Bile from a patient with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union promotes the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma cells via COX-2 pathway.

AIM: To explore the effects of COX-2 gene in the proliferative activity induced by bile from anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APBDU) on human cholangiocacinoma cell line.

METHODS

Bile sample from APBDU and normal bile sample were used for this study. The proliferative effect of bile was measured by methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay; COX-2 mRNA was examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM), and the PGE(2) levels in the supernatant of cultured cholangiocarcinoma cells were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunoabsordent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Bile from APBDU can significantly promote the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells compared with normal bile (P=0.005) and up-regulated remarkably their COX-2 mRNA expression (P=0.004). The proliferative activity of APBDU bile can be abolished by addition of cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitor celecoxib.

CONCLUSION

Bile from APBDU can promote the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells via COX-2 pathway.