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Khoo A, Boyer M, Jafri Z, Makeham T, Pham T, Khachigian LM, Floros P, Dowling E, Fedder K, Shonka D, Garneau J, O'Meara CH. Human Papilloma Virus Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Immune System: Pathogenesis, Immunotherapy and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2798. [PMID: 38474047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), involves the palatine tonsils, soft palate, base of tongue, and uvula, with the ability to spread to adjacent subsites. Personalized treatment strategies for Human Papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (HPV+OPSCC) are yet to be established. In this article, we summarise our current understanding of the pathogenesis of HPV+OPSCC, the intrinsic role of the immune system, current ICI clinical trials, and the potential role of small molecule immunotherapy in HPV+OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Khoo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - M Boyer
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Z Jafri
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - T Makeham
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- ANU School of Medicine & Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - T Pham
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- ANU School of Medicine & Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - L M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - P Floros
- St Vincent's Hospital, 390 Victoria Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - E Dowling
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - K Fedder
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - D Shonka
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - J Garneau
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - C H O'Meara
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- ANU School of Medicine & Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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Patel D, Murray IA, Dong F, Annalora AJ, Gowda K, Coslo DM, Krzeminski J, Koo I, Hao F, Amin SG, Marcus CB, Patterson AD, Perdew GH. Induction of AHR Signaling in Response to the Indolimine Class of Microbial Stress Metabolites. Metabolites 2023; 13:985. [PMID: 37755265 PMCID: PMC10535990 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13090985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays an important role in gastrointestinal barrier function, tumorigenesis, and is an emerging drug target. The resident microbiota is capable of metabolizing tryptophan to metabolites that are AHR ligands (e.g., indole-3-acetate). Recently, a novel set of mutagenic tryptophan metabolites named indolimines have been identified that are produced by M. morganii in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we determined that indolimine-200, -214, and -248 are direct AHR ligands that can induce Cyp1a1 transcription and subsequent CYP1A1 enzymatic activity capable of metabolizing the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene in microsomal assays. In addition, indolimines enhance IL6 expression in a colonic tumor cell line in combination with cytokine treatment. The concentration of indolimine-248 that induces AHR transcriptional activity failed to increase DNA damage. These observations reveal an additional aspect of how indolimines may alter colonic tumorigenesis beyond mutagenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhwani Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Iain A. Murray
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Fangcong Dong
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Andrew J. Annalora
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Krishne Gowda
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Denise M. Coslo
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jacek Krzeminski
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Imhoi Koo
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Fuhua Hao
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Shantu G. Amin
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Craig B. Marcus
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Andrew D. Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Gary H. Perdew
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Chong ZX, Yong CY, Ong AHK, Yeap SK, Ho WY. Deciphering the roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in regulating carcinogenesis. Toxicology 2023; 495:153596. [PMID: 37480978 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent receptor that belongs to the superfamily of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. The activation of the canonical AHR signaling pathway is known to induce the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes, facilitating the detoxification metabolism in the human body. Additionally, AHR could interact with various signaling pathways such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor ekappa B (NF-κβ), estrogen receptor (ER), and androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways. Over the past 30 years, several studies have reported that various chemical, physical, or biological agents, such as tobacco, hydrocarbon compounds, industrial and agricultural chemical wastes, drugs, UV, viruses, and other toxins, could affect AHR expression or activity, promoting cancer development. Thus, it is valuable to overview how these factors regulate AHR-mediated carcinogenesis. Current findings have reported that many compounds could act as AHR ligands to drive the expressions of AHR-target genes, such as CYP1A1, CYP1B1, MMPs, and AXL, and other targets that exert a pro-proliferation or anti-apoptotic effect, like XIAP. Furthermore, some other physical and chemical agents, such as UV and 3-methylcholanthrene, could promote AHR signaling activities, increasing the signaling activities of a few oncogenic pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathways. Understanding how various factors regulate AHR-mediated carcinogenesis processes helps clinicians and scientists plan personalized therapeutic strategies to improve anti-cancer treatment efficacy. As many studies that have reported the roles of AHR in regulating carcinogenesis are preclinical or observational clinical studies that did not explore the detailed mechanisms of how different chemical, physical, or biological agents promote AHR-mediated carcinogenesis processes, future studies should focus on conducting large-scale and functional studies to unravel the underlying mechanism of how AHR interacts with different factors in regulating carcinogenesis processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xiong Chong
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chean Yeah Yong
- China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, Xiamen University Malaysia, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alan Han Kiat Ong
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia
| | - Swee Keong Yeap
- China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, Xiamen University Malaysia, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Wan Yong Ho
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Morgan EW, Dong F, Annalora AJ, Murray IA, Wolfe T, Erickson R, Gowda K, Amin SG, Petersen KS, Kris-Etherton PM, Marcus CB, Walk ST, Patterson AD, Perdew GH. Contribution of Circulating Host and Microbial Tryptophan Metabolites Toward Ah Receptor Activation. Int J Tryptophan Res 2023; 16:11786469231182510. [PMID: 37441265 PMCID: PMC10334013 DOI: 10.1177/11786469231182510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that plays an integral role in homeostatic maintenance by regulating cellular functions such as cellular differentiation, metabolism, barrier function, and immune response. An important but poorly understood class of AHR activators are compounds derived from host and bacterial metabolism of tryptophan. The commensal bacteria of the gut microbiome are major producers of tryptophan metabolites known to activate the AHR, while the host also produces AHR activators through tryptophan metabolism. We used targeted mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling to determine the presence and metabolic source of these metabolites in the sera of conventional mice, germ-free mice, and humans. Surprisingly, sera concentrations of many tryptophan metabolites are comparable between germ-free and conventional mice. Therefore, many major AHR-activating tryptophan metabolites in mouse sera are produced by the host, despite their presence in feces and mouse cecal contents. Here we present an investigation of AHR activation using a complex mixture of tryptophan metabolites to examine the biological relevance of circulating tryptophan metabolites. AHR activation is rarely studied in the context of a mixture at relevant concentrations, as we present here. The AHR activation potentials of individual and pooled metabolites were explored using cell-based assays, while ligand binding competition assays and ligand docking simulations were used to assess the detected metabolites as AHR agonists. The physiological and biomedical relevance of the identified metabolites was investigated in the context of a cell-based model for rheumatoid arthritis. We present data that reframe AHR biology to include the presence of a mixture of ubiquitous tryptophan metabolites, improving our understanding of homeostatic AHR activity and models of AHR-linked diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan W Morgan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Fangcong Dong
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Andrew J Annalora
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - Iain A Murray
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Trenton Wolfe
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, USA
| | - Reece Erickson
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, USA
| | - Krishne Gowda
- Department of Pharmacology Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
| | - Shantu G Amin
- Department of Pharmacology Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
| | - Kristina S Petersen
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Penny M Kris-Etherton
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Craig B Marcus
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - Seth T Walk
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, USA
| | - Andrew D Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Gary H Perdew
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Stimulated Interleukin-4-Induced-1 (IL4I1) Promotes Human Decidualization via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043163. [PMID: 36834576 PMCID: PMC9959871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is necessary for the successful establishment of early pregnancy in rodents and humans. Disturbed decidualization results in recurrent implantation failure, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and preeclampsia. Tryptophan (Trp), one of the essential amino acids in humans, has a positive effect on mammalian pregnancy. Interleukin 4-induced gene 1 (IL4I1) is a recently identified enzyme that can metabolize L-Trp to activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Although IDO1-catalyzed kynurenine (Kyn) from Trp has been shown to enhance human in vitro decidualization via activating AHR, whether IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites of Trp are involved in human decidualization is still unknown. In our study, human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates IL4I1 expression and secretion from human endometrial epithelial cells through ornithine decarboxylase-induced putrescine production. Either IL4I1-catalyzed indole-3-pyruvic acid (I3P) or its metabolite indole-3-aldehyde (I3A) from Trp is able to induce human in vitro decidualization by activating AHR. As a target gene of AHR, Epiregulin induced by I3P and I3A promotes human in vitro decidualization. Our study indicates that IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites from Trp can enhance human in vitro decidualization through AHR-Epiregulin pathway.
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Sondermann NC, Faßbender S, Hartung F, Hätälä AM, Rolfes KM, Vogel CFA, Haarmann-Stemmann T. Functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) beyond the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 208:115371. [PMID: 36528068 PMCID: PMC9884176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor regulating adaptive and maladaptive responses toward exogenous and endogenous signals. Research from various biomedical disciplines has provided compelling evidence that the AHR is critically involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and disorders, including autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases, endocrine disruption, premature aging and cancer. Accordingly, AHR is considered an attractive target for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic measures. However, the ligand-based targeting of AHR is considerably complicated by the fact that the receptor does not always follow the beaten track, i.e. the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Instead, AHR might team up with other transcription factors and signaling molecules to shape gene expression patterns and associated physiological or pathophysiological functions in a ligand-, cell- and micromilieu-dependent manner. Herein, we provide an overview about some of the most important non-canonical functions of AHR, including crosstalk with major signaling pathways involved in controlling cell fate and function, immune responses, adaptation to low oxygen levels and oxidative stress, ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Further research on these diverse and exciting yet often ambivalent facets of AHR biology is urgently needed in order to exploit the full potential of AHR modulation for disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Sondermann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sonja Faßbender
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frederick Hartung
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna M Hätälä
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina M Rolfes
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Morgan EW, Dong F, Annalora A, Murray IA, Wolfe T, Erickson R, Gowda K, Amin SG, Petersen KS, Kris-Etherton PM, Marcus C, Walk ST, Patterson AD, Perdew GH. Contribution of circulating host and microbial tryptophan metabolites towards Ah receptor activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.26.525691. [PMID: 36747842 PMCID: PMC9900944 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that plays an integral role in homeostatic maintenance by regulating cellular functions such as cellular differentiation, metabolism, barrier function, and immune response. An important but poorly understood class of AHR activators are compounds derived from host and bacterial metabolism of tryptophan. The commensal bacteria of the gut microbiome are major producers of tryptophan metabolites known to activate the AHR, while the host also produces AHR activators through tryptophan metabolism. We used targeted mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling to determine the presence and metabolic source of these metabolites in the sera of conventional mice, germ-free mice, and humans. Surprisingly, sera concentrations of many tryptophan metabolites are comparable between germ-free and conventional mice. Therefore, many major AHR-activating tryptophan metabolites in mouse sera are produced by the host, despite their presence in feces and mouse cecal contents. AHR activation is rarely studied in the context of a mixture at relevant concentrations, as we present here. The AHR activation potentials of individual and pooled metabolites were explored using cell-based assays, while ligand binding competition assays and ligand docking simulations were used to assess the detected metabolites as AHR agonists. The physiological and biomedical relevance of the identified metabolites was investigated in the context of cell-based models for cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. We present data here that reframe AHR biology to include the presence of ubiquitous tryptophan metabolites, improving our understanding of homeostatic AHR activity and models of AHR-linked diseases.
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8
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Lee W, Park S, Kang SK, Ham S, Yoon JH, Choi WJ. Cancer risk in Vietnam war veterans from the Korean Vietnam war veterans' health study cohort. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1048820. [PMID: 36761983 PMCID: PMC9905696 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1048820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the Vietnam War, several unknown chemicals, such as Agent Orange, were used in Vietnam by the military. Therefore, there have been continuous health concerns among the Vietnamese population and veterans exposed to these hazardous chemicals. This study aimed to investigate the risk of all cancers and also organ-specific cancers among Korean veterans of the Vietnam War. Methods This study used a national representative cohort that included all Korean Vietnam War veterans as the interest group, with 1:4 age-sex-region-matched general Korean citizens as the reference group, from 2002 to 2018. Age-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all cancers and for 31 organ-specific cancer categories based on the medical facility visit data. Results An increased SIR of 1.07 (95% CI, 1.06-1.08) was observed for all cancers among the veterans. There was a significantly increased risk of cancer among 22/31 organspecific cancers, with 18 cancer categories showing a significantly higher risk than all cancers. The highest risk was observed for "malignant neoplasms of other parts of the central nervous system" (SIR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.51-1.92). Discussion This study evaluated the risk of cancer among Korean Vietnam War veterans. Further studies are warranted to investigate various health determinants in the veterans as well as the Vietnamese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanhyung Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Kyu Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghon Ham
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ha Yoon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea,The Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Won-Jun Choi, ; Jin-Ha Yoon,
| | - Won-Jun Choi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Won-Jun Choi, ; Jin-Ha Yoon,
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Inhibition of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Expression Disrupts Cell Proliferation and Alters Energy Metabolism and Fatty Acid Synthesis in Colon Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174245. [PMID: 36077780 PMCID: PMC9454859 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells undergo metabolic modifications in order to meet their high energetic demand. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor primarily known as a xenobiotic sensor. However, this receptor seems to have a wide range of physiological roles in many processes including cell proliferation, migration or control of immune responses. AhR is often overexpressed in tumor cells of various tissue origin, and several studies have indicated that AhR may also contribute to regulation of cellular metabolism, including synthesis of fatty acids (FA), one of the major steps in metabolic transition. Potential links between the AhR and the control of tumor cell proliferation and metabolism thus deserve more attention. Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a wide range of physiological roles in cellular processes such as proliferation, migration or control of immune responses. Several studies have also indicated that AhR might contribute to the regulation of energy balance or cellular metabolism. We observed that the AhR is upregulated in tumor epithelial cells derived from colon cancer patients. Using wild-type and the corresponding AhR knockout (AhR KO) variants of human colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT-29, we analyzed possible role(s) of the AhR in cell proliferation and metabolism, with a focus on regulation of the synthesis of fatty acids (FAs). We observed a decreased proliferation rate in the AhR KO cells, which was accompanied with altered cell cycle progression, as well as a decreased ATP production. We also found reduced mRNA levels of key enzymes of the FA biosynthetic pathway in AhR KO colon cancer cells, in particular of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). The loss of AhR was also associated with reduced expression and/or activity of components of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which controls lipid metabolism, and other lipogenic transcriptional regulators, such as sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1). Together, our data indicate that disruption of AhR activity in colon tumor cells may, likely in a cell-specific manner, limit their proliferation, which could be linked with a suppressive effect on their endogenous FA metabolism. More attention should be paid to potential mechanistic links between overexpressed AhR and colon tumor cell metabolism.
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Benoit L, Jornod F, Zgheib E, Tomkiewicz C, Koual M, Coustillet T, Barouki R, Audouze K, Vinken M, Coumoul X. Adverse outcome pathway from activation of the AhR to breast cancer-related death. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 165:107323. [PMID: 35660951 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) are formalized and structured linear concepts that connect one molecular initiating event (MIE) to an adverse outcome (AO) via different key events (KE) through key event relationships (KER). They are mainly used in eco-toxicology toxicology, and regulatory health issues. AOPs must respond to specific guidelines from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to weight the evidence between each KE. Breast cancer is the deadliest cancer in women with a poor prognosis in case of metastatic breast cancer. The role of the environments in the formation of metastasis has been suggested. We hypothesized that activation of the AhR (MIE), a xenobiotic receptor, could lead to breast cancer related death (AO), through different KEs, constituting a new AOP. An artificial intelligence tool (AOP-helpfinder), which screens the available literature, was used to collect all existing scientific abstracts to build a novel AOP, using a list of key words. Four hundred and seven abstracts were found containing at least a word from our MIE list and either one word from our AO or KE list. A manual curation retained 113 pertinent articles, which were also screened using PubTator. From these analyses, an AOP was created linking the activation of the AhR to breast cancer related death through decreased apoptosis, inflammation, endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and invasion. These KEs promote an increased tumor growth, angiogenesis and migration which leads to breast cancer metastasis and breast cancer related death. The evidence of the proposed AOP was weighted using the tailored Bradford Hill criteria and the OECD guidelines. The confidence in our AOP was considered strong. An in vitro validation must be carried out, but our review proposes a strong relationship between AhR activation and breast cancer-related death with an innovative use of an artificial intelligence literature search.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Benoit
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges-Pompidou, Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery Department, Paris, France.
| | - Florence Jornod
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Elias Zgheib
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Celine Tomkiewicz
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Meriem Koual
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges-Pompidou, Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery Department, Paris, France
| | - Thibaut Coustillet
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges-Pompidou, Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery Department, Paris, France
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
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11
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Vogeley C, Sondermann NC, Woeste S, Momin AA, Gilardino V, Hartung F, Heinen M, Maaß SK, Mescher M, Pollet M, Rolfes KM, Vogel CFA, Rossi A, Lang D, Arold ST, Nakamura M, Haarmann-Stemmann T. Unraveling the differential impact of PAHs and dioxin-like compounds on AKR1C3 reveals the EGFR extracellular domain as a critical determinant of the AHR response. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106989. [PMID: 34991250 PMCID: PMC8852774 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) and structurally-related environmental pollutants may contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases and disorders, primarily by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and modulating downstream cellular responses. Accordingly, AHR is considered an attractive molecular target for preventive and therapeutic measures. However, toxicological risk assessment of AHR-modulating compounds as well as drug development is complicated by the fact that different ligands elicit remarkably different AHR responses. By elucidating the differential effects of PAHs and DLCs on aldo-keto reductase 1C3 expression and associated prostaglandin D2 metabolism, we here provide evidence that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) substantially shapes AHR ligand-induced responses in human epithelial cells, i.e. primary and immortalized keratinocytes and breast cancer cells. Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 126 resulted in a rapid c-Src-mediated phosphorylation of EGFR. Moreover, both AHR agonists stimulated protein kinase C activity and enhanced the ectodomain shedding of cell surface-bound EGFR ligands. However, only upon B[a]P treatment, this process resulted in an auto-/paracrine activation of EGFR and a subsequent induction of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 and 11-ketoreduction of prostaglandin D2. Receptor binding and internalization assays, docking analyses and mutational amino acid exchange confirmed that DLCs, but not B[a]P, bind to the EGFR extracellular domain, thereby blocking EGFR activation by growth factors. Finally, nanopore long-read RNA-seq revealed hundreds of genes, whose expression is regulated by B[a]P, but not by PCB126, and sensitive towards pharmacological EGFR inhibition. Our data provide novel mechanistic insights into the ligand response of AHR signaling and identify EGFR as an effector of environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Vogeley
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Natalie C Sondermann
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Selina Woeste
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Afaque A Momin
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Viola Gilardino
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frederick Hartung
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Heinen
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sophia K Maaß
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melina Mescher
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marius Pollet
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina M Rolfes
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrea Rossi
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Lang
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Stefan T Arold
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Motoki Nakamura
- IUF - Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Department of Environmental and Geriatric Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
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12
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Larigot L, Benoit L, Koual M, Tomkiewicz C, Barouki R, Coumoul X. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Its Diverse Ligands and Functions: An Exposome Receptor. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 62:383-404. [PMID: 34499523 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052220-115707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcriptional factor that regulates multiple functions following its activation by a variety of ligands, including xenobiotics, natural products, microbiome metabolites, and endogenous molecules. Because of this diversity, the AhR constitutes an exposome receptor. One of its main functions is to regulate several lines of defense against chemical insults and bacterial infections. Indeed, in addition to its well-established detoxication function, it has several functions at physiological barriers, and it plays a critical role in immunomodulation. The AhR is also involved in the development of several organs and their homeostatic maintenance. Its activity depends on the type of ligand and on the time frame of the receptor activation, which can be either sustained or transient, leading in some cases to opposite modes of regulations as illustrated in the regulation of different cancer pathways. The development of selective modulators and their pharmacological characterization are important areas of research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 62 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Larigot
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Louise Benoit
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; .,Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Meriem Koual
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; .,Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Céline Tomkiewicz
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Robert Barouki
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; .,Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
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13
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Zaragoza-Ojeda M, Apatiga-Vega E, Arenas-Huertero F. Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:460. [PMID: 33907570 PMCID: PMC8063300 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, whose canonical pathway mainly regulates the genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. However, it can also regulate several responses in a non-canonical manner, such as proliferation, differentiation, cell death and cell adhesion. AhR plays an important role in central nervous system tumors, as it can regulate several cellular responses via different pathways. The polymorphisms of the AHR gene have been associated with the development of gliomas. In addition, the metabolism of tumor cells promotes tumor growth, particularly in tryptophan synthesis, where some metabolites, such as kynurenine, can activate the AhR pathway, triggering cell proliferation in astrocytomas, medulloblastomas and glioblastomas. Furthermore, as part of the changes in neuroblastomas, AHR is able to downregulate the expression of proto-oncogene c-Myc, induce differentiation in tumor cells, and cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Collectively, these data suggested that the modulation of the AhR pathway may downregulate tumor growth, providing a novel strategy for applications for the treatment of certain tumors through the control of the AhR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Zaragoza-Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Patología Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, México
| | - Elisa Apatiga-Vega
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Patología Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, México
| | - Francisco Arenas-Huertero
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Patología Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, México
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14
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Jiang Y, Xiao H, Sun L, Zhang Y, Liu S, Luo B. LMP2A suppresses the role of AHR pathway through ERK signal pathway in EBV-associated gastric cancer. Virus Res 2021; 297:198399. [PMID: 33753181 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and to explore the relationship between EBV and AHR expression. METHODS The expression of AHR in EBVaGC and EBV negative GC (EBVnGC) tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were used to examine the expression of AHR, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) in gastric cancer cells. The cell proliferation and migration assay were tested by CCK8 and transwell analysis. EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) was over-expressed in SGC7901 cells and silenced in AGS-EBV cells to further identify its role in EBV positive GC cells. RESULTS It was found that EBV infection inhibited the expression of AHR in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. We also found that the activation of AHR pathway can promote cell proliferation and migration. However, the function was restricted in EBVaGC cell lines compared with EBVnGC. LMP2A can suppress AHR expression and pathway activation by activating phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in EBV positive GC cell lines. CONCLUSION EBV-encoded LMP2A regulated the function of the AHR pathway by activating the ERK signal pathway in EBV positive GC cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Jiang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China; Department of Medical Affairs of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 1677 Wutaishan Road, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Hua Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Zibo, 19 Gongqingtuan Road, ZiBo, 255036, China
| | - Shuzhen Liu
- Department of Medical Affairs of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 1677 Wutaishan Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China
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15
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SERPINB2-its regulation and interplay with aryl hydrocarbon receptor. J Appl Genet 2021; 62:99-105. [PMID: 33387293 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-020-00606-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite many years of intensive investigation, real biological role of SERPINB2 is largely unknown. However, recent high throughput studies suggest its function in inflammation, influence on autoimmune disorders, and modulation of processes leading to carcinogenesis. SERPINB2 expression is acutely upregulated by many different stimuli, among others by aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands. Mechanisms of regulation of SERPINB2 expression, involvement of the gene in processes leading to inflammation or carcinogenesis, and its interplay with aryl hydrocarbon receptor are subject of present review.
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16
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Murray IA, Perdew GH. How Ah Receptor Ligand Specificity Became Important in Understanding Its Physiological Function. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249614. [PMID: 33348604 PMCID: PMC7766308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasingly, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is being recognized as a sensor for endogenous and pseudo-endogenous metabolites, and in particular microbiota and host generated tryptophan metabolites. One proposed explanation for this is the role of the AHR in innate immune signaling within barrier tissues in response to the presence of microorganisms. A number of cytokine/chemokine genes exhibit a combinatorial increase in transcription upon toll-like receptors and AHR activation, supporting this concept. The AHR also plays a role in the enhanced differentiation of intestinal and dermal epithelium leading to improved barrier function. Importantly, from an evolutionary perspective many of these tryptophan metabolites exhibit greater activation potential for the human AHR when compared to the rodent AHR. These observations underscore the importance of the AHR in barrier tissues and may lead to pharmacologic therapeutic intervention.
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17
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Khanal S, Strickley JD, Ha T, Demehri S, Ghim SJ, Jenson AB, Redman RA, Joh JJ. Human papillomavirus-positivity is associated with EREG down-regulation and promoter hypermethylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 117:104549. [PMID: 33007298 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) etiology has become evident in head and neck cancers (HNCs) and HPV positivity showed a strong association with its malignant progression. Since aberrant DNA methylation is known to drive carcinogenesis and progression in HNCs, we investigated to determine target gene(s) associated with this modification. METHODS We characterized epigenetic changes in tumor-related genes (TRGs) that are known to be associated with HNC development and its progression. RESULTS The expression levels of 42 candidate HNC-associated genes were analyzed. Of these, 7 TGRs (CHFR, RARβ, GRB7, EREG, RUNX2, RUNX3, and SMG-1) showed decreased expressions in HPV-positive (+) HNC cells compared with HPV-negative (-) HNC cells. When gene expression levels were compared corresponding to the DNA methylation conditions, GRB7 and EREG showed significant differential expression between HPV+ and HPV- cells, which suggested these genes as primary targets of epigenetic regulation in HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Furthermore, treatment with a demethylation agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc), caused restoration of EREG expression and was associated with hypomethylation of its promoter in HPV+ cells, while no changes was noted in HPV- cells. EREG promoter hypermethylation in HPV+ cells was confirmed using methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR). CONCLUSION We conclude that EREG is the target of epigenetic regulation in HPV+ HNCs and its suppressed expression through promoter hypermethylation is associated with the development of HPV-associated HNCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujita Khanal
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John D Strickley
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Thinh Ha
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Shadmehr Demehri
- Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shin-Je Ghim
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Alfred B Jenson
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Rebecca A Redman
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Joongho J Joh
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
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18
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Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) Ligands as Selective AHR Modulators (SAhRMs). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186654. [PMID: 32932962 PMCID: PMC7555580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was first identified as the intracellular protein that bound and mediated the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Subsequent studies show that the AhR plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology, and there is increasing evidence that the AhR is an important drug target. The AhR binds structurally diverse compounds, including pharmaceuticals, phytochemicals and endogenous biochemicals, some of which may serve as endogenous ligands. Classification of DLCs and non-DLCs based on their persistence (metabolism), toxicities, binding to wild-type/mutant AhR and structural similarities have been reported. This review provides data suggesting that ligands for the AhR are selective AhR modulators (SAhRMs) that exhibit tissue/cell-specific AhR agonist and antagonist activities, and that their functional diversity is similar to selective receptor modulators that target steroid hormone and other nuclear receptors.
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19
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Pocar P, Berrini A, Di Giancamillo A, Fischer B, Borromeo V. Regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes during in vitro maturation: The role of EGFR and post-EGFR ERK1/2 signaling cascade. Theriogenology 2020; 156:59-69. [PMID: 32679457 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been extensively characterized as an environmental sensor with major roles in xenobiotic-induced toxicity. Evidence is accumulating that these functions serve as adaptive mechanisms overlapping its physiological roles. We previously described a critical role of constitutive AhR activation for the correct progress of mammalian oocyte maturation but the signaling pathway through which AhR controls maturation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the AhR interacts with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p42/44 extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2), both key factors in the signaling network that finely regulates the oocyte maturation. As experimental model we used bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation (IVM). Blocking ERK1/2 signaling in COCs during IVM with the specific EGFR inhibitor AG1478 or the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 downregulated the expression of the AhR-target gene Cyp1a1. Inhibition of AhR activity was associated with a reduction in the oocytes' ability to progress in meiosis resumption. In contrast, exposure to the AhR antagonist resveratrol reduced both CYP1A1 expression and the oocytes' maturation competence, without affecting ERK1/2 signaling. These findings strongly indicate the EGFR/ERKs signaling network as an upstream regulator of the AhR activation in COCs, offering a new understanding of the finely tuned physiological mechanism leading to oocyte maturation. This information may provide fresh opportunities for improving oocyte in vitro maturation, and therefore boosting the efficiency of assisted reproduction techniques in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Pocar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Anna Berrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Bernd Fischer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University, Faculty of Medicine, D-06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Vitaliano Borromeo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy
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20
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Xu Z, Ding W, Deng X. PM 2.5, Fine Particulate Matter: A Novel Player in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition? Front Physiol 2019; 10:1404. [PMID: 31849690 PMCID: PMC6896848 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) refers to the conversion of epithelial cells to mesenchymal phenotype, which endows the epithelial cells with enhanced migration, invasion, and extracellular matrix production abilities. These characteristics link EMT with the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis and cancer progression. Recent studies have preliminarily established that fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is correlated with EMT initiation. In this pathological process, PM2.5 particles, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from PM2.5, and certain components in PM2.5, such as ions and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been implicated as potential EMT mediators that are linked to the activation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/SMADs, NF-κB, growth factor (GF)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), GF/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, high mobility group box B1 (HMGB1)-receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling cascades and to cytoskeleton rearrangement. These pathways directly and indirectly transduce pro-EMT signals that regulate EMT-related gene expression in epithelial cells, finally inducing the characteristic alterations in morphology and functions of epithelia. In addition, novel associations between autophagy, ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), and exosomes with PM2.5-induced EMT have also been summarized. However, some debates and paradoxes remain to be consolidated. This review discusses the potential molecular mechanisms underlying PM2.5-induced EMT, which might account for the latent role of PM2.5 in cancer progression and fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Xu
- Faculty of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Ding
- Laboratory of Environment and Health, College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobei Deng
- Faculty of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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21
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Cirillo F, Lappano R, Bruno L, Rizzuti B, Grande F, Guzzi R, Briguori S, Miglietta AM, Nakajima M, Di Martino MT, Maggiolini M. AHR and GPER mediate the stimulatory effects induced by 3-methylcholanthrene in breast cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:335. [PMID: 31370872 PMCID: PMC6676524 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1337-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chemical carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) that regulates the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes as CYP1B1, which is involved in the oncogenic activation of environmental pollutants as well as in the estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism. 3MC was shown to induce estrogenic responses binding to the estrogen receptor (ER) α and stimulating a functional interaction between AHR and ERα. Recently, the G protein estrogen receptor (GPER) has been reported to mediate certain biological responses induced by endogenous estrogens and environmental compounds eliciting an estrogen-like activity. METHODS Molecular dynamics and docking simulations were performed to evaluate the potential of 3MC to interact with GPER. SkBr3 breast cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) derived from breast tumor patients were used as model system. Real-time PCR and western blotting analysis were performed in order to evaluate the activation of transduction mediators as well as the mRNA and protein levels of CYP1B1 and cyclin D1. Co-immunoprecipitation studies were performed in order to explore the potential of 3MC to trigger the association of GPER with AHR and EGFR. Luciferase assays were carried out to determine the activity of CYP1B1 promoter deletion constructs upon 3MC exposure, while the nuclear shuttle of AHR induced by 3MC was assessed through confocal microscopy. Cell proliferation stimulated by 3MC was determined as biological counterpart of the aforementioned experimental assays. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. RESULTS We first ascertained by docking simulations the ability of 3MC to interact with GPER. Thereafter, we established that 3MC activates the EGFR/ERK/c-Fos transduction signaling through both AHR and GPER in SkBr3 cells and CAFs. Then, we found that these receptors are involved in the up-regulation of CYP1B1 and cyclin D1 as well as in the stimulation of growth responses induced by 3MC. CONCLUSIONS In the present study we have provided novel insights regarding the molecular mechanisms by which 3MC may trigger a physical and functional interaction between AHR and GPER, leading to the stimulation of both SkBr3 breast cancer cells and CAFs. Altogether, our results indicate that 3MC may engage both GPER and AHR transduction pathways toward breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Cosenza, Rende, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Cosenza, Rende, Italy
| | - Leonardo Bruno
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Bruno Rizzuti
- CNR-NANOTEC, Licryl-UOS Cosenza and CEMIF. Cal and Department of Physics, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Fedora Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Cosenza, Rende, Italy
| | - Rita Guzzi
- CNR-NANOTEC, Licryl-UOS Cosenza and CEMIF. Cal and Department of Physics, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy.,Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Sara Briguori
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Cosenza, Rende, Italy
| | | | - Miki Nakajima
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Maria Teresa Di Martino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Cosenza, Rende, Italy.
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22
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Brauze D, Kiwerska K, Bednarek K, Grenman R, Janiszewska J, Giefing M, Jarmuz-Szymczak M. Expression of Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor B2 (SERPINB2) is regulated by Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Chem Biol Interact 2019; 309:108700. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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23
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Dantsuka A, Ichii O, Hanberg A, Elewa YHA, Otsuka-Kanazawa S, Nakamura T, Kon Y. Histopathological features of the proper gastric glands in FVB/N-background mice carrying constitutively-active aryl-hydrocarbon receptor. BMC Gastroenterol 2019; 19:102. [PMID: 31226941 PMCID: PMC6588904 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-019-1009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a multiple ligand-activated transcription factor that has important roles in xenobiotic, physiological, or pathological functions. Transgenic mice systemically expressing constitutively-active AhR (CA-AhR) have been created to mimic activated AhR signaling in vivo. However, their detailed histopathological features are unclear. In the present study, we generated CA-AhR-expressing FVB/N mice (FVB-CA-AhR mice) and clarified their phenotypes in detail. Methods Male and female FVB-CA-AhR and wild-type mice were histopathologically examined from 6 to 33 weeks of age. Results Among the systemic organs, only the stomachs in FVB-CA-AhR mice showed pathological changes including cystic structures beneath the serosa; in addition, stomach weights increased with age. Histopathologically, cystic structures and alcian blue-positive metaplasia were observed in the mucosa of the proper gastric glands, and these two histometric parameters were positively correlated. Furthermore, proliferating cells shifted from the isthmus to the base of the glands, and parietal cells decreased. Age-related histopathological changes were clearer in females than in males. Importantly, in FVB-CA-AhR mice, intramucosal cysts developed as extramucosal cysts beneath the serosa, penetrating the lamina muscularis mucosae and the muscularis propria. Their incidence reached 100% in 28-week-old male mice and 33-week-old female mice. Extramucosal cysts contained alcian blue-, Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II-, or trefoil factor 2-positive cells, suggesting a stomach origin for the cysts and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia-like lesions. Conclusions Disease onset occurred earlier in FVB-CA-AhR mice than previously reported in C57BL/6-derived CA-AhR mice. Importantly, the histopathological features were partly similar with gastritis cystica profunda in humans and animals. Excessive activation of AhR signaling aggravated abnormalities in the gastric mucosa and were affected by both genetic- and sex-related factors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12876-019-1009-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Dantsuka
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Osamu Ichii
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Annika Hanberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yaser Hosny Ali Elewa
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.,Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Saori Otsuka-Kanazawa
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Teppei Nakamura
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.,Section of Biological Safety Research, Chitose Laboratory, Japan Food Research Laboratories, Bunkyo 2-3, Chitose, 066-0052, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kon
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
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Hasan F, Yadav V, Katiyar T, Yadav S, Pandey R, Mehrotra D, Hadi R, Singh S, Bhatt MLB, Parmar D. Validation of gene expression profiles of candidate genes using low density array in peripheral blood of tobacco consuming head and neck cancer patients and auto/taxi drivers with preneoplastic lesions. Genomics 2019; 112:513-519. [PMID: 30951801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
TaqMan Low-Density Array (TLDA) based Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) of selected genes showed increased expression of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and associated transcription factors in biopsy and peripheral blood samples isolated from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients when compared to the controls. The genes involved in DNA repair, signal transduction pathway, EMT pathway, apoptosis, and cell adhesion/motility were found to be altered in both peripheral blood and biopsy samples of HNSCC patients. Transcription profiles in blood isolated from auto/taxi drivers, with pre-neoplastic lesions and history of tobacco use, also showed similar alterations. The present TLDA data thus demonstrates that low-density array of selected genes in peripheral blood has the potential to be used as a surrogate for providing insight into cancer progression pathways and possibly as an early biomarker for monitoring tobacco induced HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feza Hasan
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, System Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, U.P., India; Babu Banarsi Das University, Faizabad Road, Lucknow 226028, U.P., India
| | - Vinay Yadav
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, System Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, U.P., India
| | - Tridiv Katiyar
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, System Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, U.P., India; Babu Banarsi Das University, Faizabad Road, Lucknow 226028, U.P., India
| | - Sanjay Yadav
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, System Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, U.P., India
| | - Rahul Pandey
- Department of Radiotherapy, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, U.P., India
| | - Divya Mehrotra
- Department of Radiotherapy, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, U.P., India
| | - Rahat Hadi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow 226010, U.P., India
| | - Sudhir Singh
- Department of Radiotherapy, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, U.P., India
| | - Madan L B Bhatt
- Department of Radiotherapy, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, U.P., India
| | - Devendra Parmar
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, System Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, U.P., India.
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AhR controls redox homeostasis and shapes the tumor microenvironment in BRCA1-associated breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:3604-3613. [PMID: 30733286 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815126116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) than normal cells, due to genetic and metabolic alterations. An emerging scenario is that cancer cells increase ROS to activate protumorigenic signaling while activating antioxidant pathways to maintain redox homeostasis. Here we show that, in basal-like and BRCA1-related breast cancer (BC), ROS levels correlate with the expression and activity of the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Mechanistically, ROS triggers AhR nuclear accumulation and activation to promote the transcription of both antioxidant enzymes and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand, amphiregulin (AREG). In a mouse model of BRCA1-related BC, cancer-associated AhR and AREG control tumor growth and production of chemokines to attract monocytes and activate proangiogenic function of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Interestingly, the expression of these chemokines as well as infiltration of monocyte-lineage cells (monocyte and macrophages) positively correlated with ROS levels in basal-like BC. These data support the existence of a coordinated link between cancer-intrinsic ROS regulation and the features of tumor microenvironment. Therapeutically, chemical inhibition of AhR activity sensitizes human BC models to Erlotinib, a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suggesting a promising combinatorial anticancer effect of AhR and EGFR pathway inhibition. Thus, AhR represents an attractive target to inhibit redox homeostasis and modulate the tumor promoting microenvironment of basal-like and BRCA1-associated BC.
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Urolithin A Is a Dietary Microbiota-Derived Human Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Antagonist. Metabolites 2018; 8:metabo8040086. [PMID: 30501068 PMCID: PMC6315438 DOI: 10.3390/metabo8040086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Urolithins (e.g., UroA and B) are gut microbiota-derived metabolites of the natural polyphenol ellagic acid. Urolithins are associated with various health benefits, including attenuation of inflammatory signaling, anti-cancer effects and repression of lipid accumulation. The molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of urolithins remain unclear. We hypothesize that some of the human health benefits of urolithins are mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Utilizing a cell-based reporter system, we tested urolithins for the capacity to modulate AHR activity. Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA levels were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Competitive ligand binding assays were performed to determine whether UroA is a direct ligand for the AHR. Subcellular AHR protein levels were examined utilizing immunoblotting analysis. AHR expression was repressed in Caco-2 cells by siRNA transfection to investigate AHR-dependency. UroA and B were able to antagonize 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced AHR-mediated transcriptional activity. Furthermore, UroA and B attenuated TCDD-mediated stimulation of CYP1A1 mRNA levels. In addition, competitive ligand binding assays characterized UroA as a direct AHR ligand. Consistent with other AHR antagonists, UroA failed to induce AHR retention in the nucleus. AHR is necessary for UroA-mediated attenuation of cytokine-induced interleukin 6 (IL6) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) expression in Caco-2 cells. Here we identified UroA as the first dietary-derived human selective AHR antagonist produced by the gut microbiota through multi-step metabolism. Furthermore, previously reported anti-inflammatory activity of UroA may at least in part be mediated through AHR.
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Rannug A, Rannug U. The tryptophan derivative 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, FICZ, a dynamic mediator of endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, balances cell growth and differentiation. Crit Rev Toxicol 2018; 48:555-574. [PMID: 30226107 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2018.1493086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is not essential to survival, but does act as a key regulator of many normal physiological events. The role of this receptor in toxicological processes has been studied extensively, primarily employing the high-affinity ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). However, regulation of physiological responses by endogenous AHR ligands remains to be elucidated. Here, we review developments in this field, with a focus on 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), the endogenous ligand with the highest affinity to the receptor reported to date. The binding of FICZ to different isoforms of the AHR seems to be evolutionarily well conserved and there is a feedback loop that controls AHR activity through metabolic degradation of FICZ via the highly inducible cytochrome P450 1A1. Several investigations provide strong evidence that FICZ plays a critical role in normal physiological processes and can ameliorate immune diseases with remarkable efficiency. Low levels of FICZ are pro-inflammatory, providing resistance to pathogenic bacteria, stimulating the anti-tumor functions, and promoting the differentiation of cancer cells by repressing genes in cancer stem cells. In contrast, at high concentrations FICZ behaves in a manner similar to TCDD, exhibiting toxicity toward fish and bird embryos, immune suppression, and activation of cancer progression. The findings are indicative of a dual role for endogenously activated AHR in barrier tissues, aiding clearance of infections and suppressing immunity to terminate a vicious cycle that might otherwise lead to disease. There is not much support for the AHR ligand-specific immune responses proposed, the differences between FICZ and TCDD in this context appear to be explained by the rapid metabolism of FICZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Rannug
- a Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Ulf Rannug
- b Department of Molecular Biosciences , The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University , Stockholm , Sweden
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Janosik T, Rannug A, Rannug U, Wahlström N, Slätt J, Bergman J. Chemistry and Properties of Indolocarbazoles. Chem Rev 2018; 118:9058-9128. [PMID: 30191712 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The indolocarbazoles are an important class of nitrogen heterocycles which has evolved significantly in recent years, with numerous studies focusing on their diverse biological effects, or targeting new materials with potential applications in organic electronics. This review aims at providing a broad survey of the chemistry and properties of indolocarbazoles from an interdisciplinary point of view, with particular emphasis on practical synthetic aspects, as well as certain topics which have not been previously accounted for in detail, such as the occurrence, formation, biological activities, and metabolism of indolo[3,2- b]carbazoles. The literature of the past decade forms the basis of the text, which is further supplemented with older key references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Janosik
- Research Institutes of Sweden , Bioscience and Materials, RISE Surface, Process and Formulation , SE-151 36 Södertälje , Sweden
| | - Agneta Rannug
- Institute of Environmental Medicine , Karolinska Institutet , SE-171 77 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Ulf Rannug
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute , Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm , Sweden
| | | | - Johnny Slätt
- Department of Chemistry, Applied Physical Chemistry , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , SE-100 44 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Jan Bergman
- Karolinska Institutet , Department of Biosciences and Nutrition , SE-141 83 Huddinge , Sweden
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Towards Resolving the Pro- and Anti-Tumor Effects of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051388. [PMID: 29735912 PMCID: PMC5983651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We have postulated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) drives the later, more lethal stages of some cancers when chronically activated by endogenous ligands. However, other studies have suggested that, under some circumstances, the AHR can oppose tumor aggression. Resolving this apparent contradiction is critical to the design of AHR-targeted cancer therapeutics. Molecular (siRNA, shRNA, AHR repressor, CRISPR-Cas9) and pharmacological (AHR inhibitors) approaches were used to confirm the hypothesis that AHR inhibition reduces human cancer cell invasion (irregular colony growth in 3D Matrigel cultures and Boyden chambers), migration (scratch wound assay) and metastasis (human cancer cell xenografts in zebrafish). Furthermore, these assays were used for a head-to-head comparison between AHR antagonists and agonists. AHR inhibition or knockdown/knockout consistently reduced human ER−/PR−/Her2− and inflammatory breast cancer cell invasion, migration, and metastasis. This was associated with a decrease in invasion-associated genes (e.g., Fibronectin, VCAM1, Thrombospondin, MMP1) and an increase in CDH1/E-cadherin, previously associated with decreased tumor aggression. Paradoxically, AHR agonists (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and/or 3,3′-diindolylmethane) similarly inhibited irregular colony formation in Matrigel and blocked metastasis in vivo but accelerated migration. These data demonstrate the complexity of modulating AHR activity in cancer while suggesting that AHR inhibitors, and, under some circumstances, AHR agonists, may be useful as cancer therapeutics.
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Popadić D, Heßelbach K, Richter-Brockmann S, Kim GJ, Flemming S, Schmidt-Heck W, Häupl T, Bonin M, Dornhof R, Achten C, Günther S, Humar M, Merfort I. Gene expression profiling of human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from biomass combustion. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 347:10-22. [PMID: 29596927 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Désirée Popadić
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Heßelbach
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sigrid Richter-Brockmann
- Institute of Geology and Palaeontology - Applied Geology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Gwang-Jin Kim
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Bioinformatics, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Flemming
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Bioinformatics, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt-Heck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Häupl
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Bonin
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Regina Dornhof
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christine Achten
- Institute of Geology and Palaeontology - Applied Geology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Bioinformatics, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matjaz Humar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Irmgard Merfort
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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31
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Burton KJ, Pimentel G, Zangger N, Vionnet N, Drai J, McTernan PG, Pralong FP, Delorenzi M, Vergères G. Modulation of the peripheral blood transcriptome by the ingestion of probiotic yoghurt and acidified milk in healthy, young men. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192947. [PMID: 29489876 PMCID: PMC5831037 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolic health benefits of fermented milks have already been investigated using clinical biomarkers but the development of transcriptomic analytics in blood offers an alternative approach that may help to sensitively characterise such effects. We aimed to assess the effects of probiotic yoghurt intake, compared to non-fermented, acidified milk intake, on clinical biomarkers and gene expression in peripheral blood. To this end, a randomised, crossover study was conducted in fourteen healthy, young men to test the two dairy products. For a subset of seven subjects, RNA sequencing was used to measure gene expression in blood collected during postprandial tests and after two weeks daily intake. We found that the postprandial response in insulin was different for probiotic yoghurt as compared to that of acidified milk. Moreover changes in several clinical biomarkers were associated with changes in the expression of genes representing six metabolic genesets. Assessment of the postprandial effects of each dairy product on gene expression by geneset enrichment analysis revealed significant, similar modulation of inflammatory and glycolytic genes after both probiotic yoghurt and acidified milk intake, although distinct kinetic characteristics of the modulation differentiated the dairy products. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor was a major contributor to the down-regulation of the inflammatory genesets and was also positively associated with changes in circulating insulin at 2h after yoghurt intake (p = 0.05). Daily intake of the dairy products showed little effect on the fasting blood transcriptome. Probiotic yoghurt and acidified milk appear to affect similar gene pathways during the postprandial phase but differences in the timing and the extent of this modulation may lead to different physiological consequences. The functional relevance of these differences in gene expression is supported by their associations with circulating biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J. Burton
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Grégory Pimentel
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, Agroscope, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Zangger
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Vionnet
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyne Drai
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Laboratoire de Biochimie, Pierre-Bénite, France
- Equipe Inserm CarMeN U1060, Faculté de Médecine LYON SUD – BP 12, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Philip G. McTernan
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - François P. Pralong
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Delorenzi
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Guy Vergères
- Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, Agroscope, Berne, Switzerland
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Xue P, Fu J, Zhou Y. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Tumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:286. [PMID: 29487603 PMCID: PMC5816799 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an important cytosolic, ligand-dependent transcription factor. Emerging evidence suggests the promoting role of the AhR in the initiation, promotion, progression, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Studies on various tumor types and tumor cell lines have shown high AhR expression, suggesting that AhR is activated constitutively in tumors and facilitates their growth. Interestingly, immune evasion has been recognized as an emerging hallmark feature of cancer. A connection between the AhR and immune system has been recognized, which has been suggested as an immunosuppressive effector on different types of immune cells. Certain cancers can escape immune recognition via AhR signaling pathways. This review discusses the role of the AhR in tumor immunity and its potential mechanism of action in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Xue
- Children's Hospital and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinrong Fu
- Children's Hospital and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufeng Zhou
- Children's Hospital and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
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Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and smoking are determinants of LINE-1 and AhRR promoter methylation in coke oven workers. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2018; 826:33-40. [PMID: 29412867 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Coke oven emissions (COE) containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are predominant toxic constituents of particulate air pollution that have been linked to increased risk of lung cancer. Aberrant DNA methylation is one of the best known epigenetic changes in human cancers and healthy subjects exposed to carcinogens. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing the methylation of long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) and aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR) in coke oven workers. The study population is composed by coke oven workers (348) and water treatment workers (131). And their urinary PAH metabolites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography; DNA methylation were measured by pyrosequencing. The urinary PAHs metabolites were significantly elevated in coke oven workers (P < 0.01). The results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was associated with a significantly increased risk of hypomethylation of LINE-1 (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.25, 2.60), and heavy smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk of hypomethylation of AhRR (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.00). Our findings demonstrate that urinary 1-hydroxypyrene may be a useful biomarker for evaluating the role of PAHs exposure on hypomethylation of LINE-1 among coke oven workers and that smoking may be an important factor affecting hypomethylation of AhRR.
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Roman ÁC, Carvajal-Gonzalez JM, Merino JM, Mulero-Navarro S, Fernández-Salguero PM. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the crossroad of signalling networks with therapeutic value. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 185:50-63. [PMID: 29258844 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is well-known for its major contributions to the cellular responses against environmental toxins and carcinogens. Notably, AhR has also emerged as a key transcription factor controlling many physiological processes including cell proliferation and apoptosis, differentiation, adhesion and migration, pluripotency and stemness. These novel functions have broadened our understanding of the signalling pathways and molecular intermediates interacting with AhR under both homeostatic and pathological conditions. Recent discoveries link AhR with the function of essential organs such as liver, skin and gonads, and with complex organismal structures including the immune and cardiovascular systems. The identification of potential endogenous ligands able to regulate AhR activity, opens the possibility of designing ad hoc molecules with pharmacological and/or therapeutic value to treat human diseases in which AhR may have a causal role. Integration of experimental data from in vitro and in vivo studies with "omic" analyses of human patients affected with cancer, immune diseases, inflammation or neurological disorders will likely contribute to validate the clinical relevance of AhR and the possible benefits of modulating its activity by pharmacologically-driven strategies. In this review, we will highlight signalling pathways involved in human diseases that could be targetable by AhR modulators and discuss the feasibility of using such molecules in therapy. The pros and cons of AhR-aimed approaches will be also mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel C Roman
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimoud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José M Carvajal-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Jaime M Merino
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Sonia Mulero-Navarro
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Pedro M Fernández-Salguero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain.
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Formosa R, Vassallo J. The Complex Biology of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Its Role in the Pituitary Gland. Discov Oncol 2017. [PMID: 28634910 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-017-0300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor best known for its ability to mediate the effects of environmental toxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through the initiation of transcription of a number of metabolically active enzymes. Therefore, the AHR has been studied mostly in the context of xenobiotic signaling. However, several studies have shown that the AHR is constitutively active and plays an important role in general cell physiology, independently of its activity as a xenobiotic receptor and in the absence of exogenous ligands. Within the pituitary, activation of the AHR by environmental toxins has been implicated in disruption of gonadal development and fertility. Studies carried out predominantly in mouse models have revealed the detrimental influence of several environmental toxins on specific cell lineages of the pituitary tissue mediated by activation of AHR and its downstream effectors. Activation of AHR during fetal development adversely affected pituitary development while adult models exposed to AHR ligands demonstrated varying degrees of pituitary dysfunction. Such dysfunction may arise as a result of direct effects on pituitary cells or indirect effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This review offers in-depth analysis of all aspects of AHR biology, with a particular focus on its role and activity within the adenohypophysis and specifically in pituitary tumorigenesis. A novel mechanism by which the AHR may play a direct role in pituitary cell proliferation and tumor formation is postulated. This review therefore attempts to cover all aspects of the AHR's role in the pituitary tissue, from fetal development to adult physiology and the pathophysiology underlying endocrine disruption and pituitary tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Formosa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080, Msida, Malta
| | - Josanne Vassallo
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080, Msida, Malta. .,Neuroendocrine Clinic, Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta.
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Wang Z, Monti S, Sherr DH. The diverse and important contributions of the AHR to cancer and cancer immunity. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Brauze D, Zawierucha P, Kiwerska K, Bednarek K, Oleszak M, Rydzanicz M, Jarmuz-Szymczak M. Induction of expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent genes in human HepaRG cell line modified by shRNA and treated with β-naphthoflavone. Mol Cell Biochem 2016; 425:59-75. [PMID: 27796684 PMCID: PMC5225230 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-016-2862-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates a variety of biological responses to ubiquitous environmental pollutants. In this study, the effects of administration of β-naphthoflavone (BNF), a potent AhR ligand, on the expression of AhR-dependent genes were examined by microarray and qPCR analysis in both, differentiated and undifferentiated HepaRG cell lines. To prove that BNF-induced changes of investigated genes were indeed AhR-dependent, we knock down the expression of AhR by stable transfection of HepaRG cells with shRNA. Regardless of genetical identity, our results clearly demonstrate different expression profiles of AhR-dependent genes between differentiated and undifferentiated HepaRG cells. Genes involved in metabolism of xenobiotics constitute only minute fraction of all genes regulated by AhR in HepaRG cells. Participation of AhR in induction of expression of genes associated with regulation of apoptosis or involved in cell proliferation as well as AhR-dependent inhibition of genes connected to cell adhesion could support suggestion of involvement of AhR not only in initiation but also in progression of carcinogenesis. Among the AhR-dependent genes known to be involved in metabolism of xenobiotics, cytochromes P4501A1 and 1B1 belong to the most inducible by BNF. On the contrary, expression of GSTA1 and GSTA2 was significantly inhibited after BNF treatment of HepaRG cells. Among the AhR-dependent genes that are not involved in metabolism of xenobiotics SERPINB2, STC2, ARL4C, and TIPARP belong to the most inducible by BNF. Our results imply involvement of Ah receptor in regulation of CYP19A1, the gene-encoding aromatase, and an enzyme responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of estrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Brauze
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Piotr Zawierucha
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Anatomy, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-781, Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kiwerska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Kinga Bednarek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Martyna Oleszak
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Rydzanicz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawinskiego 3c, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
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Yin J, Sheng B, Qiu Y, Yang K, Xiao W, Yang H. Role of AhR in positive regulation of cell proliferation and survival. Cell Prolif 2016; 49:554-60. [PMID: 27523394 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an important nuclear transcription factor that is best known for mediating toxic responses by adjusting numbers of metabolism-related enzymes, including CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Previous findings have revealed that, in addition to negatively regulating cell proliferation and survival, AhR may also positively regulate these pathways. Here, we review these findings and summarize distinct mechanisms by which AhR promotes cell proliferation and survival, including modulation of receptor expression, growth factor signalling and apoptosis, regulating the cell cycle and promoting cytokine expression. This review will aid better understanding the role of AhR in positive regulation of cell proliferation and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuheng Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Baifa Sheng
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yuan Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Kunqiu Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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Ren L, Thompson JD, Cheung M, Ngo K, Sung S, Leong S, Chan WK. Selective suppression of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor function can be mediated through binding interference at the C-terminal half of the receptor. Biochem Pharmacol 2016; 107:91-100. [PMID: 26970402 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The human aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a cytosolic signaling molecule which affects immune response and aberrant cell growth. Canonical signaling of the receptor requires the recruitment of coactivators to the promoter region to remodel local chromatin structure. We predicted that interference of this recruitment would block the aryl hydrocarbon receptor function. To prove that, we employed phage display to identify nine peptides of twelve-amino-acid in length which target the C-terminal half of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor, including the region where coactivators bind. Eight 12mer peptides, in the form of GFP fusion, suppressed the ligand-dependent transcription of six AHR target genes (cyp1a1, cyp1a2, cyp1b1, ugt1a1, nqo1, and ahrr) in different patterns in Hep3B cells, whereas the AHR antagonist CH-223191 suppressed all these target genes similarly. Three of the 12mer peptides (namely 11-3, 1-7, and 7-3) suppressed the 3MC-induced, CYP1A1-dependent EROD activity and the ROS production caused by benzo[a]pyrene. These 12mer peptides suppressed the AHR function synergistically with CH-223191. In conclusion, we provide evidence that targeting the C-terminal half of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a viable, new approach to selectively block the receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Ren
- Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, China
| | - John D Thompson
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, United States
| | - Michael Cheung
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, United States
| | - Katherine Ngo
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, United States
| | - Sarah Sung
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, United States
| | - Scott Leong
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, United States
| | - William K Chan
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, United States.
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Binding studies using Pichia pastoris expressed human aryl hydrocarbon receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator proteins. Protein Expr Purif 2016; 122:72-81. [PMID: 26923060 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a transcription factor which activates gene transcription by binding to its corresponding enhancer as the heterodimer, which is consisted of AHR and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT). Human AHR can be rather difficult to study, when compared among the AHR of other species, since it is relatively unstable and less sensitive to some ligands in vitro. Overexpression of human AHR has been limited to the baculovirus expression, which is costly and tedious due to the need of repetitive baculovirus production. Here we explored whether we could generate abundant amounts of human AHR and ARNT in a better overexpression system for functional study. We observed that human AHR and ARNT can be expressed in Pichia pastoris with yields that are comparable to the baculovirus system only if their cDNAs are optimized for Pichia expression. Fusion with a c-myc tag at their C-termini seems to increase the expression yield. These Pichia expressed proteins can effectively heterodimerize and form the ternary AHR/ARNT/enhancer complex in the presence of β-naphthoflavone or kynurenine. Limited proteolysis using thermolysin can be used to study the heterodimerization of these human AHR and ARNT proteins.
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Esser C, Rannug A. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in barrier organ physiology, immunology, and toxicology. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:259-79. [PMID: 25657351 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 348] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an evolutionarily old transcription factor belonging to the Per-ARNT-Sim-basic helix-loop-helix protein family. AhR translocates into the nucleus upon binding of various small molecules into the pocket of its single-ligand binding domain. AhR binding to both xenobiotic and endogenous ligands results in highly cell-specific transcriptome changes and in changes in cellular functions. We discuss here the role of AhR for immune cells of the barrier organs: skin, gut, and lung. Both adaptive and innate immune cells require AhR signaling at critical checkpoints. We also discuss the current two prevailing views-namely, 1) AhR as a promiscuous sensor for small chemicals and 2) a role for AhR as a balancing factor for cell differentiation and function, which is controlled by levels of endogenous high-affinity ligands. AhR signaling is considered a promising drug and preventive target, particularly for cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, understanding its biology is of great importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Esser
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany (C.E.); and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (A.R.)
| | - Agneta Rannug
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany (C.E.); and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (A.R.)
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Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is best known for mediating the toxicity and tumour-promoting properties of the carcinogen 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, commonly referred to as ‘dioxin’. AHR influences the major stages of tumorigenesis — initiation, promotion, progression and metastasis — and physiologically relevant AHR ligands are often formed during disease states or during heightened innate and adaptive immune responses. Interestingly, ligand specificity and affinity vary between rodents and humans. Studies of aggressive tumours and tumour cell lines show increased levels of AHR and constitutive localization of this receptor in the nucleus. This suggests that the AHR is chronically activated in tumours, thus facilitating tumour progression. This Review discusses the role of AHR in tumorigenesis and the potential for therapeutic modulation of its activity in tumours.
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Abstract
Epiregulin is a 46-amino acid protein that belongs to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of peptide hormones. Epiregulin binds to the EGF receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) and ErbB4 (HER4) and can stimulate signaling of ErbB2 (HER2/Neu) and ErbB3 (HER3) through ligand-induced heterodimerization with a cognate receptor. Epiregulin possesses a range of functions in both normal physiologic states as well as in pathologic conditions. Epiregulin contributes to inflammation, wound healing, tissue repair, and oocyte maturation by regulating angiogenesis and vascular remodeling and by stimulating cell proliferation. Deregulated epiregulin activity appears to contribute to the progression of a number of different malignancies, including cancers of the bladder, stomach, colon, breast, lung, head and neck, and liver. Therefore, epiregulin and the elements of the EGF/ErbB signaling network that lie downstream of epiregulin appear to be good targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Tigges J, Krutmann J, Fritsche E, Haendeler J, Schaal H, Fischer JW, Kalfalah F, Reinke H, Reifenberger G, Stühler K, Ventura N, Gundermann S, Boukamp P, Boege F. The hallmarks of fibroblast ageing. Mech Ageing Dev 2014; 138:26-44. [PMID: 24686308 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ageing is influenced by the intrinsic disposition delineating what is maximally possible and extrinsic factors determining how that frame is individually exploited. Intrinsic and extrinsic ageing processes act on the dermis, a post-mitotic skin compartment mainly consisting of extracellular matrix and fibroblasts. Dermal fibroblasts are long-lived cells constantly undergoing damage accumulation and (mal-)adaptation, thus constituting a powerful indicator system for human ageing. Here, we use the systematic of ubiquitous hallmarks of ageing (Lopez-Otin et al., 2013, Cell 153) to categorise the available knowledge regarding dermal fibroblast ageing. We discriminate processes inducible in culture from phenomena apparent in skin biopsies or primary cells from old donors, coming to the following conclusions: (i) Fibroblasts aged in culture exhibit most of the established, ubiquitous hallmarks of ageing. (ii) Not all of these hallmarks have been detected or investigated in fibroblasts aged in situ (in the skin). (iii) Dermal fibroblasts aged in vitro and in vivo exhibit additional features currently not considered ubiquitous hallmarks of ageing. (iv) The ageing process of dermal fibroblasts in their physiological tissue environment has only been partially elucidated, although these cells have been a preferred model of cell ageing in vitro for decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tigges
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jean Krutmann
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Judith Haendeler
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Heiner Schaal
- Center for Microbiology and Virology, Institute of Virology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jens W Fischer
- Institute for Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Faiza Kalfalah
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans Reinke
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Guido Reifenberger
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai Stühler
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany; Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Centre for Biological and Medical Research (BMFZ), Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Natascia Ventura
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Petra Boukamp
- German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fritz Boege
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Med. Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Epiregulin: roles in normal physiology and cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 28:49-56. [PMID: 24631357 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epiregulin is a 46-amino acid protein that belongs to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of peptide hormones. Epiregulin binds to the EGF receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) and ErbB4 (HER4) and can stimulate signaling of ErbB2 (HER2/Neu) and ErbB3 (HER3) through ligand-induced heterodimerization with a cognate receptor. Epiregulin possesses a range of functions in both normal physiologic states as well as in pathologic conditions. Epiregulin contributes to inflammation, wound healing, tissue repair, and oocyte maturation by regulating angiogenesis and vascular remodeling and by stimulating cell proliferation. Deregulated epiregulin activity appears to contribute to the progression of a number of different malignancies, including cancers of the bladder, stomach, colon, breast, lung, head and neck, and liver. Therefore, epiregulin and the elements of the EGF/ErbB signaling network that lie downstream of epiregulin appear to be good targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Lahoti TS, Hughes JM, Kusnadi A, John K, Zhu B, Murray IA, Gowda K, Peters JM, Amin SG, Perdew GH. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonism attenuates growth factor expression, proliferation, and migration in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 348:236-45. [PMID: 24309559 PMCID: PMC3912548 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.209726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with high morbidity and mortality. Within the inflammatory milieu, resident fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in the synovial tissue undergo hyperplasia, which leads to joint destruction. Epidemiologic studies and our previous research suggest that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway plays an instrumental role in the inflammatory and destructive RA phenotype. In addition, our recent studies implicate the AHR in the regulation of the expression of several growth factors in established tumor cell lines. Thus, under inflammatory conditions, we hypothesized that the AHR is involved in the constitutive and inducible expression of several growth factors, FLS proliferation and migration, along with protease-dependent invasion in FLS from patients with RA (RA-FLS). Treatment with the AHR antagonist GNF351 inhibits cytokine-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), epiregulin, amphiregulin, and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA through an AHR-dependent mechanism in both RA-FLS and FLS. Secretion of VEGF-A and epiregulin from RA-FLS was also inhibited upon GNF351 treatment. RA-FLS cell migration, along with cytokine-induced RA-FLS cell proliferation, was significantly attenuated by GNF351 exposure. Treatment of RA-FLS with GNF351 mitigated cytokine-mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 mRNA and diminished the RA-FLS invasive phenotype. These findings indicate that inhibition of AHR activity may be a viable therapeutic target in amelioration of disease progression in RA by attenuating growth factor release; FLS proliferation, migration, and invasion; and inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejas S Lahoti
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania (T.S.L., J.M.H., A.K., B.Z., I.A.M., J.M.P., G.H.P.); DuPont Haskell Global Centers for Health and Environmental Sciences, Newark, Delaware (K.J.); and Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania (K.G., S.G.A.)
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