Resistance to apoptosis and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in a human adenocarcinoma cell line HT29 CL.19A.
BACKGROUND
COX-2 expression increases the tumorigenic potential of enterocytes. Tumorigenic effect is partially linked to an inhibition of programmed cell death which is one of the most important components in maintaining intestinal epithelium integrity.


METHODS
We analyzed apoptosis in HT29 cl.19A cells cultured over 3 weeks, in the presence (10%) or in the absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS), by analysis of genomic DNA fragmentation after agarose gel electrophoresis, morphological measurement of apoptosis using DAPI chromatin staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify apoptotic cellular morphological changes.


RESULTS
Regardless of the methods used, no apoptotic signs were observed for each culture condition, even if cells were cultured 3 weeks in the absence of FBS.


CONCLUSIONS
Using HT29 cl.19A cells (untransfected cells), we found that intrinsic or constitutive COX-2 expression in adenocarcinoma cell line was associated with spontaneous resistance to apoptosis.
Battu
S
S
Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Limoges, France.
Rigaud
M
M
Beneytout
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002417:Cattle; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019073:HT29 Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone