gw9662 and Adenocarcinoma

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) ligands that are widely used in type II diabetes treatment. In addition to their ability to improve glucose homeostasis, TZDs possess anti-inflammatory properties and inhibit growth of many cells, particularly cancerous airway epithelial cells. However, the functional effects of PPARgamma ligands on nonmalignant human bronchial epithelial cells have never been investigated. In the present study, we questioned whether PPARgamma ligands may regulate proliferation of human bronchial epithelial cells, and we studied their potential molecular mechanisms. We found that synthetic PPARgamma agonists, rosiglitazone (RGZ) and troglitazone (TGZ), induced proliferation of human bronchial epithelial cells, whereas the endogenous PPARgamma ligand, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), inhibited cell growth. RGZ and TGZ (10 microM) induced a rapid and transient intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores, whereas 15d-PGJ(2) (5 microM) did not induce any Ca(2+) signal. The PPARgamma antagonist GW-9662 did not inhibit any biological responses, but it reversed the effect of 15d-PGJ(2) on cell growth. Using RT-PCR, we detected mRNA expression of the GPR40 receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor recently identified as a receptor for free fatty acids and TZDs, in human bronchial epithelial cells. Downregulation of GPR40 by small-interfering RNA led to a significant inhibition of TZD-induced Ca(2+) mobilization and proliferation. This study provides evidence for the proliferative effect of anti-diabetic drug TZDs in nonmalignant human bronchial epithelial cells through GPR40 receptor activation, involving an intracellular Ca(2+) signaling pathway.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Anilides; Bronchi; Calcium Signaling; Cell Division; Cell Line, Transformed; Cell Line, Tumor; Chromans; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Lung Neoplasms; PPAR gamma; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Respiratory Mucosa; RNA, Small Interfering; Rosiglitazone; Thiazolidinediones; Troglitazone

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the Western Countries. When prostatectomy fails to eradicate the primary tumor, PCa is generally refractory to all therapeutic approaches. Valproic acid (VPA) is a promising anticancer agent recently assigned to the class of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. However molecular mechanisms underlying VPA action in PCa cells are largely unknown and further experimental validation to prove its potential application in clinic practice is needed.. In our study we show that VPA is a potent inducer of neuro-endocrine transdifferentiation (NET) in androgen receptor null PCa cells, both in vitro and in vivo. NET was an early event detectable through the expression of neuro-endocrine (NE) markers within 72 hr after VPA treatment and it was associated to a reduction in the overall cell proliferation. When we interrupted VPA treatment we observed the recovery in residual cells of the basal proliferation rate both in vitro and in a xenograft model. The NET process was related to Bcl-2 over-expression in non-NE PCa cells and to the activation of PPARgamma in NE cells. The use of specific PPARgamma antagonist was able to reduce significantly the expression of NE markers induced by VPA.. Our data indicate that the use of VPA as monotherapy in PCa has to be considered with extreme caution, since it may induce an unfavorable NET. In order to counteract the VPA-induced NET, the inhibition of PPARgamma may represent a suitable adjuvant treatment strategy and awaits further experimental validation.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Anilides; Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Transdifferentiation; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Drug Combinations; Enzyme Inhibitors; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neurosecretory Systems; PPAR gamma; Prostatic Neoplasms; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Valproic Acid; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays