Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract and its incidence and mortality is rising. Early diagnosis is difficult and currently there is no effective chemoprevention or treatment. Our long-term goal is to define the cellular mechanisms responsible for tumor development and progression in biliary epithelia and to develop new therapies for cholangiocarcinoma. During the previous grant period, we have provided data supporting the important role of cytosolic phospholipase A21 (cPLA21) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived prostaglandin (PG) signaling in cholangiocarcinoma growth. We have shown that EP1 is a key prostaglandin receptor that importantly contributes to cPLA21/COX-2-induced cholangiocarcinogenesis through transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In the current continuation proposal, we hypothesize that transactivation of EGFR by EP1 is crucial for activation of 2-catenin and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and that the interactions of these key molecules perpetuate bile duct inflammation and drive carcinogenesis. Consequently, we postulate that simultaneous inhibition of EP1 and EGFR may synergistically disrupt the key steps in cholangiocarcinogenesis and provide effective chemoprevention and treatment.
The specific aims of this ongoing investigation are: (1) To evaluate our hypothesis that S-nitrosylation of cPLA21 and COX-2 protein is a novel mechanism by which iNOS regulates cholangiocarcinogenesis;(2) To examine the effect and mechanism for cPLA21/COX-2/PGE2-induced 2-catenin activation in human cholangiocarcinoma cells;and (3) To examine the role of EP1-mediated EGFR transactivation in iNOS expression and to evaluate the effect of concomitantly inhibiting EP1 and EGFR on cholangiocarcinoma growth. Complementary approaches of cultured cholangiocarcinoma cells and animal models will be employed. The proposed research is highly significant since it will investigate important signaling pathways during cholangiocarcinogenesis and evaluate novel targeted therapy for chemoprevention and treatment.

Public Health Relevance

Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly malignant epithelial neoplasm arising within the biliary tract and its incidence and mortality is rising. Recent studies in our lab demonstrate an important role of cytosolic phospholipase A21 (cPLA21) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived prostaglandin (PG) signaling in cholangiocarcinoma growth. We have shown that inhibiting COX-2 prevents the growth of cholangiocarcinoma cells in culture and in SCID mice. However, in light of the increased cardiovascular side effect associated with some COX-2 inhibitors, it is imperative to develop alternative chemopreventive strategy that simultaneously targets PG and other related key signaling pathways in cholangiocarcinogenesis, which is expected to provide synergistic anti-tumor effect with lesser side effect. Our ongoing investigation will elucidate the interplays between the cPLA21 and COX-2-derived PG signaling and other growth-regulatory pathways such as EGFR, iNOS and 2-catenin. Further knowledge on these aspects will help develop more effective therapeutic strategy. Moreover, the effect of simultaneous inhibition of EP1 and EGFR on cholangiocarcinoma growth will be examined by using cultured tumor cells and experimental animal models. The proposed research will define the molecular mechanisms responsible for cholangiocarcinoma development and progression and provide important therapeutic implications for the chemoprevention and treatment of this devastating malignancy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA102325-09
Application #
8449726
Study Section
Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology Study Section (HBPP)
Program Officer
Jhappan, Chamelli
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2013-03-01
Budget End
2014-02-28
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$219,791
Indirect Cost
$73,751
Name
Tulane University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70118
Zhang, Jinqiang; Han, Chang; Ungerleider, Nathan et al. (2018) A novel TGF-? and H19 signaling axis in tumor-initiating hepatocytes that regulates hepatic carcinogenesis. Hepatology :
Wang, Ying; Chen, Weina; Han, Chang et al. (2018) Adult Hepatocytes Are Hedgehog-Responsive Cells in the Setting of Liver Injury: Evidence for Smoothened-Mediated Activation of NF-?B/Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/Akt in Hepatocytes that Counteract Fas-Induced Apoptosis. Am J Pathol 188:2605-2616
Ungerleider, Nathan; Han, Chang; Zhang, Jinqiang et al. (2017) TGF? signaling confers sorafenib resistance via induction of multiple RTKs in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mol Carcinog 56:1302-1311
Yao, Lu; Chen, Weina; Song, Kyoungsub et al. (2017) 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) prevents lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury. PLoS One 12:e0176106
Kwon, Hyunjoo; Song, Kyoungsub; Han, Chang et al. (2017) Epigenetic Silencing of miRNA-34a in Human Cholangiocarcinoma via EZH2 and DNA Methylation: Impact on Regulation of Notch Pathway. Am J Pathol 187:2288-2299
Zhang, Jinqiang; Baddoo, Melody; Han, Chang et al. (2016) Gene network analysis reveals a novel 22-gene signature of carbon metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 7:49232-49245
Yao, Lu; Chen, Weina; Han, Chang et al. (2016) Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 protects against Fas-induced liver injury. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 310:G1071-80
Kwon, Hyunjoo; Song, Kyoungsub; Han, Chang et al. (2016) Inhibition of hedgehog signaling ameliorates hepatic inflammation in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology 63:1155-69
Song, Kyoungsub; Kwon, Hyunjoo; Han, Chang et al. (2015) Active glycolytic metabolism in CD133(+) hepatocellular cancer stem cells: regulation by MIR-122. Oncotarget 6:40822-35
Chen, Weina; Han, Chang; Zhang, Jinqiang et al. (2015) Deletion of Mir155 prevents Fas-induced liver injury through up-regulation of Mcl-1. Am J Pathol 185:1033-44

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