title: Activation of the PPAR pathway induces apoptosis and COX-2 inhibition in HT-29 human colon cancer cells.
abstract: The gamma isoform of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARgamma) is a nuclear receptor that regulates adipocyte differentiation. Recently it has been shown to be expressed in human colonic mucosa and cancer, but its role in colon carcinogenesis and progression is still unclear. We demonstrate that activation of PPARgamma by ciglitazone (cig), a selective PPARgamma ligand, induces HT-29 human colon cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. Treatment with cig also down-regulates expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein. Simultaneous exposure of cells to cig and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA), a ligand for retinoid X receptor, results in an increased apoptotic effect and increased inhibition of COX-2 expression, compared with cells treated with either cig or 9-cis-RA alone. As COX-2 is overexpressed in human colon cancer and has been implicated in augmenting invasiveness and tumorigenecity, the ability of PPARgamma activation to decrease COX-2 expression and induce apoptosis suggests that the PPARgamma pathway may be considered as a therapeutic target for colon cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncologic Gastroenterology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Frucht
mesh_terms: D000077556:Alitretinoin; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018816:Genes, cdc / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019073:HT29 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D013844:Thiazoles; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D014212:Tretinoin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; C039671:ciglitazone