help button home button Endocrine Society Endocrinology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Falzon, M.
Right arrow Articles by Zong, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Falzon, M.
Right arrow Articles by Zong, J.
Endocrinology Vol. 139, No. 3 1046-1053
Copyright © 1998 by The Endocrine Society


ARTICLES

The Noncalcemic Vitamin D Analogs EB1089 and 22-Oxacalcitriol Suppress Serum-Induced Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide Gene Expression in a Lung Cancer Cell Line1

Miriam Falzon and Jian Zong

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Sealy Center for Molecular Science, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Miriam Falzon, Ph.D., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 10th and Market Streets, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1031. E-mail: mfalzon{at}utmb.edu


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) mediates the syndrome of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, a frequent complication of squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. This study was undertaken to determine whether 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] and two nonhypercalcemic analogs, EB1089 and 22-oxa-1,25-(OH)2D3 (22-oxacalcitriol), suppress serum- and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced PTHrP gene expression in a human lung squamous cancer cell line, NCI H520. PTHrP expression was up-regulated by serum and EGF in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Nuclear run-on analysis showed that this induction was mediated via a transcriptional mechanism, and that sequences within promoter 1 were responsible. All three vitamin D3 compounds decreased both basal and serum- and EGF-induced steady state PTHrP messenger RNA and secreted peptide levels. These effects were again mediated via a transcriptional mechanism through sequences within promoter 1. All three vitamin D3 compounds also decreased the proliferation of NCI H520 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. 1,25-(OH)2D3 is hypercalcemic in vivo. However, the noncalcemic analogs EB1089 and 22-oxa-1,25-(OH)2D3 have therapeutic potential, as they suppress not only the basal but also the growth factor-stimulated levels of PTHrP in a cancer cell line associated with hypercalcemia.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
CANCER cells produce a variety of hormones and cytokines that complicate the clinical management of cancer patients. Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) is one of the most frequent paraneoplastic syndromes and in most cases is mediated by the PTH-related peptide (PTHrP). When overproduced and secreted by certain tumors, PTHrP enters the circulation (1), interacts with the PTH/PTHrP receptor in bone and kidney (2), and stimulates osteoclastic bone reabsorption and renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, thus leading to hypercalcemia (3, 4, 5).

PTHrP was originally purified from a human cancer cell line (BEN) isolated from a patient with the HHM syndrome (6). In fact, HHM is a very common complication in patients with squamous cell carcinomata of the lung and is a major contributor to the morbidity of such patients (7, 8, 9, 10). Cell lines derived from squamous cell carcinomas of the lung secrete high levels of PTHrP; one such example is the human cell line, NCI H520 (11). As the molecular mechanism(s) through which the PTHrP gene is up-regulated in certain malignancies has not yet been identified, there has been no effective approach to control increased production of PTHrP in cancer cells.

PTHrP gene transcription in various cell types is repressed by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], the hormonally active form of vitamin D3 (11, 12, 13, 14). The hypercalcemic activity of 1,25-(OH)2D3 has prevented its clinical application, so various vitamin D3 analogs with preferential effects on cellular differentiation and proliferation but little or no calcemic activity have been synthesized. Although these compounds are not absolutely noncalcemic, for simplicity they are referred to as nonhypercalcemic in the text because their effects on calcium levels are much less pronounced than those of 1,25-(OH)2D3. Two of these compounds, EB1089 and 22-oxacalcitriol (OCT), were used in the present study. OCT has an oxygen atom at the C22 position of the side-chain skeleton (15). The side chain in EB1089 has been elongated by introduction of terminal ethyl groups, and double bonds have been introduced at positions 22 and 24 (16). We and others have shown that EB1089 and OCT decrease PTHrP messenger RNA (mRNA) and secreted peptide levels through a transcriptional mechanism in NCI H520 cells (11) and other cells lines (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22). Here, we extend these findings to address a potential role for PTHrP as an autocrine regulator of NCI H520 cell proliferation.

PTHrP gene expression is positively regulated at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level by serum-derived growth factors (23, 24, 25, 26, 27). Cancer cells produce a number of growth factors. It is likely that these growth factors play an important role in increasing PTHrP production by these cells, resulting in the development of hypercalcemia. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether 1,25-(OH)2D3 and the two nonhypercalcemic analogs reverse the stimulatory effects of the serum-derived growth factors on PTHrP mRNA levels and peptide secretion.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Cell line
NCI H520 (human squamous cell carcinoma of the lung) cells were grown at 37 C in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with either FBS (Atlanta Biologicals, Norcross, GA) or Nu-serum (Collaborative Biomedical Products, Bedford, MA), as specified in the text.

Plasmids and oligonucleotides
The DNA fragment used as a probe to detect PTHrP by Northern blot analysis was generated by RT-PCR using two oligonucleotides (upstream, 5'-CTGGTTCAGCAGTGGAGCGTC-3'; downstream, 5'-GTTAGGGGACACCTCCGAGGT-3') spanning exons 3 and 4 of the human PTHrP gene. Complementary DNA obtained by RT of total RNA from NCI H520 cells was used as the template for PCR. The resulting 231-bp fragment was cloned into the vector pCR II (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA), and its identity was verified by dideoxy sequencing. The recombinant plasmid was cut with EcoRI. For Northern blot analysis, the isolated fragment was labeled by asymmetric PCR (28), using the downstream primer and [{alpha}-32P]deoxy-CTP (6000 Ci/mmol; Amersham, Arlington Heights, IL). A DNA fragment containing cyclophilin sequences (29) was labeled by the random primer extension reaction with a multiprime labeling kit (Amersham) and [{alpha}-32P]deoxy-CTP (6000 Ci/mmol) and was used to control for equal RNA loading and transfer.

In nuclear run-on experiments to determine promoter usage, the following promoter-specific probes were used: for promoter 1 usage, an XbaI fragment extending approximately 5.7 kb upstream of exon 1a to the XbaI site situated within the intron between exons 1b and 1c (nomenclature as in Ref.30), cloned in pUC18 (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD); for promoter 2 usage, a BamHI/AccI fragment (extending from the BamHI site located within the intron separating exons 1b and 1c to the AccI site located just downstream of exon 1c) cloned in pCAT basic (Promega, Madison, WI); and for promoter 3 usage, a fragment generated by PCR, including the last 25 bp upstream of exon 1c and extending to 42 bp within exon 2, cloned in pCAT basic.

Cell culture
To determine promoter utilization by nuclear run-on analysis, cells were grown to ~80% confluence in 10% FBS. The vitamin D analogs 1,25-(OH)2D3 (obtained from Dr. Milan Uskokovic, Hoffmann La Roche, Nutley, NJ), EB1089 (from Dr. Lise Binderup, Leo Pharmaceuticals, Ballerup, Denmark), and OCT (from Dr. Noboru Kubodera, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Tokyo, Japan) were then added at the indicated concentrations. Ethanol was used as the vehicle control. In experiments in which the inductive effects of serum or EGF were studied, cells were plated in 10% FBS. After 12 h to allow for the cells to attach, they were transferred to medium containing 0.5% FBS. At approximately 80% confluence (after 48–72 h in 0.5% FBS), the cells were exposed to various concentrations of either FBS (range, 2–20%, vol/vol) or EGF (1–100 ng/ml; Clonetics, San Diego, CA) for the indicated time intervals. Control cells were kept in 0.5% FBS. In experiments in which the combined effects of FBS or EGF and vitamin D3 analog were studied, cells were plated in 10% FBS. After 12 h to allow the cells to attach, they were transferred to 0.5% FBS. When the cells had reached approximately 80% confluence, they were treated with the vitamin D analogs at 10-7 M; after 24 h, they were treated with 20% FBS or 50 ng/ml EGF for 2 h (for Northern blot analysis or nuclear run-on assays) or for 24 h (for the radioimmunometric assay to measure secreted PTHrP levels).

Northern blot analysis
Total RNA was isolated at the indicated time points using RNA STAT-60 (Tel-Test "B", Friendswood, TX). RNA gel electrophoresis was performed under standard conditions (31), using 15 µg RNA. The RNA was then blotted onto nitrocellulose (Schleicher and Schuell, Keene, NH) by capillary action and fixed by baking at 80 C under vacuum for 2 h. Prehybridization and hybridization were carried out as previously described (12). The blots were then washed twice in 2 x SSC (1 x SSC is 0.15 M NaCl plus 0.15 M sodium citrate)-0.1% SDS for 15 min at room temperature, then in 0.2 x SSC-0.1% SDS at 60 C for 45 min. The washed membranes were exposed to Kodak X-Omat film (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY) at -70 C with intensifying screens. After autoradiography, the intensities of the bands representing PTHrP and cyclophilin were evaluated using the Sigmagel program (Jandel Scientific, San Rafael, CA). Quantitation was always performed using signal intensities within the linear range of film sensitivity, as evaluated by scanning an autoradiograph with multiple signal intensities (multiple sample dilutions) and ascertaining that the experimental signals were always within the linear range. This allowed calculation of the ratio of the PTHrP/cyclophilin band intensities for each individual treatment.

Nuclear run-on assays
For nuclear run-on assays of PTHrP gene transcription, cells were treated with FBS and/or vitamin D3 analog as described above. The cells were then harvested, and nuclei were prepared as previously described (11, 12, 32, 33). The following DNAs were used as membrane-attached probes: the promoter-specific probes described above, a rat cyclophilin probe (29), and, as a negative control, pCAT basic DNA linearized with EcoRI. Promoter-specific probes were linearized as follows: promoter 1-specific probe with SalI, and promoter 2- and 3-specific probes with XhoI. Each probe DNA (4 µg) was applied to a nitrocellulose membrane (Schleicher and Schuell) under vacuum and fixed by baking at 80 C under vacuum for 2 h. After hybridization for 40–48 h, the membranes were washed for 1 h at 65 C in 2 x SSC, for 30 min at 37 C in 2 x SSC containing 10 µg/ml ribonuclease A, and for 1 h at 37 C in 2 x SSC, then exposed to film at -70 C with intensifying screens for 3–7 days. The intensities of the bands were quantitated using Sigmagel (Jandel Scientific) as described above, and the ratio of the PTHrP/cyclophilin band intensities was calculated for each individual treatment.

Immunoassay for secreted PTHrP
The amount of PTHrP secreted into the culture medium was measured using an immunoradiometric sandwich assay (Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, CA) employing two affinity-purified antisera to human PTHrP. One antiserum, labeled with 125I, recognizes amino acid residues 1–40, whereas the second antiserum, labeled with biotin, recognizes residues 60–72. This kit provides a standard, human PTHrP-(1–86), as a positive control. The detection limit of this kit is 0.7 pmol/liter (34). The NCI H520 cells were grown to approximately 80% confluence and then treated with the indicated concentrations of FBS, EGF, 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, or OCT or combinations of vitamin D3 compounds and FBS or EGF, as specified in the text. After 24 h (or 48 h for combination treatments), the conditioned medium was collected and frozen at -80 C for future use, and the cell number was determined using a Coulter counter (Hialeah, FL). Before assay, aliquots of the conditioned medium (range, 0.4–1 ml, calculated to represent the same number of cells) were concentrated to 0.2 ml using acetone precipitation. Unconditioned medium (never exposed to cells) similarly concentrated served as the negative control. The assay was carried out according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Cell proliferation studies
For experiments to measure the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and analogs on cell proliferation, NCI H520 cells were plated at a density of 5 x 105 cells in six-well dishes in RPMI 1640 containing 10% Nu-serum. (The vitamin D3 compounds produced the largest effects on cell growth when cells where grown in Nu-serum as opposed to 0.5% or 10% FBS). After 12 h to allow the cells to attach, they were treated with the various vitamin D3 compounds (10-7–10-10 M) for periods ranging from 24–72 h, as specified in the text. The cells were then treated with trypsin. After the trypsin was inactivated with medium containing 10% FBS, cell number was determined with a Coulter counter.

Thymidine incorporation assay
For these experiments, NCI H520 cells were plated in 48-well plates in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% Nu-serum. Cells were allowed to attach for 12 h. They were then treated with various concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, or OCT for 24 h. After 12 h of treatment, 0.5 µCi/well [3H]thymidine (DuPont-New England Nuclear, Boston, MA) was added, and treatment was continued for an additional 12 h. To determine [3H]thymidine incorporation, the cell monolayer was washed twice with PBS, and a fraction of the cells were counted with a Coulter counter. The nucleic acids in the rest of the cell fraction were precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and solubilized with sodium hydroxide for scintillation counting (35). The results are expressed as counts per number of cells.

Statistics
Numerical data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with t tests to determine the statistical significance of differences.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Both serum and EGF increase steady state PTHrP mRNA and secreted peptide levels in NCI H520 cells
The effects of serum and EGF on steady state PTHrP mRNA levels were examined by Northern blot analysis. NCI H520 cells express one major transcript of approximately 1.5 kb (11). For these experiments, cells were maintained in 0.5% FBS for a minimum of 48 h. Treatment with 20% FBS resulted in an increase in PTHrP mRNA levels within 30 min (the shortest time point examined; Fig. 1AGo). The PTHrP mRNA levels peaked at 2 h (4-fold increase) and had started to decline by 4 h. This increase in PTHrP mRNA levels was concentration dependent at 2 h and was already evident with 2% FBS. Higher serum concentrations produced proportionately larger increases in PTHrP mRNA levels (Fig. 1BGo). The maximum serum effect was not determined, because a plateau was not demonstrated with 20% FBS, the highest concentration used (Fig. 1BGo).



View larger version (66K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Effects of serum on PTHrP mRNA levels. A, Time course for serum induction of PTHrP mRNA levels. NCI H520 cells were kept in 0.5% FBS for 48 h. They were then treated with 20% FBS for the indicated time period. -, Cells kept in 0.5% FBS. B, Concentration-dependent effects of serum on PTHrP mRNA levels. NCI H520 cells were kept in 0.5% FBS for 48 h. They were then treated with the indicated concentrations of serum for 2 h. In A and B, total RNA was harvested after treatment and analyzed by Northern blot analysis. Top panel, PTHrP mRNA; bottom panel, cyclophilin mRNA. A and B are each representative of three separate experiments.

 
EGF also produced a time-dependent increase in steady state PTHrP mRNA levels (Fig. 2AGo). When NCI H520 cells maintained in 0.5% FBS for 48 h were treated with EGF (50 ng/ml), there was an increase in PTHrP mRNA levels within 30 min. Peak induction occurred at 2 h, and levels declined back to the control value by 4 h. This increase in PTHrP mRNA levels was also concentration dependent at 2 h and reached a peak with 50 ng/ml EGF (Fig. 2BGo). There did not seem to be a further increase with 100 ng/ml EGF, indicating that the effect reached a plateau with the 50 ng/ml concentration.



View larger version (60K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. Effects of EGF on PTHrP mRNA levels. A, Time course for EGF induction of PTHrP mRNA levels. NCI H520 cells were kept in 0.5% FBS for 48 h. They were then treated with 50 ng/ml EGF for the indicated time period. -, Cells kept in 0.5% FBS. B, Concentration-dependent effects of EGF on PTHrP mRNA levels. NCI H520 cells were kept in 0.5% FBS for 48 h. They were then treated with the indicated concentrations of EGF for 2 h. In A and B, total RNA was harvested after treatment and analyzed by Northern blot analysis. Top panel, PTHrP mRNA; bottom panel, cyclophilin mRNA. A and B are each representative of three separate experiments.

 
Both serum and EGF produced a concentration-dependent increase in PTHrP release into the culture medium, as detected by immunoassay (Fig. 3Go). When maintained in 0.5% FBS, NCI H520 cells produced 1.2 pmol PTHrP/liter·24 h. These levels rose to a maximum of 5.1 and 4.2 pmol/liter after treatment for 24 h with 20% FBS or 50 ng/ml EGF, respectively (the highest concentrations tested; Fig. 3Go). A minimum of 5% FBS or 5 ng/ml EGF was required to produce an increase in secreted PTHrP levels (Fig. 3Go). Induction times shorter than 24 h could not be measured, because there was not enough accumulation of PTHrP in the culture medium.



View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. Effects of serum or EGF on PTHrP secreted from NCI H520 cells. NCI H520 cells were incubated in medium containing 0.5% FBS for 48 h and then exposed to the indicated concentrations of FBS or EGF for 24 h. Conditioned medium was collected and concentrated, and secreted PTHrP was determined by immunoassay. Each bar is the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, obtained after subtracting the background value, determined by assaying unconditioned medium (not exposed to cells) containing the same concentration of serum or EGF. Asterisks represent significantly different from the control at P <= 0.05.

 
Up-regulation of the PTHrP gene by serum and EGF occurs via a transcriptional mechanism and is mediated by sequences within promoter 1
To determine whether the effects of serum and EGF are mediated via a transcriptional mechanism, nuclear run-on assays were carried out. First, we determined the promoter usage pattern of NCI H520 cells. For these experiments, nuclei were prepared from cells grown in medium containing 0.5% FBS for 72 h. PTHrP gene expression in NCI H520 cells was mediated primarily by promoter 1 (Fig. 4Go). Transcription from promoter 2 was much weaker, whereas transcription from promoter 3 was not detected, even after prolonged exposure of the autoradiographs. We also determined the effect of serum and EGF on transcription from each of the three promoters. For these experiments, nuclei were prepared from NCI H520 cells maintained in 0.5% serum for 72 h and then treated with either 20% FBS or 50 ng/ml EGF for 2 h. Control cells were kept in 0.5% FBS. The data in Fig. 4Go show that both serum and FBS exerted their effects through sequences within promoter 1; the transcription rate from this promoter was increased approximately 4-fold in the presence of serum and 3-fold in the presence of EGF (Fig. 4Go). There was no change in the transcription rate from promoters 2 and 3 in the presence of serum or EGF (Fig. 4Go).



View larger version (54K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Nuclear run-on analysis of PTHrP gene transcription from NCI H520 cells treated with serum or EGF. 32P-labeled run-on transcripts were prepared from nuclei isolated from control cells (0.5% FBS) and from cells maintained in 0.5% FBS for 72 h and then treated with 20% FBS or 50 ng/ml EGF for 2 h. Transcripts were hybridized to membranes on which the indicated DNA sequences representative of promoters 1, 2, or 3 from the human PTHrP gene; cyclophilin (cyclo, internal control); or pCAT basic (negative control) were immobilized. In each instance, the signal is represented by labeling on its right side. The film was exposed for 4 days. This figure is representative of three separate experiments.

 
Down-regulation of PTHrP gene expression by 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, and OCT is also mediated by sequences within promoter 1
As previously reported, 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, and OCT down-regulate PTHrP gene expression in NCI H520 cells via a transcriptional mechanism (11). Here we determined which promoter(s) was responsible for this down-regulation. For these experiments, nuclei were prepared from NCI H520 cells grown in medium containing 10% FBS and treated with a 10-7-M concentration of vitamin D3 analog for 24 h. As shown in Fig. 5Go, the effects of these compounds on PTHrP gene transcription were also mediated via promoter 1. There was an approximately 3-fold decrease in the transcription rate from this promoter after treatment with each of the three vitamin D3 compounds, a value that matches the decreased mRNA levels observed by Northern blot analysis (11). These data suggest that the negative effects of the three vitamin D3 compounds on steady state PTHrP mRNA levels are mediated primarily at the transcriptional level, via promoter 1. The promoter usage of cells grown in 10% FBS was identical to that in cells grown in 0.5% FBS (shown in Fig. 4Go).



View larger version (50K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5. Nuclear run-on analysis of PTHrP gene transcription after treatment of NCI H520 cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, or OCT. 32P-labeled run-on transcripts were prepared from nuclei isolated from control cells (treated with ethanol, the vehicle control) and from cells treated for 24 h with 10-7 M of the vitamin D3 compounds. Transcripts were hybridized to membranes on which the indicated DNA sequences representative of promoters 1, 2, or 3 from the human PTHrP gene; cyclophilin (cyclo, internal control); or pCAT basic (negative control) were immobilized. In each instance, the signal is represented by labeling on its right side. The film was exposed for 4 days. This figure is representative of three separate experiments.

 
1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, and OCT inhibit the serum-mediated stimulatory effects on PTHrP mRNA and secreted peptide levels
We examined whether the vitamin D3 compounds have the potential to inhibit not only basal but also stimulated steady state PTHrP mRNA levels. Figure 6Go, A and B, shows that this is indeed the case, in that after cotreatment with 20% FBS (Fig. 6AGo) or 50 ng/ml EGF (Fig. 6BGo) and OCT (10-7 M), PTHrP mRNA levels were significantly lower than those in cells treated with FBS or EGF alone. OCT was more effective in preventing the EGF-induced than the FBS-induced up-regulation, presumably because serum is a complex mixture of factors working through different mechanisms, not all of which may interact with the OCT pathway. OCT also partially prevented the serum (Fig. 7Go)- and EGF (data not shown)-induced increase in the PTHrP run-on transcription rate mediated via sequences within promoter 1. The transcription rates from promoters 2 and 3 were unchanged (Fig. 7Go). Similar effects were produced when 1,25-(OH)2D3 or EB1089 was used in conjunction with serum or EGF (data not shown). We also measured the effect of the serum or EGF/vitamin D3 combination on PTHrP secretion. As shown in Fig. 8Go, all three vitamin D3 compounds produced a significant decrease in the serum- and EGF-stimulated secretion of peptide into the medium.



View larger version (23K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6. Inhibitory effects of OCT on serum- and EGF-induced PTHrP mRNA levels. NCI H520 cells kept in 0.5% FBS for 48 h were treated with OCT (10-7 M) for 24 h. After 24 h, 20% FBS (A) or 50 ng/ml EGF (B) was added for 2 h. Three sets of controls are shown: cells kept in 0.5% FBS, cells treated with 20% FBS (A) or EGF (B) only, and cells treated with OCT only in the presence of 0.5% FBS. Total RNA was then harvested and analyzed by Northern blot analysis. Top panel, PTHrP mRNA; bottom panel, cyclophilin mRNA. A and B are representative of three separate experiments.

 


View larger version (64K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7. Nuclear run-on analysis of PTHrP gene transcription after cotreatment of NCI H520 cells with serum and OCT. 32P-Labeled run-on transcripts were prepared from nuclei isolated from control cells (0.5% FBS), from cells maintained in 0.5% FBS for 48 h and then treated with 20% FBS for 2 h, from cells treated with 10-7 M OCT for 24 h, and from cells treated with 10-7 M OCT for 24 h followed by 20% FBS for 2 h. Transcripts were hybridized to membranes on which the indicated DNA sequences, representative of promoters 1, 2, and 3 from the human PTHrP gene, cyclophilin (cyclo, internal control), and pCAT basic (negative control) were immobilized. In each instance, the signal is represented by labeling on its right side. The film was exposed for 4 days. This figure is representative of three separate experiments

 


View larger version (18K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 8. Inhibitory effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, and OCT on serum- and EGF-induced PTHrP secretion. NCI H520 cells were incubated in medium containing 0.5% FBS for 48 h and then exposed to 10-7 M vitamin D3 compound for 24 h, followed by 20% FBS or 50 ng/ml EGF for an additional 24 h. Control cells received vitamin D3 compound, 20% FBS, or 50 ng/ml EGF only. Conditioned medium was collected and concentrated, and secreted PTHrP was determined by immunoassay. Each bar is the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, obtained after subtracting the background value, determined by assaying unconditioned medium (not exposed to cells) containing the same concentration of serum, EGF, and/or vitamin D3 compound. Asterisks represent a significant difference from the control at P <= 0.05.

 
Vitamin D3 analogs decrease the proliferation of NCI H520 cells
The effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and of the noncalcemic analogs EB1089 and OCT on the proliferation of NCI H520 cells were also examined. As shown in Fig. 9AGo, at 10-8 M, all three compounds inhibited cell growth in a time-dependent manner. OCT produced the greatest effect, reducing cell number to approximately 60% that of the control (vehicle-treated) after 72 h. EB1089 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 reduced the growth by 30% and 25%, respectively, at the same time point. A smaller effect on cell growth was evident at 24 and 48 h.



View larger version (18K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 9. Effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, and OCT on the proliferation of NCI H520 cells. A, Time course. Cells were treated with a 10-8-M concentration of the vitamin D3 compounds for periods ranging from 24–72 h. Data are presented as the number of cells. B, Dose response. NCI H520 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of various concentrations of the vitamin D3 compounds for 48 h. Data are presented as a percentage of the value in control (untreated) cells. In A and B, the cells were trypsinized after treatment, and cell numbers were determined using a Coulter counter. Each point is the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. Asterisks represent a significant difference from the control at P <= 0.05. {blacktriangleup}, Untreated (A) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (B); {circ}, 1,25-(OH)2D3; {triangleup}, EB1089; •, OCT.

 
The antiproliferative effects of the three compounds were concentration dependent between 10-10–10-7 M. All three compounds produced comparable effects on cell growth (Fig. 9BGo). The effect of OCT was again larger than that of the other two compounds, especially at the lower concentration range (10-10 and 10-9 M). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 was used as a negative control. This compound had no effect on NCI H520 cell proliferation at the concentrations tested (Fig. 9BGo).

The three compounds also decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation. Thus, a 24-h exposure to 10-7 M OCT, EB1089, and 1,25-(OH)2D3 decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation by 24%, 18%, and 15%, respectively (data not shown). Lower concentrations (down to 10-10 M) produced progressively smaller effects (data not shown).


    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
PTHrP was originally isolated from human tumors associated with the HHM syndrome (5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Squamous cell carcinomas of the lung secrete high levels of PTHrP; therefore, these tumors are frequently associated with HHM. The molecular mechanism(s) by which PTHrP is overproduced by these and other tumors is presently unknown, so there has been no effective way to control PTHrP overproduction by these cancer cells. In common with other tumors, lung carcinomas also secrete other growth factors (36), which may, in turn, influence PTHrP gene regulation within the cells.

One such growth factor is EGF, a component of serum (37, 38). Squamous cell lung carcinomas express the EGF receptor (39, 40, 41, 42), and these cells are induced to proliferate in response to EGF (41, 42). In fact, anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibodies are being investigated as potential anticancer agents in patients with squamous cell lung carcinomas (39, 40, 41, 42). It has been shown that EGF induces PTHrP mRNA levels in rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) (23) cells and in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (27). EGF also induces c-fos gene expression; the primary mediator of c-fos responsiveness to EGF in HeLa cells is the serum response element (43). However, EGF also induces a second pathway that involves rapid activation of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors called STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) (44, 45). Six distinct mammalian STAT family members have been cloned to date. At least two of these, STAT1 and STAT3, are activated by EGF (45). Once phosphorylated, STATs dimerize and bind to a number of DNA elements, for example, the c-sis-inducible element (46, 47), resulting in activated gene transcription. EGF-dependent activation of PTHrP gene expression in NCI H520 cells may involve one of these pathways.

Lung cancer patients have a very poor prognosis. It is therefore important to develop a therapeutic agent with antiproliferative effects as well as the potential to control PTHrP gene transcription, but which itself has minimal side-effects.

As these cancer cells produce many growth factors, such a therapeutic agent must suppress not only basal production of PTHrP, but also secretion stimulated by these growth factors. 1,25-(OH)2D3 fits these criteria. This compound is a potent antiproliferative agent and induces differentiation in several systems (48, 49). Here, we have shown that 1,25-(OH)2D3 both suppresses proliferation and down-regulates PTHrP gene transcription in NCI H520. Similar results have been found with other cells, including ROS 17/2.8 (rat osteosarcoma) cells (12), human TT cells (a C cell line derived from a medullary thyroid carcinoma) (14), MT-2 cells (a cell line derived from human T cell leukemia virus I-infected T cells) (16), and cultured normal keratinocytes (13). These observations in conjunction with the fact that VDR is widely expressed not only in the classic target organs involved in calcium homeostasis but also in a number of cancer cells, including NCI H520 cells (11, 50, 51), suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 might be a useful agent in the treatment of cancer.

However, as high doses of 1,25-(OH)2D3 cause hypercalcemia, it cannot be used therapeutically. Structural changes in the 1,25-(OH)2D3 molecule have yielded analogs that retain the beneficial effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 but lack a hypercalcemic ability. We have previously reported that two such analogs, OCT and EB1089, suppress basal PTHrP gene transcription and secreted peptide levels in NCI H520 cells (11). Here we have shown that both analogs have the potential to suppress cell proliferation as well as serum- and EGF-induced PTHrP transcription and secretion. OCT has also been shown to decrease the interleukin-2- and cAMP-induced stimulated secretion of PTHrP in MT-2 cells, which are derived from a human T cell lymphotropic virus type I-infected T cell line (16). These properties make nonhypercalcemic vitamin D3 analogs of potential value therapeutically in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and other carcinomas by suppressing PTHrP secretion and the accompanying hypercalcemia as well as cell proliferation.

The human PTHrP gene is a highly complex transcriptional unit, with nine exons spanning more than 15 kb of genomic DNA (30). The gene uses at least three different promoters, located upstream of exons 1a, 1c, and 2. Promoters 1 and 3 are TATA containing, whereas promoter 2 is GC rich (Ref. 30 and references quoted therein). We have shown here by nuclear run-on assays that PTHrP gene transcription in NCI H520 cells is mediated primarily by sequences within the upstream promoter 1 under both basal and serum- or EGF-stimulated conditions. Down-regulation by 1,25-(OH)2D3, EB1089, and OCT is also mediated via promoter 1, suggesting that this promoter region contains a negative vitamin D response element (nVDRE).

The human PTH gene is also down-regulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Studies of the 5'-flanking sequence of the human PTH gene have identified a nVDRE on the sense strand (sequence AAACTTGGATATC), which includes a half-site of the consensus VDRE sequence (underlined). This sequence interacts with the VDR and confers negative 1,25-(OH)2D3 responsiveness on the PTH gene, as has been shown in transient transfection and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (52, 53). A sequence with significant homology (11 of 13 bp) to this nVDRE (sequence CTATAGATTCATA) is located on the antisense strand approximately -540 bp upstream of exon 1a, that is within promoter 1, in the human PTHrP gene. We are currently investigating whether this sequence does confer negative 1,25-(OH)2D3 responsiveness on the human PTHrP gene in NCI H520 cells.

In conclusion, our present results indicate that both basal and serum- and EGF-induced PTHrP gene transcription and peptide secretion are down-regulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3 and two nonhypercalcemic analogs, EB1089 and OCT, in NCI H520 cells. These compounds also suppress proliferation of this cell line. Therefore, these compounds may provide a new strategy to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the lung as well as other malignancies, both because of their potent antiproliferative effects and their ability to prevent PTHrP-induced HHM.


    Acknowledgments
 
We thank Dr. Milan Uskokovic, Hoffmann La Roche, for supplying 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; Dr. Lise Binderup, Leo Pharmaceuticals, for supplying EB1089; and Dr. Noboru Kubodera, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., for supplying OCT. I also thank Drs. D. Konkel, P. K. Seitz, M. L. Thomas, and C. S. Watson for critical reading of the manuscript.


    Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by a research grant from the NIH. Back

Received August 4, 1997.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Burtis WJ, Brady TG, Orloff JJ, Ersbak JB, Warrell RP, Olson BR, Wu TL, Mitnick ME, Broadus AE, Stewart AF 1990 Immunochemical characterization of circulating parathyroid hormone-related protein in patients with humoral hypercalcemia of cancer. N Engl J Med 322:1106–1112[Abstract]
  2. Jüppner H, Abou-Samra A-B, Freeman M, Kong XF, Schipani E, Richards J, Kolakowski Jr LF, Hock J, Potts Jr JT, Kronenberg HM, Segre GV 1991 A G protein-linked receptor for parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related peptide. Science 254:1024–1026[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  3. Broadus AE, Mangin M, Ikeda K, Insogna KL, Weir EC, Burtis WJ, Stewart AF 1988 Humoral hypercalcemia of cancer. N Engl J Med 319:556–563[Medline]
  4. Martin TJ, Moseley JM, Gillespie MT 1991 Parathyroid hormone-related protein: biochemistry and molecular biology. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 26:377–395[Medline]
  5. Strewler GJ, Stern PH, Jacobs JW, Eveloff J, Klein RF, Leung SC, Rosenblatt M, Nissenson RA 1987 Parathyroid hormone-like protein from human renal carcinoma cells. Structural and functional homology with parathyroid hormone. J Clin Invest 80:1803–1807
  6. Moseley JM, Kubota M, Diefenbach-Jagger H, Wettenhall REH, Kemp BE, Suva LJ, Rodda CP, Ebeling PR, Hudson PJ, Zajac JD, Martin TJ 1987 Parathyroid hormone-related protein purified from a human lung cancer cell line. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84:5048–5052[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Strewler GJ, Nissenson RA 1990 Peptide mediators of hypercalcemia in malignancy. Annu Rev Med 41:35–44[CrossRef][Medline]
  8. Martin TJ, Atkins D 1979 Biological regulators of bone resorption and their significance in cancer. Essays Med Biochem 4:49–82
  9. Stewart AF, Horst R, Deftos LJ, Cadman EC, Lang R, Broadus AE 1980 Biochemical evaluation of patients with cancer-associated hypercalcemia: evidence for humoral and nonhumoral groups. N Engl J Med 303:1377–1383[Abstract]
  10. Mundy GR, Martin TJ 1982 The hypercalcemia of malignancy: pathogenesis and management. Metabolism 31:1247–1277[CrossRef][Medline]
  11. Falzon M 1997 The noncalcemic vitamin D analogues EB1089 and 22-oxacalcitriol interact with the vitamin D receptor and suppress parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene expression. Mol Cell Endocrinol 127:99–108[CrossRef][Medline]
  12. Falzon M 1996 DNA sequences in the rat parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene responsible for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated transcriptional repression. Mol Endocrinol 10:672–681[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Kremer R, Karaplis AC, Henderson J, Gulliver W, Banville D, Hendy GN, Goltzman D 1991 Regulation of parathyroid hormone-like peptide in cultured normal human keratinocytes. Effect of growth factors and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 on gene expression and secretion. J Clin Invest 87:884–893
  14. Ikeda K, Lu C, Weir EC, Mangin M, Broadus AE 1989 Transcriptional regulation of the parathyroid hormone-related peptide by glucocorticoids and vitamin D in a human C-cell line. J Biol Chem 264:15743–15746[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Abe J, Morikawa M, Miyamoto K, Kaiho S, Fukushima M, Miyaura C, Abe E, Suda T, Nishii Y 1987 Synthetic analogues of vitamin D3 with an oxygen atom in the side chain skeleton. A trial of the development of vitamin D compounds which exhibit potent differentiation-inducing activity without inducing hypercalcemia. FEBS Lett 226:58–62[CrossRef][Medline]
  16. Carlberg C, Mathiasen IS, Saurat J-H, Binderup L 1994 The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD) analogues MC903, EB1089 and KH1060 activate the VD receptor: homodimers show higher ligand sensitivity than heterodimers with retinoid x receptors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 51:137–142[CrossRef][Medline]
  17. Haq M, Kremer R, Goltzman D, Rabbani SA 1993 A vitamin D analogue (EB1089) inhibits parathyroid hormone-related peptide production and prevents the development of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia in vivo. J Clin Invest 91:2416–2422
  18. Inoue D, Marsumoto T, Ogata E, Ikeda K 1993 22-Oxacalcitriol, a noncalcemic analogue of calcitriol, suppresses both cell proliferation and parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene expression in human T cell lymphotropic virus, type I-infected cells. J Biol Chem 268:16730–16736[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  19. Endo K, Ichikawa F, Uchiyama Y, Katsumata K, Ohkawa H, Kumaki K, Ogata E, Ikeda K 1994 Evidence for the uptake of a vitamin D analogue (OCT) by a human carcinoma and its effect of suppressing the transcription of parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene in vivo. J Biol Chem 269:32693–32699[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Abe J, Nakano T, Nishii Y, Matsumoto T, Ogata E, Ikeda K 1991 A novel vitamin D3 analog, 22-oxa-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, inhibits the growth of human breast cancer in vitro and in vivo without causing hypercalcemia. Endocrinology 129:832–837[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Mathiasen IS, Colston KW, Binderup L 1993 EB1089, a novel vitamin D analogue, has strong antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 46:365–371[CrossRef][Medline]
  22. Colston KW, Mackay AG, James SY, Binderup L, Chanders S, Coombes, RC 1992 EB1089: a new vitamin D analogue that inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Biochem Pharmacol 44:2273–2280[CrossRef][Medline]
  23. Falzon M 1996 Serum stimulation of parathyroid hormon-related peptide gene expression of ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cell through transcriptional and postranscriptional mechanisms. Endocrinology 137:3681–3688[Abstract]
  24. Streutker C, Drucker DJ 1991 Rapid induction of parathyroid hormone-like peptide (PLP) gene expression by sodium butyrate in a rat islet cell line. Mol Endocrinol 5:703–708[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. Allinson ET, Drucker DJ 1992 Parathyroid hormone-like peptide shares features with members of the early response gene family: rapid induction by serum, growth factors, and cycloheximide. Cancer Res 52:3103–3109[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  26. Hongo T, Kupfer J, Enomoto H, Sharifi B, Gianella-Neto D, Forrester JS, Singer FR, Goltzman D, Hendy GN, Pirola C, Fagin JA, Clemens TL 1991 Abundant expression of parathyroid hormon-related protein in primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells accompanies serum-induced proliferation. J Clin Invest 88:1841–1847
  27. Heath JK, Southby J, Fukumoto S, O’Keeffe LM, Martin TJ, Gillespie MT 1995 Epidermal growth-factor-stimulated parathyroid hormone-related protein expression involves increased gene transcription and mRNA stability. Biochem J 307:159–167
  28. Coen DM 1995 The polymerase chain reaction. In: Ausubel FM, Brent R, Kingston RE, Moore DD, Seidman JG, Smith JA, Struhl K (eds) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, unit 1553. Wiley and Sons, New York
  29. Danielson PE, Forss-Petter S, Brow MA, Calavetta L, Douglass J, Milner RJ, Sutcliffe JG 1988 p1B15: a cDNA clone of the rat mRNA encoding cyclophilin. DNA 7:261–267[Medline]
  30. Mangin M, Ikeda K, Dreyer BE, Broadus AE 1990 Identification of an upstream promoter of the human parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene. Mol Endocrinol 4:851–858[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  31. Maniatis T, Fritsch EF, Sambrook J (eds) 1989 Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, ed 2. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor
  32. Lieberman HB, Lin P-F, Yeh D-B, Ruddle FH 1988 Transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms regulate murine thymidine kinase gene expression in serum-stimulated cells. Mol Cell Biol 8:5280–5291[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  33. Mahajan PB, Thompson Jr EA 1987 Cyclosporin A inhibits rDNA transcription in lymphosarcoma P179 cells. J Biol Chem 262:16150–16156[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Fraser WD, Robinson J, Lawton R, Durham B, Gallacher SJ, Boyle IT, Beastall GH, Logue FC 1993 Clinical and laboratory studies of a new immunoradiometric assay for parathyroid hormone-related protein. Clin Chem 39:414–419[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Okazaki R, Ikeda K, Sakamoto A, Nakano T, Morimoto K, Kikuchi T, Urakawa K, Ogata E, Matsumoto T 1992 Transcriptional activation of c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes by serum growth factors in osteoblast-like MC3T3–E1 cells. J Bone Miner Res 7:1149–1155[Medline]
  36. Moody TW 1996 Peptides and growth factors in non-small cell lung cancer. Peptides 17:545–555[CrossRef][Medline]
  37. Rollins BJ, Stiles CD 1989 Serum-inducible genes. Adv Cancer Res 53:1–32[Medline]
  38. Carpenter G, Cohen S 1979 Epidermal growth factor. Annu Rev Biochem 48:93–216
  39. Modjtahedi H, Hickish T, Nicolson M, Moore J, Styles J, Eccles S, Jackson E, Salter J, Sloane J, Spencer L, Priest K, Smith I, Dean C, Gore M 1996 Phase I trial and tumour localization of the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody ICR62 in head and neck or lung cancer. Br J Cancer 73:228–235[Medline]
  40. Divgi CR, Welt S, Kris M, Real FX, Yeh SD, Gralla R, Merchant B, Schweighart S, Unger M, Larson SM, Mendelsohn J 1991 Phase I and imaging trial of indium 111-labeled anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody 225 in patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 83:97–104[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  41. Mendelsohn J 1990 The epidermal growth factor receptor as a target for therapy with antireceptor monoclonal antibodies. Semin Cancer Biol 1:339–344[Medline]
  42. Mendelsohn J 1990 Antiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies as potential anti-cancer drugs. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 37:889–892[CrossRef][Medline]
  43. Fisch TM, Prywes R, Roeder RG 1987 c-fos sequences necessary for basal expression and induction by epidermal growth factor, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, and the calcium ionophore. Mol Cell Biol 7:3490–3502[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  44. Darnell Jr JE, Kerr IM, Stark GR 1994 Jak-STAT pathways and transcriptional activation in response to IFNs and other extracellular signaling proteins. Science 264:1415–1421[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  45. Schindler C, Darnell Jr JE 1995 Transcriptional responses to polypeptide ligands: the JAK-STAT pathway. Annu Rev Biochem 64:621–651
  46. Sadowski HB, Gilman MZ 1993 Cell-free activation of a DNA-binding protein by epidermal growth factor. Nature 362:79–83[CrossRef][Medline]
  47. Wagner BJ, Hayes TE, Hoban CJ, Cochran BH 1990 The SIF binding element confers sis/PDGF inducibility onto the c-fos promoter. EMBO J 9:4477–4484[Medline]
  48. Frampton RJ, Omond SA Eisman JA 1983 Inhibition of human cancer cell growth by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolites. Cancer Res 43:4443–4447[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  49. Abe E, Miyaura C, Sakagami H, Takeda M, Konno K, Yamazaki T, Yoshiki S, Suda T 1981 Differentiation of mouse myeloid leukemia cells induced by 1{alpha}, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 78:4990–4994[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  50. Walters MR 1992 Newly identified actions of vitamin D endocrine system. Endocr Rev 13:719–764[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  51. Frampton RJ, Suva LJ, Eisman JA, Findlay DM, Moore GE, Moseley JM, Martin TJ 1982 Presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors in established human cancer cell lines in culture. Cancer Res 42:1116–1119[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  52. Demay MB, Kiernan MS, DeLuca HF, Kronenberg HM 1992 Sequences in the human parathyroid hormone gene that bind the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and mediate transcriptional repression in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 89:8097–8101[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  53. Mackey SL, Heymont JL, Kronenberg HM, Demay MB 1996 Vitamin D receptor binding to the negative human parathyroid hormone vitamin D response element does not require the retinoid X receptor. Mol Endocrinol 10:298–305[Abstract/Free Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Mol Cancer ResHome page
J. L. Gilmore, R. M. Gonterman, K. Menon, G. Lorch, D. J. Riese II, A. Robling, and J. Foley
Reconstitution of Amphiregulin-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas Activates PTHrP Gene Expression and Contributes to Cancer-Mediated Diseases of the Bone
Mol. Cancer Res., October 1, 2009; 7(10): 1714 - 1728.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Integr Cancer TherHome page
M. F. McCarty and K. I. Block
Toward a Core Nutraceutical Program for Cancer Management
Integr Cancer Ther, June 1, 2006; 5(2): 150 - 171.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
CarcinogenesisHome page
K. Nakagawa, Y. Sasaki, S. Kato, N. Kubodera, and T. Okano
22-Oxa-1{alpha},25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits metastasis and angiogenesis in lung cancer
Carcinogenesis, June 1, 2005; 26(6): 1044 - 1054.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CarcinogenesisHome page
K. Nakagawa, A. Kawaura, S. Kato, E. Takeda, and T. Okano
1{alpha},25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a preventive factor in the metastasis of lung cancer
Carcinogenesis, February 1, 2005; 26(2): 429 - 440.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
V. A. Tovar Sepulveda, X. Shen, and M. Falzon
Intracrine PTHrP Protects against Serum Starvation-Induced Apoptosis and Regulates the Cell Cycle in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
Endocrinology, February 1, 2002; 143(2): 596 - 606.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
M. Falzon and P. Du
Enhanced Growth of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Overexpressing Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide
Endocrinology, May 1, 2000; 141(5): 1882 - 1892.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Falzon, M.
Right arrow Articles by Zong, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Falzon, M.
Right arrow Articles by Zong, J.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals