COX-2 activity was determined using a COX-2 activity assay kit (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI) according to the manufacturer’s protocol, as previously described (Sribnick et al. 2010 (link)). Briefly, cells (1×106) were homogenized in cold buffer 0.1 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.8 containing 1 mM EDTA, mixed with assay buffer, heme, and COX-1 inhibitor. Colorimetric substrate and arachidonic acid were added sequentially and incubated at 37°C for 10 min, and the absorbance was read at 590 nm.