title: Differential expression of E-prostanoid receptors in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Recent studies have shown that inhibition of cyclooxygenases (e.g. COX-2) exerts antitumorigenic effects on hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), which are to a significant extent due to the abrogation of PGE(2) synthesis. PGE(2) acts via differentially regulated prostaglandin receptors (EP(1-4)). Our study was designed to investigate the expression pattern of EP-receptors in HCCs and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of selective EP-receptor antagonists. Using tissue microarrays including a total of 14 control livers, 17 liver cirrhoses, 22 premalignant dysplastic nodules (DNs) and 162 HCCs with different histological grades, the expression of COX-2, mPGES-1 and -2 and EP(1-4)-receptors was analyzed. Western immunoblot analyses were performed to confirm the expression in HCC cell lines. The effects of EP(1-4)-receptor antagonism on cell viability and apoptosis were investigated using MTT-assays and FACS-analyses, respectively. COX-2, mPGES-1 and -2 and EP(1-4)-receptors were expressed in all HCC tissues. COX-2 expression was highest in DNs and declined with loss of HCC-differentiation. With respect to COX-2 expression, a converse expression of EP(1-3) -receptors and mPGES-1 and -2 was found in DNs compared to HCCs. Selectively antagonizing EP(1)- and EP(3)-receptors reduced the viability of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with apoptosis induction. Our results suggest a differential regulation of EP-receptor subtype expression with dedifferentiation of HCCs in which a converse expression pattern for COX-2 in comparison to EP(1-3)-receptors occurs. Of clinical interest, selectively antagonizing EP(1)- and EP(3)-receptors may provide a novel systemic therapeutic approach to the treatment of HCCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Pathology, University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breinig
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rieker
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eiteneuer
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wertenbruch
authors.forename: Anke Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Haugg
authors.forename: Burkhard Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Helmke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schirmacher
authors.forename: Michael André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
chemical_list: D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C000605862:PTGES protein, human; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases