RESUMEN
Objective: To investigate the changes of radiosensitivity and the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in the surviving progeny from the irradiated human glioma SHG-44 cells and to provide a theoretical basis for application of COX-2 inhibitors in clinic. Methods: Radiosensitivity of mother SHG-44 cells and that of surviving progeny from the irradiated human glioma SHG-44 cells were studied by measuring the colony-forming rate. The mRNA transcription and protein expression of COX-2 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Results: The radiosensitivity was decreased and the mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 increased in the surviving progeny of the irradiated SHG-44 cells compared with mother SHG-44 cells. The expression levels of COX-2 were negatively correlated with the radiosensitivity in the irradiated SHG-44 cells. Conclusion: Radiation induced upregulation of COX-2 expression and downregulation of the radiosensitivity in the the surviving progeny from the irradiated human glioma SHG-44 cells. The elevated expression of COX-2 may be one of the reasons for the radioresistance of irradiated SHG-44 cells.