EP2 prostanoid receptor promotes squamous cell carcinoma growth through epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation and iNOS and ERK1/2 pathways

FASEB J. 2007 Aug;21(10):2418-30. doi: 10.1096/fj.06-7581com. Epub 2007 Mar 23.

Abstract

In squamous cell carcinoma, the levels of nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) derived from cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) originated from tumor cells or tumor-associated inflammatory cells have been reported to correlate with tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. The present study examined the role of the iNOS signaling pathway in PGE2-mediated tumor invasiveness and proliferation in squamous cell carcinoma, A431, and SCC-9 cells. Cell invasion and proliferation promoted by PGE2 were blocked by iNOS silencing RNA or iNOS/guanylate cyclase (GC) pharmacological inhibition. Consistently, iNOS-GC pathway inhibitors blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase-ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which was required to mediate PGE2 functions. In vivo, in A431 cells implanted in nude mice, GC inhibition also decreased the tumor proliferation index and ERK1/2 activation. PGE2 effects were confined to the selective stimulation of the EP2 receptor subtype, leading to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation via protein kinase A (PKA) and c-Src activation. EP2-mediated ERK1/2 activation and cell functions were abolished by inhibitors of PKA, c-Src, and EGFR, as well as by inhibiting iNOS pathway. Silencing of iNOS also impaired EGFR-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These results indicate that iNOS/GC signaling is a downstream player in the control of EP2/EGFR-mediated tumor cell proliferation and invasion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • ErbB Receptors / physiology*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / genetics
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E / physiology*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Transfection

Substances

  • PTGER2 protein, human
  • Ptger2 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3