Regulatory effect of cyclooxygenase-2 on the apoptosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and its possible mechanism / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Some experimental results indicated that cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) was involved in the regulatory process of balance between cell apoptosis and multiplication. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of COX 2 on the course of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis and its possible signal pathway. Methods Apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells (PC 3, highly expressed COX 2) induced by selective COX 2 inhibitor, Celebrex (IC 50 , 100 ?mol), was detected by using DNA gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and electron microscopy. Expressions of apoptotic related genes mRNA, including bcl xl, bax, Survivin, were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results Substantial apoptosis was induced by the treating PC 3 cells with Celebrex, as revealed by typical ladder pattern of DNA fragments under DNA electrophoresis, increment of apoptotic apportion, and apoptotic body under electron microscopy. Apoptotic inhibitory genes, bcl xl, bax, Survivin, were expressed in PC 3 cells, and were down regulated significantly by Celebrex in bcl xl and Survivin but not for bax. Conclusion Above findings suggest that the COX 2 pathway contributes to the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell, which may be via signal transduction of bcl xl and Survivin genes.