Pharmacological Inhibition Of Cyclooxygenase-2 Research Articles

Suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 predisposes to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 results in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction across zebrafish, mice, and humans.

Effect of radiation fractionation on IDO1 via the NF-κB/COX2 axis in non-small cell lung cancer

Radiotherapy (RT) is the mainstay treatment modality for lung cancer. We recently reported that conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CRT) with daily fractionation of 2Gy significantly increased the activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), a known immune checkpoint, which predicted poorer long-term survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using fractionation size of 10Gy did not increase IDO1 activity and had better survival. Here we hypothesized that the hypofractionated SBRT kind of dose fraction stimulates host antitumor immunity via downregulating IDO1 in which CRT could not. We tested this hypothesis in vitro and in vivo using 10Gyx1 and 2Gyx8 fractionations in the laboratory. The results demonstrated that, although there was an initial downregulation after RT, the expression of IDO1 was ultimately upregulated by both fractionation regimens. The 10Gyx1 regimen had minimum upregulation, while the 2Gyx8 regimen significantly increased in IDO1 expression which was positively correlated with the elevated expressions of p-NF-κB and COX2. Pharmacological inhibition of COX2 abolished RT-induced IDO1 expression. Furthermore, the IDO1 inhibitor, D-1-methyl-tryptophan (D-1MT), exerted RT-related tumor-killing effects in the NSCLC cell lines and mouse models. These findings suggest that, in addition to being an immune suppressor, IDO1 may serve as an adaptive resistance factor in RT. Furthermore, an unappreciated mechanism may exist, where a larger fraction size might be superior to conventional sizes in cancer treatment. This study may provide a rationale for future research in using IDO1 as a biomarker to personalize RT dose fractionation and COX2 inhibitor to decrease radiation immune suppression from CRT.

Systemic Nos2 Depletion and Cox inhibition limits TNBC disease progression and alters lymphoid cell spatial orientation and density

Antitumor immune polarization is a key predictor of clinical outcomes to cancer therapy. An emerging concept influencing clinical outcome involves the spatial location of CD8+ T cells, within the tumor. Our earlier work demonstrated immunosuppressive effects of NOS2 and COX2 tumor expression. Here, we show that NOS2/COX2 levels influence both the polarization and spatial location of lymphoid cells including CD8+ T cells. Importantly, elevated tumor NOS2/COX2 correlated with exclusion of CD8+ T cells from the tumor epithelium. In contrast, tumors expressing low NOS2/COX2 had increased CD8+ T cell penetration into the tumor epithelium. Consistent with a causative relationship between these observations, pharmacological inhibition of COX2 with indomethacin dramatically reduced tumor growth of the 4T1 model of TNBC in both WT and Nos2- mice. This regimen led to complete tumor regression in ∼20–25% of tumor-bearing Nos2- mice, and these animals were resistant to tumor rechallenge. Th1 cytokines were elevated in the blood of treated mice and intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were higher in mice that received indomethacin when compared to control untreated mice. Multiplex immunofluorescence imaging confirmed our phenotyping results and demonstrated that targeted Nos2/Cox2 blockade improved CD8+ T cell penetration into the 4T1 tumor core. These findings are consistent with our observations in low NOS2/COX2 expressing breast tumors proving that COX2 activity is responsible for limiting the spatial distribution of effector T cells in TNBC. Together these results suggest that clinically available NSAID’s may provide a cost-effective, novel immunotherapeutic approach for treatment of aggressive tumors including triple negative breast cancer.

COX-2 upregulation by tumour cells post-chemotherapy fuels the immune evasive dark side of cancer inflammation.

Cytotoxic therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are mainstays of cancer treatment for both early and unresectable, advanced disease. In addition to debulking the tumour mass through direct killing of proliferating tumour cells, these treatments can promote tumour control via immune-stimulating effects. Nonetheless, chemoresistance and tumour relapse remain huge clinical problems, suggesting that induction of anti-cancer immunity post-cytotoxic therapy is often weak, not durable and/or overcome by immune evasive mechanisms. In our recent study (Nat Commun 13:2063), we demonstrate that cancer cell-intrinsic activation of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pathway post-chemotherapy treatment is a prevalent phenomenon which profoundly alters the inflammatory properties of the treated cancer cells. Of particular translational relevance, our findings support a model whereby upregulation of COX-2 expression and activity post-chemotherapy impairs the efficacy of the combination of PD-1 blockade and chemotherapy. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 with celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug already used clinically, unleashed tumour control in preclinical models when given alongside chemoimmunotherapy combinations.

Celecoxib-mediated attenuation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is potentially relevant to redistributing the expression of adiponectin receptors in rats

Pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity ameliorated the severity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats. It is not completely understood that the role of COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on adiponectin receptors (Adipo-R1/R2) expression in different tissues in NASH rats. Sprague-Dawley male NASH rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) were administrated with or without celecoxib for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters of liver function, glucose, and lipid metabolism, and the levels of adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the serum or liver were collected according to the standard protocols. The mRNA and protein levels of Adipo-R1, Adipo-R2, and COX-2 in the liver, muscle, and visceral fat were performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. The results showed that celecoxib ameliorated the various clinical indicators and pathological characteristics in the NASH rats, including body weight, liver function, liver index, and redox activities in serum and hepatic samples. The serum concentrations of adiponectin and TNF-α and PGE2 were negatively correlated. As expected, these ameliorative effects of celecoxib were associated with the gene and protein levels up-regulation of Adipo-R1, Adipo-R2 in the liver and visceral fat tissues, and seeming to be compensatory down-regulation expression in muscle tissues (P <0.05). Additionally, COX-2 protein expression was negatively correlated with serum adiponectin levels, protein expression of adiponectin receptors from the liver and visceral fat, conversely, positively correlated with those from the muscle. Our current study demonstrate that celecoxib might effectively alleviate NASH rats in a unique manner closely relevant to redistributing the expression of adiponectin receptors in the liver, visceral fat, and muscle. However, the precise molecular mechanism needs further study.

Abstract 3139: Disrupting prostaglandin E2 signaling to reverse treatment resistance in cancer

Abstract Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA) accounts for 3% of all cancers in the USA and 7% of all cancer deaths partly because of its resistance to immunotherapy. PDA manifests itself as a desmoplastic, myeloid cell-rich tumor with a notable paucity of T cells. Pathway analysis of the T cell low, immunotherapy resistant mouse PDA cell lines has identified the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthetic pathway as one of the most upregulated ones. We have previously shown that the deletion or pharmacological inhibition of COX-2, the rate-limiting PGE2 synthesis enzyme, slows the tumor growth and synergizes with immunotherapy to further suppress PDA progression. The current study investigates how the disruption of PGE2 signaling through its receptors, EP4 and EP2, can affect PDA. We use EP receptor genetic and pharmacological inhibition models - we disrupt EP signaling on tumor cells only or systemically, test the effects in T cell low, intermediate, and high PDA tumors, alone or in combination with chemo and immunotherapy. EP4 receptor blocker combined with the agonistic CD40 and anti-PD-1 antibodies significantly increased tumor-free survival of the T cell intermediate PDA implanted tumor-bearing (TB) mice (57% tumor-free in treated vs 0% in the control group). The same combination therapy tended to increase the survival in autochthonous tumor-bearing KrasG12D and p53R172H transgenic mice (p=0.08). CRISPR knockout (KO) of the EP4 in the T cell low cell line abolished the growth of subcutaneous (SQ) tumors and significantly slowed the progression of orthotopically implanted tumors (p=0.009 EP4 KO vs control). Treatment of the SQ T cell low TB mice with EP2/EP4 blockers in combination with either anti-PD-1 or chemotherapy slowed the tumor growth compared to the controls (p=0.002 and p=0.004, respectively) and increased the survival (p=0.007 and p=0.002, respectively). A week of combination treatment resulted in changes in the myeloid cell compartment of the TME - an increase in the proportion of M1 macrophages and type 1 conventional dendritic cells with no significant changes in the T cell compartment. The study demonstrates an alternative approach to targeting the PGE2 pathway in tumors and aims to develop a multiprong treatment regimen to reverse the therapy resistance in PDA. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} &amp;lt;![endif]–&amp;gt; Citation Format: Nune Markosyan, Liz Quinones, Charu Aurora, Nikhil Joshi, Ilkyu Kim, Ben Z. Stanger, Robert H. Vonderheide. Disrupting prostaglandin E2 signaling to reverse treatment resistance in cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3139.

Silencing COX-2 blocks PDK1/TRAF4-induced AKT activation to inhibit fibrogenesis during skeletal muscle atrophy

Skeletal muscle atrophy with high prevalence can induce weakness and fatigability and place huge burden on both health and quality of life. During skeletal muscle degeneration, excessive fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulated to replace and impair the resident muscle fiber and led to loss of muscle mass. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the rate-limiting enzyme in synthesis of prostaglandin, has been identified as a positive regulator in pathophysiological process like inflammation and oxidative stress. In our study, we found injured muscles of human subjects and mouse model overexpressed COX-2 compared to the non-damaged region and COX-2 was also upregulated in fibroblasts following TGF-β stimulation. Then we detected the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on fibrogenesis. Celecoxib mediated anti-fibrotic effect by inhibiting fibroblast differentiation, proliferation and migration as well as inactivating TGF-β-dependent signaling pathway, non-canonical TGF-β pathways and suppressing generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. In vivo pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib decreased tissue fibrosis and increased skeletal muscle fiber preservation reflected by less ECM formation and myofibroblast accumulation with decreased p-ERK1/2, p-Smad2/3, TGF-βR1, VEGF, NOX2 and NOX4 expression. Expression profiling further found that celecoxib could suppress PDK1 expression. The interaction between COX-2 and PDK1/AKT signaling remained unclear, here we found that COX-2 could bind to PDK1/AKT to form compound. Knockdown of COX-2 in fibroblasts by pharmacological inactivation or by siRNA restrained PDK1 expression and AKT phosphorylation induced by TGF-β treatment. Besides, si-COX-2 prevented TGF-β-induced K63-ubiquitination of AKT by blocking the interaction between AKT and E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF4. In summary, we found blocking COX-2 inhibited fibrogenesis after muscle atrophy induced by injury and suppressed AKT signaling pathway by inhibiting upstream PDK1 expression and preventing the recruitment of TRAF4 to AKT, indicating that COX-2/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway promised to be target for treating muscle atrophy in the future.

Genetic Deletion or Pharmacological Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Damage in Experimental Ischemic Stroke.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 are two crucial mediators contributing to blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage during cerebral ischemia. However, it is not known whether MMP-9 activation is involved in COX-2-mediated BBB disruption in ischemic stroke. In this study, we hypothesized that genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 reduces BBB damage by reducing MMP-9 activity in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Male COX-2 knockout (COX-2−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Genetic deletion of COX-2 or post-ischemic treatment with CAY10404, a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, significantly reduced BBB damage and hemorrhagic transformation, as assessed by immunoglobulin G (IgG) extravasation and brain hemoglobin (Hb) levels, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis showed that tight junction proteins (TJPs) zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin as well as junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) and the basal lamina protein collagen IV were dramatically reduced in the ischemic brain. Stroke-induced loss of these BBB structural proteins was significantly attenuated in COX-2−/− mice. Similarly, stroke-induced loss of ZO-1 and occludin was significantly attenuated by CAY10404 treatment. Ischemia-induced increase in MMP-9 protein levels in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex was significantly reduced in COX-2−/− mice. Stroke induced a dramatic increase in MMP-9 enzymatic activity in the ischemic cortex, which was markedly reduced by COX-2 gene deficiency or pharmacological inhibition with CAY10404. Levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO, an indicator of neutrophil infiltration into the brain parenchyma), neutrophil elastase (NE), and lipocalin-2 (LCN2, also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin), measured by western blot and specific ELISA kits, respectively, were markedly increased in the ischemic brain. Increased levels of markers for neutrophil infiltration were significantly reduced in COX-2−/− mice compared with WT controls following stroke. Altogether, neurovascular protective effects of COX-2 blockade are associated with reduced BBB damage, MMP-9 expression/activity and neutrophil infiltration. Our study shows for the first time that MMP-9 is an important downstream effector contributing to COX-2-mediated neurovascular damage in ischemic stroke. Targeting the COX-2/MMP-9 pathway could represent a promising strategy to reduce neuroinflammatory events in order to preserve the BBB integrity and ameliorate ischemic stroke injury.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition prevents stress induced amygdala activation and anxiety-like behavior

Stress is a major risk factor for the development and exacerbation of mood and anxiety disorders, and recent studies have suggested inflammatory contributions to the pathogenesis of depression. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has shown promise in the treatment of affective disorders in small scale clinical studies; however, the mechanisms by which COX-2 inhibition affects behavioral domains relevant to affective disorders are not well understood. Here, we examined the effects of pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 with the highly selective inhibitor Lumiracoxib (LMX) on anxiety-like behavior and in vivo basolateral amygdala (BLA) neural activity in response to acute restraint stress exposure. In male mice, pretreatment with LMX prevented the increase in BLA calcium transients induced by restraint stress and prevented anxiogenic behavior seen after restraint stress exposure. Specifically, acute injection of LMX 5 mg kg−1 reduced anxiety-like behavior in the light–dark box (LD) and elevated-zero maze (EZM). In addition, in vivo fiber photometry studies showed that acute stress increased calcium transients and the predicted action potential frequency of BLA neurons, which was also normalized by acute LMX pretreatment. These findings indicate pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 can prevent acute stress-induced increase in BLA cellular activity and anxiety-like behavior and provides insights into the neural mechanisms by which COX-2 inhibition could affect anxiety domain symptoms in patients with affective disorders.

COX-2-PGE2 signaling pathway contributes to hippocampal neuronal injury and cognitive impairment in PTZ-kindled epilepsy mice

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases. It adversely affects cognitive function. Neuroinflammation has been widely recognized as an important factor involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a type of oxidoreductase enzyme that acts in the metabolic pathway converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which mediate inflammatory reactions. The activation of inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is considered to be a precipitating factor of neuroinflammation in the brain. Neuroinflammatory processes in the brain are known to contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal injury, which may consequently cause cognitive decline. Here in this study, we showed that pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled mice exhibited an increased level of COX-2 and its main product prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) along with neuroinflammation and neuronal injury in the hippocampus. Pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib, however, significantly reduced hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuronal injury. Furthermore, inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib attenuated cognitive impairment in the PTZ-kindled mice, suggesting that COX-2-PGE2 signaling pathway mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal injury contributes to cognitive dysfunction in the PTZ-kindled epilepsy mice. Targeting COX-2-PGE2 signaling pathway in the epileptic brain appears to be a viable strategy for attenuating neuronal injury and preventing cognitive deficits in epilepsy patients.

Effects of Genetic and Pharmacologic Inhibition of COX-2 on Colitis-associated Carcinogenesis in Mice.

COX-2 has been inappropriately overexpressed in various human malignancies, and is considered as one of the representative targets for the chemoprevention of inflammation-associated cancer. In order to assess the role of COX-2 in colitis-induced carcinogenesis, the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib and COX-2 null mice were exploited in an azoxymethane (AOM)-initiated and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-promoted murine colon carcinogenesis model. The administration of 2% DSS in drinking water for 1 week after a single intraperitoneal injection of AOM produced colorectal adenomas in 83% of mice, whereas only 27% of mice given AOM alone developed tumors. Oral administration of celecoxib significantly lowered the incidence as well as the multiplicity of colon tumors. The expression of COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was upregulated in the colon tissues of mice treated with AOM and DSS, and this was inhibited by celecoxib administration. Likewise, celecoxib treatment abrogated the DNA binding of NF-κB, a key transcription factor responsible for regulating expression of aforementioned pro-inflammatory enzymes, which was associated with suppression of IκBα degradation. In the COX-2 null (COX-2–/–) mice, there was about 30% reduction in the incidence of colon tumors, and the tumor multiplicity was also markedly reduced (7.7 ± 2.5 vs. 2.43 ± 1.4, P < 0.01). As both pharmacologic inhibition and genetic ablation of COX-2 gene could not completely suppress colon tumor formation following treatment with AOM and DSS, it is speculated that other pro-inflammatory mediators, including COX-1 and iNOS, should be additionally targeted to prevent inflammation-associated colon carcinogenesis.

Prostaglandin D2 stimulates phenotypic changes in vascular smooth muscle cells

Since chronic inflammation is associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, inflammatory cytokines might contribute to the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) facilitated the transformation of contractile VSMCs to the synthetic phenotype, as determined by the expression of marker proteins and a collagen gel contraction assay. Western blot analysis and a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) promoter assay revealed that TNFα stimulation resulted in the induction of COX2. The overexpression, silencing, or pharmacological inhibition of COX2 significantly affected TNFα-induced phenotypic conversion, and of the tested prostaglandins, only PGD2 significantly induced phenotypic conversion. ERK was significantly activated by PGD2 stimulation, and the pharmacological inhibition of ERK blocked the PGD2-induced phenotypic conversion of VSMCs. However, antagonists or agonists of PGD2 receptors did not affect VSMC conversion. In contrast, spontaneously dehydrated forms of PGD2, such as PGJ2, Δ12-PGJ2, and 15-d-PGJ2, strongly induced phenotypic conversion. A reporter gene assay showed that TNFα, PGD2, and 15-d-PGJ2 significantly activated the peroxisome proliferator-responsive element (PPRE) promoter. In addition, the overexpression or silencing of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) significantly influenced 15-d-PGJ2-induced phenotypic conversion. Finally, atherosclerotic neointima formation was significantly suppressed in mice lacking TNFα. In addition, mice fed celecoxib exhibited complete inhibition of carotid artery ligation-induced neointima formation. This study shows that PGD2 regulates the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs by generating an endogenous ligand of PPAR, and that this leads to neointima formation in occlusive arterial disease.

Eicosanoid pathway on host resistance and inflammation during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is comprised by LTB4 reduction but not PGE2 increment

The functions of eicosanoids, a family of potent biologically active lipid mediators, are not restricted to inflammatory responses and they also act as mediators of the pathogenesis process. However, the role of eicosanoids in tuberculosis remains controversial. To investigate the specific role of LTB4 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, we used 5-lipoxygenase-deficient (5-LO−/−) mice and WT (sv129) mice inoculated intranasally with LTB4 (encapsulated in PLGA microspheres). We showed that deficiency of the 5-LO pathway was related to resistance to Mtb infection. LTB4 inoculation increased susceptibility to Mtb in 5-LO−/− mice but not in WT mice, resulting in worsening of lung inflammation and tissue damage. In infected WT mice, most supplementary LTB4 was metabolized to the inactive form 12-oxo-LTB4 in the lung. A high amount of PGE2 was detected during Mtb infection, and pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 induced a significant reduction of bacterial load and an improved innate immune response in the lungs, independently of baseline LTB4 levels. COX-2 inhibition with celecoxib significantly reduced PGE2 levels, enhanced IFN-γ production and NO release, and increased macrophage phagocytosis of Mtb. The results suggest that a balance between PGE2/LTB4 is essential in the pathogenesis process of tuberculosis to prevent severe inflammation. Moreover, optimal levels of PGE2 are required to induce an effective innate response in the early phase of Mtb infection. Thus, pharmacological modulation of eicosanoid production may provide an important host-directed therapy in tuberculosis.

Breaking barriers for T cells by targeting the EPHA2/TGF-β/COX-2 axis in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death and is largely resistant to immunotherapies. The tumor microenvironment, largely composed of heterogeneous myeloid cells, creates a physical, metabolic, and immunosuppressive barrier that prevents T cells from infiltrating cancer beds. In this issue of the JCI, Markosyan and colleagues have reported a tumor-intrinsic mechanism that excludes T cells from the vicinity of tumor cells. They showed that a receptor tyrosine kinase, ephrin-A receptor 2 (EPHA2), regulates prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) (encodes COX-2) expression in a TGF-β signaling-dependent manner. Genetic ablation of Epha2 or Ptgs2 in preclinical models or pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 elicited the transformation of this immunosuppressive microenvironment into a T cell-permissive milieu. Consequent T cell relocation rendered this immunoresistant malignancy responsive to combinations of checkpoint blockers and CD40 agonists. Because the association between T cell infiltration and the EPHA2/TGF-β/COX-2 axis is supported by independent clinical data, these results provide a rationale for ensuing clinical trials aimed at incorporating pancreatic cancer into the range of immunotherapy-responsive tumors.

Mannan-binding lectin suppresses growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating hepatic stellate cell activation via the ERK/COX-2/PGE2 pathway

ABSTRACTMannan binding lectin (MBL), initially known to activate the complement lectin pathway and defend against infection, was recently shown to be potentially involved in the development of several types of cancer; however, its exact role in cancers, especially its effect on tumor microenvironment remain largely unknown. Here, using a murine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model, we showed that MBL was a component of liver microenvironment and MBL-deficient (MBL–/–) mice exhibited an enhanced tumor growth compared with wild-type (WT) mice. This phenomenon was associated with elevation of myeloid derived suppressed cells (MDSCs) in tumor tissue of MBL–/– mice. MBL deficiency also resulted in an increase of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which showed enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 in vivo partially abrogated the MBL deficiency-promoted tumor growth and MDSC accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that MBL could interact directly with HSCs and inhibit HCC-induced HSCs activation via downregulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, MBL-mediated suppression of HCC is validated by administration of MBL-expressing, liver-specific adeno-associated virus (AAV), which significantly inhibited HCC progression in MBL–/– mice. Taken together, these data reveal that MBL may impact on tumor development by shaping the tumor microenvironment via its interaction with the local stromal cells, and also suggests its potential therapeutic use for the treatment of HCC.

Adipocyte mTORC1 Suppresses Treg Cell Development and Browning of White Adipose Tissue through CRTC2/COX-2/PGs Pathway

Adipose tissue (AT) contains abundant CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells; however, the physiological signals that control AT Treg cell and the role of AT Treg cell in thermogenesis have not been defined. Here we show that obesity activated mTORC1 signaling while decreased frequency of Treg cells in white adipose tissue (WAT), and adipose-specific inhibition of mTORC1 by raptor deficiency promoted development of Treg cells and beige adipocytes and protected mice against diet-induced reduction of Treg cells and beige adipocytes in WAT and diet-induced obesity. Mechanistically, mTORC1 signaling phosphorylated CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) and subsequently suppressed expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and secretion of prostaglandins (PGs) including PGI2, PGD2 and PGE2 in vivo and in adipocytes. Treatment of PGE2 but not PGI2 and PGD2 promoted differentiation and activation of Treg cells in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 or blocking Treg cell by neutralization of CD25 attenuated mTORC1 inhibition-induced browning of white fat. Further, deficiency of Treg cell suppressed the inducing effect of PGE2 administration on thermogenic gene expression and oxygen consumption in inguinal and epididymal WAT. Taken together, these results uncover that adipocyte mTORC1 is a key regulator of Treg cell and beige adipocyte development in adipose tissue via CRTC2/COX-2/PGs pathway-dependent mechanisms. Disclosure X. Zhang: None. Y. Luo: None. X. Ding: None. C. Wang: None. X. Yang: None. M. Liu: None.

Detection of Cyclooxygenase-2-Derived Oxygenation Products of the Endogenous Cannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in Mouse Brain.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins, which are involved in immune regulation, vascular function, and synaptic signaling. COX-2 also inactivates the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) via oxygenation of its arachidonic acid backbone to form a variety of prostaglandin glyceryl esters (PG-Gs). Although this oxygenation reaction is readily observed in vitro and in intact cells, detection of COX-2-derived 2-AG oxygenation products has not been previously reported in neuronal tissue. Here we show that 2-AG is metabolized in the brain of transgenic COX-2-overexpressing mice and mice treated with lipopolysaccharide to form multiple species of PG-Gs that are detectable only when monoacylglycerol lipase is concomitantly blocked. Formation of these PG-Gs is prevented by acute pharmacological inhibition of COX-2. These data provide evidence that neuronal COX-2 is capable of oxygenating 2-AG to form a variety PG-Gs in vivo and support further investigation of the physiological functions of PG-Gs.

Defective p27 phosphorylation at serine 10 affects vascular reactivity and increases abdominal aortic aneurysm development via Cox-2 activation

Phosphorylation at serine 10 (S10) is the major posttranslational modification of the tumor suppressor p27, and is reduced in both human and mouse atherosclerosis. Moreover, a lack of p27-phospho-S10 in apolipoprotein E-null mice (apoE−/−) leads to increased high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis associated with endothelial dysfunction and augmented leukocyte recruitment. In this study, we analyzed whether p27-phospho-S10 modulates additional endothelial functions and associated pathologies. Defective p27-phospho-S10 increases COX-2 activity in mouse aortic endothelial cells without affecting other key regulators of vascular reactivity, reduces endothelium-dependent dilation, and increases arterial contractility. Lack of p27-phospho-S10 also elevates aortic COX-2 expression and thromboxane A2 production, increases aortic lumen diameter, and aggravates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm development in apoE−/− mice. All these abnormal responses linked to defective p27-phospho-S10 are blunted by pharmacological inhibition of COX-2. These results demonstrate that defective p27-phospho-S10 modifies endothelial behavior and promotes aneurysm formation via COX-2 activation.

Abstract 5737: YAP1 and COX2 converge to regulate SOX2 and urothelial cancer stem cells

Abstract Since cancer stem cell (CSC) are resistant to conventional chemotherapies that efficiently eliminate bulk tumor cells, the elimination is indispensable in treating malignant diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the urothelial CSC traits remain elusive. The tumor microenvironment reinforces a chronic inflammatory state to support tumor progression by triggering CSCs. In addition, chemotherapy-induced apoptotic cells release COX2-derived PGE2, which in turn promotes CSC expansion. Environmental risk factors, such as arsenic (As), cause chronic inflammation and have been linked to urothelial carcinoma incidence. We previously developed an in vitro stepwise model for urothelial malignant transformation by As exposure in normal urothelial cells line (HUC1), which may reveal the intimate connections between carcinogenesis, chronic inflammation, and CSCs and provide clues to develop novel therapeutic strategies. As-exposed cells displayed more aggressive phenotype than As-unexposed cells in a time dependent manner. In gene set enrichment analysis of expression array of chronic As-exposed and unexposed cells; EGFR, COX2 and YAP1 were top-ranked oncogenic signature in As-exposed cells. Moreover, As exposure induced malignant stemness properties. In stem cell-specific RT-PCR array, SOX2 has been gradually overexpressed in line with acquired spheroid formation and self-renewal capacities. SOX2 is frequently overexpressed in numerous Urothelial carcinoma (UC) cell lines as well as in As-exposed cells, especially in the spheroid cells. Stable knockdown of SOX2 reduces in vitro CSCs properties and also in vivo tumorigenicity. COX2/PGE2 and YAP1 signaling pathways are required to accelerate SOX2 activity. Mechanistically, COX2/PGE2 signaling induces promoter methylation of let-7 host gene via inducing DNA methyltransferases, resulting in downregulated let-7 expression and subsequent SOX2 expression. On the other hand, YAP1 induces COX2/PGE2 signaling-independent SOX2 expression, and these signaling mutually compensate via negative feedback mechanism of SOX2, indicating that dual blockade of these signaling is indispensable to eradicate urothelial CSCs. The pharmacological inhibition of COX2 and YAP1 elicited long-lasting therapeutic response by subverting CSCs expansion following chemotherapy in both UC cells-derived and patient-derived xenograft models. In basal type UC, EGFR-targeted therapy was effective in line with previous reports, but the acquired resistance is inevitable. We reveal that COX2 and YAP1 signaling determine acquired resistance to treatment with the EGFR inhibitor via SOX2. Thus, our findings indicate that the combined inhibition of YAP1 and COX2/PGE2 signaling could be an effective therapeutic strategy to slow CSC expansion and UC progression. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Akira Oki, Noah Hahn, Mohammad Hoque. YAP1 and COX2 converge to regulate SOX2 and urothelial cancer stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5737. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5737

Activation of COX-2/PGE2 Promotes Sapovirus Replication via the Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Production.

ABSTRACTEnteric caliciviruses in the genera Norovirus and Sapovirus are important pathogens that cause severe acute gastroenteritis in both humans and animals. Cyclooxygenases (COXs) and their final product, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), are known to play important roles in the modulation of both the host response to infection and the replicative cycles of several viruses. However, the precise mechanism(s) by which the COX/PGE2 pathway regulates sapovirus replication remains largely unknown. In this study, infection with porcine sapovirus (PSaV) strain Cowden, the only cultivable virus within the genus Sapovirus, markedly increased COX-2 mRNA and protein levels at 24 and 36 h postinfection (hpi), with only a transient increase in COX-1 levels seen at 24 hpi. The treatment of cells with pharmacological inhibitors, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against COX-1 and COX-2, significantly reduced PGE2 production, as well as PSaV replication. Expression of the viral proteins VPg and ProPol was associated with activation of the COX/PGE2 pathway. We observed that pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 dramatically increased NO production, causing a reduction in PSaV replication that could be restored by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase via the inhibitor N-nitro-l-methyl-arginine ester. This study identified a pivotal role for the COX/PGE2 pathway in the regulation of NO production during the sapovirus life cycle, providing new insights into the life cycle of this poorly characterized family of viruses. Our findings also reveal potential new targets for treatment of sapovirus infection.IMPORTANCE Sapoviruses are among the major etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in both humans and animals, but little is known about sapovirus host factor requirements. Here, using only cultivable porcine sapovirus (PSaV) strain Cowden, we demonstrate that PSaV induced the vitalization of the cyclooxygenase (COX) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pathway. Targeting of COX-1/2 using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the COX-1/2 inhibitor indomethacin and the COX-2-specific inhibitors NS-398 and celecoxib or siRNAs targeting COXs, inhibited PSaV replication. Expression of the viral proteins VPg and ProPol was associated with activation of the COX/PGE2 pathway. We further demonstrate that the production of PGE2 provides a protective effect against the antiviral effector mechanism of nitric oxide. Our findings uncover a new mechanism by which PSaV manipulates the host cell to provide an environment suitable for efficient viral growth, which in turn can be a new target for treatment of sapovirus infection.