Celecoxib decreases expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in a colon cancer cell line (HT29).
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the ability of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, to modulate expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the colon cancer cell line HT29.


METHODS
We analysed the effect of celecoxib on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 protein and mRNA expression in HT29 cells. Experiments were performed in the presence of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitors to evaluate the involvement of these kinases in this phenomenon. We evaluated adhesion of HT29 cells to FCS-coated plastic wells in the presence of celecoxib or MAPK inhibitors. Furthermore, we studied the effect of celecoxib on apoptosis.


RESULTS
Celecoxib down-regulated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in HT29 cells in a time- and dose-dependent way. Celecoxib reduced activation of p38 and p55 c-Jun terminal NH(2) kinase (JNK) MAPKs, but did not affect p46 JNK or p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation. Pretreatment with SB202190 or SP600125, specific inhibitors of p38 and JNK MAPKs, respectively, reduced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in HT29 cells dose-dependently. Adhesion of HT29 cells to FCS-coated plastic wells was inhibited dose-dependently by celecoxib, and also by SB202190 and SP600125. Celecoxib showed a pro-apoptotic effect, inducing Bax and BID but down-regulating Bcl-2.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that celecoxib caused down-regulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, affecting the adhesive properties of HT29 cells in a COX-2 independent way, inhibiting p38 and p55 MAPKs and activating a pro-apoptotic pathway.
Gallicchio
M
M
Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine, University of Turin, Torino, Italy. margherita.gallicchio@unito.it
Rosa
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Dianzani
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Brucato
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Benetti
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Collino
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Fantozzi
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D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D000068579:Celecoxib; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000068579:Celecoxib