Inhibition of B-16 melanoma growth in vivo by a synthetic analog of prostaglandin E2.

The effect of systemic administration of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2-methyl ester (di-M-PGE2) on the growth of B-16 melanoma tumors has been studied in C57BL/6J mice. Daily i.p. injection of 5 mu of di-M-PGE2 commencing on the day of tumor inoculation with 10(5) and 10(6) viable cells delayed appearance of tumors; for the smaller tumor inoculum, it also increased median survival among treated mice from 23 to 33 days. Di-M-PGE2 treatment of mice with established tumors caused significant inhibition of tumor growth, as measured by a number of parameters including tumor diameters and volumes. At the time of sacrifice, di-M-PGE2-treated mice had tumors that were an average of 32% smaller (by weight), contained 60% fewer melanoma cells, and had higher concentrations of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (+225% and +100%, respectively).     

Growth inhibition of Friend erythroleukaemia cell tumours in vivo by a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin A: an action independent of natural killer-activity

Prostaglandins of the A series (PGAs) have been previously shown to inhibit the growth and to stimulate the differentiation of Friend erythroleukaemic cells (FLC) in vitro. In the present report we analysed the effect of PGA treatment in vitro on FLC tumorigenicity, and in vivo on FLC proliferation and on natural killer (NK) activity. PGA1 pretreatment of FLC in vitro for 5 days before inoculation into syngeneic mice slightly delayed tumour appearance, but did not significantly alter the pattern of tumour growth or mice survival, indicating that PGA1, at least in the conditions studied, did not affect FLC tumorigenicity. Daily treatment of mice with a long-acting synthetic analogue of PGA2 (16, 16 dimethyl-PGA2-methyl ester, di-M-PGA2) delayed tumour appearance, inhibited tumour growth, as measured by tumour weight and diameter, and increased the median mice survival time by 15-35%, depending on the schedule of treatment. Daily treatment with di-M-PGA2 strongly suppressed NK activity in normal mice but had no significant effect in tumour-bearing immunodepressed mice. PGA treatment of effector or target cells in vitro, or PGA added during the NK assay, had no effect on NK activity. We suggest that the chemotherapeutic effect of PGA is due to a direct action on tumour cell replication rather than to a stimulation of the host NK activity.     

Treatment of mouse carcinoma in vivo with a prostaglandin E2 analogue and indomethacin

WHT/Ht mice transplanted s.c. with NC carcinoma were treated with 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 methyl ester (di-me-PGE2) and/or indomethacin. Each primary tumour was excised under anaesthesia 3 weeks after transplantation, weighed and extracted for prostaglandins. Mouse survival time and tumour recurrence were measured. Di-me-PGE2 10 micrograms, injected at the tumour site on alternate days from day 1 to 19, indomethacin 2.5 mg kg-1 daily by mouth, or both drugs together resulted in lighter tumours (respectively 45, 45 and 52% less, n = 18 to 20 per group, P less than 0.02) compared with vehicle-treated controls. Indomethacin reduced the tumour prostaglandin yield, but the biological activity in extracts of tumours from mice given di-me-PGE2 was high. The median survival time was longer in mice receiving indomethacin alone (61 days from tumour transplantation compared with 50 days in controls P less than 0.02). Di-me-PGE2 alone had little or no effect on survival (median 48 days) but counteracted the increase with indomethacin (di-me-PGE2 + indomethacin, 49 days median survival). There were no obvious effects of the treatments on tumour recurrence at the excision site, but there was a higher incidence of involved lymph nodes in mice given di-me-PGE2.     

Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by Scutellaria baicalensis

Scutellaria baicalensis is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine that has been used historically in anti-inflammatory and anticancer therapy. The purpose of this study is to verify its anticancer activity on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in vitro and in vivo and to investigate its effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and is highly expressed in HNSCC. Two human HNSCC cell lines (SCC-25 and KB) and a nontumorigenic cell line (HaCaT) were tested in vitro for growth inhibition, proliferation cell nuclear antigen expression, and COX-2 activity and expression after treatment with Scutellaria baicalensis extract. Its effects were compared with those of baicalein (a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis), indomethacin (a nonselective COX inhibitor), and celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor). Four nude mice with s.c. inoculation of KB cells were tested for its anticancer activity in vivo by oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis at a dose of 1.5 mg/mouse (75 mg/kg), five times/week for 7 weeks. Scutellaria baicalensis and other agents demonstrated a strong growth inhibition in both tested human HNSCC cell lines. No growth inhibition of HaCaT cells was observed with Scutellaria baicalensis. The IC(50)s were 150 micro g/ml for Scutellaria baicalensis, 25 micro M for celecoxib, and 75 micro M for baicalein and indomethacin. Scutellaria baicalensis, as well as celecoxib and indomethacin, but not baicalein, suppressed proliferation cell nuclear antigen expression and PGE(2) synthesis in both cell types. Scutellaria baicalensis inhibited COX-2 expression, whereas celecoxib inhibited COX-2 activity directly. A 66% reduction in tumor mass was observed in the nude mice. Scutellaria baicalensis selectively and effectively inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo and can be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for HNSCC. Inhibition of PGE(2) synthesis via suppression of COX-2 expression may be responsible for its anticancer activity. Differences in biological effects of Scutellaria baicalensis compared with baicalein suggest the synergistic effects among components in Scutellaria baicalensis.     

Effect of endogenous and exogenous prostaglandin E on Friend erythroleukaemia cell growth and differentiation.

The effect of exogenous and endogenous prostaglandins on the patterns of growth and differentiation of Friend erythroleukaemia cells (FLC) were studied. During the differentiation process, DMSO stimulated PGE synthesis by an average of 95%. The addition of a long-acting synthetic analogue of PGE2,16,16-dimethyl-PGE2-methyl ester (di-M-PGE2) to the culture medium only slightly and temporarily slowed cell growth, with no appreciable induction of differentiation. However, in the presence of DMSO, the same concentration of di-M-PGE2 produced 73% inhibition of cell growth and accelerated and potently stimulated haemoglobin production. The action of both di-M-PGE2 and DMSO on cell proliferation was dependent upon the state of cell growth at the time of the administration of these compounds. FLC cultures treated with DMSO + di-M-PGE2 produced considerable amounts of haemoglobin before even one duplication cycle was completed. Both DMSO and di-M-PGE2 stimulated endogenous PGE biosynthesis, and the biosynthetic effect of these compounds was synergistic. Inhibition of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin completely abolished the effects produced by DMSO + di-M-PGE2 on the growth, and substantially reduced the stimulated differentiation of FLC. These data suggest that an endogenously synthesized prostaglandin plays a significant role in both the inhibition of replication and in the stimulation of differentiation induced by DMSO and di-M-PGE2 in Friend erythroleukaemia cells.     

Inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth by a synthetic laminin peptide, CDPGYIGSR-NH2.

A laminin-derived synthetic peptide, Cys-Asp-Pro-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-NH2 (CDPGYIGSR-H2), containing an active site for cell binding inhibited both angiogenesis and solid tumor growth. It potently suppressed both embryonic angiogenesis of the chick chorioallantoic membrane and migration of vascular endothelial cells induced by a tumor-conditioned medium but neither the in vitro proliferation of endothelial cells nor that of tumor cells. Additionally, in in vivo tests, CDPGYIGSR-NH2 markedly inhibited both the growth of s.c. solid tumor of Sarcoma 180 and that of Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) in the lungs. On the contrary, ascitic tumor growth of Sarcoma 180 was not affected by this peptide, even though the same cell source was used. It was concluded that solid tumor growth inhibition by CDPGYIGSR-NH2 was due not a direct effect on cell growth but to antiangiogenic effect mediated by the inhibition of endothelial cell migration.     

Inhibition and enhancement of Friend leukemia virus by pyran copolymer.

Inhibition or enhancement of Friend leukemia virus disease could be produced by treatment of mice with the immunopotentiator, pyran copolymer. The result depended on the route of inoculation of the drug. Prophylactic administration of the drug i.p. retarded splenomegaly, reduced splenic foci, and increased survival time of mice infected with Friend leukemia virus. Conversely, when the same dose and regimen of pyran was administered i.v., splenomegaly was enhanced, splenic foci were increased, and survival time was decreased. Histopathological examination of the spleens of mice revealed that i.p. pyran administration caused a marked increase in the splenic marginal zone with some increase in erythropoiesis in the red pulp, while i.v. pyran administration did not markedly change the splenic marginal zone but caused an early and sustained increase in erythropoiesis in the red pulp.     

Induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 mRNA by prostaglandin E2 in human prostatic carcinoma cells.

Prostaglandins are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase. There are two isoforms of cyclooxygenases: COX-1 (a constitutive form) and COX-2 (an inducible form). COX-2 has recently been categorized as an immediate-early gene and is associated with cellular growth and differentiation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous dimethylprostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) on prostate cancer cell growth. Results of these experiments demonstrate that administration of dmPGE2 to growing PC-3 cells significantly increased cellular proliferation (as measured by the cell number), total DNA content and endogenous PGE2 concentration. DmPGE2 also increased the steady-state mRNA levels of its own inducible synthesizing enzyme, COX-2, as well as cellular growth to levels similar to those seen with fetal calf serum and phorbol ester. The same results were observed in other human cancer cell types, such as the androgen-dependent LNCaP cells, breast cancer MDA-MB-134 cells and human colorectal carcinoma DiFi cells. In PC-3 cells, the dmPGE2 regulation of the COX-2 mRNA levels was both time dependent, with maximum stimulation seen 2 h after addition, and dose dependent on dmPGE2 concentration, with maximum stimulation seen at 5 microg ml(-1). The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen (5 microM), in the presence of exogenous dmPGE2, inhibited the up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and PC-3 cell growth. Taken together, these data suggest that PGE2 has a specific role in the maintenance of human cancer cell growth and that the activation of COX-2 expression depends primarily upon newly synthesized PGE2, perhaps resulting from changes in local cellular PGE2 concentrations.     

Inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis by the administration of recombinant interferon-gamma followed by a synthetic lipid-A subunit analogue (GLA-60).

The effect of the administration of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) and a synthetic lipid A subunit analog (GLA-60) on angiogenesis induced by B16-BL6 melanoma was examined in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. Intravenous administration of rIFN-gamma followed by GLA-60 (referred to as rIFN-gamma/GLA-60) induced endogenous production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This treatment on day 3 after tumor inoculation caused a marked decrease in the number of vessels oriented towards the tumor mass (angiogenic response) and tumor size over a period of 9 days. In contrast, neither rIFN-gamma nor GLA-60 alone, nor GLA-60/rIFN-gamma (reverse sequence of administration), which is unable to induce the production of TNF in the serum, had any effect. Sera induced by the treatment with rIFN-gamma/GLA-60, and recombinant TNF, inhibited the in vitro growth of lung endothelial cells which is considered to be one of the essential events in tumor neovascularization. Multiple i.v. treatments with rIFN-gamma/GLA-60 on days 5, 8 and 11 after s.c. implantation of tumor significantly inhibited primary tumor growth by the amputation time (day 20) and lung metastasis of B16-BL6 cells on day 34, while other treatment modalities had no such effect. Our results indicate that inhibition of lung-tumor metastasis by rIFN-gamma/GLA-60 treatment may be partly due to the inhibition of tumor-associated angiogenesis.     

Inhibition of spleen cell cytotoxic capacity toward tumor by elevated prostaglandin E2 levels in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma

The capacity to generate cytotoxic cells toward Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in mixed cultures of stimulator LLC and responder spleen cells of LLC-bearing C57BL/6 mice was monitored during the course of tumor growth. The cytotoxic response of mice bearing tumors that were not yet palpable was enhanced. However, as palpable tumors developed and tumor growth progressed, their cytotoxic capacity became suppressed. Concurrent with this decline in cytotoxic capacity, there was an increase in systemic immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in tumor-bearing mice. Administration of indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, to LLC-bearing mice prevented the rise in PGE2 concentrations and the suppression in cytotoxic capacity toward LLC. A relationship between the elevated immunoreactive PGE2 levels, suppression in cytotoxic capacity, and progressive tumor growth was indicated when administration of indomethacin to tumor-bearing mice also reduced the rate of tumor development.     

Levels of prostaglandin E metabolite, the major urinary metabolite of prostaglandin E2, are increased in smokers.

PURPOSE: Increased levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been observed in tobacco-related malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract. Moreover, exposure to tobacco smoke can stimulate the synthesis of PGE2. Recent evidence suggests that urinary PGE metabolite (PGE-M) can be used as an index of systemic PGE2 production. In this study, we investigated whether levels of urinary PGE-M were increased in smokers and in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fifty-eight HNSCC cases and 29 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled in the study. A detailed smoking history and single void urine specimen were obtained from each participant. Levels of urinary PGE-M were quantified in a blinded fashion using mass spectrometry and compared with smoking history and tumor status. RESULTS: Adjusted for case-control matching, median urinary PGE-M levels were significantly higher in ever smokers (15.7 ng/mg creatinine) compared with never smokers (9.9 ng/mg creatinine) for the entire study population (n = 87, P = 0.005). Concentrations of urinary PGE-M were nearly doubled in ever smokers (15.2 ng/mg creatinine) versus never smokers (7.8 ng/mg creatinine) among healthy controls (P = 0.001). Higher PGE-M levels were observed in current versus former smokers and in those with greater pack-year exposure. A significant difference in amounts of PGE-M was not observed in patients with HNSCC versus healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of urinary PGE-M were observed in smokers. Urinary PGE-M may have use as a noninvasive biomarker of the effects of tobacco smoke exposure.     

Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis in vivo by azatyrosine.

A single painting of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on the skin of transgenic mice harboring the human protooncogene c-Ha-ras induced papillomas at 100% incidence after 20 weeks (M. Izawa et al., unpublished data). Application of L-beta-(5-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)alanine (azatyrosine) to the skin at a dose of 2 mg/mouse once every 3 days after initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene greatly reduced the percentage incidence, number per mouse, and size of papillomas. Injection of methylnitrosourea i.p. into transgenic mice induced papillomas in the forestomach after 12 weeks (2 to 12 papillomas/mouse) at 100% incidence (K. Ando et al., Cancer Res., 52: 978-982, 1992). Administration of azatyrosine i.p. at a dose of 2 mg/mouse once every 2 days for 12 weeks after initiation with methylnitrosourea completely prevented the formation of forestomach papillomas. These results clearly indicated that azatyrosine inhibits chemical carcinogenesis in vivo.     

Role of the prostaglandin E2 receptor in mammary tumor metastasis.

Both clinical and experimental breast tumors often synthesize high levels of prostaglandins, most notably prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). We have reported previously that metastatic murine mammary tumor cells also express a high-affinity PGE2 receptor. We have now shown that the receptor plays a functional role in the metastasis of two mammary tumor cell subpopulations, lines 66 and 4526. We showed that three agents, LEO101 (LEO Pharmaceuticals), SC19220 (Searle Co.), and AH6809 (Glaxo Co.), antagonize [3H]PGE2 binding to these cells and block PGE2-mediated elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP. Pretreatment of line 66 cells with nontoxic concentrations of any of the three receptor antagonists prior to i.v. injection results in more experimental lung colonies. As shown previously, and confirmed here, pretreatment of these cells with indomethacin (which inhibits endogenous PGE synthesis and therefore increases detectable PGE receptor) inhibits metastasis. Thus, the tumor cell PGE2 receptor contributes to the ability of murine mammary tumor cells to metastasize.     

前列腺素E2对肿瘤微环境中髓源性抑制细胞的调控作用

髓源性抑制细胞(M DSC)是一群未成熟的骨髓异质性细胞,在肿瘤免疫耐受和免疫抑制中具有重要作用.近年越来越多的研究结果表明前列腺素E2(PGE2)与MDSC有着密不可分的关系,PGE2在肿瘤微环境中通过作用其相关受体,调控信号转导与转录激活因子3(STAT3)和蛋白激酶A等细胞信号通路及细胞因子的分泌,影响着MDSC的增殖、分化及功能.     

B700, a melanoma-specific antigen, catalyzes metabolism of prostaglandin E2.

B700 is an albumin-like mouse-melanoma-specific antigen of unknown primary structure and biochemical function. The ability of mouse serum albumin to catalyze weak degradation of prostaglandin E2 has been utilized to compare functional similarities between B700 and mouse serum albumin. Both proteins catalyze the degradation of prostaglandin E2 to prostaglandin A2 and prostaglandin B2. This catalytic ability is related to the amino acid composition of the two proteins within the functional region rather than the 3-dimensional configuration, the activity is not altered upon boiling. The primary prostaglandin E2 metabolite in the presence of mouse serum albumin is prostaglandin B2, while prostaglandin A2 predominates in B700 catalyzed degradations. An additional product, presently unidentified, is produced during B700 catalyzed degradation of prostaglandin E2. Our studies indicate that the B700 protein has weak enzymatic activity for prostaglandin E2 similar to that of albumin. To our knowledge, B700 is the only melanoma antigen for which enzymatic activity has been demonstrated.     

Association of a functional prostaglandin E2-protein kinase A coupling with responsiveness of metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma variants to prostaglandin E2 and to prostaglandin E2-producing nonmetastatic Lewis lung carcinoma variants

Cloned Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) variants were used in an in vitro migration model for dissemination, to determine if prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced by nonmetastatic LLC cells could directly stimulate dissemination of metastatic LLC cells and to identify an intracellular mechanism for such an effect. The migration of metastatic LLC clones was stimulated not only by exogenous PGE2 but also by nonmetastatic LLC cells, by their production of a migration-stimulatory factor which was sensitive to indomethacin and anti-PGE2 antibodies. Nonmetastatic LLC clones were unresponsive to migration stimulation by PGE2. The results of in vivo metastasis studies were consistent with those of in vitro migration studies. In vivo lung metastasis was increased by PGE2, as well as by nonmetastatic cells when they were either admixed with the metastatic LLC inoculum, irradiated and injected adjacent to the metastatic LLC tumor, or localized in chambers and implanted s.c. into mice given injections of metastatic LLC cells. Indomethacin blocked metastasis stimulation by nonmetastatic cells. The in vitro PGE2 stimulation of metastatic LLC cells appeared to be linked to a cyclic AMP (cAMP) response, since migration could also be stimulated by dibutyryl-cyclic AMP and blockage of a cAMP response with nicotinic acid ablated the PGE2 stimulation of migration. In vivo metastasis could be stimulated by elevation of cAMP with aminophylline. The differential responsiveness of metastatic versus nonmetastatic LLC cells to PGE2 could not be due to PGE2-adenylate cyclase coupling, since PGE2 increased the cAMP levels in cultures of both metastatic and nonmetastatic LLC cells. There was, however, a difference in the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) response to PGE2, with PKA activity of metastatic LLC being stimulated by PGE2 and by the adenylate cyclase-stimulator forskolin, whereas PKA of nonmetastatic LLC was not stimulated by these cAMP elevators, suggesting a dysfunction in the cAMP-PKA coupling.