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. 2004 Feb;40(2):170-6.
doi: 10.1016/s1368-8375(03)00148-9.

The relationship between mucosal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and experimental radiation-induced mucositis

S T Sonis  1 , K E O'Donnell, R Popat, C Bragdon, S Phelan, D Cocks, J B Epstein
Affiliations

The relationship between mucosal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and experimental radiation-induced mucositis

S T Sonis et al. Oral Oncol. 2004 Feb.

Abstract

Although cycloooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is upregulated by factors associated with oral mucositis, its role in the pathogenesis of mucositis has not been studied. We investigated the kinetics of mucosal COX-2 expression following radiation exposure, and assessed its relationship to the development of oral mucositis in an established animal model using immunohistochemical endpoints. While little or no COX-2 expression was observed in unirradiated mucosa or in tissue taken 2 days after radiation, COX-2 expression was dramatic on days 10 and 16, especially in submucosal fibroblasts and endothelium. The kinetics of COX-2 expression paralleled mucositis severity. A burst of angiogenic activity was seen on day 21 following peak COX-2 expression. The kinetics of COX-2 expression relative to mucositis progression suggests that COX-2 is not a primary driver of radiation injury, but instead plays an amplifying role.

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