二甲双胍通过下调IL-6抑制卵巢癌肿瘤相关成纤维细胞活性的研究

目的:探讨二甲双胍对卵巢癌肿瘤相关成纤维细胞(CAF)活性的影响,以及可能的调控机制。方法:RT-PCR法检测二甲双胍作用于SKOV3细胞系及原代CAF后炎症因子(IL-6、OPN、IL-1b、COX-2、Cyr61)mRNA水平变化;将MRC5于SKOV3-CM(condition medium)培养7~10天得到活化的MRC5即MRC5-CAF,原代CAF及MRC5-CAF经免疫荧光鉴定α-SMA表达;Western blot检测上述炎症因子蛋白水平。在TCGA数据库557例卵巢癌中验证炎症因子与CAF属性相关基因的相关性。免疫荧光验证活化的MRC5中二甲双胍对α-SMA及IL-6表达的影响。在MRC5-CAF细胞系中进一步验证了二甲双胍或IL-6对CAF属性相关基因的影响。增殖实验和Transwell实验比较二甲双胍或IL-6对MRC5-CAF促进SKOV3增殖及迁移能力的影响。胶原回缩试验比较二甲双胍或IL-6对MRC5-CAF收缩细胞外基质ECM的影响。结果:二甲双胍下调CAF中炎症因子尤其是IL-6,同时下调CAF中α-SMA水平。TCGA数据库中IL-6 mRna与CAF属性相关基因(FAP、PDGFRB、FN1、COLL6A6)呈显著正相关(P0.0001);二甲双胍、IL-6共刺激组较IL-6组,STAT3通路和α-SMA下调;二甲双胍能逆转IL-6对卵巢癌CAF促肿瘤增殖转移及收缩胶原的能力。结论:卵巢癌中IL-6可能参与维持了间质CAF细胞活性和间质属性,二甲双胍可能通过下调CAF中IL-6/P-STAT3通路从而抑制卵巢癌CAF对肿瘤细胞的支持作用。     

子宫内膜癌肿瘤微环境内IGFBP-3表达及其对肿瘤侵袭能力的影响

目的:探讨子宫内膜癌肿瘤微环境内IGFBP-3表达与肿瘤-间质相互作用的关系,以及IGFBP-3表达对子宫内膜癌侵袭能力的影响。方法:免疫组化法检测子宫内膜癌、正常子宫内膜组织中IGFBP-3的表达情况。肿瘤相关成纤维细胞(CAF)、正常内膜成纤维细胞(NF)与子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞在Transwell小室内共培养,RT-PCR、ELISA法检测IGFBP-3表达水平的改变。Transwell侵袭实验评估IGFBP-3表达改变对Ishikawa细胞侵袭能力的影响。结果:子宫内膜癌组织中IGFBP-3表达显著低于正常子宫内膜组织(P0.01)。CAF、NF与Ishikawa细胞共培养后,两种间质成纤维细胞中IGFBP-3 mRNA表达水平均显著下降(P0.01);而在Ishikawa细胞,CAF可使其IGFBP-3 mRNA表达显著降低(P0.01),但NF对其无显著影响(P0.05)。CAF、NF均能促进Ishikawa细胞的侵袭能力;与单Ishikawa细胞组和NF+Ishikawa共培养组相比,CAF共培养能显著增加Ishikawa细胞的侵袭能力(113.33±8.50 vs 65.17±10.23、75.33±8.21,P0.01)。而加入外源性重组人IGFBP-3后,能显著抑制CAF的促侵袭作用。结论:子宫内膜癌肿瘤与间质相互作用可导致肿瘤微环境内IGFBP-3表达下降,而肿瘤微环境IGFBP-3表达的改变与子宫内膜癌的生长、侵袭和转移密切相关。     

Dicer1在卵巢癌间质成纤维细胞中调控DNA损伤修复相关基因

目的:检测Dicer1在卵巢癌间质肿瘤相关成纤维细胞中的表达情况,探讨其对DNA双键断裂损伤(DSB)修复相关基因的影响。方法:应用基因集合富集分析(GSEA)方法分析卵巢癌间质和正常卵巢间质基因表达公共数据库GSE40595,探索Dicer1对DSB修复相关通路及关键基因的调控作用,并筛选出相关差异基因。应用重组人转化生长因子β1(h TGFβ1)细胞因子诱导成纤维细胞系MRC5细胞活化成为肿瘤相关成纤维细胞(CAFs),即MRC5-CAFs。以靶向Dicer1基因的siRNA转染MRC5-CAFs,下调其Dicer1表达水平。qRT-PCR、Western blot法分别检测Dicer1及分析所得相关基因,如XRCC6、TP53BP1、H2AFX、BRCA1、ATR、RAD51 mRNA水平及Dicer1和DSB损伤修复关键基因γ-H2AX(磷酸化H2AX)、RAD51蛋白水平。荧光共聚焦检测细胞核蛋白γ-H2AX表达;采用CCK8试验检测细胞活性。结果:GSEA分析结果显示,Dicer1表达水平与DSB(NES=1.7942109,FDRq=0.0067545176)及DNA损伤修复(NES=2.4433048,FDRq=0)显著正相关,进一步通过相关分析筛选出在上述通路中与Dicer1表达正相关的显著基因集。沉默MRC5-CAFs细胞中Dicer1表达后,DSB相关基因,如XRCC6、TP53BP1、H2AFX及损伤修复相关基因BRCA1、ATR、RAD51均较对照组显著下降,与GSEA分析结果一致。荧光共聚焦显微镜检测到沉默Dicer1 MRC5-CAFs细胞内聚集较少的DSB。CCK8试验结果显示,MRC5-CAFs细胞在20μmol/L顺铂作用下,Dicer1-si组不同时间梯度的细胞活性率均低于NC-si组。结论:Dicer1在卵巢癌间质成纤维细胞中正向调控DNA损伤修复相关基因,抑制Dicer1表达后其对顺铂敏感性显著增加。     

Twist2表达与卵巢癌脉管浸润及预后的相关研究

目的:分析Twist2与卵巢癌患者的预后及脉管浸润之间的关系,探索Twist2在卵巢癌脉管浸润中的作用及机制。方法:利用KM plotter分析卵巢癌患者中Twist2 mRNA的表达与卵巢癌总生存率(OS)、无进展生存率(PFS)、肿瘤进展后生存率(PPS)的相关性。利用癌症基因组学数据库c Bioportal分析卵巢癌患者中Twist2与脉管浸润的相关性。体外实验:采用Transwell检测Twist2对卵巢癌CAOV3细胞[空白组、阴性对照组(si NC组)、si Twist2组]侵袭、迁移能力的影响,并利用实时荧光定量多聚核苷酸链式反应(realtime-PCR)及蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)检测分别从RNA水平及蛋白水平检测下调Twist2表达后CAOV3细胞中Twist2、血管内皮生长因子C(VEGFC)表达的变化。结果:(1)KM plotter在线数据分析结果示,Twist2高表达的卵巢癌患者与不良预后有关,OS(HR 1.24,95%CI 1.01～1.52)、PFS(HR 1.39,95%CI 1.14～1.70)及PPS(HR 1.37,95%CI 1.08～1.74)差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05); c Bioportal分析示,Twist2 mRNA表达与卵巢癌血管浸润(r=0.93,P=0.001)及淋巴管浸润(r=0.89,P=0.009)均呈正相关。(2)体外实验Transwell检测示,与空白组和si NC组比较,si Twist2组卵巢癌细胞的侵袭及迁移能力显著下降(P<0.05)。Realtime-PCR及Western blot检测示,与空白组和si NC组比较,si Twist2组中Twist2 mRNA及蛋白、VEGFC mRNA及蛋白的表达均明显下降(P <0.05)。结论:卵巢癌中Twist2的表达与肿瘤预后及脉管浸润密切相关,下调Twist2后,细胞迁移及侵袭穿透的细胞数明显减少、VEGFC表达降低,Twist2可能通过VEGFC来诱导肿瘤细胞侵袭转移参与肿瘤脉管浸润,Twist2可能是未来卵巢癌评估预后及靶向治疗的指标之一。     

CD2基因对卵巢癌肿瘤微环境中免疫浸润的作用

目的：探讨CD2基因对卵巢癌肿瘤微环境中免疫浸润的作用。方法：利用GEPIA在线工具检索CD2基因在卵巢癌中的表达情况,使用GEPIA和Kaplan-Meier plotter数据库分析CD2基因评估卵巢癌预后的价值;通过Coexpedia构建CD2基因在卵巢癌中的共表达基因网络。按评分高低筛选出关键基因,并通过GEPIA及cBioportal进一步分析CD2基因与关键基因的相关性,推测相关基因在卵巢癌中的表达及对预后的评估价值。利用TIMER分析CD2与相关基因在卵巢癌中的表达及与肿瘤微环境中的6种免疫细胞的相互关系。结果：(1)在癌症基因组图谱（The Cancer Genome Atlas,TCGA）数据库中,CD2基因在卵巢癌组织中的表达高于正常卵巢组织（P<0.05）。(2)GEPIA及Kaplan-Meier plotter均提示CD2基因高表达的患者总生存期更长（P<0.05）。(3)CD2基因的共表达基因有CD3D、LCK、ITK、CCL5、CD48、GZMK、PTPRC、TRAF31P3、SH2D1A、GZMA、CD247、CD52、IL10RA、CD3E...     

基质成纤维细胞活化促子宫肌瘤细胞增殖作用的研究

目的:观察基质成纤维细胞活化促进子宫肌瘤细胞的增殖作用,探讨基质成纤维细胞在子宫肌瘤发病机制中的作用。方法:采用免疫磁珠法分选子宫肌瘤组织和平滑肌组织的成纤维细胞。用免疫荧光及Western blot法检测成纤维细胞活化标记物(FAP)的表达;观察肌瘤基质成纤维细胞培养上清对平滑肌基质成纤维细胞(Fib)、平滑肌细胞(SMC)、肌瘤细胞(UFC)的活化作用及增殖活力的影响。采用RNAi技术沉默肌瘤基质成纤维细胞的FAP基因,观察细胞增殖活力及ECM、生长因子的表达变化,同时观察细胞增殖通路相关信号分子的改变。结果:肌瘤组织成纤维细胞中FAP表达高于Fib;肌瘤基质成纤维细胞培养上清能增加Fib的FAP表达强度,并促进细胞增殖活力;沉默FAP基因,可抑制肌瘤基质成纤维细胞ECM(collgen I、fibronectin、laminin)、生长因子(TGF-β、IGF-1)及细胞增殖通路相关信号分子(Akt、ERK、c-Fos、MEK)的表达。结论:子宫肌瘤基质成纤维细胞的活化程度高于子宫平滑肌组织基质成纤维细胞;活化的基质成纤维细胞具有促细胞增殖效应,提示活化的基质成纤维细胞在子宫肌瘤发生过程可能具有重要作用。     

卵巢癌成纤维细胞通过肝细胞生长因子促进癌细胞侵袭作用的研究

目的:探讨卵巢癌相关成纤维细胞(CAFs)分泌因子,特别是肝细胞生长因子(HGF)对卵巢癌细胞株CAOV3侵袭迁移作用的影响。方法:通过RT-PCR检测CAFs和卵巢正常成纤维细胞(NFs)中HGF mRNA的表达及与CAOV3体外共培养后两种成纤维细胞中HGF表达的变化。利用Transwell模型检测CAFs和NFs对CAOV3侵袭迁移的影响。用HGF中和性抗体拮抗CAFs和NFs分泌的HGF,检测CAFs和NFs对CAOV3侵袭迁移影响的变化。结果:CAFs比NFs表达更多的HGF(P<0.01),与CAOV3共培养后,HGF表达均增多(P<0.05)。与NFs相比,CAFs具有更强的促进CAOV3侵袭迁移的能力(P<0.01),但在HGF抗体作用后,两者的促侵袭能力减弱(P<0.01)。结论:卵巢癌细胞可促进其间质成纤维细胞HGF表达,而HGF过表达又反过来促进了自身的侵袭和迁移。     

RNA干扰EFEMP1对卵巢癌细胞增殖、侵袭与转移的影响

目的:探讨fibulin糖蛋白家族中fibulin-3(EFEMP1)对卵巢癌细胞增殖、侵袭与转移的影响,为卵巢癌针对性治疗提供理论基础。方法:利用慢病毒转染RNA干扰的方式,转染具有高侵袭转移能力的S1克隆细胞株,抑制EFEMP1表达。Western blot、Real-time RT-PCR和免疫组化对转染效果进行验证。采用体外细胞功能分析技术检测干扰前后EFEMP1对细胞增殖、侵袭与转移能力的影响。建立裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,体内观察EFEMP1对肿瘤生长的影响。结果:RNA干扰有效抑制EFEMP1表达,EFEMP1降表达显著抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、侵袭和转移能力,裸鼠体内成瘤率降低并且肿瘤体积显著下降,同时肿瘤组织Fibulin基因表达显著降低。结论:EFEMP1与卵巢癌发生发展及侵袭转移密切相关,为卵巢癌的治疗提供新的思路。     

Ets-1与卵巢上皮性肿瘤研究进展

Ets-1为E20禽类红白血病病毒家族成员，通过调节细胞黏附、促进基质蛋白水解和血管生成以及提高肿瘤细胞缺氧耐受等机制参与多种肿瘤的侵袭和转移。在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中Ets-1高表达与癌细胞高侵袭力、活动力及迅速生长等生物学特性有关，并可在转录水平调节基质金属蛋白酶和血管生成促进因子的表达。Ets-1表达水平与卵巢癌患者临床分期、组织学分级和不良预后正相关，阻断Ets-1表达可能为抑制卵巢癌提供新的治疗思路。     

巨噬细胞对卵巢癌细胞SKOV3生物学功能的影响

目的:研究巨噬细胞对卵巢癌细胞株SKOV3生物学功能的影响。方法:(1)体外采用IL-4和佛波醇酯(PMA)分别诱导M2和M1型巨噬细胞,流式细胞仪鉴定分型;(2)Tranwell小室建立巨噬细胞与卵巢癌细胞SKOV3体外非接触式共培养模型。比较共培养后,SKOV3的增殖和凋亡、迁移和侵袭的变化。MTT法检测增殖;流式细胞仪Annexin V-FITC/PI双染检测凋亡;Transwell检测侵袭和迁移。结果:(1)IL-4诱导的巨噬细胞高表达CD163,为M2型,PMA诱导组高表达HLA-DR,为M1型。SKOV3和普通巨噬细胞共培养后,巨噬细胞CD163高表达。(2)SKOV3的增殖和凋亡:M2共培养组SK-OV3的增殖活性显著高于M1共培养组和普通共培养组(P<0.05)。M2共培养组SKOV3的凋亡率显著低于M1共培养组和普通共培养组(P<0.05)。(3)SKOV3的迁移和侵袭:M2共培养组SKOV3的侵袭能力显著强于M1共培养组和普通共培养组(P<0.01)。M2共培养组SKOV3的迁移能力显著强于M1共培养组和普通共培养组(P<0.05)。结论:共培养卵巢癌细胞使巨噬细胞M2表型极化。M2型巨噬细胞促进卵巢癌细胞增殖,提高侵袭、迁移能力,减少凋亡,而M1型起相反作用。     

Decreased expression of CLCA2 and the correlating with immune infiltrates in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma: A bioinformatics analysis

ObjectiveCalcium-activated chloride channel 2 (CLCA2) is closely related to the invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of some common malignant tumors. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of CLCA2 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) using bioinformatics analysis.Materials and methodsThe mRNA sequencing data and the corresponding clinical data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database respectively. Then univariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the differential mRNA expression of CLCA2 between normal, cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and CESC tissues and clinicopathological characteristics. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was used to assess the association between CLCA2 and Disease-Free Survival (DFS), overall survival (OS). The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the associated signaling pathways. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) was used to predict the potential biological roles of CLCA2 in tumor-immune of CESC.ResultsCLCA2 expression was significantly decreased in CESC tissues compared with normal and CIN tissues (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, obese patients had lower levels of CLCA2 expression than normal-weight CESC patients (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the expression level of CLCA2 in patients with different T stage, lymph node status, metastasis, and FIGO stage in CC(P > 0.05). The survival analysis indicated that for DFS, CESC with high CLCA2 expression was associated with better prognoses compared with those with low expression levels (P < 0.05). But for the OS, there was no difference. GSEA revealed that 4 pathways exhibited significant differential enrichment in the CLCA2 high-expression phenotype, including the P53 signaling pathway, the ERBB signaling pathway, the NOTCH signaling pathway, and the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. The TIMER reveals the expression of CLCA2 showed a significant inverse association with the number of B cells, Macrophage cells, and Dendritic Cell infiltration.ConclusionThe present study indicates that CLCA2 expression may be a potential prognostic marker for patients with CESC.     

S1P/S1PR对人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞的促血管生成作用的研究

目的：探究鞘氨醇-1-磷酸/鞘氨醇-1-磷酸受体（S1P/S1PR）对人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞促血管生成作用的影响和机制。方法：管腔形成实验探究S1P对人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞的促血管生成作用的影响;实时定量聚合酶链式反应（qRT-PCR）检测S1P处理后的人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞中血管生成因子白细胞介素8（IL-8）、IL-6、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的变化情况;设计合成小干扰RNA（siRNA）干扰序列基因沉默SKOV3细胞中S1PR1、S1PR2和S1PR3的表达,蛋白质印迹（Western-blot）和qRT-PCR检测SKOV3细胞中S1PR的下调结果;qRT-PCR检测S1PR对SKOV3细胞IL-8、IL-6、VEGF表达的影响。结果：管腔形成实验结果显示,S1P处理后的SKOV3细胞培养上清液重悬人脐静脉内皮细胞融合细胞（EA.hy926）,其管腔形成的数量多于对照组（t=3.667,P=0.021）,表明S1P促进了人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3的促血管形成能力。S1P处理后的SKOV3细胞中血管生成因子IL-8、IL-6、VEGF mRNA的表达水平较对照组升高,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。S1PR1和S1PR3基因沉默可显著降低SKOV3细胞中IL-8、IL-6、VEGF的mRNA表达水平,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）,而S1PR2基因沉默后IL-8、IL-6、VEGF的mRNA变化不明显。结论：S1P通过S1PR1/3上调人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞中IL-8、IL-6、VEGF的表达,从而增强了SKOV3细胞的促血管生成作用,S1P/S1PR通路有望成为抑制卵巢癌生长的治疗新靶点。     

卵巢上皮癌IL-7mRNA表达的研究

目的 :研究卵巢上皮癌组织及细胞株中IL 7mRNA的表达 ,探讨IL 7是否参与了卵巢癌的局部免疫调节 ,为IL 7用于卵巢癌基因治疗提供实验基础。方法 :以 6例正常卵巢组织为对照 ,采用RT PCR方法测定 4 2例卵巢上皮癌组织及 2株卵巢癌细胞株SKOV3和 3AOIL 7mRNA的表达。结果 :6例正常卵巢组织未能检测到IL 7mRNA的表达 ,4 2例卵巢上皮癌组织只有 2例表达IL 7mRNA ,表达率为 4 .8% ,SKOV3和 3AO均不表达IL 7mRNA。结论 :卵巢上皮癌组织IL 7mRNA表达率低 ,推测IL 7未能在卵巢癌癌灶和腹腔局部发挥重要抗肿瘤作用。     

Prostate-derived Ets factor is overexpressed in serous epithelial ovarian tumors.

The frequent overexpression of prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) mRNA in ovarian cancer has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate PDEF protein expression in ovarian cancer and how this expression might vary at different stages of epithelial ovarian tumors in comparison to normal ovary. A new rabbit polyclonal antibody to PDEF was prepared, and immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections from 12 normal ovaries, 10 cases of benign serous cystadenoma, 17 cases of low malignant potential tumor, 19 cases of stage 1, and 15 cases of advanced stage primary epithelial (serous) ovarian carcinomas and their peritoneal metastases. Expression levels were assessed based on the percentage of positively staining cells and the intensity of staining. All 12 normal ovary and 10 benign serous cystadenoma cases were negative for PDEF expression. In contrast, 6 of 17 (35%) low malignant potential tumors, 5 of 19 (27%) stage 1, and 5 of 15 (33%) advanced stage ovarian tumors stained positive for PDEF expression. Together, these results show frequent overexpression of PDEF protein in epithelial ovarian tumors and its lack of expression in normal ovary and cystadenomas, and this supports a role for PDEF in ovarian tumorigenesis. Furthermore, these results suggest that PDEF is a potential marker and target in ovarian cancer.     

Cyclin D1 overexpression and p53 mutation status in epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cyclin D1 mRNA expression level in ovarian tumor samples as compared with normal ovaries and to determine the relationship between cyclin D1 overexpression and p53 mutation status in ovarian tumors. METHODS: mRNA was isolated and cDNA was prepared from 27 epithelial ovarian tumors (3 tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) and 24 cancers) and 6 normal ovaries. The cyclin D1 sequences were amplified by using a thermal cycler in parallel with the beta-tubulin gene as an internal control. The cyclin D1 mRNA expression level relative to beta-tubulin was determined by 32P phosphoimager analysis. To confirm the overexpression of the cyclin D1 protein in ovarian tumor cells, immunostaining was performed. The p53 gene mutation status was examined by direct cDNA sequencing. RESULTS: mRNA levels of cyclin D1 were significantly higher in 21 (78%) of the 27 ovarian tumors than in normal ovaries. Cyclin D1 overexpression was detected in ovarian LMP tumors as well as in ovarian cancer cases. Positive immunostaining of cyclin D1 protein was observed in 10 of 18 (56%) ovarian tumors examined. p53 mutations were found in 11 (61%) of 18 ovarian tumors. Of 11 ovarian tumor cases with p53 mutations, 5 showed overexpression of cyclin D1. All 7 ovarian tumor cases without p53 mutations showed significant cyclin D1 mRNA overexpression. CONCLUSION: Cyclin D1 overexpression seems to be an early genetic event in ovarian tumor development. Although p53 may be one of the proteins whose function regulates the expression of G1 cyclins, ovarian tumors with no p53 mutation consistently showed cyclin D1 overexpression. Cyclin D1 overexpression may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of epithelial ovarian tumors.     

卵巢恶性肿瘤组织中u-PA、t-PA mRNA的表达

目的 :检测尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂 (u PA)和组织型纤溶酶原激活剂 (t PA)两因子的mRNA在卵巢肿瘤组织中的表达水平 ,初步探讨肿瘤细胞纤溶活性的变化与相关基因间的联系。方法 :采用实时监测荧光定量RT PCR技术 ,检测并比较卵巢恶性肿瘤组织和良性囊肿组织 (卵巢巧克力囊肿 )中u PA及t PA基因的表达。结果 :u PAmRNA在恶性肿瘤组织中的表达较良性卵巢囊肿组织中的表达显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。良性囊肿组织所表达的t PAmRNA较恶性组织显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。在高、中、低 3种分化程度的恶性肿瘤中 ,u PAmRNA拷贝数随肿瘤分化程度的降低而增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,t PAmRNA拷贝数随其分化程度的降低而降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :恶性肿瘤组织的u PA基因在转录水平上调 ,可能与卵巢肿瘤的恶性进展相关。t PA基因在转录水平下调 ,t PA在mRNA水平的高表达可能是组织分化较好的特征。     

Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 mRNA and protein expression in the Gallus domesticus model of ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in ovarian tumors and normal ovaries of the hen, which is an excellent model for human ovarian cancer. Tissue concentrations of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE2) and PGE2 metabolites were also determined. METHODS: Tissue was obtained from ovarian tumor (n = 18) and normal ovary (n = 29) of 2- to 4-year old Single-comb White Leghorn hens. Quantitative real-time PCR with Sybr Green was used to quantify the mRNA expression of COX-1 and COX-2, using 18S expression as an internal control for COX normalization. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies for COX-1 and COX-2 was used to localize protein expression of each isoform in a subset of tumor (n = 5) and normal samples (n = 6). For determination of tissue prostaglandin concentration, tissue was obtained from ovarian tumor (n = 8) and normal ovary (n = 8). PGE2 and PGE2 metabolites were measured using competitive enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). RESULTS: Our results indicate that COX-1 mRNA expression is significantly higher (P < 0.05) in ovarian tumor samples compared to normal ovaries while there is no significant difference in expression of COX-2 between the samples. Immunohistochemistry results support this finding and show COX-1 expression only in tumor samples and COX-2 expression unchanged between normal ovary and tumor samples. PGE2 levels are significantly higher (P < 0.05) in tumor samples compared to normal ovaries, and there is no significant difference in PGE2 metabolite levels between the samples. CONCLUSION: These findings may implicate COX-1 as a suitable target for the prevention or treatment of ovarian cancer.