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The anti-apoptotic property of NS-398 at high dose can be mediated in part through NF-kappaB activation, hsp70

Sandra Moalic-Juge1, Bertrand Liagre, Raphaël Duval

  • 1Laboratoire de Biochimie, UPRES EA 1085, Faculté de Pharmacie, 2 rue du Docteur Marcland, 87025 Limoges Cedex, France.

Insights

High-dose NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, surprisingly inhibits apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells by affecting p53, p21, and NF-kappaB pathways. This contrasts with its known pro-apoptotic effects in other cancer types.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit anti-cancer properties, including anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis.
  • Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors like NS-398 have shown varied effects on cancer cell lines.
  • Previous studies indicated high-dose NS-398 (100 µM) induced cell cycle arrest but decreased apoptosis in human 1547 osteosarcoma cells, contrary to low-dose effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the anti-apoptotic effect of high-dose NS-398 in human osteosarcoma cells.
  • To examine the impact of 100 µM NS-398 on key apoptosis-related factors including p53, p21, caspase activities, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB).

Main Methods:

  • Human 1547 osteosarcoma cells were treated with 100 µM NS-398.
  • Analysis of p53 and p21 mRNA expression.
  • Measurement of caspase activities (specifically caspase-3).
  • Assessment of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation.
  • Evaluation of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression.
  • Determination of the bcl-2/bax protein ratio.

Main Results:

  • A correlation was observed between p53 and p21 mRNA expression and NF-kappaB activation.
  • Treatment with 100 µM NS-398 induced heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression.
  • A significant decrease in caspase-3 activity was noted.
  • The inhibition of apoptosis was associated with an increased bcl-2/bax ratio.

Conclusions:

  • High-dose NS-398 (100 µM) exhibits a novel anti-apoptotic effect in human 1547 osteosarcoma cells.
  • This anti-apoptotic effect is linked to the modulation of p53, p21, NF-kappaB, HSP70, and the bcl-2/bax ratio.
  • These findings contrast with the established pro-apoptotic effects of NS-398 in other cancer cell lines, highlighting cell-type-specific responses.

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