title: Acid increases proliferation via ERK and p38 MAPK-mediated increases in cyclooxygenase-2 in Barrett's adenocarcinoma cells.
abstract: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been linked to neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus. Acid exposure has been shown both to activate the MAPK pathways and to increase COX-2 protein expression in Barrett's metaplasia, but it is not known whether these effects are interrelated. We hypothesized that acid-induced activation of the MAPK pathways mediates an increase in COX-2 expression in Barrett's esophagus, and we tested this hypothesis in a Barrett's-associated adenocarcinoma cell line (SEG-1). We exposed SEG-1 cells to acidic or neutral media in the presence and absence of two MAPK inhibitors: U-0126 (an ERK inhibitor) or SB-203580 (a p38 inhibitor). We quantitated COX-2 protein levels using an enzyme immunometric assay and COX-2 mRNA levels using real-time PCR. We also determined how acid affects the activity of the COX-2 promoter and mRNA stability. Compared with SEG-1 cells exposed to neutral media, acid-exposed cells exhibited a 2.8-fold increase in COX-2 mRNA levels within 30 min. Both U-0126 and SB-203580 attenuated the acid-induced increase in COX-2 mRNA. Acid significantly increased COX-2 protein expression and promoter activity, and both of these effects were abolished by treatment with U-0126 and SB-203580. Acid exposure also stabilized COX-2 mRNA levels, an effect that was abolished by U-0126 but not by SB-203580. We conclude that acid increases COX-2 expression through activation of the MAPK pathways. Acid-induced activation of both ERK and p38 causes a significant increase in COX-2 promoter activity, and acid-activated ERK stabilizes COX-2 mRNA. These findings suggest potential mechanisms whereby acid reflux might promote carcinogenesis in Barrett's esophagus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, USA. Ronda.Souza@UTSouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Rhonda F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shewmake
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sarosi
authors.forename: Linda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Feagins
authors.forename: Ruben D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Lance S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Terada
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Spechler
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000230:Adenocarcinoma; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001471:Barrett Esophagus; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases