The effect of serotonin and serotonin antagonists on bladder cancer cell proliferation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) and its antagonists in the proliferation of high-grade bladder cancer cells (HT1376), as high-grade bladder cancer has a rapid rate of progression, invasion and recurrence, and 5HT antagonists inhibit the growth of the prostate cancer cell line (PC3).


METHODS
HT1376 (human grade III transitional cell carcinoma) cells were incubated with either 5HT or 5HT antagonists (5HT(1A), 5HT(1B), 5HT(1D), 5HT(2), 5HT(3) and 5HT(4)). After 72 h, cell viability was assessed using the crystal violet assay. The presence of 5HT receptor subtypes on HT1376 cells and sections of human bladder cancer tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
5HT caused a dose-dependent increase in the proliferation of HT1376 cells. The maximum increase in cell proliferation (12%; 12 samples, P < 0.001) was at 10(-8)m as compared to the control at 72 h. At 10(-4)m, 5HT(1A) antagonist (NAN-190 hydrobromide) and 5HT(1B) antagonist (SB224289 hydrochloride) had a 10% (12 samples, P < 0.001) and 93% (12, P < 0.001) inhibitory effect on HT1376 cell growth, respectively, compared to the control at 72 h. There was immunostaining for 5HT(1A) and 5HT(1B) receptors in HT1376 cells and malignant bladder tissue, confirming the presence of these two receptor subtypes. Western blot analysis showed the presence of 5HT(1A) and 5HT(1B) receptor proteins with bands of 46 kDa and 43 kDa, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
5HT(1A) and to a greater extent 5HT(1B) antagonists significantly inhibit bladder cancer cell growth. This effect is probably mediated via the 5HT(1A) and 5HT(1B) receptors. These results highlight the potential use of 5HT(1A) and 5HT(1B) antagonists in the treatment of bladder cancer.
Department of Surgery and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital and University College Medical School, University College London, UK. emadsiddiqui@aol.com
Emad J
EJ
Siddiqui
Majid A
MA
Shabbir
Dimitri P
DP
Mikhailidis
Faiz H
FH
Mumtaz
Cecil S
CS
Thompson
D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005840:Gentian Violet; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012701:Serotonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D012701:Serotonin; D005840:Gentian Violet