Prostacyclin inhibits non-small cell lung cancer growth by a frizzled 9-dependent pathway that is blocked by secreted frizzled-related protein 1

Neoplasia. 2010 Mar;12(3):244-53. doi: 10.1593/neo.91690.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the ability of iloprost, an orally active prostacyclin analog, to inhibit transformed growth of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to define the mechanism of iloprost's tumor suppressive effects. In a panel of NSCLC cell lines, the ability of iloprost to inhibit transformed cell growth was not correlated with the expression of the cell surface receptor for prostacyclin, but instead was correlated with the presence of Frizzled 9 (Fzd 9) and the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma). Silencing of Fzd 9 blocked PPARgamma activation by iloprost, and expression of Fzd 9 in cells lacking the protein resulted in iloprost's activation of PPARgamma and inhibition of transformed growth. Interestingly, soluble Frizzled-related protein-1, a well-known inhibitor of Wnt/Fzd signaling, also blocked the effects of iloprost and Fzd 9. Moreover, mice treated with iloprost had reduced lung tumors and increased Fzd 9 expression. These studies define a novel paradigm, linking the eicosanoid pathway and Wnt signaling. In addition, these data also suggest that prostacyclin analogs may represent a new class of therapeutic agents in the treatment of NSCLC where the restoration of noncanonical Wnt signaling maybe important for the inhibition of transformed cell growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Frizzled Receptors / genetics
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism*
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Iloprost / pharmacology*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mice
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • FZD9 protein, human
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • PPAR gamma
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • WD repeat containing planar cell polarity effector
  • Luciferases
  • Iloprost