Role of cytokines and Jak3/Stat3 signaling in the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride-induced rat model of colon carcinogenesis: early target in the anticancer strategy

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2013 May;22(3):215-28. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0b013e3283584932.

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms by which colon cancer cells regulate the expression of various proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors resulting in tumor progression have not been well clarified. The present study thus explores the effect of cancer cell-derived cytokines and transcription factors on the chemoprevention of a rat model of early colon carcinogenesis. Elevated expression of proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, interferon γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α] and the transcription factors [Janus kinase 3 (Jak3) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3)] was found in the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) group; however, this elevated expression was reversed by the individual and combination treatment with piroxicam, a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [inhibiting both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2] and c-phycocyanin, a cyanobacterium-derived biliprotein from Spirulina platensis (selective COX-2 inhibitor). In the DMH group, low expression of IL-4, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was further observed with respect to the other groups. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide/citrulline levels was also analyzed and was found to be elevated with DMH treatment. Increased apoptotic index and stimulated levels of Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad), a proapoptotic protein, were observed in piroxicam-treated and c-phycocyanin-treated rats. In-silico molecular docking of piroxicam as a ligand with several regulatory proteins was performed, indicating that, except inducible nitric oxide synthase, it effectively binds with COX-1, COX-2, Jak3, and Stat3. Piroxicam and c-phycocyanin perhaps showed chemopreventive properties by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines and Jak3/Stat3 signaling while promoting apoptosis. In addition, a combination regimen was found to be more beneficial than monotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytokines / physiology*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Janus Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Janus Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Piroxicam / administration & dosage
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reaction Time
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Jak3 protein, rat
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Stat3 protein, rat
  • Piroxicam
  • Janus Kinase 3
  • 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine