Changes in the gene expression profile of gastric cancer cells in response to ibuprofen: a gene pathway analysis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs possess antiproliferative activities that can affect cancer cells. The aim of this study was to examine the antiproliferative effects of ibuprofen on the MKN-45 cell line. Cells were treated with ibuprofen for 24, 48 or 72 h, and cell proliferation was evaluated by cell counting and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. Using microarray technology, we studied changes in the gene expression profiles over time after ibuprofen treatment. Ibuprofen induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell number without altering cell viability. Genes involved in the 'biological oxidation' and 'G(1)/S checkpoint' pathways were the most significantly represented at 24 h, whereas genes involved in the 'cell cycle' and 'DNA replication' pathways were represented at 48 and 72 h. Genes associated with the 'apoptosis' pathway were also significantly represented at 72 h. Modulation of the expression of p53 and p53-induced genes (CDKN1A/p21 and GADD45), which are involved in the G(1)/S transition, suggested an effect of ibuprofen on cell-cycle progression. Using flow cytometry, we observed an early block in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle after ibuprofen treatment. In addition, P450 family transcripts were upregulated and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased following 12 h of ibuprofen treatment. Ibuprofen induced ROS, which resulted in cellular alterations that promoted a p53-dependent G(1) blockade. These findings suggest that ibuprofen exerts its antiproliferative actions through cell-cycle control and the induction of apoptosis. Both of these mechanisms appear to be independent of ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory effects.

Simultaneous evaluation of the circulating levels of both Th1 and Th2 chemokines in patients with autoimmune Addison's disease.

BACKGROUND: Chemokines play a key role in the recruitment of the immune cells into the autoimmune process. Thus, the simultaneous evaluation of circulating levels of Th1-related chemokines, such as CX chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) and macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α (CCL3/MIP-1α), and Th2-related chemokines, such as macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 ß (CCL4/MIP-1ß) could be useful in the approach to some autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). AIM: To evaluate plasmatic levels of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, CXCL10 and adrenocortical antibodies in patients with AAD under treatment with corticosteroids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve women and 5 men (group 1) were divided in 2 subgroups: 9 subjects with isolated AAD (group 1a) and 8 with AAD associated with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (group 1b). MIP-1α, MIP- 1ß and CXCL10 were evaluated in the serum of all patients and in 20 healthy controls, using a system for microarray suspension. RESULTS: The levels of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and CXCL10 resulted significantly increased vs controls (p<0.001). An inverse significant correlation between the serum levels of MIP- 1ß and the duration of the disease was observed. CONCLUSION: High levels of MIP-1α and MIP-1ß associated with increased levels of CXCL10 in AAD seem to indicate a role of these chemokines in the autoimmune pathology of adrenal gland through the recruitment in loco of Th1 and Th2 cells. The simultaneous measurement of Th1-related chemokines (CXCL10 and MIP-1α) and of Th2-related chemokine MIP-1ß in the serum of patients with AAD would sustain a novel preliminary hypothesis on the immune microenvironment of chronic autoimmune inflammation within adrenal glands.

Concomitant CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression predicts poor prognosis in renal cancer.

CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor implicated in the metastatic process. The CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12, was shown to bind also the CXCR7 receptor, a recently deorphanized chemokine receptor whose signalling pathway and function are still controversial. This study was conducted to determine patients clinic-pathological factors and outcome according to the expressions of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression was evaluated in 223 RCC patients through immunohistochemistry; moreover CXCR4 and CXCR7 was detected in 49 others consecutive RCC patients trough RT- PCR. CXCR4 expression was low in 42/223 RCC (18.8%), intermediate in 71/223 (31.9%) and high in 110/223 (49.3%). CXCR7 expression was low in 44/223 RCC patients (19.8%), intermediate in 65/223 (29.1%) and high in 114/223 (51.1%). High CXCR4 and high CXCR7 expression predicted shorter disease free survival. In multivariate analysis, high CXCR4 expression (p= 0.0061), high CXCR7 (p= 0.0194) expression and the concomitant high expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 (p= 0.0235) are independent prognosis factors. Through RT-PCR, CXCR4 was overexpressed in 36/49 and CXCR7 in 33/49 samples correlating with symptoms at diagnosis and lymph nodes status. So we can hypothesize that CXCR4 and CXCR7, singularly evaluated and in combination, are valuable prognostic factors in RCC patients.