-dependent HIV-1 transcription in long terminal repeat-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase transient transfection experiments. PGA(1) acts by inhibiting phosphorylation and preventing degradation of the NF-kappa B inhibitor I kappa B-alpha. Inhibition does not require protein synthesis, is dependent on the presence of a reactive cyclo-pentenonic moiety, and is associated with heat shock transcription factor activation. Because NF-kappa B is critically involved in the activation of immunoregulatory and viral genes, inhibition of its activity could be a major component of the immunosuppressive and antiviral activity of PGs.