Aspirin inhibits the proliferation of human uterine leiomyoma cells by downregulation of K‑Ras‑p110α interaction

Oncol Rep. 2017 Oct;38(4):2507-2517. doi: 10.3892/or.2017.5915. Epub 2017 Aug 22.

Abstract

Aspirin has been confirmed as an effective antitumor drug in various cancers. However, the relationship between aspirin and uterine leiomyoma is still underexplored. Here, we explored the effects of aspirin on human uterine leiomyoma cells and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry analysis showed that aspirin treatment inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in a dose- and time‑dependent manner of human uterine leiomyoma cells. Further studies revealed that aspirin blocked the interaction between K-Ras and p110α by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. Western blotting demonstrated K‑Ras‑p110α interaction was required for the effects of aspirin‑induced inhibition on cell growth and cell cycle transition via cell cycle regulators, including cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). PI3K/Akt/caspase signaling pathway was involved in human uterine leiomyoma cell growth under aspirin treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that aspirin inhibited human uterine leiomyoma cell growth by regulating K‑Ras‑p110α interaction. Aspirin which targeting on interaction between K-Ras and p110α may serve as a new therapeutic drug for uterine leiomyoma treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage*
  • Caspases / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics*
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma / drug therapy*
  • Leiomyoma / genetics
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • KRAS protein, human
  • Cyclin D1
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • PIK3CA protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2
  • Caspases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Aspirin