KSHV G-protein coupled receptor vGPCR oncogenic signaling upregulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 expression mediates angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in Kaposi's sarcoma.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) vGPCR is a constitutively active G protein-coupled receptor that subverts proliferative and inflammatory signaling pathways to induce cell transformation in Kaposi's sarcoma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inflammatory mediator that plays a key regulatory role in the activation of tumor angiogenesis. Using two different transformed mouse models and tumorigenic full KSHV genome-bearing cells, including KSHV-Bac16 based mutant system with a vGPCR deletion, we demostrate that vGPCR upregulates COX-2 expression and activity, signaling through selective MAPK cascades.

Reactivity of tumor-draining lymph nodes and the nitric oxide pathway.

Regional lymph nodes are important in the generation of tumor-directed immune responses. The relationship between nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and the biological behavior of tumor-draining lymph node (TDLNs) cells in vivo was determined using a spontaneously arising BALB/c mammary adenocarcinoma S13. We first demonstrated a reduction of tumor size and tumor-induced angiogenesis by blocking NOS activity in vivo.