Regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human pancreatic carcinoma cells by the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) system

Cancer Lett. 2007 Dec 18;258(2):291-300. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2007.09.009. Epub 2007 Oct 22.

Abstract

Both the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are frequently overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. We hypothesized that IGF-IR is directly involved in induction of COX-2 and sought to investigate signaling pathways mediating this effect. Pancreatic cancer cells (L3.6pl) were stably transfected with a dominant-negative receptor (IGF-IR DN) construct or empty vector (pcDNA). Cells were stimulated with IGF-I to determine activated signaling intermediates and induction of COX-2. Signaling pathways mediating COX-2 induction were identified using signaling inhibitors. IGF-I up-regulated COX-2 selectively via the MAPK/(Erk-1/2) pathway. In addition, IGF-IR DN cells showed a marked decrease in constitutive COX-2 and a blunted response to IGF-I. Similarly, treatment with an anti-IGF-IR antibody effectively inhibited IGF-IR and MAPK/Erk activation and decreased COX-2 in parental cells. In conclusion, activation of IGF-IR mediates COX-2 expression in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / pharmacology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / genetics
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • IRS1 protein, human
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3