Interstitial cell cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with increased angiogenesis in human sporadic colorectal adenomas.

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 plays an important role in intestinal tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in animal models. In superficial areas of human sporadic colorectal adenomas, COX-2 is expressed predominantly by interstitial macrophages, in close proximity to microvessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between microvessel density (MVD) and COX-2 expression in human sporadic colorectal adenomas. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence for CD31 and COX-2 were performed on a well-characterized series of human sporadic colorectal adenomas (n = 37). The mean MVD and COX-2 expression level (scored 0-3) in superficial and deep interstitial cells of adenomas were assessed by two independent observers. Superficial MVD was increased in COX-2-positive adenomas, compared with COX-2-negative adenomas (p = 0.037). There was a significant correlation between superficial MVD and increasing superficial interstitial cell COX-2 expression score (p = 0.048). COX-2-expressing interstitial cells aggregated in areas of high MVD. No relationship was evident between MVD and COX-2 expression in either deep interstitial cells or epithelial cells. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only adenoma size (p = 0.005) was a significant independent predictor of MVD. COX-2 protein expression by superficial interstitial cells in human sporadic colorectal adenomas is associated with increased angiogenesis. Promotion of angiogenesis may play a role in the pro-tumourigenic activity of COX-2 during growth of human colorectal adenomas.

• Authors: Keith S Chapple, Nigel Scott, Pierre J Guillou, P Louise Coletta, Mark A Hull
• Journal: The Journal of pathology (J Pathol) Vol. 198 Issue 4 Pg. 435-41 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 0022-3417 [Print] England
• PMID: 12434412 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Isoenzymes
• Membrane Proteins
• Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• PTGS2 protein, human
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases

Topics

• Adenoma (blood supply, enzymology, pathology)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, Neoplasm (metabolism)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (blood supply, enzymology, pathology)
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Isoenzymes (metabolism)
• Macrophages (enzymology)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (enzymology, pathology)
• Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (metabolism)
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases (metabolism)