Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate whether astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG1) regulates COX-2 expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and related pathways involved in this process.
Methods
Human hepatoma HepG2 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1(-)-AEG1 plasmid or psilencer2.0-AEG1-shRNA1 plasmid to up/down-regulate AEG1 expression, pcDNA3.1(-) and psilencer 2.0 empty vector plasmids were transfected respectively as control. Real-time RT-PCR was carried out to measure the expression levels of AEG1 and COX-2 mRNA. The expression levels of AEG1 and COX-2 protein were detected by Western blot. NF-κB signaling was blocked by PDTC, and AP-1 signaling was blocked by curcumin.
Results
AEG1 mRNA and protein levels were increased after pcDNA3.1(-)-AEG1 transfection, and decreased after psilencer2.0-AEG1-shRNAs transfection. COX-2 mRNA and protein levels were increased in AEG1-overexpressing cells and decreased in AEG1-knockdown cells. Phosphorylations of p65 and c-jun were up-regulated in AEG1-overexpressing cells. Both PDTC and curcumin reduced COX-2 expression in HepG2 cells with AEG1 overexpression.
Conclusion
AEG1-overexpressing and -knockdown HepG2 cells are established successfully. AEG1 could induce COX-2 expression though activating NF-κB and AP-1 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.
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Supported by grants from the National Science Foundation of China (No. 81070333) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China (No. 2012FFB02318).
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Deng, H., Zhou, Z., Tu, W. et al. AEG1 induces COX-2 expression via activation of NF-κB and AP-1 in hepatoma HepG2 cells. Chin. -Ger. J. Clin. Oncol. 12, 253–256 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-013-1168-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-013-1168-0