Platelet-derived thromboxane A2 induces cyclooxygenase-2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker genes in U-87MG human glioblastoma cells
Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · Published 2026-04-16 · DOI 10.4081/btvb.2026.443
Free full text
Authors being retrieved — see the publisher record. https://doi.org/10.4081/btvb.2026.443
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive, treatment-resistant brain tumor. Elevated platelet counts are associated with tumor growth, and platelets accumulate in GBM tumors. Our study found that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and prostaglandin (PG)E₂ biosynthesis increase during the formation of U-87MG GBM cell spheroids. The COX-2 inhibitors celecoxib and rofecoxib inhibited PGE2 biosynthesis and reduced U-87MG spheroid growth. In cocultures of platelets with U-87MG spheroids, enhanced thromboxane (TX)B₂ was reduced by the selective exposure of platelets to aspirin, suggesting a platelet origin. In U-87MG cells, platelets increased the expression of COX-2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker genes. We prevented these effects by pretreating platelets with aspirin to inhibit TXA2 biosynthesis or with a TXA2 receptor antagonist. A TXA2 mimetic stimulated the expression of both COX-2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in spheroids. Altogether, these findings indicate that platelet TXA2 induces COX-2 and promotes EMT in U-87MG cells. Aspirin, by inhibiting platelet TXA2, could contribute to reduced tumor growth and invasion in GBM.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →
Publication details
- Year
- 2026
Related articles
- In this issue · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Development of a shared decision-making tool for gene therapy in hemophilia A in Italy · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Hormones, cancer, and thrombosis: sex-specific mechanisms at the interface of hemostasis and vascular biology · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- To P or not to P. That is the wrong question. · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Availability of direct oral anticoagulants testing among Italian anticoagulation clinics: a rapid evolution of clinical practice · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Pharmacokinetic interactions between anticancer drugs and direct oral anticoagulants: clinical implications for safe anticoagulation · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Thromboprophylaxis in primary brain cancer · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Efficacy, safety and surgical management with concizumab prophylaxis in three young patients affected by severe hemophilia with inhibitors · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2025 · Same journal
- Factor XI inhibitors in cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: what’s next? · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal
- Bleeding and thrombosis in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy · Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2026 · Same journal