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Godoy P, Hewitt NJ, Albrecht U, Andersen ME, Ansari N, Bhattacharya S, Bode JG, Bolleyn J, Borner C, Böttger J, Braeuning A, Budinsky RA, Burkhardt B, Cameron NR, Camussi G, Cho CS, Choi YJ, Craig Rowlands J, Dahmen U, Damm G, Dirsch O, Donato MT, Dong J, Dooley S, Drasdo D, Eakins R, Ferreira KS, Fonsato V, Fraczek J, Gebhardt R, Gibson A, Glanemann M, Goldring CEP, Gómez-Lechón MJ, Groothuis GMM, Gustavsson L, Guyot C, Hallifax D, Hammad S, Hayward A, Häussinger D, Hellerbrand C, Hewitt P, Hoehme S, Holzhütter HG, Houston JB, Hrach J, Ito K, Jaeschke H, Keitel V, Kelm JM, Kevin Park B, Kordes C, Kullak-Ublick GA, LeCluyse EL, Lu P, Luebke-Wheeler J, Lutz A, Maltman DJ, Matz-Soja M, McMullen P, Merfort I, Messner S, Meyer C, Mwinyi J, Naisbitt DJ, Nussler AK, Olinga P, Pampaloni F, Pi J, Pluta L, Przyborski SA, Ramachandran A, Rogiers V, Rowe C, Schelcher C, Schmich K, Schwarz M, Singh B, Stelzer EHK, Stieger B, Stöber R, Sugiyama Y, Tetta C, Thasler WE, Vanhaecke T, Vinken M, Weiss TS, Widera A, Woods CG, Xu JJ, Yarborough KM, Hengstler JG. Recent advances in 2D and 3D in vitro systems using primary hepatocytes, alternative hepatocyte sources and non-parenchymal liver cells and their use in investigating mechanisms of hepatotoxicity, cell signaling and ADME. Arch Toxicol 2013; 87:1315-530. [PMID: 23974980 PMCID: PMC3753504 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-013-1078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1062] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This review encompasses the most important advances in liver functions and hepatotoxicity and analyzes which mechanisms can be studied in vitro. In a complex architecture of nested, zonated lobules, the liver consists of approximately 80 % hepatocytes and 20 % non-parenchymal cells, the latter being involved in a secondary phase that may dramatically aggravate the initial damage. Hepatotoxicity, as well as hepatic metabolism, is controlled by a set of nuclear receptors (including PXR, CAR, HNF-4α, FXR, LXR, SHP, VDR and PPAR) and signaling pathways. When isolating liver cells, some pathways are activated, e.g., the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, whereas others are silenced (e.g. HNF-4α), resulting in up- and downregulation of hundreds of genes. An understanding of these changes is crucial for a correct interpretation of in vitro data. The possibilities and limitations of the most useful liver in vitro systems are summarized, including three-dimensional culture techniques, co-cultures with non-parenchymal cells, hepatospheres, precision cut liver slices and the isolated perfused liver. Also discussed is how closely hepatoma, stem cell and iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like-cells resemble real hepatocytes. Finally, a summary is given of the state of the art of liver in vitro and mathematical modeling systems that are currently used in the pharmaceutical industry with an emphasis on drug metabolism, prediction of clearance, drug interaction, transporter studies and hepatotoxicity. One key message is that despite our enthusiasm for in vitro systems, we must never lose sight of the in vivo situation. Although hepatocytes have been isolated for decades, the hunt for relevant alternative systems has only just begun.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Godoy
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Ute Albrecht
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melvin E. Andersen
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Nariman Ansari
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sudin Bhattacharya
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Johannes Georg Bode
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jennifer Bolleyn
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christoph Borner
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Böttger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wilhelmstr. 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert A. Budinsky
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI USA
| | - Britta Burkhardt
- BG Trauma Center, Siegfried Weller Institut, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Neil R. Cameron
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK
| | - Giovanni Camussi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Chong-Su Cho
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921 Korea
| | - Yun-Jaie Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921 Korea
| | - J. Craig Rowlands
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI USA
| | - Uta Dahmen
- Experimental Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Visceral, and Vascular Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Olaf Dirsch
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - María Teresa Donato
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental, IIS Hospital La Fe Avda Campanar 21, 46009 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERehd, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Barcelona, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jian Dong
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dirk Drasdo
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
- INRIA (French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control), Domaine de Voluceau-Rocquencourt, B.P. 105, 78153 Le Chesnay Cedex, France
- UPMC University of Paris 06, CNRS UMR 7598, Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions, 4, pl. Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
| | - Rowena Eakins
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karine Sá Ferreira
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- GRK 1104 From Cells to Organs, Molecular Mechanisms of Organogenesis, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Valentina Fonsato
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Joanna Fraczek
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrew Gibson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthias Glanemann
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris E. P. Goldring
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - María José Gómez-Lechón
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental, IIS Hospital La Fe Avda Campanar 21, 46009 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERehd, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Geny M. M. Groothuis
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacokinetics Toxicology and Targeting, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lena Gustavsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (Malmö), Center for Molecular Pathology, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 59, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christelle Guyot
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Hallifax
- Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR), School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT UK
| | - Seddik Hammad
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Veterinary Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Adam Hayward
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH13LE UK
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Hoehme
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hermann-Georg Holzhütter
- Institut für Biochemie Abteilung Mathematische Systembiochemie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - J. Brian Houston
- Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR), School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT UK
| | | | - Kiyomi Ito
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo, 202-8585 Japan
| | - Hartmut Jaeschke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Verena Keitel
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - B. Kevin Park
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Claus Kordes
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gerd A. Kullak-Ublick
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edward L. LeCluyse
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Peng Lu
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | | | - Anna Lutz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel J. Maltman
- Reinnervate Limited, NETPark Incubator, Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, TS21 3FD UK
| | - Madlen Matz-Soja
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick McMullen
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Irmgard Merfort
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Meyer
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jessica Mwinyi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dean J. Naisbitt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andreas K. Nussler
- BG Trauma Center, Siegfried Weller Institut, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Olinga
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Pampaloni
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jingbo Pi
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Linda Pluta
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Stefan A. Przyborski
- Reinnervate Limited, NETPark Incubator, Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, TS21 3FD UK
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH13LE UK
| | - Anup Ramachandran
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cliff Rowe
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Celine Schelcher
- Department of Surgery, Liver Regeneration, Core Facility, Human in Vitro Models of the Liver, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schmich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wilhelmstr. 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bijay Singh
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921 Korea
| | - Ernst H. K. Stelzer
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bruno Stieger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Regina Stöber
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Yuichi Sugiyama
- Sugiyama Laboratory, RIKEN Innovation Center, RIKEN, Yokohama Biopharmaceutical R&D Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Ciro Tetta
- Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E. Thasler
- Department of Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas S. Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics and Juvenile Medicine, University of Regensburg Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Agata Widera
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Courtney G. Woods
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | | | | | - Jan G. Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
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52
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Goodale BC, Tilton SC, Corvi MM, Wilson GR, Janszen DB, Anderson KA, Waters KM, Tanguay RL. Structurally distinct polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons induce differential transcriptional responses in developing zebrafish. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 272:656-70. [PMID: 23656968 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the environment as components of fossil fuels and by-products of combustion. These multi-ring chemicals differentially activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in a structurally dependent manner, and induce toxicity via both AHR-dependent and -independent mechanisms. PAH exposure is known to induce developmental malformations in zebrafish embryos, and recent studies have shown cardiac toxicity induced by compounds with low AHR affinity. Unraveling the potentially diverse molecular mechanisms of PAH toxicity is essential for understanding the hazard posed by complex PAH mixtures present in the environment. We analyzed transcriptional responses to PAH exposure in zebrafish embryos exposed to benz(a)anthracene (BAA), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and pyrene (PYR) at concentrations that induced developmental malformations by 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). Whole genome microarray analysis of mRNA expression at 24 and 48 hpf identified genes that were differentially regulated over time and in response to the three PAH structures. PAH body burdens were analyzed at both time points using GC-MS, and demonstrated differences in PAH uptake into the embryos. This was important for discerning dose-related differences from those that represented unique molecular mechanisms. While BAA misregulated the least number of transcripts, it caused strong induction of cyp1a and other genes known to be downstream of the AHR, which were not induced by the other two PAHs. Analysis of functional roles of misregulated genes and their predicted regulatory transcription factors also distinguished the BAA response from regulatory networks disrupted by DBT and PYR exposure. These results indicate that systems approaches can be used to classify the toxicity of PAHs based on the networks perturbed following exposure, and may provide a path for unraveling the toxicity of complex PAH mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britton C Goodale
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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53
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Latchney SE, Hein AM, O'Banion MK, DiCicco-Bloom E, Opanashuk LA. Deletion or activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor alters adult hippocampal neurogenesis and contextual fear memory. J Neurochem 2013; 125:430-45. [PMID: 23240617 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of dioxin and serves multiple developmental roles. In the adult brain, while we now localize AhR mRNA to nestin-expressing neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, its function is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that AhR participates in hippocampal neurogenesis and associated functions. AhR deletion and activation by the potent environmental toxicant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), adversely impacted neurogenesis and cognition. Adult AhR-deficient mice exhibited impaired hippocampal-dependent contextual fear memory while hippocampal-independent memory remained intact. AhR-deficient mice displayed reduced cell birth, decreased cell survival, and diminished neuronal differentiation in the DG. Following TCDD exposure, wild-type mice exhibited impaired hippocampal-dependent contextual memory, decreased cell birth, reduced neuronal differentiation, and fewer mature neurons in the DG. Glial differentiation and apoptosis were not altered in either TCDD-exposed or AhR-deficient mice. Finally, defects observed in TCDD-exposed mice were dependent on AhR, as TCDD had no negative effects in AhR-deficient mice. Our findings suggest that AhR should be further evaluated as a potential transcriptional regulator of hippocampal neurogenesis and function, although other sites of action may also warrant consideration. Moreover, TCDD exposure should be considered as an environmental risk factor that disrupts adult neurogenesis and potentially related memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Latchney
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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Chevallier A, Mialot A, Petit JM, Fernandez-Salguero P, Barouki R, Coumoul X, Beraneck M. Oculomotor deficits in aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53520. [PMID: 23301081 PMCID: PMC3536739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor or AhR, a ligand-activated transcription factor, is known to mediate the toxic and carcinogenic effects of various environmental pollutants such as 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Recent studies in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster show that the orthologs of the AhR are expressed exclusively in certain types of neurons and are implicated in the development and the homeostasis of the central nervous system. While physiological roles of the AhR were demonstrated in the mammalian heart, liver and gametogenesis, its ontogenic expression and putative neural functions remain elusive. Here, we report that the constitutive absence of the AhR in adult mice (AhR-/-) leads to abnormal eye movements in the form of a spontaneous pendular horizontal nystagmus. To determine if the nystagmus is of vestibular, visual, or cerebellar origin, gaze stabilizing reflexes, namely vestibulo-ocular and optokinetic reflexes (VOR and OKR), were investigated. The OKR is less effective in the AhR-/- mice suggesting a deficit in the visuo-motor circuitry, while the VOR is mildly affected. Furthermore, the AhR is expressed in the retinal ganglion cells during the development, however electroretinograms revealed no impairment of retinal cell function. The structure of the cerebellum of the AhR-/- mice is normal which is compatible with the preserved VOR adaptation, a plastic process dependent on cerebellar integrity. Finally, intoxication with TCDD of control adults did not lead to any abnormality of the oculomotor control. These results demonstrate that the absence of the AhR leads to acquired central nervous system deficits in the adults. Given the many common features between both AhR mouse and human infantile nystagmus syndromes, the AhR-/- mice might give insights into the developmental mechanisms which lead to congenital eye disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Chevallier
- INSERM UMR-S 747, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Centre universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Mialot
- Centre d'Etude de la Sensori Motricité - CNRS UMR 8194, Centre universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Robert Barouki
- INSERM UMR-S 747, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Centre universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S 747, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Centre universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (XC); (MB)
| | - Mathieu Beraneck
- Centre d'Etude de la Sensori Motricité - CNRS UMR 8194, Centre universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (XC); (MB)
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Faust D, Vondráček J, Krčmář P, Šmerdová L, Procházková J, Hrubá E, Hulinková P, Kaina B, Dietrich C, Machala M. AhR-mediated changes in global gene expression in rat liver progenitor cells. Arch Toxicol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-012-0979-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Portal-Nuñez S, Shankavaram UT, Rao M, Datrice N, Atay S, Aparicio M, Camphausen KA, Fernández-Salguero PM, Chang H, Lin P, Schrump DS, Garantziotis S, Cuttitta F, Zudaire E. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-induced adrenomedullin mediates cigarette smoke carcinogenicity in humans and mice. Cancer Res 2012; 72:5790-800. [PMID: 22993405 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-0818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking (CS) is a leading cause of death worldwide. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is partially responsible for tobacco-induced carcinogenesis although the underlying mechanisms involving early effector genes have yet to be determined. Here, we report that adrenomedullin (ADM) significantly contributes to the carcinogenicity of tobacco-activated AHR. CS and AHR activating ligands induced ADM in vitro and in vivo but not in AHR-deficient fibroblasts and mice. Ectopic transfection of AHR rescued ADM expression in AHR(-/-) fibroblasts whereas AHR blockage with siRNA in wild type cells significantly decreased ADM expression. AHR regulates ADM expression through two intronic xenobiotic response elements located close to the start codon in the ADM gene. Using tissue microarrays we showed that ADM and AHR were coupregulated in lung tumor biopsies from smoker patients. Microarray meta-analysis of 304 independent microarray experiments showed that ADM is elevated in smokers and smokers with cancer. In addition, ADM coassociated with a subset of AHR responsive genes and efficiently differentiated patients with lung cancer from nonsmokers. In a novel preclinical model of CS-induced tumor progression, host exposure to CS extracts significantly elevated tumor ADM although systemic treatment with the ADM antagonist NSC16311 efficiently blocked tobacco-induced tumor growth. In conclusion, ADM significantly contributes the carcinogenic effect of AHR and tobacco combustion products. We suggest that therapeutics targeting the AHR/ADM axis may be of clinical relevance in the treatment of tobacco-induced pulmonary malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Portal-Nuñez
- Angiogenesis Core Facility, Radiation Oncology Branch, Radiation Oncology Branch, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 21702-1201, USA
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Lo R, Matthews J. High-resolution genome-wide mapping of AHR and ARNT binding sites by ChIP-Seq. Toxicol Sci 2012; 130:349-61. [PMID: 22903824 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) activated complex regulates genes in response to the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AHR has also emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human diseases and different cancers, including breast cancer. To better understand AHR and ARNT signaling in breast cancer cells, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation linked to high-throughput sequencing to identify AHR- and ARNT-binding sites across the genome in TCDD-treated MCF-7 cells. We identified 2594 AHR-bound, 1352 ARNT-bound, and 882 AHR/ARNT cobound regions. No significant differences in the genomic distribution of AHR and ARNT were observed. Approximately 60% of the cobound regions contained at least one core an aryl hydrocarbon response element (AHRE), 5'-GCGTG-3'. AHR/ARNT peak density was the highest within 1 kb of transcription start sites (TSS); however, a number of AHR/ARNT cobound regions were located as far as 100 kb from TSS. De novo motif discovery identified a symmetrical variation of the AHRE (5'-GTGCGTG-3'), as well as FOXA1 and SP1 binding motifs. Microarray analysis identified 104 TCDD-responsive genes where 98 genes were upregulated by TCDD. Of the 104 regulated genes, 69 (66.3%) were associated with an AHR- or ARNT-bound region within 100 kb of their TSS. Overall our study identified AHR/ARNT cobound regions across the genome, revealed the importance but not absolute requirement for an AHRE in AHR/ARNT interactions with DNA, and identified a modified AHRE motif, thereby increasing our understanding of AHR/ARNT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Lo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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G.E. J, Pratap S, Ramesh A, Hood D. In utero exposure to benzo(a)pyrene predisposes offspring to cardiovascular dysfunction in later-life. Toxicology 2012; 295:56-67. [PMID: 22374506 PMCID: PMC3575114 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2012.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Revised: 01/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In utero exposure of the fetus to benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is thought to dysregulate cardiovascular development. To investigate the effects of in utero B(a)P exposure on cardiovascular development, timed-pregnant Long Evans Hooded (LEH) rats were exposed to diluent or B(a)P (150, 300, 600 and 1200 μg/kg/BW) by oral gavage on embryonic (E) days E14 (the metamorphosing embryo stage) through E17 (the 1st fetal stage). There were no significant effects of in utero exposure to B(a)P on the number of pups born per litter or in pre-weaning growth curves. Pre-weaning profiles for B(a)P metabolite generation from cardiovascular tissue were shown to be dose-dependent and elimination of these metabolites was shown to be time-dependent in exposed offspring. Systolic blood pressure on postnatal day P53 in the middle and high exposure groups of offspring were significantly elevated as compared to controls. Microarray and quantitative real-time PCR results were directly relevant to a biological process pathway in animal models for "regulation of blood pressure". Microarray and quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed upregulation of mRNA expression for angiotensin (AngII), angiotensinogen (AGT) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in exposed offspring. Biological network analysis and gene set enrichment analysis subsequently identified potential signaling mechanisms and molecular pathways that might explain the elevated systolic blood pressures observed in B(a)P-exposed offspring. Our findings suggest that in utero exposure to B(a)P predispose offspring to functional deficits in cardiovascular development that may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules G.E.
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Environmental-Health Disparities and Medicine, Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - S. Pratap
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Microarray/Bioinformatics Core, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - A. Ramesh
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - D.B. Hood
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Environmental-Health Disparities and Medicine, Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
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59
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Goodale BC, La Du JK, Bisson WH, Janszen DB, Waters KM, Tanguay RL. AHR2 mutant reveals functional diversity of aryl hydrocarbon receptors in zebrafish. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29346. [PMID: 22242167 PMCID: PMC3252317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is well known for mediating the toxic effects of TCDD and has been a subject of intense research for over 30 years. Current investigations continue to uncover its endogenous and regulatory roles in a wide variety of cellular and molecular signaling processes. A zebrafish line with a mutation in ahr2 (ahr2(hu3335)), encoding the AHR paralogue responsible for mediating TCDD toxicity in zebrafish, was developed via Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) and predicted to express a non-functional AHR2 protein. We characterized AHR activity in the mutant line using TCDD and leflunomide as toxicological probes to investigate function, ligand binding and CYP1A induction patterns of paralogues AHR2, AHR1A and AHR1B. By evaluating TCDD-induced developmental toxicity, mRNA expression changes and CYP1A protein in the AHR2 mutant line, we determined that ahr2(hu3335) zebrafish are functionally null. In silico modeling predicted differential binding of TCDD and leflunomide to the AHR paralogues. AHR1A is considered a non-functional pseudogene as it does not bind TCCD or mediate in vivo TCDD toxicity. Homology modeling, however, predicted a ligand binding conformation of AHR1A with leflunomide. AHR1A-dependent CYP1A immunohistochemical expression in the liver provided in vivo confirmation of the in silico docking studies. The ahr2(hu3335) functional knockout line expands the experimental power of zebrafish to unravel the role of the AHR during development, as well as highlights potential activity of the other AHR paralogues in ligand-specific toxicological responses.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/metabolism
- Base Sequence
- Bone and Bones/abnormalities
- Bone and Bones/drug effects
- Bone and Bones/pathology
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/abnormalities
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects
- Isoxazoles/chemistry
- Isoxazoles/pharmacology
- Leflunomide
- Ligands
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutation/genetics
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/chemistry
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity
- Protein Isoforms/chemistry
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- Protein Isoforms/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/chemistry
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Skin/drug effects
- Skin/pathology
- Thermodynamics
- Zebrafish/embryology
- Zebrafish/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins/chemistry
- Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Britton C. Goodale
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jane K. La Du
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - William H. Bisson
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Derek B. Janszen
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Katrina M. Waters
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Robert L. Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
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60
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Huang G, Elferink CJ. A novel nonconsensus xenobiotic response element capable of mediating aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent gene expression. Mol Pharmacol 2011; 81:338-47. [PMID: 22113079 DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.075952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a mediator of xenobiotic toxicity, best recognized for conveying the deleterious effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure. The AhR functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor that binds to a canonical xenobiotic response element (XRE) in association with the heterodimerization partner, the AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt) protein. However, within the repertoire of AhR target genes identified in recent years, many lack a clearly defined XRE highlighting the growing realization that AhR-mediated gene expression seems to involve additional mechanisms distinct from the well characterized process involving the XRE. The present study characterized a novel nonconsensus XRE (NC-XRE) in the promoter of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene that recruits a novel protein-DNA complex responsible for TCDD-inducible expression. DNA binding studies and reporter assays identified key residues in the NC-XRE necessary for protein-DNA binding and function, respectively. Functional studies with AhR expression constructs confirm that TCDD-inducibility is AhR-dependent and requires direct AhR-DNA binding to the NC-XRE. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA interference studies reveal that the Arnt protein is not a component of the NC-XRE-bound AhR complex, suggesting that in contrast to the XRE, AhR-dependent gene expression mediated through the NC-XRE may involve a new DNA binding partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengming Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0654, USA
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61
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Michaelson JJ, Trump S, Rudzok S, Gräbsch C, Madureira DJ, Dautel F, Mai J, Attinger S, Schirmer K, von Bergen M, Lehmann I, Beyer A. Transcriptional signatures of regulatory and toxic responses to benzo-[a]-pyrene exposure. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:502. [PMID: 21995607 PMCID: PMC3215681 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Small molecule ligands often have multiple effects on the transcriptional program of a cell: they trigger a receptor specific response and additional, indirect responses ("side effects"). Distinguishing those responses is important for understanding side effects of drugs and for elucidating molecular mechanisms of toxic chemicals. Results We explored this problem by exposing cells to the environmental contaminant benzo-[a]-pyrene (B[a]P). B[a]P exposure activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) and causes toxic stress resulting in transcriptional changes that are not regulated through Ahr. We sought to distinguish these two types of responses based on a time course of expression changes measured after B[a]P exposure. Using Random Forest machine learning we classified 81 primary Ahr responders and 1,308 genes regulated as side effects. Subsequent weighted clustering gave further insight into the connection between expression pattern, mode of regulation, and biological function. Finally, the accuracy of the predictions was supported through extensive experimental validation. Conclusion Using a combination of machine learning followed by extensive experimental validation, we have further expanded the known catalog of genes regulated by the environmentally sensitive transcription factor Ahr. More broadly, this study presents a strategy for distinguishing receptor-dependent responses and side effects based on expression time courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob J Michaelson
- Cellular Networks and Systems Biology, Biotechnology Center, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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62
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Sahu SC, Amankwa-Sakyi M, O'Donnell MW, Sprando RL. Effects of usnic acid exposure on human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells in culture. J Appl Toxicol 2011; 32:722-30. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.1721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saura C. Sahu
- Division of Toxicology; Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment; Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; US Food and Drug Administration; Laurel; MD; 20708; USA
| | - Margaret Amankwa-Sakyi
- Division of Public Health and Biostatistics; Office of Food Defense; Communication and Emergency Response; Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; US Food and Drug Administration; Laurel; MD; 20708; USA
| | - Michael W. O'Donnell
- Division of Public Health and Biostatistics; Office of Food Defense; Communication and Emergency Response; Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; US Food and Drug Administration; Laurel; MD; 20708; USA
| | - Robert L. Sprando
- Division of Toxicology; Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment; Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; US Food and Drug Administration; Laurel; MD; 20708; USA
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63
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Identification of aryl hydrocarbon receptor binding targets in mouse hepatic tissue treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2011; 257:38-47. [PMID: 21889950 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2011.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide, promoter-focused ChIP-chip analysis of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) binding sites was conducted in 8-week old female C57BL/6 treated with 30 μg/kg/body weight 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) for 2 h and 24 h. These studies identified 1642 and 508 AHR-bound regions at 2h and 24h, respectively. A total of 430 AHR-bound regions were common between the two time points, corresponding to 403 unique genes. Comparison with previous AHR ChIP-chip studies in mouse hepatoma cells revealed that only 62 of the putative target genes overlapped with the 2 h AHR-bound regions in vivo. Transcription factor binding site analysis revealed an over-representation of aryl hydrocarbon response elements (AHREs) in AHR-bound regions with 53% (2 h) and 68% (24 h) of them containing at least one AHRE. In addition to AHREs, E2f-Myc activator motifs previously implicated in AHR function, as well as a number of other motifs, including Sp1, nuclear receptor subfamily 2 factor, and early growth response factor motifs were also identified. Expression microarray studies identified 133 unique genes differentially regulated after 4 h treatment with TCDD. Of which, 39 were identified as AHR-bound genes at 2 h. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis on the 39 AHR-bound TCDD responsive genes identified potential perturbation in biological processes such as lipid metabolism, drug metabolism, and endocrine system development as a result of TCDD-mediated AHR activation. Our findings identify direct AHR target genes in vivo, highlight in vitro and in vivo differences in AHR signaling and show that AHR recruitment does not necessarily result in changes in target gene expression.
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64
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Stress-related methylation of the catechol-O-methyltransferase Val 158 allele predicts human prefrontal cognition and activity. J Neurosci 2011; 31:6692-8. [PMID: 21543598 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.6631-10.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides is associated with gene silencing, stress, and memory. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val(158) allele in rs4680 is associated with differential enzyme activity, stress responsivity, and prefrontal activity during working memory (WM), and it creates a CpG dinucleotide. We report that methylation of the Val(158) allele measured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Val/Val humans is associated negatively with lifetime stress and positively with WM performance; it interacts with stress to modulate prefrontal activity during WM, such that greater stress and lower methylation are related to reduced cortical efficiency; and it is inversely related to mRNA expression and protein levels, potentially explaining the in vivo effects. Finally, methylation of COMT in prefrontal cortex and that in PBMCs of rats are correlated. The relationship of methylation of the COMT Val(158) allele with stress, gene expression, WM performance, and related brain activity suggests that stress-related methylation is associated with silencing of the gene, which partially compensates the physiological role of the high-activity Val allele in prefrontal cognition and activity. Moreover, these results demonstrate how stress-related DNA methylation of specific functional alleles impacts directly on human brain physiology beyond sequence variation.
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65
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Dere E, Lo R, Celius T, Matthews J, Zacharewski TR. Integration of genome-wide computation DRE search, AhR ChIP-chip and gene expression analyses of TCDD-elicited responses in the mouse liver. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:365. [PMID: 21762485 PMCID: PMC3160422 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Accepted: 07/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor (TF) that mediates responses to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Integration of TCDD-induced genome-wide AhR enrichment, differential gene expression and computational dioxin response element (DRE) analyses further elucidate the hepatic AhR regulatory network. Results Global ChIP-chip and gene expression analyses were performed on hepatic tissue from immature ovariectomized mice orally gavaged with 30 μg/kg TCDD. ChIP-chip analysis identified 14,446 and 974 AhR enriched regions (1% false discovery rate) at 2 and 24 hrs, respectively. Enrichment density was greatest in the proximal promoter, and more specifically, within ± 1.5 kb of a transcriptional start site (TSS). AhR enrichment also occurred distal to a TSS (e.g. intergenic DNA and 3' UTR), extending the potential gene expression regulatory roles of the AhR. Although TF binding site analyses identified over-represented DRE sequences within enriched regions, approximately 50% of all AhR enriched regions lacked a DRE core (5'-GCGTG-3'). Microarray analysis identified 1,896 number of TCDD-responsive genes (|fold change| ≥ 1.5, P1(t) > 0.999). Integrating this gene expression data with our ChIP-chip and DRE analyses only identified 625 differentially expressed genes that involved an AhR interaction at a DRE. Functional annotation analysis of differentially regulated genes associated with AhR enrichment identified overrepresented processes related to fatty acid and lipid metabolism and transport, and xenobiotic metabolism, which are consistent with TCDD-elicited steatosis in the mouse liver. Conclusions Details of the AhR regulatory network have been expanded to include AhR-DNA interactions within intragenic and intergenic genomic regions. Moreover, the AhR can interact with DNA independent of a DRE core suggesting there are alternative mechanisms of AhR-mediated gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Dere
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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66
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Bártíková H, Vokřál I, Skálová L, Lamka J, Szotáková B. In vitro oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics in the lancet fluke (Dicrocoelium dendriticum) and the effects of albendazole and albendazole sulphoxide ex vivo. Xenobiotica 2011; 40:593-601. [PMID: 20560773 DOI: 10.3109/00498254.2010.497565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dicrocoeliosis, a parasitic infection caused by Dicrocoelium dendriticum (lancet fluke), is often treated by the anthelmintic drug albendazole (ABZ). In the lancet fluke, ABZ metabolism via enzymatic sulphoxidation was found, but no information about ABZ oxidases has been available. The aim of our project was to find out which enzyme of the lancet fluke is responsible for ABZ sulphoxidation, as well as to assay the activities of oxidation enzymes. We also studied whether ex vivo 24-h exposures of flukes to ABZ or its sulphoxide (ABZ.SO) would alter ABZ sulphoxidation rate and the activities of tested enzymes. In subcellular fractions from flukes, marked activities of peroxidase (Px), glutathione Px (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, and thioredoxin glutathione reductase were found. Using specific inhibitors, the participation of flavine monooxygenases in ABZ-oxidation was found. The ex vivo exposition of flukes to ABZ or ABZ.SO did not change the rate of ABZ sulphoxidation in vitro, but the ex vivo exposure of flukes to anthelmintics increased Px, CAT, and GPx activity. The modulation of these enzyme activities after ABZ or ABZ.SO exposition may be characteristic of the parasite’s protective mechanism against oxidative stress caused by drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Bártíková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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67
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Sartor MA, Dolinoy DC, Jones TR, Colacino JA, Prince MEP, Carey TE, Rozek LS. Genome-wide methylation and expression differences in HPV(+) and HPV(-) squamous cell carcinoma cell lines are consistent with divergent mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Epigenetics 2011; 6:777-87. [PMID: 21613826 DOI: 10.4161/epi.6.6.16216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with nearly all cervical cancers and are increasingly important in the etiology of oropharyngeal tumors. HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) have distinct risk profiles and appreciate a prognostic advantage compared to HPV-negative HNSCC. Promoter hypermethylation is widely recognized as a mechanism in the progression of HNSCC, but the extent to which this mechanism is consistent between HPV(+) and HPV(-) tumors is unknown. To investigate the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in HPV-induced and carcinogen-induced cancers, we examined genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression in HPV(+) and HPV(-) SCC cell lines. We used two platforms: the Illumina Infinium Methylation BeadArray and tiling arrays, and confirmed illustrative examples with pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR. These analyses indicate that HPV(+) cell lines have higher DNA methylation in genic and LINE-1 regions than HPV(-) cell lines. Differentially methylated loci between HPV(+) and HPV(-) cell lines significantly correlated with HPV-typed HNSCC primary tumor DNA methylation levels. Novel findings include higher promoter methylation of polycomb repressive complex 2 target genes in HPV(+) cells compared to HPV(-) cells and increased expression of DNMT3A in HPV(+) cells. Additionally, CDKN2A and KRT8 were identified as interaction hubs among genes with higher methylation and lower expression in HPV(-) cells. Conversely, RUNX2, IRS-1 and CCNA1 were major hubs with higher methylation and lower expression in HPV(+) cells. Distinct HPV(+) and HPV(-) epigenetic profiles should provide clues to novel targets for development of individualized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A Sartor
- Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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68
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Abstract
Activation of the KEAP1-NRF2 signaling pathway is an adaptive response to environmental and endogenous stresses and serves to render animals resistant to chemical carcinogenesis and other forms of toxicity, whereas disruption of the pathway exacerbates these outcomes. This pathway, which can be activated by sulfhydryl-reactive, small-molecule pharmacologic agents, regulates the inducible expression of an extended battery of cytoprotective genes, often by direct binding of the transcription factor to antioxidant response elements in the promoter regions of target genes. However, it is becoming evident that some of the protective effects may be mediated indirectly through cross talk with additional pathways affecting cell survival and other aspects of cell fate. These interactions provide a multi-tiered, integrated response to chemical stresses. This review highlights recent observations on the molecular interactions and their functional consequences between NRF2 and the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR), NF-κB, p53, and Notch1 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobunao Wakabayashi
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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69
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Curran CP, Vorhees CV, Williams MT, Genter MB, Miller ML, Nebert DW. In utero and lactational exposure to a complex mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls: toxicity in pups dependent on the Cyp1a2 and Ahr genotypes. Toxicol Sci 2010; 119:189-208. [PMID: 20961953 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent toxic pollutants occurring as complex mixtures in the environment. Humans are known genetically to have > 60-fold differences in hepatic cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) levels and > 12-fold differences in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) affinity, both of which could affect PCB pharmacokinetics. Thus, we compared Ahr(b1)_Cyp1a2(+/+) high-affinity AHR wild-type, Ahr(d)_Cyp1a2(+/+) poor affinity AHR wild-type, Ahr(b1)_Cyp1a2(-/-) knockout, and Ahr(d)_Cyp1a2(-/-) knockout mouse lines. We chose a mixture of three coplanar and five noncoplanar PCBs to reproduce that seen in human tissues, breast milk, and the food supply. The mixture was given by gavage to the mother on gestational day 10.5 (GD10.5) and postnatal day 5 (PND5); tissues were collected from pups and mothers at GD11.5, GD18.5, PND6, PND13, and PND28. Ahr(b1)_Cyp1a2(-/-) pups showed lower weight at birth and slower rate of growth postnatally. Absence of CYP1A2 resulted in significant splenic atrophy at PND13 and PND28. Presence of high-affinity AHR enhanced thymic atrophy and liver hypertrophy in the pups. Concentrations of each congener were analyzed at all time points: maximal noncoplanar congener levels in maternal tissues were observed from GD18 until PND6, whereas the highest levels in pups were found between PND6 and PND28. Coplanar PCB concentrations were generally higher in Ahr(d)-containing pup tissues; these findings are consistent with earlier studies demonstrating the crucial importance of AHR-mediated inducible CYP1 in the gastrointestinal tract as a means of detoxication of oral planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine P Curran
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0056, USA
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Otte JC, Schmidt AD, Hollert H, Braunbeck T. Spatio-temporal development of CYP1 activity in early life-stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2010; 100:38-50. [PMID: 20674047 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2010] [Revised: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Endpoints of planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon (pHAH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) toxicity are mediated via activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) followed by activation of the so called "AhR-battery" of genes including the cytochrome P450 1 (CYP1) isoforms. The aim of this study was to develop a method to identify CYP1 activity in early life-stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in order to elucidate the spatio-temporal pattern of basal and induced CYP1 activities. Preliminary experiments with the fish embryo toxicity test (FET) were carried out to determine toxic effect thresholds of the AhR agonist β-naphthoflavone. To assess basal and β-naphthoflavone-induced CYP1 activity during early life-stages of zebrafish, the commonly used 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay was developed further for use in confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and spectrometry. Following exposure to selected cytochrome P450 inducers, zebrafish embryos were dechorionated, anaesthetized and inspected in vivo under the CLSM. Alternatively, embryos were homogenized, and EROD activity was measured using classical spectrometry in vitro. CLSM of CYP-induced fluorescence allowed for the in vivo detection of CYP1 enzyme activity down to the cellular level as early as in the gastrulation stage. Basal and induced CYP1 activity was detected at all time points examined from 8h post-fertilization to early adulthood and showed a highly dynamic spatio-temporal pattern throughout zebrafish development. Basal and induced EROD activity was prominent in tissues of the cardiovascular system, the urinary tract, the digestive system, and parts of the brain as well as in the central portion of the eye and the otic vesicle during distinct stages of development. The differentiation between constitutive and induced spatio-temporal patterns of CYP1 activity even as early as the gastrula stage provide further insights into the endogenous role of CYP1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens C Otte
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Department of Zoology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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71
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De Abrew KN, Kaminski NE, Thomas RS. An integrated genomic analysis of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated inhibition of B-cell differentiation. Toxicol Sci 2010; 118:454-69. [PMID: 20819909 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alters differentiation of B cells and suppresses antibody production. A combination of whole-genome, microarray-based chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-on-chip), and time course gene expression microarray analysis was performed on the mouse B-cell line CH12.LX following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS and TCDD to identify the primary and downstream transcriptional elements of B-cell differentiation that are altered by the AHR. ChIP-on-chip analysis identified 1893 regions with a significant increase in AHR binding with TCDD treatment. Transcription factor binding site analysis on the ChIP-on-chip data showed enrichment in AHR response elements. Other transcription factors showed significant coenrichment with AHR response elements. When ChIP-on-chip regions were compared with gene expression changes at the early time points, 78 genes were identified as potential direct targets of the AHR. AHR binding and expression changes were confirmed for a subset of genes in primary mouse B cells. Network analysis examining connections between the 78 potential AHR target genes and three transcription factors known to regulate B-cell differentiation indicated multiple paths for potential regulation by the AHR. Enrichment analysis on the differentially expressed genes at each time point evaluated the downstream impact of AHR-regulated gene expression changes on B-cell-related processes. AHR-mediated impairment of B-cell differentiation occurred at multiple nodes of the B-cell differentiation network and potentially through multiple mechanisms including direct cis-acting effects on key regulators of B-cell differentiation, indirect regulation of B-cell differentiation-related pathways, and transcriptional coregulation of target genes by AHR and other transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Nadira De Abrew
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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72
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Ulrich K, Wölfle S, Mayer A, Heeg K, Braunbeck T, Erdinger L, Bartz H. Extractable organic matter of standard reference material 1649a influences immunological response induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2010; 17:1257-1267. [PMID: 20195909 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-010-0305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 01/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE Lungs are permanently and simultaneously challenged by airborne microorganisms and airborne pollutants. Temporal increase of airborne particulate matter (APM), a potential carrier for extractable organic matter (EOM), degrades the situation of pulmonary patients. The Ah receptor (AhR) has been described as an important factor influencing the immunological challenge by viral infections. Molecular mechanisms underlying epidemiological observations are not well understood. Cytokine secretion (IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-beta) from human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas2B) was determined as an indicator for immune responses upon co-stimulation with an artificial analog of viral dsRNA [polyinosinic/polycytidylic acid, (PIC)] and EOM of Standard Reference Material 1649a (SRM). Since polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are major components of APM usually acting via the AhR, particular focus was on AhR involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cytokine secretion was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To mimic the activation of organic matter during contact of particles with the human lung, Soxhlet extraction of SRM was performed. In some experiments, the AhR was blocked by alpha-naphthoflavone. RESULTS Microbial stimulation (PIC) induced Beas2B cytokine release, whereas isolated exposure to EOM of APM did not. Co-stimulation with EOM and PIC increased IL-8 secretion, whereas neither IL-6 nor TGF-beta was affected. Blocking of the AhR suppressed the release of IL-8. DISCUSSION Organic compounds adsorbed on airborne particulate matter influence the cytokine secretion of lung epithelial cells induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES Further investigation of these observations is required to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse health effects of APM reported in epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Ulrich
- Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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73
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Pansoy A, Ahmed S, Valen E, Sandelin A, Matthews J. 3-methylcholanthrene induces differential recruitment of aryl hydrocarbon receptor to human promoters. Toxicol Sci 2010; 117:90-100. [PMID: 20348232 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated protein that mediates the toxic actions of polycyclic aromatic and halogenated compounds. Identifying genes directly regulated by AHR is important in understanding the pathways regulated by this receptor. Here we used the techniques of chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA microarrays (ChIP-chip) to detect AHR-bound genomic regions after 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) treatment of T-47D human breast cancer cells. We identified 241 AHR-3MC-bound regions, and transcription factor-binding site analysis revealed a strong overrepresentation of the AHR-responsive element. Conventional ChIP confirmed recruitment of AHR to 26 regions with target gene responses to 3MC varying from activation to inhibition to having no effect. A comparison of identified AHR-3MC-bound regions with AHR-2,3,7,8-tetrchlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-bound regions from our previous study (Ahmed, S., Valen, E., Sandelin, A., and Matthews, J. (2009). Toxicol. Sci. 111, 254-266) revealed that 127 regions were common between the data sets. Time course ChIPs for six of the regions showed that 3MC induced gene-specific changes in histone H3 acetylation and methylation and induced differential oscillatory binding of AHR, with a periodicity between 1.5 and 2 h. Re-treatment of cells with 3MC failed to alter the oscillatory binding profiles of AHR or aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator. Cells became responsive to 3MC but not TCDD after 24 h of exposure to 3MC, highlighting important differences in AHR responsiveness between the two ligands. Our results reveal a number of novel AHR-bound promoter regions and target genes that exhibit differential kinetic binding profiles and regulation by AHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pansoy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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74
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The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: regulation of hematopoiesis and involvement in the progression of blood diseases. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2010; 44:199-206. [PMID: 20171126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a basic helix-loop-helix protein that belongs to the superfamily of environment-sensing PAS (Per-ARNT-Sim) proteins. A large number of ligands have been described to bind AhR and promote its nuclear translocation. In the nucleus, the AhR and its dimerization partner the AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT) form a DNA-binding complex that acts as a transcriptional regulator. Animal and human data suggest that, beyond its mediating responses to xenobiotic and/or unknown endogenous ligands, the AhR has a role, although as yet undefined, in the regulation of cell cycle and inflammation. The AhR also appears to regulate the hematopoietic and immune systems during development and adult life in a cell-specific manner. While accidental exposure to xenobiotic AhR ligands has been associated with leukemia in humans, the specific mechanisms of AhR involvement are still not completely understood. However, recent data are consistent with a functional role of the AhR in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cells (HSCs/HPCs). Studies highlighting AhR regulation of HSCs/HPCs provide a rational framework to understand their biology, a role of the AhR in hematopoietic diseases, and a means to develop interventions for these diseases.
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75
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Wang Y, Fan Y, Puga A. Dioxin exposure disrupts the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes. Toxicol Sci 2010; 115:225-37. [PMID: 20130022 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental exposure of fish, birds, and rodents to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin) causes multiple Ah receptor-mediated developmental abnormalities, an observation consistent with compelling evidence in human populations that TCDD exposure is responsible for a significant incidence of birth defects. To characterize molecular mechanisms that might explain the developmental effects of dioxin, we have studied the consequences of TCDD exposure on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in culture and on the expression of genes, including those coding for homeodomain containing transcription factors, with a role in progression of tissue differentiation and embryonic identity during development. We find that TCDD treatment causes expression changes in a number of homeobox genes concomitant with Ah receptor recruitment to the promoters of many of these genes, whether under naïve or dioxin-activated conditions. TCDD exposure also derails temporal expression trajectories of developmentally regulated genes in a wide diversity of differentiation pathways, including genes with functions in neural and cardiovascular development, self-renewal, hematopoiesis and mesenchymal lineage specification, and Notch and Wnt pathways. Among these, we find that TCDD represses the expression of the cardiac development-specific Nkx2.5 homeobox transcription factor, of cardiac troponin-T and of alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chains, inhibiting the formation of beating cardiomyocytes, a characteristic phenotype of differentiating mouse ES cells in culture. These data identify potential pathways for dioxin to act as a developmental teratogen, possibly critical to cardiovascular development and disease, and provide molecular targets that may help us understand the molecular basis of Ah receptor-mediated developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0056, USA
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76
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Genomics Portals: integrative web-platform for mining genomics data. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:27. [PMID: 20070909 PMCID: PMC2824719 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Accepted: 01/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A large amount of experimental data generated by modern high-throughput technologies is available through various public repositories. Our knowledge about molecular interaction networks, functional biological pathways and transcriptional regulatory modules is rapidly expanding, and is being organized in lists of functionally related genes. Jointly, these two sources of information hold a tremendous potential for gaining new insights into functioning of living systems. Results Genomics Portals platform integrates access to an extensive knowledge base and a large database of human, mouse, and rat genomics data with basic analytical visualization tools. It provides the context for analyzing and interpreting new experimental data and the tool for effective mining of a large number of publicly available genomics datasets stored in the back-end databases. The uniqueness of this platform lies in the volume and the diversity of genomics data that can be accessed and analyzed (gene expression, ChIP-chip, ChIP-seq, epigenomics, computationally predicted binding sites, etc), and the integration with an extensive knowledge base that can be used in such analysis. Conclusion The integrated access to primary genomics data, functional knowledge and analytical tools makes Genomics Portals platform a unique tool for interpreting results of new genomics experiments and for mining the vast amount of data stored in the Genomics Portals backend databases. Genomics Portals can be accessed and used freely at http://GenomicsPortals.org.
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77
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Swedenborg E, Pongratz I, Gustafsson JA. Endocrine disruptors targeting ERbeta function. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 33:288-97. [PMID: 20050941 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2009.01025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) circulating in the environment constitute a risk to ecosystems, wildlife and human health. Oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta are targeted by various kinds of EDCs but the molecular mechanisms and long-term consequences of exposure are largely unknown. Some biological effects of EDCs are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is a key player in the cellular defence against xenobiotic substances. Adding complexity to the picture, there is also accumulating evidence that AhR-ER pathways have an intricate interplay at multiple levels. In this review, we discuss some EDCs that affect the oestrogen pathway by targeting ERbeta. Furthermore, we describe some effects of AhR activities on the oestrogen system. Mechanisms as well as potential adverse effects on human health are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Swedenborg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet at Novum, Huddinge, Sweden.
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Henry EC, Welle SL, Gasiewicz TA. TCDD and a putative endogenous AhR ligand, ITE, elicit the same immediate changes in gene expression in mouse lung fibroblasts. Toxicol Sci 2009; 114:90-100. [PMID: 19933214 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfp285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, mediates toxicity of several classes of xenobiotics and also has important physiological roles in differentiation, reproduction, and immunity, although the endogenous ligand(s) mediating these functions is/are as yet unidentified. One candidate endogenous ligand, 2-(1'H-indolo-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), is a potent AhR agonist in vitro, activates the murine AhR in vivo, but does not induce toxicity. We hypothesized that ITE and the toxic ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), may modify transcription of different sets of genes to account for their different toxicity. To test this hypothesis, primary mouse lung fibroblasts were exposed to 0.5muM ITE, 0.2nM TCDD, or vehicle for 4 h, and total gene expression was evaluated using microarrays. After this short-term and low-dose treatment, several hundred genes were changed significantly, and the response to ITE and TCDD was remarkably similar, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Induced gene sets included the expected battery of AhR-dependent xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, as well as several sets that reflect the inflammatory role of lung fibroblasts. Real time quantitative RT-qPCR assay of several selected genes confirmed these microarray data and further suggested that there may be kinetic differences in expression between ligands. These data suggest that ITE and TCDD elicit an analogous change in AhR conformation such that the initial transcription response is the same. Furthermore, if the difference in toxicity between TCDD and ITE is mediated by differences in gene expression, then it is likely that secondary changes enabled by the persistent TCDD, but not by the shorter lived ITE, are responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Henry
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
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79
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Gasiewicz TA, Singh KP, Casado FL. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor has an important role in the regulation of hematopoiesis: implications for benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity. Chem Biol Interact 2009; 184:246-51. [PMID: 19896476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2009.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2009] [Revised: 10/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) family of transcription factors. Many of these proteins are involved in regulating responses to signals in the tissue environment such as hypoxia, oxidation-reduction status, and circadian rhythms. Although the AhR is well studied as a mediator of the toxicity of certain xenobiotics, the normal physiological function remains unknown. However, accumulating data support a hypothesis that the AhR has an important function in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Persistent AhR activation by dioxin, a potent xenobiotic AhR agonist, results in altered numbers and function of HSCs in mouse bone marrow. Analysis of HSCs from AhR null-allele mice also indicates that lack of AhR expression results in altered characteristics and function of these cells. HSCs from these animals are hyperproliferative and have altered cell cycle. In addition, aging AhR-KO mice show characteristics consistent with premature bone marrow senescence and are prone to hematopoietic disease. Finally, some data suggest that the expression of the Ahr gene is regulated under conditions that control HSC proliferation. The presence of a normal functioning AhR may provide an important advantage to organisms by regulating the balance between quiescence and proliferation and preventing the premature exhaustion of HSCs and sensitivity to genetic alterations. This function assists in the preservation of HSC function and long-term multi-lineage generation over the lifespan of the organism. This also implicates a role for the AhR in the aging process. Furthermore, these functions may affect the sensitivity of HSCs to certain xenobiotics, including benzene. Defining the molecular mechanisms by which these events occur may lead to the identification of previously undefined roles of this transcription factor in human diseases, particularly those caused or affected by xenobiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Gasiewicz
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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80
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Freudenberg JM, Joshi VK, Hu Z, Medvedovic M. CLEAN: CLustering Enrichment ANalysis. BMC Bioinformatics 2009; 10:234. [PMID: 19640299 PMCID: PMC2734555 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-10-234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2009] [Accepted: 07/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Integration of biological knowledge encoded in various lists of functionally related genes has become one of the most important aspects of analyzing genome-wide functional genomics data. In the context of cluster analysis, functional coherence of clusters established through such analyses have been used to identify biologically meaningful clusters, compare clustering algorithms and identify biological pathways associated with the biological process under investigation. Results We developed a computational framework for analytically and visually integrating knowledge-based functional categories with the cluster analysis of genomics data. The framework is based on the simple, conceptually appealing, and biologically interpretable gene-specific functional coherence score (CLEAN score). The score is derived by correlating the clustering structure as a whole with functional categories of interest. We directly demonstrate that integrating biological knowledge in this way improves the reproducibility of conclusions derived from cluster analysis. The CLEAN score differentiates between the levels of functional coherence for genes within the same cluster based on their membership in enriched functional categories. We show that this aspect results in higher reproducibility across independent datasets and produces more informative genes for distinguishing different sample types than the scores based on the traditional cluster-wide analysis. We also demonstrate the utility of the CLEAN framework in comparing clusterings produced by different algorithms. CLEAN was implemented as an add-on R package and can be downloaded at . The package integrates routines for calculating gene specific functional coherence scores and the open source interactive Java-based viewer Functional TreeView (FTreeView). Conclusion Our results indicate that using the gene-specific functional coherence score improves the reproducibility of the conclusions made about clusters of co-expressed genes over using the traditional cluster-wide scores. Using gene-specific coherence scores also simplifies the comparisons of clusterings produced by different clustering algorithms and provides a simple tool for selecting genes with a "functionally coherent" expression profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes M Freudenberg
- Laboratory for Statistical Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3223 Eden Av, ML 56, Cincinnati OH 45267-0056, USA.
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Ahmed S, Valen E, Sandelin A, Matthews J. Dioxin increases the interaction between aryl hydrocarbon receptor and estrogen receptor alpha at human promoters. Toxicol Sci 2009; 111:254-66. [PMID: 19574409 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfp144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) induced the recruitment of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) to AHR-regulated genes and that AHR is recruited to ERalpha-regulated genes. However, these findings were limited to a small number of well-characterized AHR- or ERalpha-responsive genes with little knowledge of what was occurring at other genomic regions. In this study, we showed using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by hybridization to promoter focused microarrays (ChIP-chip) that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin treatment significantly increased the overlap of genomic regions bound by both AHR and ERalpha. Conventional and sequential ChIPs confirmed the recruitment of AHR and ERalpha to many of the identified regions. Transcription factor binding site analysis revealed an overrepresentation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor response elements in regions bound by both AHR and ERalpha, suggesting that AHR was the important factor determining the recruitment of ERalpha to these regions. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of AHR confirmed its requirement for the recruitment of ERalpha to some, but not all, of the shared regions. Our findings demonstrate not only that dioxin induces the recruitment of ERalpha to AHR target genes but also that AHR is recruited to estrogen-responsive regions in a gene-specific manner, suggesting that AHR utilizes both of these mechanisms to modulate estrogen-dependent signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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