α2β1 integrin signalling enhances cyclooxygenase-2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are linked to an increased risk of developing colon cancer, by inflammatory mediators and alterations to the extracellular matrix (ECM). The events induced by inflammatory mediators lead to dysregulated activation and induction of inflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). COX‐2 is involved in the conversion of arachidonic acid to biologically active prostanoids and is highly upregulated in colon cancer. Since inflammation‐induced changes to the extracellular matrix could affect integrin activities, we here investigated the effect of integrin signalling on the level of COX‐2 expression in the non‐transformed intestinal epithelial cell lines, Int 407 and IEC‐6. Adhesion of these cells to a collagen I‐ or IV‐coated surface, increased surface expression of α2β1 integrin. Activation of integrins with collagen caused an increased cox‐2 promoter activity, with a subsequent increase in COX‐2 expression. The signalling cascade leading to this increased expression and promoter activity of cox‐2, involves PKCα, the small GTPase Ras and NFκB but not Erk1/2 or Src activity. The integrin‐induced increase in cellular COX‐2 activity is responsible for an elevated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased cell migration. This signalling pathway suggests a mechanism whereby inflammation‐induced modulations of the ECM, can promote cancer transformation in the intestinal epithelial cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 950–958, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.