Abstract
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible COX isozyme, plays a key role in intestinal tumorigenesis. We have demonstrated recently that COX-2 protein is induced in the polyp stroma near the intestinal luminal surface in the Apc(Delta716) mouse, a model for human familial adenomatous polyposis, and stimulate tumor angiogenesis. However, the precise cell types that express COX-2 are still to be determined. By immunohistochemical analysis, here we show that the majority of COX-2-expressing cells in the intestinal polyps of Apc(Delta716) mice are fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Furthermore, the COX-2-expressing cells in human familial adenomatous polyposis polyps are also fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In contrast, bone marrow-derived cells such as macrophages and leukocytes express little COX-2 protein in the intestinal polyps. These results clearly indicate that fibroblasts and endothelial cells play important roles in polyp expansion by expressing COX-2, resulting in tumor angiogenesis.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Actins / biosynthesis
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Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / enzymology
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Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / metabolism
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Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / pathology
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Animals
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Antigens, CD34 / biosynthesis
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Antigens, Differentiation / biosynthesis
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Cyclooxygenase 2
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Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
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Endothelium, Vascular / enzymology
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Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
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Fibroblasts / enzymology
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Fibroblasts / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Intestinal Polyps / enzymology*
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Intestinal Polyps / pathology
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Isoenzymes / biosynthesis*
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Macrophages / enzymology
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Macrophages / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / biosynthesis*
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Stromal Cells / enzymology
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Stromal Cells / metabolism
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Vimentin / biosynthesis
Substances
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Actins
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Antigens, CD34
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Antigens, Differentiation
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Isoenzymes
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Membrane Proteins
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Vimentin
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monocyte-macrophage differentiation antigen
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Cyclooxygenase 2
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PTGS2 protein, human
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases