Prostaglandins (PGs), bioactive lipid molecules produced by cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), have diverse biological activities, including growth-promoting actions on gastrointestinal mucosa. They are also implicated in the growth of colonic polyps and cancers. However, the precise mechanisms of these trophic actions of PGs remain unclear. As activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) triggers mitogenic signaling in gastrointestinal mucosa, and its expression is also upregulated in colonic cancers and most neoplasms, we investigated whether PGs transactivate EGFR. Here we provide evidence that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) rapidly phosphorylates EGFR and triggers the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2)--mitogenic signaling pathway in normal gastric epithelial (RGM1) and colon cancer (Caco-2, LoVo and HT-29) cell lines. Inactivation of EGFR kinase with selective inhibitors significantly reduces PGE2-induced ERK2 activation, c-fos mRNA expression and cell proliferation. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) or c-Src blocked PGE2-mediated EGFR transactivation and downstream signaling indicating that PGE2-induced EGFR transactivation involves signaling transduced via TGF-alpha, an EGFR ligand, likely released by c-Src-activated MMP(s). Our findings that PGE2 transactivates EGFR reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which PGE2 mediates trophic actions resulting in gastric and intestinal hypertrophy as well as growth of colonic polyps and cancers.

Prostaglandin E2 transactivates EGF receptor: a novel mechanism for promoting colon cancer growth and gastrointestinal hypertrophy.

Chemoprevention has been considered as a possible approach for cancer prevention. A significant effort has been made in the development of novel drugs for both cancer prevention and treatment over the past decade. Recent epidemiological studies and clinical trials indicate that long term use of aspirin and similar agents, also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can decrease the incidence of certain malignancies, including colorectal, oesophageal, breast, lung, and bladder cancers. The best known targets of NSAIDs are cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which convert arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane. COX-2 derived prostaglandin E(2)(PGE(2)) can promote tumour growth by binding its receptors and activating signalling pathways which control cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and/or angiogenesis. However, the prolonged use of high dosages of COX-2 selective inhibitors (COXIBs) is associated with unacceptable cardiovascular side effects. Thus it is crucial to develop more effective chemopreventive agents with minimal toxicity. Recent efforts to identify the molecular mechanisms by which PGE(2) promotes tumour growth and metastasis may provide opportunities for the development of safer strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/55/1/115.full.pdf

Prostaglandins and cancer

The LDL receptor-related protein (originally called LRP, but now referred to as LRP1) is a large endocytic receptor that is widely expressed in several tissues. LRP1 is a member of the LDL receptor...

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LDL Receptor-Related Protein 1: Unique Tissue-Specific Functions Revealed by Selective Gene Knockout Studies

A combination of two drugs afforded remarkable protection from intestinal neoplasia in APC(Min/+) mice, a murine model of human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). One of the drugs was sulindac, a prototypical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with established chemopreventative activity. The second drug was EKI-569, a newly developed, irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase. Although 100% of the untreated APC(Min/+) mice developed approximately 20 polyps, nearly half the mice treated with these two agents developed no polyps at all. These results suggest a powerful strategy for the chemoprevention of human colonic neoplasia.

Combinatorial chemoprevention of intestinal neoplasia.

The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family consists of several related scavenger receptors that not only function as important cargo transporters, but also inform the cell of changes in its environment by mediating signaling responses. The LDL receptor was the first family member to be characterized and its function seems to be restricted to lipoprotein metabolism. By contrast, lipoprotein metabolism does not appear to be the exclusive function of the other characterized LDL receptor family members. It is now apparent that cargo transport by members of the LDL receptor family is closely associated with regulation of cellular physiology and cellular signaling events. Here, we focus on the diverse biological activities of certain members of this family.

Diverse roles for the LDL receptor family

Growth stimulation and induction of epidermal growth factor receptor by overexpression of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 in human colon carcinoma cells.

To establish a role of the 12-lipoxygenase on the generation of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) in macrophages that leads to foam cell formation in atherosclerosis, we overexpressed 12-lipoxygenases in a macrophage-like cell line, J774A.1, that does not show intrinsic enzyme activity. When the 12-lipoxygenase-expressing cells were incubated with 400 µg·mL−1 LDL in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium at 37 °C for 12 h, LDL oxidation, as determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, was markedly increased compared with the mock-transfected cells. Oxygenated products in the modified LDL were examined by HPLC before and after alkaline hydrolysis. Most of the oxygenated derivatives were of an esterified form, and the major product was identified as 13S-hydroxyoctadeca-9Z,11E-dienoic acid. These results clearly demonstrate that esterified fatty acids in LDL are oxygenated by the 12-lipoxygenases expressed in the J774A.1 cells. Furthermore, the oxidized LDL generated by intracellular 12-lipoxygenases was recognized by a scavenger receptor as assessed by macrophage degradation assay.

Essential involvement of 12‐lipoxygenase in regiospecific andstereospecific oxidation of low density lipoprotein by macrophages

Recent epidemiological and experimental investigations suggest a close relationship between cyclooxygenase (COX) and pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.’ There are two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, which differ in physiological functions and distribution.2,3This study is to investigate the possible roles of both isoforms in the proliferation of colon carcinoma cells. A human colon carcinoma cell line, COLO 320DM, was transfected with an eukaryotic expression vector (pEF-BOS) carrying cDNA of either COX-1 or COX-2. Both COX-1 and COX-2-expressing cells exhibited a similar enzyme activity, 8-10 nmol/10 min/mg of protein. Growth rates of both COX-expressing cells were increased by about 2 fold as compared with mock-transfected cells. The stimulated growth of the COX-expressing cells was confirmed by the increased DNA synthesis as assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Furthermore, expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was markedly increased in the COX-expressing cells as examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A COX inhibitor, indomethacin, suppressed the stimulated growth, increased DNA synthesis and induction of epidermal growth factor receptor in the COX-1 and COX-2-transfected cells. These results suggest that not only COX-2 but COX-1 is involved in the proliferation of human colon carcinoma cells through the induction of EGFR.

Toshiki Sakashita

Papers

Growth stimulation and induction of epidermal growth factor receptor by overexpression of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 in human colon carcinoma cells.

Essential involvement of 12‐lipoxygenase in regiospecific andstereospecific oxidation of low density lipoprotein by macrophages

Growth stimulation and epidermal growth factor receptor induction in cyclooxygenase-overexpressing human colon carcinoma cells.

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein is required for macrophage-mediated oxidation of low density lipoprotein by 12/15-lipoxygenase.

Growth stimulation and epidermal growth factor receptor induction in cyclooxygenase-overexpressing human colon carcinoma cells