Biomedical subjects

Ching-Shih Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Ching-Shih Chen.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-independent activation of p38 MAPK by thiazolidinediones involves calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and protein kinase R: correlation with endoplasmic reticulum stress.

The thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands that promote increased insulin sensitivity in type II diabetic patients. In addition to their ability to improve glucose homeostasis, TZDs also exert anti-proliferative effects by a mechanism that is unclear. Our laboratory has shown that two TZDs, ciglitazone and troglitazone, rapidly induce calcium-dependent p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in liver epithelial cells. Here, we further characterize the mechanism responsible for p38 MAPK activation by PPARgamma ligands and correlate this with the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Specifically, we show that TZDs rapidly activate the ER stress-responsive pancreatic eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) kinase or PKR (double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/pancreatic eIF2alpha kinase, and that activation of these kinases is correlated with subsequent eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Interestingly, PPARgamma ligands not only activated calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) 2-fold over control, but the selective CaMKII inhibitor, KN-93, attenuated MKK3/6 and p38 as well as PKR and eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Although CaMKII was not affected by inhibition of PKR with 2-aminopurine, phosphorylation of MKK3/6 and p38 as well as eIF2alpha were significantly reduced. Collectively, these data provide evidence that CaMKII is a regulator of PKR-dependent p38 and eIF2alpha phosphorylation in response to ER calcium depletion by TZDs. Furthermore, using structural derivatives of TZDs that lack PPARgamma ligand-binding activity as well as a PPARgamma antagonist, we show that activation of these kinase signaling pathways is PPARgamma-independent.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-independent ablation of cyclin D1 by thiazolidinediones and their derivatives in breast cancer cells.

In light of the clinical relevance of targeting cyclin D1 in breast cancer, we have investigated the mechanism underlying the effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) agonists troglitazone and ciglitazone on cyclin D1 repression. We obtain evidence that the ability of high doses of troglitazone and ciglitazone to repress cyclin D1 is independent of PPARgamma activation. PPARgamma-inactive troglitazone and ciglitazone analogs 5-[4-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-yl-methoxy)-benzylidene]-2,4-thiazolidinedione (Delta2-TG) and 5-[4-(1-methyl-cyclohexylmethoxy)-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione are able to facilitate cyclin D1 ablation with potency similar to that of troglitazone and ciglitazone in MCF-7 cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction shows that the mRNA level of cyclin D1 remains unaltered in drug-treated cells, indicating the repression is mediated at the post-transcriptional level. Moreover, the ablative effect of these agents is specific to cyclin D1, in that the expression levels of many other cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases examined remain unchanged after drug treatment. Our data indicate that troglitazone- and Delta2-TG-induced cyclin D1 repression is mediated via proteasome-facilitated proteolysis because it is inhibited by different proteasome inhibitors, including N-carbobenzoxy-l-leucinyl-l-leucinyl-l-norleucinal (MG132), lactacystin, and epoxomicin, and is preceded by increased ubiquitination. The dissociation of these two pharmacological activities (i.e., PPARgamma activation and cyclin D1 ablation) provides a molecular basis to use Delta2-TG as a scaffold to develop a novel class of cyclin D1-ablative agents. Therefore, a series of Delta2-TG derivatives have been synthesized. Among them, 5-[4-(6-allyoxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-yl-methoxy)-benzylidene]-2,4-thiazolidinedione represents a structurally optimized agent with potency that is an order of magnitude higher than that of Delta2-TG in cyclin D1 repression and MCF-7 cell growth inhibition.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2004

Selective efficacy of depsipeptide in a xenograft model of Epstein-Barr virus-positive lymphoproliferative disorder.

BACKGROUND: Immune-compromised individuals are at increased risk for developing aggressive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disorders after primary EBV infection or for reactivation of a preexisting latent EBV infection. We evaluated the effect of depsipeptide, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines in a mouse model and explored its mechanism of action in vitro. METHODS: We studied EBV-transformed LCLs, which express a latent III (Lat-III) viral gene profile, as do some EBV-positive lymphoproliferative malignancies, and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines, which express a Lat-I viral gene profile. Cell lines were used to characterize depsipeptide-induced apoptosis, which was evaluated by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry, western blot analyses, and histone deacetylase inhibitors were used to investigate components of prodeath and survival pathways in vitro. We studied depsipeptide's effects on survival with a mouse xenograft model of EBV-positive human B-cell tumors (groups of 10 mice). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Depsipeptide (5 mg/m2 of body surface area) treatment was associated with statistically significantly improved survival of mice carrying Lat-III EBV-positive LCL tumors, compared with that of control-treated mice (day 30: for depsipeptide-treated mice, 90% survival, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.2% to 100%; for control-treated mice, 20% survival, 95% CI = 5.79% to 69.1%; P<.001), but it was not associated with survival of mice carrying Lat-I EBV-positive Burkitt lymphoma tumors. Depsipeptide induced apoptosis in 64% of LCLs and in 14% of EBV-positive Burkitt lymphoma cells in vitro. Depsipeptide-treated LCL cultures had two distinct cell populations--one sensitive and one resistant to depsipeptide. Depsipeptide-mediated apoptosis was associated with a 12-fold increased level of active caspase 3, but some apoptosis persisted despite z-VAD-fmk treatment to inhibit caspase activity. Depsipeptide-resistant LCLs expressed higher levels of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1; P = .017), BCL2 (P = .032), and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) (P<.001) than depsipeptide-sensitive LCLs; this resistance was circumvented by treatment with PS-1145, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis is induced by depsipeptide via caspase-dependent and -independent pathways in Lat-III EBV-positive LCLs and is enhanced by inhibiting NF-kappaB activity. Depsipeptide as a treatment for Lat-III EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders should be explored further in clinical trials.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

A novel celecoxib derivative, OSU03012, induces cytotoxicity in primary CLL cells and transformed B-cell lymphoma cell line via a caspase- and Bcl-2-independent mechanism.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an incurable adult leukemia characterized by disrupted apoptosis. OSU03012 is a bioavailable third-generation celecoxib derivative devoid of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity that potently induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines and is being developed as an anticancer therapy in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Rapid Access to Intervention Development (RAID) program. We assessed the ability of OSU03012 to induce apoptosis in primary CLL cells and the mechanism by which this occurs. The LC50 (lethal concentration 50%) of OSU03012 at 24 hours was 7.1 microM, and this decreased to 5.5 microM at 72 hours. Additionally, we have demonstrated that OSU03012 mediates apoptosis by activation of the intrinsic, mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis but also activates alternative cell death pathways that are caspase independent. The early activation of both caspase-dependent and -independent pathways of apoptosis is novel to OSU03012 and suggests it has great potential promise for the treatment of CLL. Moreover, unlike the great majority of therapeutic agents used to treat leukemia or other forms of cancer, OSU03012 induces cell death entirely independent of bcl-2 expression. Overall, these data provide justification for further preclinical development of OSU03012 as a potential therapeutic agent for CLL.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

The canonical transient receptor potential 6 channel as a putative phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive calcium entry system.

We previously reported that phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP(3)), a lipid product of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), induced Ca(2+) influx via a noncapacitative pathway in platelets, Jurkat T cells, and RBL-2H3 mast cells. The identity of this Ca(2+) influx system, however, remains unclear. Here, we investigate a potential link between PIP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) entry and the canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels by developing stable human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines expressing TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC5, and TRPC6. Two lines of evidence support TRPC6 as a putative target by which PIP(3) induces Ca(2+) influx. First, Fura-2 fluorometric Ca(2+) analysis shows the ability of PIP(3) to selectively stimulate [Ca(2+)](i) increase in TRPC6-expressing cells. Second, pull-down analysis indicates specific interactions between biotin-PIP(3) and TRPC6 protein. Our data indicate that PIP(3) activates store-independent Ca(2+) entry in TRPC6 cells via a nonselective cation channel. Although the activating effect of PIP(3) on TRPC6 is reminiscent to that of 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, this activation is not attributable to the diacylglycerol substructure of PIP(3) since other phosphoinositides failed to trigger Ca(2+) responses. The PIP(3)-activated Ca(2+) entry is inhibited by known TRPC6 inhibitors such as Gd(3+) and SKF96365 and is independent of IP(3) production. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TRPC6 overexpression or antisense downregulation significantly alters the amplitude of PIP(3)- and anti-CD3-activated Ca(2+) responses in Jurkat T cells. Consequently, the link between TRPC6 and PIP(3)-mediated Ca(2+) entry provides a framework to account for an intimate relationship between PI3K and PLCgamma in initiating Ca(2+) response to agonist stimulation in T lymphocytes.

Biological Transport↗

PubMed2004

Pharmacological exploitation of the alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonist doxazosin to develop a novel class of antitumor agents that block intracellular protein kinase B/Akt activation.

The alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonist doxazosin induces apoptosis in malignant cells with moderate potency via an alpha1-adrenoreceptor-independent mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that the ability of doxazosin to induce apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells was, in part, attributable to the inhibition of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt activation. The separation of the effect of doxazosin on apoptosis from its original pharmacological activity provides molecular underpinnings to develop novel antitumor agents. Replacement of the (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxane)-carbonyl moiety of doxazosin with aryl-sulfonyl functions dramatically improves the potency in facilitating Akt deactivation and inducing apoptosis. The optimal compounds, 33 and 44, were effective in apoptosis induction at low micromolar concentrations irrespective of androgen dependency and p53 functional status. Both agents were active in suppressing the growth of a panel of 60 cancer-cell lines with IC50 values of 2.2 and 1.5 microM, respectively. Together, these in vitro efficacy data suggest the translational potential of these agents in prostate cancer treatment.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed2004

From the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib to a novel class of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 inhibitors.

The blockade of Akt activation through the inhibition of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) represents a major signaling mechanism whereby celecoxib mediates apoptosis. Celecoxib, however, is a weak PDK-1 inhibitor (IC(50), 48 microM), requiring at least 30 microM to exhibit discernable effects on the growth of tumor cells in vitro. Here, we report the structure-based optimization of celecoxib to develop PDK-1 inhibitors with greater potency in enzyme inhibition and growth inhibition. Kinetics of PDK-1 inhibition by celecoxib with respect to ATP suggest that celecoxib derivatives inhibit PDK-1 by competing with ATP for binding, a mechanism reminiscent to that of many kinase inhibitors. Structure-activity analysis together with molecular modeling was used to generate compounds that were tested for their potency in inhibiting PDK-1 kinase activity and in inducing apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Docking of potent compounds into the ATP-binding site of PDK-1 was performed for lead optimization, leading to two compounds, OSU-03012 and OSU-03013, with IC(50) values in PDK-1 inhibition and apoptosis induction in the low microM range. Exposure of PC-3 cells to these agents led to Akt dephosphorylation and inhibition of p70 S6 kinase activity. Moreover, overexpression of constitutively active forms of PDK-1 and Akt partially protected OSU-03012-induced apoptosis. Screening in a panel of 60 cell lines and more extensive testing in PC-3 cells indicated that the mean concentration for total growth inhibition was approximately 3 microM for both agents. Considering the conserved role of PDK-1/Akt signaling in promoting tumorigenesis, these celecoxib analogs are of translational relevance for cancer prevention and therapy.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMed2004

3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1/Akt signaling represents a major cyclooxygenase-2-independent target for celecoxib in prostate cancer cells.

Regarding the involvement of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-independent pathways in celecoxib-mediated antineoplastic effects, the following two issues remain outstanding: identity of the non-COX-2 targets and relative contributions of COX-2-dependent versus -independent mechanisms. We use a close celecoxib analog deficient in COX-2-inhibitory activity, DMC (4-[5-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzene-sulfonamide), to examine the premise that Akt signaling represents a major non-COX-2 target. Celecoxib and DMC block Akt activation in PC-3 cells through the inhibition of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) with IC(50) of 48 and 38 micro M, respectively. The consequent effect on Akt activation is more pronounced (IC(50) values of 28 and 20 micro M, respectively), which might be attributed to the concomitant dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase 2A. In serum-supplemented medium, celecoxib and DMC cause G(1) arrest, and at higher concentrations, they induce apoptosis with relative potency comparable with that in blocking Akt activation. Moreover, the effect of daily oral celecoxib and DMC at 100 and 200 mg/kg on established PC-3 xenograft tumors is assessed. Celecoxib at both doses and DMC at 100 mg/kg had marginal impacts. However, a correlation exists between the in vitro potency of DMC and its ability at 200 mg/kg to inhibit xenograft tumor growth through the inhibition of Akt activation. Analysis of the tumor samples indicates that a differential reduction in the phospho-Akt/Akt ratio was noted in celecoxib- and DMC-treated groups vis-à-vis the control group. Together, these data underscore the role of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1/Akt signaling in celecoxib-mediated in vitro antiproliferative effects in prostate cancer cells.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMed2004

Zn2+-chelating motif-tethered short-chain fatty acids as a novel class of histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Among various classes of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, short-chain fatty acids exhibit the least potency, with IC(50) in the millimolar range. We rationalized that this weak potency was, in part, attributable to their inability to access the zinc cation in the HDAC active-site pocket, which is pivotal to the deacetylation catalysis. We thus explored the structural optimization of valproate, butyrate, phenylacetate, and phenylbutyrate by coupling them with Zn(2+)-chelating motifs (hydroxamic acid and o-phenylenediamine) through aromatic omega-amino acid linkers. This strategy has led to a novel class of Zn(2+)-chelating, motif-tethered, short-chain fatty acids that exhibited varying degrees of HDAC inhibitory potency. One hydroxamate-tethered phenylbutyrate compound, N-hydroxy-4-(4-phenylbutyrylamino)benzamide (HTPB), displayed nanomolar potency in inhibiting HDAC activity. Exposure of several cancer cell lines to HTPB at the submicromolar level showed reduced cell proliferation accompanied by histone hyperacetylation and elevated p21(WAF/CIP1) expression, which are hallmark features associated with intracellular HDAC inhibition.

Acetylation↗

PubMed2004

Growth inhibitory effects of celecoxib in human umbilical vein endothelial cells are mediated through G1 arrest via multiple signaling mechanisms.

Evidence suggests that the angiogenic endothelium represents an important target through which celecoxib mediates in vivo antitumor effects. Nevertheless, the pharmacologic basis for celecoxib-caused growth inhibition in endothelial cells in vitro remains to be defined. Previously, we showed that celecoxib-induced apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells was mediated in part through the inhibition of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1/Akt signaling. Our present findings show that celecoxib inhibits the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with pharmacologic profiles reminiscent of those of PC-3 cells. The underlying antiproliferative mechanism, however, may differ between these two cell types considering differences in the functional status of many tumor suppressors, including PTEN, p53, and retinoblastoma, all of which play integral roles in regulating cell cycle progression and survival. From a mechanistic perspective, the genomic integrity of the HUVEC system presents a vastly different intracellular context to examine how celecoxib acts to induce growth inhibition. Here, we obtain evidence that the antiproliferative effects of celecoxib and its close, cyclooxygenase-2-inactive analogue 4-[5-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (DMC) in HUVECs at pharmacologically attainable concentrations (10-20 micromol/L) are attributable to the inhibition of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1/Akt signaling and cyclin-dependent kinase. Especially, celecoxib- and DMC-mediated G1 arrest is associated with attenuated retinoblastoma phosphorylation through the inhibition of multiple cyclin-dependent kinases (IC50, 10-35 micromol/L). Moreover, both celecoxib and DMC reduce neovascularization in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay, suggesting the involvement of a cyclooxygenase-2-independent mechanism in the in vivo antiangiogenic effects of celecoxib.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Bcl-xL mediates a survival mechanism independent of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway in prostate cancer cells.

Among various molecular strategies by which prostate cancer cells evade apoptosis, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling represents a dominant survival pathway. However, different prostate cancer cell lines such as LNCaP and PC-3 display differential sensitivity to the apoptotic effect of PI3K inhibition in serum-free media, reflecting the heterogeneous nature of prostate cancer in apoptosis regulation. Whereas both cell lines are equally susceptible to LY294002-mediated Akt dephosphorylation, only LNCaP cells default to apoptosis, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and cytochrome c release. In PC-3 cells, Akt deactivation does not lead to cytochrome c release, suggesting that the intermediary signaling pathway is short-circuited by an antiapoptotic factor. This study presents evidence that Bcl-xL overexpression provides a distinct survival mechanism that protects PC-3 cells from apoptotic signals emanating from PI3K inhibition. First, the Bcl-xL/BAD ratio in PC-3 cells is at least an order of magnitude greater than that of LNCaP cells. Second, ectopic expression of Bcl-xL protects LNCaP cells against LY294002-induced apoptosis. Third, antisense down-regulation of Bcl-xL sensitizes PC-3 cells to the apoptotic effect of LY294002. The physiological relevance of this Bcl-xL-mediated survival mechanism is further underscored by the protective effect of serum on LY294002-induced cell death in LNCaP cells, which is correlated with a multifold increase in Bcl-xL expression. In contrast to Bcl-xL, Bcl-2 expression levels are similar in both cells lines, and do not respond to serum stimulation, suggesting that Bcl-2 may not play a physiological role in antagonizing apoptosis signals pertinent to BAD activation in prostate cancer cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2002

Using cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors as molecular platforms to develop a new class of apoptosis-inducing agents.

BACKGROUND: The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib is thought to act as a chemopreventive agent by sensitizing cancer cells to apoptotic signals. Other COX-2 inhibitors, such as rofecoxib, are two orders of magnitude less potent than celecoxib at inducing apoptosis. The molecular structures of celecoxib and rofecoxib were used as starting points to examine the structural features that contribute to this discrepancy. METHODS: We used a systematic chemical approach to modify the structures of celecoxib and rofecoxib to produce a series of compounds that were tested for their effects on the viability of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and their ability to induce apoptosis in these cells. Cell viability was measured by the trypan blue dye exclusion assay, and apoptosis was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that quantifies DNA cleavage and by western blot detection of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Western blotting was used to monitor the effects of the compounds on phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), two components of celecoxib-induced apoptosis signaling. Monte Carlo simulations were used to molecularly model the surface electrostatic potential and electron density of selected compounds. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: The structural requirements for the induction of apoptosis in PC-3 cells were different from those for COX-2 inhibition. Structure-function analysis indicated that the induction of apoptosis by compounds derived from COX-2 inhibitors required a bulky terminal phenyl ring, a heterocyclic system with negative electrostatic potential, and a benzenesulfonamide or benzenecarboxamide moiety. These derivatives mediated apoptosis by facilitating the dephosphorylation of Akt and ERK2, irrespective of their COX-2 inhibitory activities. CONCLUSION: A new class of compounds that induce apoptosis by targeting Akt and ERK2 signaling pathways in human prostate cancer cells can be synthesized by modifying existing COX-2 inhibitors.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed2002

The cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib perturbs intracellular calcium by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases: a plausible link with its anti-tumour effect and cardiovascular risks.

Substantial evidence indicates that the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib, a widely prescribed anti-inflammatory agent, displays anti-tumour effect by sensitizing cancer cells to apoptosis. As part of our effort to understand the mechanism by which celecoxib mediates apoptosis in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, we investigated its effect on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Digital ratiometric imaging analysis indicates that exposure of PC-3 cells to celecoxib stimulates an immediate [Ca(2+)](i) rise in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Kinetic data show that this Ca(2+) signal arises from internal Ca(2+) release in conjunction with external Ca(2+) influx. Examinations of the biochemical mechanism responsible for this Ca(2+) mobilization indicate that celecoxib blocks endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-ATPases. Consequently, inhibition of this Ca(2+) reuptake mechanism results in Ca(2+) mobilization from ER stores followed by capacitative calcium entry, leading to [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. In view of the important role of Ca(2+) in apoptosis regulation, this Ca(2+) perturbation may represent part of the signalling mechanism that celecoxib uses to trigger rapid apoptotic death in cancer cells. This Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitory activity is highly specific for celecoxib, and is not noted with other COX inhibitors tested, including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, rofecoxib (Vioxx), DuP697 and NS398. Moreover, it is noteworthy that this activity is also observed in many other cell lines examined, including A7r5 smooth muscle cells, NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells and Jurkat T cells. Consequently, this Ca(2+)-perturbing effect may provide a plausible link with the reported toxicities of celecoxib such as increased cardiovascular risks in long-term anti-inflammatory therapy.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed2002

Cyclooxygenase-2, player or spectator in cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The antitumor activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors is thought to involve COX-2 enzyme inhibition and apoptosis induction, but it is unclear whether COX-2 inhibition is required for apoptosis. Different COX-2 inhibitors have similar IC(50) values (concentration for 50% inhibition) for COX-2 inhibition but differ considerably in their abilities to induce apoptosis, suggesting the involvement of a COX-2-independent pathway in apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of COX-2 depletion on apoptosis and performed a structure-activity analysis of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib in the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3. METHODS: Tetracycline-inducible (Tet-On) COX-2 antisense clones were isolated to assess the effect of COX-2 expression on cell viability and sensitivity to apoptosis induced by COX-2 inhibitors. Untreated Tet-On clones differentially expressed COX-2, and doxycycline-treated clones were depleted of COX-2. We synthesized and characterized various celecoxib derivatives with various COX-2 inhibitory activities and determined their apoptotic activity in PC-3 cells. Apoptosis was assessed with four tests. RESULTS: In contrast to the effect of COX-2 inhibitors, which induced apoptosis, COX-2 depletion did not induce cell death. Susceptibility to COX-2 inhibitor-induced apoptosis was independent of the level of COX-2 expression. Structure-activity analysis found no correlation between apoptosis induction and COX-2 inhibition. Some celecoxib derivatives that lacked COX-2 inhibitory activity facilitated apoptosis and vice versa. Moreover, celecoxib and apoptosis-active celecoxib derivatives mediated cell death by inhibiting the same pathway. CONCLUSION: We have dissociated the apoptosis-inducing activity from the COX-2 inhibitory activity by structural modifications of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. This separation of activities may provide a molecular basis for the development of new classes of apoptosis-inducing agents.

Antineoplastic Agents↗