Indomethacin stimulates activity and expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 in glioma cell lines

Andressa Bernardi1, Luci Bavaresco, Márcia R Wink

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-anexo, CEP 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Insights

Indomethacin inhibits glioma cell proliferation by increasing ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 activity and adenosine A(3) receptor levels. These changes in purine metabolism are key to its anti-proliferative effects in glioma.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Gliomas are aggressive primary central nervous system tumors.
  • Extracellular ATP and adenosine regulate glioma cell proliferation.
  • Ecto-nucleotidases, including ecto-5 extprime-nucleotidase/CD73, modulate these extracellular nucleotides.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of indomethacin on purine nucleotide metabolism in glioma cells.
  • To elucidate the role of ecto-5 extprime-nucleotidase/CD73 and adenosine A(3) receptors in indomethacin's anti-proliferative action.

Main Methods:

  • U138-MG and C6 glioma cell lines were treated with indomethacin (100 microM for 48 h).
  • Enzyme activity assays measured AMP and ATP hydrolysis rates.
  • Quantitative PCR and Western blotting assessed ecto-5 extprime-nucleotidase/CD73 and adenosine A(3) receptor expression.
  • Cell proliferation was evaluated with and without indomethacin and an adenosine A(3) receptor antagonist (MRS1220).

Main Results:

  • Indomethacin significantly increased AMP and ATP hydrolysis rates in both cell lines.
  • Ecto-5 extprime-nucleotidase/CD73 mRNA and protein levels were elevated by indomethacin.
  • Indomethacin treatment upregulated adenosine A(3) receptor mRNA expression.
  • Blocking adenosine A(3) receptors with MRS1220 partially reversed indomethacin's inhibition of cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • Indomethacin enhances ecto-5 extprime-nucleotidase/CD73 activity and increases adenosine A(3) receptor expression in glioma cells.
  • Adenosine A(3) receptors are implicated in mediating the anti-proliferative effects of indomethacin.
  • Targeting these pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for glioma treatment.