Effects of celecoxib on proliferation,apoptosis and Nucleostemin expression in human breast cancer cell line SKBR3

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of celecoxib on proliferation,apoptosis and Nucleostemin (NS) expression in human breast cancer cell line SKBR3.Methods SKBR3 cells were cultured in vitro. By using assays of methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT),morphology,Western blotting,Caspase-3 activity and flow cytometry,the effects of celecoxib on proliferation and apoptosis of SKBR3 cells,and the location and expression of NS were detected.Results The growth of SKBR3 cells was inhibited by celecoxib in a concentration-depeodent manner.Celecoxib ( 15,30,60,and 120 μmol/L) could upregulate the expression of NS protein (0.460 ± 0.094,0.695 ± 0.124,0.820 ± 0.161,1.058 ±0.196) and p53 protein (0.898 ±0.166,1.231 ±0.254,1.518 ±0.309,1.828 ±0.362),and simultaneously downregulate the expression of COX-2 protein (0.252 ±0.053,0.184 ± 0.032,0.131 ±0.028,0.099±0.019) and Cyclin D1 protein (0.829±0.178,0.661 ±10.112,0.524±0.108,0.378 ±0.075),respectively.Morphological observation revealed that celecoxib-treated cells showed several typical apoptotic features.Meanwhile the typical apoptosis peak was detected by flow cytometry.The changes in apoptosis rate and cell cycle were concentration-dependent and the cell percentage in G0/G1 phase was increased.Conclusion Celecoxib can concentration-dependently inhibit proliferation of SKBR3 cells and induce their aoootosis probably by up-regulating the expression of NS. Key words: Breast carcinoma; Celecoxib; Proliferation; Apoptosis