The tumor promoting activity of the EP4 receptor for prostaglandin E2 in murine skin

Mol Oncol. 2014 Dec;8(8):1626-39. doi: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.06.013. Epub 2014 Jul 3.

Abstract

To determine whether the EP4 receptor for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contributes to the tumor promoting activity of PGs in murine skin, EP4 over-expressing mice (BK5.EP4) were generated and subjected carcinogenesis protocols. An initiation/promotion protocol resulted in 25-fold more squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the BK5.EP4 mice than wild type (WT) mice. An increase in SCCs also occurred following treatment with initiator alone or UV irradiation. The initiator dimethylbenz[a]anthracene caused cytotoxicity in BK5.EP4, but not WT mice, characterized by sloughing of the interfollicular epidermis, regeneration and subsequent SCC development. A comparison of transcriptomes between BK5.EP4 and WT mice treated with PGE2 showed a significant upregulation of a number of genes known to be associated with tumor development, supporting a pro-tumorigenic role for the EP4 receptor.

Keywords: EP4 receptor; Murine skin; Prostaglandin E(2); Skin tumors; Tumor promotion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / genetics
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • interleukin 20