Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer
Published on: July 18, 2017
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer
Bin Xiong1, Tao-Jiao Sun, Hong-Yin Yuan
1Department of Oncology, Affiliated Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University,Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China. xbxh@public.wh.hb.cn
Aim:
Cyclooxygenase-2 is involved in a variety of important cellular functions, including cell growth and differentiation, cancer cell motility and invasion, angiogenesis and immune function. However, the role of cyclooxygenase-2 as an angiogenic factor in colorectal cancer tissue is still unclear. We investigated the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 and angiogenesis by analyzing the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in colorectal cancer tissue, as well as its association with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD).
Methods:
The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, VEGF, as well as MVD was detected in 128 cases of colorectal cancer by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between the cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF expression and MVD was evaluated. Our objective was to determine the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 on the angiogenesis of colorectal cancer tissue.
Results:
Among 128 cases of colorectal cancer, 87 were positive for cyclooxygenase-2 (67.9 %), and 49 for VEGF (38.3 %), respectively. The microvessel counts ranged from 23 to 142, with a mean of 51.7 (standard deviation, 19.8). The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was correlated significantly with the depth of invasion, stage of disease, metastasis (lymph node and liver), VEGF expression and MVD. Patients in T3-T4, stage III-IV and with metastasis had much higher expression of cyclooxygenase-2 than patients in T1-T2, stage I-II and without metastasis (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of VEGF (81.6 %) in the cyclooxygenase-2 positive group was higher than that in the cyclooxygenase-2 negative group (18.4 %, P<0.05). Also, the microvessel count (56+/-16) in cyclooxygenase-2 positive group was significantly higher than that in cyclooxygenase-2 negative group (43+/-12, P<0.05). The microvessel count in tumors with positive cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF was the highest (60+/-18, 41-142, P<0.05), whereas that in tumors with negative cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF was the lowest (39+/-16, 23-68, P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Cyclooxygenase-2 may be associated with tumor progression by madulating the angiogenesis in colorectal cancer tissue and used as a possible biomarker.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:13meta-Directing Deactivators: –NO2, –CN, –CHO, –CO2R, –COR, –CO2H
02:35Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
01:42What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
01:202° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2