title: Angiotensin-(1-7) inhibits growth of human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice through a reduction in cyclooxygenase-2.
abstract: Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] is an endogenous peptide of the renin-angiotensin system with vasodilator and antiproliferative properties. Our previous studies showed that Ang-(1-7) reduced serum-stimulated growth of human lung cancer cells in vitro through activation of a unique AT((1-7)) receptor. The current study investigates the effect of Ang-(1-7) on lung tumor growth in vivo, using a human lung tumor xenograft model. Athymic mice with tumors resulting from injection of A549 human lung cancer cells were treated for 28 days with either i.v. saline or Ang-(1-7), delivered by implanted osmotic mini-pumps. Treatment with Ang-(1-7) reduced tumor volume by 30% compared with the size before treatment; in contrast, tumor size in the saline-treated animals increased 2.5-fold. These results correlate with a reduction in the proliferation marker Ki67 in the Ang-(1-7)-infused tumors when compared with the saline-infused tumor tissues. Treatment with Ang-(1-7) significantly reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein in tumors of Ang-(1-7)-infused mice when compared with mice treated with saline as well as in the parent A549 human lung cancer cells in tissue culture. These results suggest that Ang-(1-7) may decrease COX-2 activity and proinflammatory prostaglandins to inhibit lung tumor growth. In contrast, the heptapeptide had no effect on COX-1 mRNA in xenograft tumors or A549 cells. Because Ang-(1-7), a peptide with antithrombotic properties, reduces growth through activation of a selective AT((1-7)) receptor, our results suggest that the heptapeptide represents a novel treatment for lung cancer by reducing COX-2.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1032, USA.
authors.forename: Jyotsana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Soto-Pantoja
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: J Mark
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cline
authors.forename: Carlos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.forename: E Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tallant
authors.forename: Patricia E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000803:Angiotensin I; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C118790:angiotensin I (1-7)