Inhibition of carcinogenesis in transgenic mouse models over-expressing 15-lipoxygenase in the vascular wall under the control of murine preproendothelin-1 promoter

Cancer Lett. 2005 Nov 8;229(1):127-34. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.02.017.

Abstract

Oxygenases are a family of enzymes that dioxygenate unsaturated fatty acids, thus initiating membrane oxidation and signaling molecule synthesis. The lipoxygenases (LOs), a family of lipid-peroxidizing enzymes that induce structural and metabolic changes in the cell in a number of pathophysiological conditions, belong to the oxygenases family. This class of enzymes has several subgroups, named 5-, 8-, 12- and 15-LOs, and these LO-isoforms are capable of oxygenating arachidonic and linoleic acid. 15-LOs were reported to play an inhibitory role in tumor angiogenesis and, consequently, they slow down carcinogenesis. It has been suggested that its anti-carcinogenic effect is conferred by promoting cell differentiation and apoptosis. Using transgenic mice that over-express 15-LO-1 in endothelial cells under the regulation of the murine preproendothelin-1 promoter, we studied its effect on tumor and metastasis growth. We found that 15-LO-1 inhibited tumor and metastasis growth in the transgenic mice in two different models of cancer (mammary gland and Lewis lung carcinoma). This inhibition was concomitant with a higher number of apoptotic cells in the metastases of the transgenic mice and with a complicated network of multiple small blood vessels. This finding targets 15-LO as a new candidate in the treatment of carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase / biosynthesis
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase / genetics
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase / physiology*
  • Blood Vessels
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / physiopathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Endothelin-1 / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / physiopathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Endothelin-1
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase