Correlation of expression of cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. COX exists in 2 isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. These isoforms are encoded by separate genes and demonstrate cell-specific expression and regulation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta) is a nuclear transcription factor that is activated by prostacyclin. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a proangiogenic factor that is up-regulated in various tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor has been shown to interact with COX-derived prostaglandins in angiogenesis. To better understand the roles of these genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCA), we examined the differential expression of the COX1, COX2, VEGF, and PPARdelta genes in these tumors. Tissue samples from patients with HNSCCA were analyzed for COX-1, COX-2, VEGF, and PPARdelta messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by in situ hybridization. COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs were also evaluated with Northern blot hybridization. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze for COX-2 and PPARdelta proteins. Results showed focal areas of accumulation for COX-2, VEGF, and PPARdelta but not COX-1 in human HNSCCA. Northern blot hybridization showed higher levels of COX-2 mRNA in HNSCCA than in normal tissue. This suggests a supportive role of COX-2 in development and/or progression of HNSCCA. In addition, PPARdelta may be a receptor for COX-2-produced prostaglandins in HNSCCA. There is a potential role for selective COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment of these lesions.

• Authors: E C Jaeckel, S Raja, J Tan, S K Das, S K Dey, D A Girod, T T Tsue, T R Sanford
• Journal: Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 127 Issue 10 Pg. 1253-9 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0886-4470 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11587608 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Endothelial Growth Factors
• Isoenzymes
• Lymphokines
• Membrane Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
• Transcription Factors
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
• Cyclooxygenase 1
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• PTGS1 protein, human
• PTGS2 protein, human
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases

Topics

• Blotting, Northern
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (metabolism, pathology)
• Cyclooxygenase 1
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• Endothelial Growth Factors (genetics)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• In Situ Hybridization
• Isoenzymes (genetics)
• Lymph Nodes (metabolism)
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Lymphokines (genetics)
• Membrane Proteins
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases (genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear (genetics)
• Transcription Factors (genetics)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors