Lack of effect by prostaglandin F-2 alpha on the proliferation of the HCT-8 and HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cell lines

A variety of studies have supported the finding that regular intake of aspi rin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can affect colorectal cancer c arcinogenesis by decreasing the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs). We repor t that PG F-2 alpha, in the presence of indomethacin, did not stimulate the proliferation in HCT-8 and HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Moreove r, in both cell lines fluprostenol, a specific agonist of FP receptors, did not increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration, monitored with the fluoresc ent dye fura-2. These results indicate that in HCT-8 and HT-29 cells: i) pr oliferation is not sensitive to PG F-2 alpha; ii) functional FP receptors a re absent. Therefore, either PG F-2 alpha is not necessarily involved in th e proliferation of colorectal mucosa or cell lines other than HCT-8 and HT- 29 should be used to assess the role played by PG F-2 alpha in promoting ce ll proliferation in colon cancer.