Objective: To determine the effect of Celecoxib on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 and the probable mechanism involved.
Methods: Using MTT assay, flow cytometry, Acridine orange and Ethidium bromide staining, and Western blotting analysis, the effects of celecoxib on the proliferation and apoptosis of HT-29 cells as well as its related mechanism were studied.
Results: The growth of HT-29 cell was inhibited by celecoxib in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Sub-G1 peak was detected by FCM, and apoptotic rate was between (7.31 +/- 2.37) % and (48.30 +/- 2.86) %. The cell ratio of G0/G1 phase increased,whereas the cell ratio of S and G2/M phases decreased in a dose-dependent manner after the treatment. The HT-29 cell line exhibited some morphologic features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, and formation of apoptosis bodies, and the apoptotic rate was in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Celecoxib down-regulated the expression of CDK2, CDK4 and up-regulated the expression of P2 WAF1/CIP1
Conclusion: The effect of celecoxib inhibiting cell HT-29 proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis may relate to its blocking cell cycle progress.