A high-NaCl diet induces renal medullary cyclooxygenase (COX)2 expression, and selective intramedullary infusion of a COX2 inhibitor increases blood pressure in rats on a high-salt diet. The present study characterized the specific prostanoid contributing to the antihypertensive effect of COX2. C57BL/6J mice placed on a high-NaCl diet exhibited increased medullary COX2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase1 (mPGES1) expression as determined by immunoblot and real-time PCR. Cytosolic prostaglandin E synthase and prostacyclin synthase were not induced by the high-salt diet. Immunofluorescence showed mPGES1 in collecting ducts and interstitial cells. High salt increased renal medullary PGE2as determined by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The effect of direct intramedullary PGE2infusion was examined in anesthetized uninephrectomized mice. Intramedullary PGE2infusion (10 ng/h) increased urine volume (from 3.3 ± 0.6 to 9.5 ± 1.6 μl/min) and urine sodium excretion (0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.05 μeq/min). To determine which E-prostanoid (EP) receptor(s) mediated PGE2- dependent natriuresis, EP-selective prostanoids were infused. The EP2agonist butaprost produced natriuresis (from 0.06 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.05 μeq/min). The natriuretic effect of intramedullary PGE2or butaprost was abolished in EP2-deficient mice, which exhibit NaCl-dependent hypertension. In conclusion, a high-salt diet increases renal medullary COX2 and mPGES1 expression, and increases renal medullary PGE2synthesis. Renal medullary PGE2promotes renal sodium excretion via the EP2 receptor, thereby maintaining normotension in the setting of high salt intake.