Abstract
Objectives: Up to now it has been unclear whether stromal/epithelial interaction affects progression of colon cancer. This study was designed to examine effects of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-activated stromal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) signalling on proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer epithelial cells. Materials and methods: Cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein were determined by real-time PCR and western blotting and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was assayed by radioimmunoassay. Cell proliferation and invasiveness were determined by transwell chamber assays and protein kinase C (PKC) was assayed by Biotrak™ PKC Assay System. Results: Our results indicated that TNFα, a powerful inflammatory cytokine, strongly promoted COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in colon cancer-associated fibroblasts. Using in vitro assays for estimating proliferative and invasive potential, we discovered that activation of stromal COX-2 signalling significantly promoted proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer epithelial cells. In addition, selective COX-2 inhibitor N-[2-(Cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide, blocked such proliferative and invasive effects on the cancer epithelial cells. In this process, PKC was involved in activation of COX-2 signalling in the fibroblasts. Conclusion: We conclude that activation of stromal COX-2 signalling by TNFα played a major role in promoting proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer epithelial cells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 374-381 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Cell Proliferation |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology