NSAIDs inhibit alpha V beta 3 integrin-mediated and Cdc42/Rac-dependent endothelial-cell spreading, migration and angiogenesis

Nat Med. 2001 Sep;7(9):1041-7. doi: 10.1038/nm0901-1041.

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in arachidonic acid metabolism, is overexpressed in many cancers. Inhibition of COX-2 by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduces the risk of cancer development in humans and suppresses tumor growth in animal models. The anti-cancer effect of NSAIDs seems to involve suppression of tumor angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Integrin alpha V beta 3 is an adhesion receptor critically involved in mediating tumor angiogenesis. Here we show that inhibition of endothelial-cell COX-2 by NSAIDs suppresses alpha V beta 3-dependent activation of the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, resulting in inhibition of endothelial-cell spreading and migration in vitro and suppression of fibroblast growth factor-2-induced angiogenesis in vivo. These results establish a novel functional link between COX-2, integrin alpha V beta 3 and Cdc42-/Rac-dependent endothelial-cell migration. Moreover, they provide a rationale to the understanding of the anti-angiogenic activity of NSAIDs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Dinoprostone / pharmacology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Nitrobenzenes / pharmacology
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • Receptors, Vitronectin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Vitronectin / metabolism*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Thromboxane A2 / pharmacology
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / drug effects
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / drug effects
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nitrobenzenes
  • Receptors, Vitronectin
  • Sulfonamides
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide
  • Thromboxane A2
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Dinoprostone