Expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 is correlated with high intratumoral microvessel density and low apoptotic index in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) is a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostanoids. COX-2 expression has been found in many malignancies. This study analyzed the correlation between COX-2 expression and angiogenesis or apoptosis in human esophageal carcinomas. The study examined the expression of COX-2 in six esophageal carcinoma cell lines and in 100 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, comparing intratumoral microvessel density (IMVD) and apoptotic index (AI) by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL methods. COX-2 was variably expressed in all the cell lines examined. COX-2 immunoreactivity was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Significantly higher mean IMVD and lower AI were noted in the 51 strong COX-2 expressing cases than in the 49 weak cases. IMVD and AI were negatively correlated. COX-2 expression was higher in the tumors with lymphatic invasion than in the others. These data indicate that COX-2 expression is associated with increased intratumoral microvessels and suppression of tumor cell apoptosis. Thus COX-2 might play an important role in the angiogenesis and regulation of apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
Kase
Satoru
S
First Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86, Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan. kaseron@grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp
Osaki
Mitsuhiko
M
Honjo
Soichiro
S
Adachi
Hironobu
H
Tsujitani
Shunichi
S
Kaibara
Nobuaki
N
Ito
Hisao
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000556:secondary; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000201:enzymology
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases