Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0017638 (glioma)
30,880 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We studied the effects of Mao (Ephedrae herba) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in C6 rat glioma cells. Western blot analysis showed that Mao inhibited LPS-induced expression of COX-2 protein, but not that of constitutive cyclooxygenase. Reporter gene assays showed that Mao reduced LPS-inducible NF-kappaB-dependent transcription that plays a crucial role in induction of COX-2 gene expression. This crude drug decreased LPS-induced IkappaBalpha degradation in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting LPS-induced IkappaB phosphorylation. These results suggest that Mao prevents LPS-induced NF-kappaB-dependent transcription by inhibiting IkappaB degradation and suppresses an increase in COX-2 protein expression in C6 cells.
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PMID:Ephedorae herba decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxgenase-2 protein expression and NF-kappaB-dependent transcription in C6 rat glioma cells. 1600 36

Chemotherapy for the treatment of brain metastases arising from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been limited by poor efficacy and high toxicity. Especially in heavily pretreated patients with brain metastases, further chemotherapy is known to be extraordinarily difficult. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is necessary but not sufficient for production and growth of brain metastasis. Most current preclinical experiments evaluate antiangiogenic drugs used singly or in combination with other antiangiogenic drugs and/ or cytotoxic drugs. Cerebral edema is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in patients harboring malignant gliomas. In preclinical experiments, cyclooxygenase (COX) -2 plays an important role in the formation of brain edema. Glioma-infiltrating microglia are a major source of PGE2 production through the COX-2 pathway and support the use of COX-2 inhibitors as possible alternatives to glucocorticoids in the treatment of peritumoral edema in patients with malignant brain tumors. Here we report a case of lung cancer patient with brain metastases who had been treated with chemotherapy and whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). He was treated with thalidomide, celceoxib and gemcitabine, after which brain metastases have almost completely disappeared. He tolerated extremely well. This combination may play an important role for patients with NSCLC and brain metastases.
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PMID:[A case report of chemotherapy with thalidomide, celecoxib and gemcitabine in the treatment of patients with brain metastases from lung cancer]. 1622 82

In the course of our survey of natural compounds inhibiting prostaglandin E2 release and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced transcriptional stimulation via NF-kappaB, a central regulator of inflammatory genes, from natural resources, we found garcinone B, a xanthone from callus tissue culture of Hypericum patulum, as a compound with such pharmacological activities, that is a derivative of gamma-mangostin which potently inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 activities to reduce PGE2 release from C6 rat glioma cells, and inhibits IKK activity to prevent NF-kappaB-dependent COX-2 gene transcription. Garcinone B, to a lesser extent, reduced A23187-induced increase in prostaglandin E2 release than gamma-mangostin and its structurally related compound, patulone, in C6 cells. This compound also prevented LPS-induced stimulation of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. These results suggest that garcinone B becomes a unique pharmacological tool to investigate intracellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation.
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PMID:Garcinone B reduces prostaglandin E2 release and NF-kappaB-mediated transcription in C6 rat glioma cells. 1626 90

The overexpression of COX enzymes has been demonstrated in human neoplasms at various sites, including the colon, gastrointestinal tract, lung, skin and recently in brain tumors. In this study, COX-2 receptor overexpression in primary childhood brain tumors was determined and the distribution pattern of COX-2 receptors was examined. A sensitive, 4-step, alkaline phosphatase conjugated antigen detection technique was used and a specific monoclonal antibody for medulloblastomas/ primitive neuroectodermal tumors (MEDs/PNETs), anaplastic, high-grade astrocytomas (ASTRs) and in glioblastoma multiformes (GMs) was employed. All of the 14 MEDs/PNETs observed demonstrated high levels of immunoreactivity (overexpression), with the highest immunostaining intensity (grades A and B). However, of the 14 subtypes of astrocytic tumors examined, the COX-2 receptor expression level did not even approach those of the MEDs/PNETs levels. However, significant differences were found when comparing low grade pilocytic ASTRs to high grade anaplastic ASTRs and glioblastomas. In two low grade pilocytic ASTRs, the expression level never exceeded 20%, while in high grade glial tumors (6 anaplastic ASTRs and 6 GMs) 30 to 50% of the tumor cells overexpressed COX-2 receptors, documenting an increase in COX-2 receptor overexpression with the increasing grade of the astrocytic tumor. In view of these findings, it would appear likely that COX-2 inhibitors may represent a chemo-preventive tool in treating childhood brain tumors, which are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20.
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PMID:Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression in childhood brain tumors. 1690 Jul 83

Malignant gliomas are typically angiogenic and secrete high levels of VEGF. Hypoxia has been identified as an important regulator of VEGF. However, malignant gliomas express high levels of VEGF in both hypoxic perinecrotic and vital tumor areas. In this study, we examined intracellular signaling pathways involved in the secretion of VEGF in glioma cells under normoxic conditions. Human malignant glioma cell lines, T98G, U373MG, U87MG, and A172, and human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL) were cultured both with and without IL-1beta under normoxic conditions. VEGF, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were measured with ELISA. VEGF mRNA levels were estimated by RT-PCR. Inhibitors of COX-2, MAPK, and phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), and blocking antibodies to TGF-beta II and TNF-alpha, or IL-1 receptor antagonist, were used to examine their effects on VEGF secretion. Phosphorylation of MAPK was examined by immunoblotting. The basal levels of VEGF secretion were significantly higher in U87MG, U373MG, and T98G, than HFL. IL-1beta significantly stimulated VEGF secretion in these glioma cells. Inhibitors of p38 MAPK and/or JNK significantly suppressed VEGF secretion both in the presence and absence of IL-1beta, while inhibitors of COX-2, ERK1/2, and PI3-K did not. Constitutive phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK was observed in these glioma cells. The levels of IL-1beta in U87MG were significantly higher than in other glioma cell lines, and IL-1 receptor antagonist suppressed basal secretion of VEGF from U87MG. In conclusion, p38 MAPK and JNK pathways play an important role in VEGF secretion from malignant glioma cells under normoxic conditions, possibly contributing to VEGF-induced angiogenesis in malignant gliomas at vital tumor areas where there is no hypoxia.
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PMID:Activation of p38 MAPK and/or JNK contributes to increased levels of VEGF secretion in human malignant glioma cells. 1696 94

The COX-2 protein is frequently overexpressed in human malignant gliomas. This expression has been associated with their aggressive growth characteristics and poor prognosis for patients. Targeting the COX-2 pathway might improve glioma therapy. In this study, the effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam alone and in combination with irradiation were investigated on human glioma cells in vitro. A panel of three glioma cell lines (D384, U87 and U251) was used in the experiments from which U87 cells expressed constitutive COX-2. The response to meloxicam and irradiation (dose-range of 0-6 Gy) was determined by the clonogenic assay, cell proliferation was evaluated by growth analysis and cell cycle distribution by FACS. 24-72 h exposure to 250-750 microM meloxicam resulted in a time and dose dependent growth inhibition with an almost complete inhibition after 24 h for all cell lines. Exposure to 750 microM meloxicam for 24 h increased the fraction of cells in the radiosensitive G(2)/M cell cycle phase in D384 (18-27%) and U251 (17-41%) cells. 750 microM meloxicam resulted in radiosensitization of D384 (DMF:2.19) and U87 (DMF:1.25) cells, but not U251 cells (DMF:1.08). The selective COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam exerted COX-2 independent growth inhibition and radiosensitization of human glioma cells.
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PMID:Radiosensitizing potential of the selective cyclooygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor meloxicam on human glioma cells. 1744 9

Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-based vectors have been used in clinical trials for glioblastoma treatment, but the capacity of Ad5 to infect human glioma cells was questioned. Seeking to improve the adenovirus transduction, we tested four Ad5-based vectors differing only in their fiber gene on permanent and short-term cultures of glioblastoma cells. A wild-type fiber Ad5 vector (Ad5.Luc) was compared to an RGD integrin-binding motif-containing fiber adenovirus (AdlucRGD) and the two fiber chimeras Ad5/3 and Ad5/35, with vector binding redirected to the Ad3 or Ad35 receptor, respectively. Compared to Ad5, the transduction of the tested short-term glioblastoma cultures with the vector Ad5/35.Luc, AdlucRGD and Ad5/3.Luc was enhanced by approximately 72%, approximately 13% and approximately 2%, respectively. To limit adenovirus spread, we aimed to develop conditionally replicative Ad5/35 vectors by targeting the expression of the essential E1 and E4 genes; in addition, some vectors had the E1Delta24 deletion. We analyzed eleven promoters for their activity in glioblastoma cells and determined the specificity of eight replicative adenovirus vectors in vitro. We evaluated the most promising vectors with E1/E4 under the control of the GFAP/Ki67 or E2F-1/COX-2 promoters, and the native Ad5 or the chimeric Ad5/35 fiber for their antineoplastic activity in a subcutaneous and intracranial glioblastoma xenograft model. Animals treated with the Ad5/35-based vectors showed significantly smaller tumors and longer survival than those treated with the homologous Ad5 vectors; no significant toxicity was observed in the intracranial model. Our data suggest that Ad5/35-based vectors are promising tools for glioblastoma treatment.
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PMID:Improved glioblastoma treatment with Ad5/35 fiber chimeric conditionally replicating adenoviruses. 1764 83

It has been recently reported that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is able to kill glioma cells, both in vivo and in vitro, independently of cannabinoid receptor stimulation. However, the underlying biochemical mechanisms were not clarified. In the present study, we performed biochemical analysis of the effect of CBD both in vivo, by using glioma tumor tissues excised from nude mice, and in vitro, by using U87 glioma cells. In vivo exposure of tumor tissues to CBD significantly decreased the activity and content of 5-lipoxygenase (LOX, by approximately 40%), and of its end product leukotriene B4 ( approximately 25%). In contrast cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity and content, and the amount of its end product prostaglandin E2, were not affected by CBD. In addition, in vivo treatment with CBD markedly stimulated ( approximately 175%) the activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main anandamide-degrading enzyme, while decreasing anandamide content ( approximately 30%) and binding to CB1 cannabinoid receptors ( approximately 25%). In vitro pre-treatment of U87 glioma cells with MK-886, a specific 5-LOX inhibitor, significantly enhanced the antimitotic effect of CBD, whereas the pre-treatment with indomethacin (pan-COX inhibitor) or celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor), did not alter CBD effect. The study of the endocannabinoid system revealed that CBD was able to induce a concentration-dependent increase of FAAH activity in U87 cells. Moreover, a significantly reduced growth rate was observed in FAAH-over-expressing U87 cells, compared to wild-type controls. In conclusion, the present investigation indicates that CBD exerts its antitumoral effects through modulation of the LOX pathway and of the endocannabinoid system, suggesting a possible interaction of these routes in the control of tumor growth.
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PMID:5-Lipoxygenase and anandamide hydrolase (FAAH) mediate the antitumor activity of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. 1802 39

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), an indole hormone, is the chief secretory product of the pineal gland and is an efficient free radical scavenger and antioxidant, both in vitro and in vivo. The role of melatonin as an immunomodulator is, in some cases, contradictory. Although melatonin is reported to influence a variety of inflammatory and immune responses, evidence supporting its effects on important glioma cells-derived mediators is incomplete. We studied, in rat glioma cell line (C6), the role of melatonin (100 microm-1 mm) in the regulation of the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) caused by incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon (IFN)-gamma (1 microg/mL and 100 U/mL, respectively) and defined the mode of melatonin's action. Treatment with LPS/IFN-gamma for 24 hr elicited the induction of inducible (iNOS) activity as determined by nitrite and nitrate (NO(x)) accumulation in the culture medium. Preincubation with melatonin abrogated the mixed cytokines-mediated induction of iNOS. The effect of melatonin was concentration-dependent. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed that melatonin inhibited LPS/IFN-gamma-induced expression of COX-2 protein, but not that of constitutive cyclooxygenase. Inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression was associated with inhibition of activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). The ability of melatonin to inhibit NF-kappaB activation was further confirmed by studies on the degradation of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB, IkappaB-alpha. Increased production of lipid peroxidation products using thiobarbituric acid assay were found in cellular contents from activated cultures. Lipid peroxidation was decreased by melatonin treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, several genes having roles in heat-shock response were downregulated in melatonin-treated cells, such as 70 proteins, reflecting the reduced oxidative stress in these cells. The mechanisms underlying in vitro the neuroprotective properties of melatonin involve modulation of transcription factors and consequent altered gene expression, resulting in downregulation of inflammation.
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PMID:Signal transduction pathways involved in protective effects of melatonin in C6 glioma cells. 1807 52

Prostaglandin E2 has been connected to processes promoting tumor growth in several human malignancies including gliomas. The terminal prostaglandin synthases mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cPGES convert PGH2 into prostaglandin E2. The inhibition of their function could significantly reduce PGE2 levels in tumors while avoiding some side effects related to the inhibition of the upstream enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. In this study, the immunohistochemical staining of mPGES-1 and, for the first time, the staining of mPGES-2 and cPGES are characterized and compared with COX-1 and COX-2 staining in the same tumor samples of 94 human gliomas. The main results demonstrate over-expression of all three proteins, including cPGES and mPGES-2 that are commonly considered noninducible, in both low- and high-grade tumors. For all three proteins, average expression in tumor cells was higher in grade III tumors than grade II tumors. The analysis showed no correlation between tumor grade and staining of tumor cells or vascular endothelium with any of the antibodies except in oligodendrogliomas where moderate correlation (linear correlation coefficient 0.6; P < 0.01) could be found between tumor grade and tumor cell staining with mPGES-1 and cPGES. In grade II tumors which recurred and were reoperated upon during the data gathering period, average expression of COX-2, mPGES-1, and cPGES was higher than in tumors that were operated on only once. Our results demonstrate the significance of all three terminal prostaglandin synthases, mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cPGES, as a possible future target of inhibition in glioma therapy.
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PMID:The terminal prostaglandin synthases mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cPGES are all overexpressed in human gliomas. 1934 95


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