Notably, AH680, a selective antagonist of EP1/EP2 receptors, exerted an inhibitory effect on COX-2-dependent VEGF expression in NSCLC cells (p < 0.05). Figure 3 COX-2 mediated VEGF up-regulation in NSCLC cells was changed with treatment with several reagents. VEGF expression after treatment with several

reagents SU5402 cell line was showed in A549 (A), H460 (B), and A431 cells (C). Red curve indicated cells treatment with COX-2, black curve indicated with COX-2 and AH6809, green curve indicated with COX-2 and KT5720, and blue curve indicated with COX-2 and RO-31-8425. Comparison of G-mean fluorescence intensity of VEGF was showed (D). G-mean, geometric mean. Effect of PMA on COX-2 stimulation of tumor-associated VEGF expression To confirm that PKC played

a key role in COX-2-dependent, tumor-associated VEGF expression, we treated NSCLC cell lines with the PKC activator PMA. As demonstrated in Figure 4 treatment with both COX-2 and PMA learn more significantly increased the geometric mean fluorescence intensity of VEGF expression in A549, H460, and A431 cells compared to treatment with COX-2 or PMA alone (p < 0.01 for all). Figure 4 Effect of COX-2 and PAM on tumor associated VEGF expression in NSCLC cells. VEGF expression after treatment with PMA was showed in A431, A549, and H460 (A). Red curve indicated Sotrastaurin molecular weight no treatment, black curve indicated treatment with PMA. VEGF expression after treatment with COX-2 and PMA was showed in A431, A549, and H460 (B). Red curve indicated treatment with COX-2, black curve indicated treatment with COX-2 and PMA. Comparison of G-mean fluorescence intensity of VEGF was showed (C). G-mean, geometric mean. Discussion Tumor-induced angiogenesis is a cardinal attribute of malignant disease [16]. The microvasculature formed with new blood vessels in tumor stroma mediates transport of nutrients to the tumor cells, and is a prerequisite

for growth of tumors beyond a certain size [17]. It is known that malignant angiogenesis is induced by specific angiogenesis-promoting molecules, such as VEGF, which are highly expressed in various types of solid tumors and are released by the tumor itself. The resulting tumor-induced neovasculature exhibits enhanced endothelial cell Fenbendazole permeability, and the associated increase in vascular permeability may allow the extravasation of plasma proteins and formation of extracellular matrix favorable to endothelial and stromal cell migration [18]. Importantly, certain molecules, such as COX-2, have been found to participate in up-regulation of VEGF in malignant tissue. COX-2 expression has been implicated in the regulation of VEGF in colonic cancer [19], thyroid cancer [20], and nasopharyngeal carcinoma [21]. Previous studies have demonstrated that COX-2 is able to induce angiogenesis or promote tumor adhesion and metastasis [22, 23], and also plays a key role in drug resistance in NSCLC patients [24].