title: Cyclooxygenase-2 upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression and angiogenesis in human gastric carcinoma.
abstract: Although gastric cancer with cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis, the mechanistic pathway remains unknown. We examined the associations between expressions of COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both gastric cancer cells and in human gastric cancer. The gastric cell line, Kato III, was transiently transfected with cox-2 expressing vector. The levels of COX-2, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and VEGF expression were measured post-transfection. Additionally, expressions of COX-2 and VEGF in human gastric cancer were determined by immunohistochemistry in archive gastrectomy specimens. Tumor angiogenesis was assessed by the microvessel density (MVD), which was determined by anti-CD34 immunostaining. Transient transfection of Kato III with cox-2 was associated with increased COX-2 expression, higher PGE2 production and upregulated VEGF expressions. Treatment with NS398, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, reduced VEGF expression in COX-2 expressing Kato III cells by 25%. Among the 67 gastric cancers examined, COX-2 overexpression was found in 45 (67%) cases whereas increased VEGF expression was detected in 46 (69%) cases. There was a significant association between COX-2 and VEGF expressions in gastric cancer (r=0.25, p=0.041). Additionally, tumor MVD was associated with both COX-2 (r=0.32, p=0.008) and VEGF (r=0.39, p=0.001) expressions. Our results showed that overexpression of COX-2 in both gastric cells and primary gastric cancer is associated with upregulation of VEGF and angiogenesis. Future studies should evaluate the potential anti-angiogenic effect of COX-2 inhibitors on human gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. wkleung@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Wai K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Ka F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: Minnie Y Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Go
authors.forename: Ka-Kui
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Francis K L
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Enders K W
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: S C Sydney
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Joseph J Y
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D014162:Transfection; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone