[Effects of COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on expressions of VEGF, b-FGF and TGF-β mRNA in acute leukemia cells].

This study was aimed to investigate the influence and significance of celecoxib (specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2) on mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in acute leukemia cells. The expressions of VEGF, b-FGF, TGF-β mRNA were measured by RT-PCR in acute leukemia cells treated with celecoxib (80 µmol/L, for 48 h) or with PBS. The results showed that the obvious expressions of VEGF, b-FGF, TGF-β mRNA were observed in acute leukemia cells. By using Pearson correlation analysis, there was positive correlation between VEGF mRNA and b-FGF mRNA expressions (r = 0.559, P = 0.001), and negative correlation between VEGF and TGF-β mRNA expressions (r = -0.4, P = 0.029). Expression levels of VEGF, b-FGF, TGF-β mRNA in experimental group were lower than that in control group (P < 0.01). It is concluded that COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib can inhabit vascular endothelial growth through down-regulating the mRNA expression of VEGF, b-FGF and TGF-β in acute leukemia cells. COX-2 inhibitor may offer supplemental effect for treating acute leukemia.