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J M Connolly

Publications and source records attributed to J M Connolly.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on human breast cancer growth and metastases in nude mice.

BACKGROUND: Diets rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate the growth and metastases of transplantable mammary carcinomas in rodents, whereas fish oil-containing diets, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, suppress the growth of these mammary tumor cells. PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of a diet rich in menhaden fish oil on the growth and metastases of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in a mouse model system. METHODS: Ninety female athymic nude mice (Ncr-nu/nu) were fed a 23% (wt/wt) corn oil, omega-6 fatty acid-rich diet; after 7 days, 1 x 10(6) estrogen-independent MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells were injected into a thoracic mammary fat pad. The 23% corn oil diet was continued for a further 7 days, after which the mice were assigned randomly to one of three diets containing a total of 23% fat, but different proportions of corn oil and menhaden oil (diet Cm: 18% corn oil and 5% menhaden oil, diet CM: 11.5% corn oil and 11.5% menhaden oil, and diet cM: 5% corn oil and 18% menhaden oil). Animal body weights and the surface area of the mammary fat pad tumors were recorded weekly. The mice were killed after 12 weeks on the experimental diets. Primary tumor surface areas and body weights were compared by unpaired Student's t tests, the incidence of lung metastases by the chi-square test, and differences in the total volumes of lung metastases by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Tumor growth rates in the mice of the group fed diet Cm were significantly greater than for mice of either of the two groups fed diets containing higher levels of menhaden oil. Of the mice with primary tumors, the incidence of macroscopic lung metastases was greater in those fed diet Cm, compared with those fed diet cM (57.7% versus 22.2%; P < .01), but not significantly different from the mice fed diet CM. When metastases did occur, their extent was significantly greater in mice fed diet Cm, compared with those fed diet cM (P < .001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a high-fat diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can suppress human breast cancer cell growth and metastases in this mouse model system. IMPLICATION: Dietary intervention trials to reduce recurrence risk in the postsurgical breast cancer patient should take account not only of the level of fat consumed, but also its fatty acid composition.

Animals↗

Specific prolongation of allograft survival by a T-cell-receptor-derived peptide.

Allograft rejection results from the specific recognition by host CD8+ T cells of allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the tissue graft. The specificity of this cellular response is determined by the molecular interaction of the T-cell receptor (TCR) on host T cells with the MHC molecule and its bound ligand on the grafted tissue. To better understand the precise manner by which the TCR interacts with the MHC-peptide complex and how to therapeutically intervene, we have studied the allogeneic response to the mouse class I MHC molecule Ld. In this report, the therapeutic potential of a synthetic peptide derived from the TCR V beta 8 variable region that predominates in responses to Ld was tested. This V beta 8-derived peptide was found to dramatically and specifically block the in vivo and in vitro allogeneic response to Ld. Furthermore, this specific blocking is not dependent upon the presence of V beta 8+ effector cells nor does the V beta 8 peptide bind to the Ld ligand binding cleft. We propose that this peptide functions as an antagonist, competing with the native TCR for recognition of the Ld molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of diets containing different levels of linoleic acid on human breast cancer growth and lung metastasis in nude mice.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of three different levels of dietary linoleic acid (LA) intake on the growth of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in the mammary fat pads of nude mice, and their metastasis to the lungs. These diets were isocaloric, and contained different mixtures of safflower (LA-rich) and coconut (saturated fatty acid-rich) oils to provide 23% (w/w) total fat, with 2, 8, and 12% (w/w) LA. A fourth group was fed a low-fat, 5% (w/w) corn oil diet. There were 25 mice in each dietary group. A necropsy, 12 weeks after the tumor cell injections, the primary tumor weights in the 12% LA (4.1 +/- 2.7 g)- and 8% LA (3.5 +/- 1.7 g)-fed groups were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those fed the 2% LA diet (2.5 +/- 1.5 g); they did not differ significantly from the weights of mammary fat pad tumors in the 5% corn oil-fed mice. The incidence of grossly visible pulmonary metastatic nodules was not significantly different between the 8 and 12% LA-fed mice, but was higher for both groups compared with the 2% LA-fed group (P < 0.05), with a similar trend in comparison with the 5% corn oil group. The mean total calculated volumes of the macroscopic metastases per tumor-bearing mouse were significantly greater in the 8 and 12% LA (157 +/- 250.7 and 99.1 +/- 140.0 mm3, respectively), compared with the 2% LA (23.3 +/- 51.8 mm3)- and 5% corn oil (24.5 +/- 35.1 mm3)-fed mice; all P < 0.05. Micrometastases were observed most frequently in the 5% corn oil and 2% LA dietary groups, but none of the differences were statistically significant. No differences were detected in the concentrations of prostaglandin E, leukotriene B4, or 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in tumors from mice fed the four different diets.

Adipose Tissue↗

Alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes generated in the presence of viral-derived peptides show exquisite peptide and MHC specificity.

The nature of alloreactivity to MHC molecules has been enigmatic, primarily because of the observation that allogeneic responses are considerably stronger than syngeneic responses. To better determine the specificity potential of allogeneic responses, we have generated alloreactive CTL specific for exogenous, viral-derived peptide ligands. This approach allowed us to critically evaluate both the peptide- and MHC-specificity of these alloreactive T cells. Exploiting the accessibility of the H-2Ld class I molecule for exogenous peptide ligands, alloreactive CTL were generated that are specific for either murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) peptides bound by Ld alloantigens. Peptide specificity was initially observed in bulk cultures of alloreactive CTL only when tested on peptide-sensitized T2.Ld target cells that have defective presentation of endogenous peptides. Subsequent cloning of bulk alloreactive CTL lines generated to MCMV yielded CTL clones that had exquisitely specific MCMV peptide recognition requirement. All of the MCMV/Ld alloreactive CTL clones were also exquisitely MHC-specific in that none of the CTL clones lysed targets expressing MCMV/Lq complexes, even though Lq differs from Ld by only six amino acid residues and Lq also binds the MCMV peptide. This observation clearly demonstrates that alloreactive CTL are capable of the same degree of specificity for target cell recognition as are syngeneic CTL in MHC-restricted responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biased T cell receptor usage by Ld-restricted, tum- peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones.

We have investigated the TCR gene usage in a panel of H-2Ld-restricted, tum- peptide-specific CTL clones. These clones possess identical MHC restriction and peptide specificity, yet they vary dramatically in the amount of peptide required to sensitize targets for recognition. We previously demonstrated a precise quantitative correlation between the determinant density requirement of a given clone and the CD8 dependency. In this study we sequenced polymerase chain reaction copies of the TCR mRNA used by these clones, not only to correlate TCR structure with recognition of a specific class I/peptide complex, but also to determine if the functional affinity differences between these clones is reflected in the TCR gene products used. The number of TCR V beta, V alpha, and J alpha region gene segments expressed by these clones is very limited. Twelve of 17 clones express V beta 8 at comparable levels on the cell surface. Using PCR amplification of cDNA templates, cloning, and dideoxy sequencing, we have obtained the nucleotide sequence of the TCR V-(D)-J regions in seven of the V beta 8+ clones. Two of the clones use V beta 8.2 and identical J alpha gene segments. Three of the five V beta 8.3+ clones express identical V alpha and J alpha gene products and the other two use similar V alpha chains and J alpha chains with a shared motif in the predicted CDR3 region. Although no clear correlation between TCR gene usage and CD8 dependency was seen, the range of TCR gene usage in the tum- peptide-specific, Ld-restricted immune response is strikingly narrow and suggests a coselection of the alpha- and beta- chains for recognition of the class I/peptide complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Major histocompatibility complex-specific prolongation of murine skin and cardiac allograft survival after in vivo depletion of V beta+ T cells.

The preferential usage of certain T cell receptor (TCR) V beta genes has been well established in several major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted immune responses. However, V beta usage among allogeneic responses remains unclear. Because recent findings of ours and others indicate that V beta 8 predominates in certain Ld-restricted, peptide-specific responses, we examined the V beta 8 usage in allogeneic responses to Ld. To selectively recognize the Ld molecule, cells from BALB/c-H-2dm2 (dm2), the Ld-loss mutant mouse, were stimulated in vitro or in vivo with wild-type BALB/c cells. We report here that after the intraperitoneal administration of the anti-V beta 8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) F23.1, peripheral V beta 8 T cells were depleted from dm2 mice. This in vivo depletion abrogated the ability of dm2 splenocytes to mount a primary response to Ld molecules. This abrogation was specific, since the response of V beta 8-depleted dm2 cells to Kb/Db antigens was the same as that of control nondepleted dm2 cells. Furthermore, in vivo depletion of V beta 8 cells was found to cause a dramatic prolongation of Ld-disparate skin grafts (mean survival time [MST] 22.1 +/- 2.1 vs. 10.3 +/- 1.1 d for saline-treated controls, or 10.9 +/- 1.7 d for controls treated with mAb KJ23 to V beta 17). By contrast, V beta 8 depletion had no effect on recipients grafted with haplotype-mismatched skin or single Dk-locus-disparate skin. These findings demonstrate that V beta 8+ T cells predominate in allogeneic response to Ld but not other alloantigens. The effect of V beta 8 depletion was found to be even more dramatic on recipients grafted with Ld-disparate vascularized heart transplants (MST > 100 vs. 8.6 +/- 0.5 d for controls). In total, these findings establish the efficacy of using mAb to the V beta gene family to specifically and significantly enhance the survival of allografts. The implications of detecting V beta 8 usage in both alloreactive or MHC-restricted TCR responses to the same class I molecule are discussed.

Animals↗

The effects of a low-fat dietary intervention and tamoxifen adjuvant therapy on the serum estrogen and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations of postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a low-fat dietary intervention, with or without concomitant tamoxifen adjuvant therapy, on serum estrogen and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in postmenopausal patients with resected breast cancer. Ninety-three patients were randomized to either reduce their fat intake to 15-20% of total calories, or to a dietary control group. Serum estradiol, estrone, estrone sulfate, and SHBG concentrations were assayed at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 18 months thereafter. In 19% of patients, the preintervention serum estradiol levels were below the sensitivity of the assay (5 pg/ml). Tamoxifen had no significant effect on serum estrogen levels, but produced an elevation in SHBG. Patients with reliably quantifiable preintervention estradiol concentrations (> or = 10 pg/ml) showed a significant reduction in serum estradiol after 6 months on the low-fat diet (average, 20%; p < 0.005); this was sustained over the 18 month study period. Serum SHBG levels were increased by tamoxifen therapy, but were reduced significantly (p = 0.01) after 12 months on the low-fat diet in patients not receiving tamoxifen. No changes in serum estrone or estrone sulfate resulted from the dietary intervention. While the low-fat diet produced significant weight loss, patients treated with tamoxifen without dietary intervention showed a gain in body weight. These weight changes produced disruptions in the normal positive correlation between body weight and serum estrone sulfate, and the negative correlation with SHBG concentration.

Aged↗

Effects of tamoxifen adjuvant therapy and a low-fat diet on serum binding proteins and estradiol bioavailability in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Serum was collected at intervals from postmenopausal breast cancer patients to determine the effects of tamoxifen adjuvant therapy and a low-fat dietary intervention, alone and in combination, on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations and circulating estradiol bioavailability. Serum corticosteroid-binding globulin and follicle-stimulating hormone were also assayed as indicators of patient compliance to tamoxifen therapy. The immunoreactive SHBG concentration was higher (P less than 0.001) in 22 patients who had been treated with tamoxifen for 6-36 weeks when first sampled, compared with 27 who were not receiving tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen also produced a reduction in the percentage non-protein-bound estradiol (P less than 0.001) and percentage albumin-bound estradiol (P less than 0.01), the two biologically available fractions, and a corresponding increase in the percentage SHBG-bound estradiol (P less than 0.01). A longitudinal study of 7 patients showed significant reductions in the percentage of albumin-bound estradiol and an increased percentage of SHBG-bound estradiol, after 3-6 months of tamoxifen; after 12-18 months there was also a significant decrease in the non-protein-bound estradiol fraction. We conclude that in postmenopausal breast cancer patients the redistribution of circulating estradiol, with reduced bioavailability, provides an additional mechanism to those demonstrated previously for the therapeutic activity of tamoxifen. Another 12 patients receiving tamoxifen and 8 who were not were followed for 6-12 months on a low-fat diet (fat comprised 20% of the total calories). The dietary intervention had no effect on the serum SHBG concentration or the estradiol distribution. Although tamoxifen increased the serum corticosteroid-binding globulin and partially suppressed the follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, the responses obtained were less consistent compared with those of the SHBG levels.

Biological Availability↗

Interactions between epidermal growth factor-mediated autocrine regulation and linoleic acid-stimulated growth of a human prostate cancer cell line.

Human prostate cancer (PC) cell lines possess epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and secrete EGF-related polypeptides. We used an EGF receptor-blocking antibody (anti-EGF.R) to demonstrate a functional autocrine loop, as well as the interaction between this and the effects of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 fatty acid, on PC cell growth. The anti-EGF.R competed effectively with [125I]EGF for receptors on DU145 PC cells, and on a high-passage DU145 variant (DU145M); when added to the culture medium, it suppressed both DU145 and DU145M cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. LA, a precursor for eicosanoid synthesis, had little effect on DU145 cell growth rate but stimulated DU145M growth in a concentration-related manner over a range of 0.25-2.0 micrograms/ml. anti-EGF.R (10(-9) M) caused suppression of LA-stimulated growth of DU145M cells in serum-free medium, which was prevented by the addition of 2 nM EGF. We conclude that an EGF.R-mediated autocrine loop is involved in PC cell growth regulation and that at least one site of action may be the synthesis of eicosanoids from their LA precursor.

Binding, Competitive↗

Influence of regional location of the inoculation site and dietary fat on the pathology of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cell-derived tumors grown in nude mice.

The effects of inoculation site and dietary fat intake on the growth and metastasis of the MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cell line were studied in athymic nude mice. The tumor cells, 1 x 10(6), were injected into either a right-sided thoracic or inguinal mammary fat pad (mfp), and 1 week later mice were randomly assigned to a high-fat (HF), 23% corn oil, or a low-fat (LF), 5% corn oil, diet. There were 30 mice in the HF, and 30 in the LF subgroups from each of the two inoculation site groups. The experiment was terminated 15 weeks after the tumor cell inoculations. Within the thoracic mfp-injected group, a HF diet reduced latency, increased growth rate at the primary site, and enhanced metastasis to regional lymph nodes, lungs, and intra-abdominal sites. For mice inoculated into an inguinal mfp, fat intake affected neither primary nor metastatic tumor development and growth; in both subgroups lung metastasis was significantly less than in the HF-fed, thoracic mfp-injected subgroup. The histological features of the lung metastases were consistent with a vascular mode of spread, whereas the extensive intra-abdominal lymph node involvement observed in mice with inguinal mfp tumors was in keeping with lymphatic-borne metastases.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Dietary fat, fatty acids and prostate cancer.

International comparisons suggest a relationship between prostate cancer incidence and dietary fat, an inference supported by migration studies, the changing incidence rates and levels of animal fat consumption in Japan and the results from some case-control studies. Overall, however, epidemiological studies have been inconclusive, and although prostate cancer is one of the hormone-dependent tumors, evidence of interactions between dietary fats and male endocrine function is incomplete. Laboratory experimentation has shown that n-6 fatty acids stimulate and n-3 fatty acids inhibit human prostate cancer cells in culture; also, feeding diets rich in marine oils suppresses growth of these cells as solid tumors in athymic nude mice. These growth effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to involve both prostaglandins and leukotrienes and to interconnect with autocrine regulation by epidermal growth factor-related polypeptides.

Animals↗

Influence of dietary fat intake on local recurrence and progression of metastases arising from MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in nude mice after excision of the primary tumor.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary fat on the recurrence and metastasis of human breast cancer solid tumors growing in nude mice after surgical excision of the primary tumor. Female nude mice were fed either a high- (23% corn oil) or a low-fat (5% corn oil) diet, and 7 days later 1 x 10(6) MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells were injected into a thoracic mammary fat pad. Tumors at the injection site grew more rapidly in the animals fed the high-fat diet. Nineteen of 30 animals in each dietary group had tumors with a surface are > or = 1 cm2 within 10 weeks of injection, at which point the tumors were excised and the animals were followed for another eight weeks. Tumors recurred at the excision site in 8 of 19 animals fed the high-fat diet and in 9 of 19 animals fed the low-fat diet; however, the growth rate was more rapid in the group fed the high-fat diet. Lung metastases occurred with similar frequency in the two groups with local recurrences, but with a positive correlation between recurrent tumor weight (greater in the animals fed the high-fat diet) and the severity of lung metastatic involvement. In the mice without recurrence, 4 of 11 (36%) animals in the group fed the high-fat diet had macroscopic lung metastases compared with only one mouse, with minimal involvement, in the group fed the low-fat diet.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary fat on human breast cancer growth and lung metastasis in nude mice.

Results from epidemiological studies have generally indicated an association of dietary saturated animal fats with human breast cancer risk. Some studies, however, have suggested a similar association for some polyunsaturated vegetable fats shown to promote both rodent mammary carcinogenesis and metastasis. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of corn oil on growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells, which have a propensity for metastasis. Corn oil is rich in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid. Fifty-eight female athymic nude mice (NCr-nu/nu) were fed a high-fat diet (23% wt/wt corn oil; 12% linoleic acid) or a low-fat diet (5% wt/wt corn oil; 2.7% linoleic acid). Seven days after diets were started, tumor cells (1 x 10(6) were injected into a mammary fat pad. The time to appearance of solid tumors and the tumor size were recorded. After 15 weeks, the study was terminated, and autopsies were performed to determine the weight of the primary tumor and the extent of metastasis. The latent interval for tumor appearance in the animals fed the high-fat diet was shorter than that in the low-fat diet group, and the tumor growth rate in the high-fat diet group showed a small but statistically significant increase compared with the low-fat diet group. Primary tumors developed in 27 of the 29 mice on the high-fat diet and in 21 of the 29 on the low-fat diet. Of the mice with palpable primary tumors, 18 of 27 in the high-fat diet group and eight of 21 in the low-fat diet group had macroscopic lung metastases. The extent of metastasis in the high-fat diet group was independent of the primary tumor weight, but only those in the low-fat diet group with primary tumors weighing more than 2 g developed metastases. These results suggest that a high-fat diet rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid can enhance metastasis of human breast cancer cells in this mouse model. The findings support the need for further study of the relationship between dietary polyunsaturated fats and breast cancer risk and for experiments to determine the effect on metastasis of only a 50% difference in fat intake--the dietary goal of the proposed clinical trials of low-fat dietary intervention in breast cancer patients.

Animals↗

Correlation between CD8 dependency and determinant density using peptide-induced, Ld-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

We have taken advantage of some unique properties of H-2Ld to investigate the determinant density requirements for cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) priming versus effector function and to correlate the determinant density requirements with CD8 dependency. In a previous study (Lie, W.-R., N. B. Myers, J. Gorka, R. J. Rubocki, J. M. Connolly, and T. H. Hansen. 1990. Nature [Lond.]. 344:439), we demonstrated that culturing normal cells with peptides known to be restricted by H-2Ld led to a two- to fourfold increase in surface Ld expression. In the present study, we demonstrate the generation of Ld-restricted, peptide-specific in vitro primary CTL by culturing spleen cells with murine cytomegalovirus or tum- peptide at concentrations previously shown to result in maximum induction of Ld expression. Target cells can be sensitized for recognition by these CTL with lower dose of peptide than are required for the primary sensitization. This demonstrates differences in the determinant density requirements for priming versus effector function. The in vitro primary CTL generated with peptide can weakly lyse target cells that express the determinant endogenously, and CTL lines and clones capable of strong lysis of endogenous expressors are easily obtained. In both cases, target cells treated with exogenous peptide are lysed better than target cells expressing antigen endogenously. This suggested that there are differences in the determinant density of peptide-fed versus endogenous targets. This interpretation was substantiated when it was observed that the level of lysis of target cells expressing endogenous determinants correlated inversely with the amount of peptide required to sensitize targets for recognition by various tum- -specific CTL clones. Furthermore, simultaneous titration of both the peptide used to treat target cells and the antibody to CD8 revealed that the various CTL clones analyzed displayed widely disparate CD8 dependencies. In each case, the CD8 dependency correlated inversely with the determinant density requirement. Therefore, CD8 dependency of CTL is relative, but shows an absolute and quantitative correlation with their dependency on determinant density. These findings suggest that under physiologic conditions, where only low determinant densities are likely to be encountered, all CTL clones will show at least partial CD8 dependency.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutation at amino acid position 133 of H-2Dd prevents beta 2m association and immune recognition but not surface expression.

The histocompatibility loss mutation H-2dm6 was derived from a mouse treated with the chemical mutagen ethylnitrosourea, and previous mapping studies implicated Dd as the affected locus. Southern blot analyses of DNA from H-2dm6 cells did not detect major deletions in the Ddm6 gene, suggesting that H-2dm6 was different from the previously characterized D region mutants H-2dm1 and H-2dm2. RNA blot analysis identified Ddm6 transcripts of appropriate size and a Ddm6 protein was immunoprecipitated from biosynthetically labeled H-2dm6 cells. Interestingly, the Ddm6 protein showed no beta 2m association and was only precipitated by a mAb to the alpha 3 domain. Furthermore, oligosaccharide maturation and low levels of surface expression of Ddm6 molecules were detected. However, the surface Ddm6 was nonfunctional as a target Ag in in vitro cytotoxicity assays, consistent with its original in vivo detection as a loss mutation. Sequence analyses of Ddm6 cDNA identified a single nucleotide base difference from wild-type, resulting in the substitution of a Trp to Arg at position 133. The significance of this substitution is discussed in the context of other class I expression variants.

Animals↗

The specific binding of peptide ligand to Ld class I major histocompatibility complex molecules determines their antigenic structure.

To better understand the biological implications of the association of ligand with major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, we have studied the Ld molecule of the mouse. The culturing of various nonselected cell lines with three different known Ld peptide ligands resulted in a two- to fourfold specific increase in surface Ld expression as detected by 10 of 11 different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing Ld epitopes. These findings suggest that Ld molecules are not saturated with endogenous peptide ligands and thus have accessible binding sites. Exploiting this feature of Ld we demonstrate that the physical association of Ld with ligand is exquisitely specific, indicating that they function in determinant selection. In addition, a non-peptide-bound antigenic variant of Ld was specifically detected with an exceptional mAb designated 64-3-7. In comparison with other Ld molecules, 64-3-7+ Ld molecules are not peptide ligand inducible, are more susceptible to proteolysis, lack beta 2 microglobulin association, and display a slower rate of oligosaccharide maturation. In spite of their deficiencies, the non-ligand-associated 64-3-7 Ld molecules were detected on the surface of all cell types tested; however, they appear not to be recognized by alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of fatty acids and eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors on the growth of two human prostate cancer cell lines.

Dietary fatty acids (FAs) may be involved in the carcinogenic process within the prostate gland and progression to clinically manifest disease. We have shown that growth of the androgen-unresponsive PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line is stimulated in vitro by the presence of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated FA. The response was positively related to the FA concentration over the entire range examined (5-750 ng/ml). Conversely, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two omega-3 FAs present in fish oils, inhibited PC-3 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner; both were equally effective, with an approximately 65% reduction in growth occurring at a concentration of 2.0 micrograms/ml (P less than 0.001). The DU 145 human prostate cancer cell line, which is also androgen-unresponsive, showed no growth response to LA and was less susceptible to growth inhibition when cultured in the presence of omega-3 FAs. Growth experiments with indomethacin, esculetin, and piroxicam, pharmacological inhibitors of eicosanoid biosynthesis with differing sites of action, indicated that human prostate cancer cell growth requires intact metabolic pathways for both leukotriene and prostaglandin production.

Cell Division↗

Autocrine regulation of DU145 human prostate cancer cell growth by epidermal growth factor-related polypeptides.

The DU145 human prostate cancer cell line possesses epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and synthesizes both EGF and the related polypeptide transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). A monoclonal antibody to the EGF receptor was used to determine whether these characteristics were indicative of a functional autocrine regulatory system. This antibody competed effectively with [125I]EGF for binding to DU145 cell binding sites over a 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-7) M concentration range, and did so with a capability similar to that of the two natural ligands. It inhibited growth of these cells in both 3% fetal bovine serum-supplemented and serum-free medium; in experiments with incubation times of 3-5 days there was a 45-50% reduction in cell number. Growth suppression by the EGF receptor blockade of cells plated at a density of 1.5 x 10(4) cells/ml/well was reversed competitively by the addition of EGF to the medium; 0.3 nM completely eliminated the inhibitory effect of a 1 x 10(-9) M antibody concentration. It is concluded that DU145 cell growth is regulated by an EGF-mediated autocrine loop.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗