Effect of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on interleukin-1beta-stimulated activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B in human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: In previous work, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 inhibited interleukin (IL)-1beta-stimulated prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production almost completely while partially inhibiting IL-6 production in aggressive periodontitis (AgP) human gingival fibroblasts. PGE(2) and the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) regulate IL-1beta-stimulated IL-6 production. Cytoplasmic NF-kappaB is bound to inhibitors (IkappaB proteins).