Methyl-β-cycloclextrin inhibits cell growth and cell cycle arrest via a prostaglanidin E2 independent pathway

Abstract

Methyl-β-cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide known for its interaction with the plasma membrane induces several events in cells including cell growth and anti-tumor activity. In this study, we have investigated the possible role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in cell growth arrest induced by methyl-β-cyclodextrin in Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Methyl-β -cyclodextrin inhibited cell growth and arrested the cell cycle, and this cell cycle arrest reduced the population of cells in the S phase, and concomitantly reduced cyclin A and D expressions. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin in a dose- and time-dependent manner, also induced COX-2 expression, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) synthesis, and COX-2 promoter activity. Pretreatment of cells with NS398, a COX-2 specific inhibitor completely blocked PGE2 synthesis induced by methyl-β-cyclodextrin, however inhibition on cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest was not effected, suggesting non-association of COX-2 in the cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that methyl-β-cyclodextrin induced cell growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in Raw264.7 cells may be mediated by cyclin A and D1 expression.