prostaglandin-d2 and Astrocytoma

Reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of lipocalin-like prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) synthase (PGDS), the main arachidonic acid metabolite produced in neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system, is a significant biological event involved in the malignant progression of astrocytomas and is predictive of poor survival. In vitro, the addition of the main PGDS metabolite, PGD(2), to A172 glioblastoma cells devoid of PGDS resulted in antiproliferative activity and cell death. In vitro PGD(2) substitution also enhanced the efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors. This finding has exciting implications for early interventional efforts for the grade 2 and 3 astrocytomas.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; DNA Methylation; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; Introns; Lipocalins; Multivariate Analysis; Proportional Hazards Models; Prostaglandin D2; Protein Transport; Survival Analysis

Prostaglandins (PGs) and cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been implicated in the etiopathology of various inflammatory and degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we detected the presence of IL-6 in cortices of AD patients. On the other hand, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), potent inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of AD. Until now, it remained unclear whether and how these two observations were functionally connected. Here, we show that PGs are able to induce IL-6 synthesis in a human astrocytoma cell line. PGE1 and PGE2, but not PGD2 and PGF2 alpha, led to a rapid and transient induction of astrocytic IL-6 mRNA, followed by IL-6 protein synthesis. Furthermore, PGE2 potentiated IL-1 beta-induced IL-6 mRNA synthesis. These results suggest a possible link between the release of PGs from activated microglia and the astrocytic synthesis of IL-6, which itself may affect neuronal cells, as hypothesized for Alzheimer's disease. Finally we demonstrate that microglia are a strong source of PGE2 synthesis indicating that these cells may act as the origin of the pathogenic cascade.

Topics: Alprostadil; Alzheimer Disease; Arachidonic Acid; Astrocytoma; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Humans; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-6; Microglia; Models, Immunological; Models, Neurological; Prostaglandin D2; Prostaglandins; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Prostaglandins (PGs) and cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been implicated in the etiopathology of various inflammatory and degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and prion diseases. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), potent inhibitors of PG synthesis, appear to be beneficial in the treatment of AD. To assess whether PGs are able to induce IL-6 synthesis in cells of the CNS, IL-6 mRNA and protein syntheses were measured in a human astrocytoma cell line after stimulation with different PGs. PGE1 and PGE2, but not PGD2 and PGF2 alpha, led to a rapid and transient induction of IL-6 mRNA, followed by IL-6 protein synthesis. Furthermore, PGE2 potentiated IL-1 beta-induced IL-6 mRNA synthesis. These results are discussed with respect to the participation of PGs in neurodegenerative diseases (and its inhibition by NSAIDs) by affecting cytokine expression.

Topics: Alprostadil; Astrocytoma; Brain; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-6; Kinetics; Oxytocics; Prostaglandin D2; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vasodilator Agents

PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2 (1 microM to 30 microM) inhibited the growth of human astrocytoma cells (1321N1) in a time-dependent manner within 48 hrs, determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation into acid-insoluble fraction or amounts of protein. The EC50 values for PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2 were approximately 8 microM and 6 microM, respectively. [3H]Thymidine incorporation to acid insoluble fraction was inhibited by these PGs within 1 hr, indicating that these PGs rapidly affect cell functions. Although it has been reported that an increase in cyclic AMP inhibits cell growth, PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2, but not PGE1, reduced isoproterenol (10 microM)-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP, suggesting that PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2 may disturb adenylate cyclase system, which might be independent on cell growth. On the other hand, these PGs inhibited the incorporation of [3H]inositol into phospholipid fraction within 6 hrs. Furthermore, PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2 inhibited carbachol- and/or histamine-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates with a similar dose-dependency to their inhibitions of cell growth. In membrane preparations, however, PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2 failed to inhibit GTP gamma S (10 microM)- nor Ca2+ (1 mM)-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates. The site of PGJ2 or delta 12PGJ2 in inhibition of inositol phosphate accumulation would not be phospholipase C nor a putative GTP binding protein involved in activation of phospholipase C. The present results indicate that PGJ2 and delta 12PGJ2 inhibit cell growth in human astrocytoma cells and the inhibition of phosphoinositide turnover by these PGs might be involved in the inhibition of cell growth.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Carbachol; Cell Division; Cyclic AMP; DNA; GTP-Binding Proteins; Histamine; Humans; Inositol; Isoproterenol; Kinetics; Phosphatidylinositols; Prostaglandin D2; Tumor Cells, Cultured