Prostaglandin E2, Produced by Mast Cells in Colon Tissues from Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Contributes to Visceral Hypersensitivity in Mice

Visceral hypersensitivity is common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We investigated whether inflammatory molecules, such as histamine and proteases, activate prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, also called COX2) to increase the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by mast cells, which activates the receptor PTGER2 (also called EP2) in the dorsal root ganglia to promote visceral hypersensitivity.