1
|
Pomyalov S, Minetti CA, Remeta DP, Bonala R, Johnson F, Zaitseva I, Iden C, Golebiewska U, Breslauer KJ, Shoham G, Sidorenko VS, Grollman AP. Structural and mechanistic insights into the transport of aristolochic acids and their active metabolites by human serum albumin. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107358. [PMID: 38782206 PMCID: PMC11253539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107358] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acids I and II (AA-I/II) are carcinogenic principles of Aristolochia plants, which have been employed in traditional medicinal practices and discovered as food contaminants. While the deleterious effects of AAs are broadly acknowledged, there is a dearth of information to define the mechanisms underlying their carcinogenicity. Following bioactivation in the liver, N-hydroxyaristolactam and N-sulfonyloxyaristolactam metabolites are transported via circulation and elicit carcinogenic effects by reacting with cellular DNA. In this study, we apply DNA adduct analysis, X-ray crystallography, isothermal titration calorimetry, and fluorescence quenching to investigate the role of human serum albumin (HSA) in modulating AA carcinogenicity. We find that HSA extends the half-life and reactivity of N-sulfonyloxyaristolactam-I with DNA, thereby protecting activated AAs from heterolysis. Applying novel pooled plasma HSA crystallization methods, we report high-resolution structures of myristic acid-enriched HSA (HSAMYR) and its AA complexes (HSAMYR/AA-I and HSAMYR/AA-II) at 1.9 Å resolution. While AA-I is located within HSA subdomain IB, AA-II occupies subdomains IIA and IB. ITC binding profiles reveal two distinct AA sites in both complexes with association constants of 1.5 and 0.5 · 106 M-1 for HSA/AA-I versus 8.4 and 9.0 · 105 M-1 for HSA/AA-II. Fluorescence quenching of the HSA Trp214 suggests variable impacts of fatty acids on ligand binding affinities. Collectively, our structural and thermodynamic characterizations yield significant insights into AA binding, transport, toxicity, and potential allostery, critical determinants for elucidating the mechanistic roles of HSA in modulating AA carcinogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Pomyalov
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Conceição A Minetti
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - David P Remeta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Radha Bonala
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Francis Johnson
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA; Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Irina Zaitseva
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Charles Iden
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Urszula Golebiewska
- Department of Physiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Queensborough Community College, Bayside, New York, USA
| | - Kenneth J Breslauer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Gil Shoham
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Viktoriya S Sidorenko
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
| | - Arthur P Grollman
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Oe Y, Kim YC, Sidorenko VS, Zhang H, Kanoo S, Lopez N, Goodluck HA, Crespo-Masip M, Vallon V. SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin protects the kidney in a murine model of Balkan nephropathy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2024; 326:F227-F240. [PMID: 38031729 PMCID: PMC11198975 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00228.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Proximal tubular uptake of aristolochic acid (AA) forms aristolactam (AL)-DNA adducts, which cause a p53/p21-mediated DNA damage response and acute tubular injury. Recurrent AA exposure causes kidney function loss and fibrosis in humans (Balkan endemic nephropathy) and mice and is a model of (acute kidney injury) AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition. Inhibitors of the proximal tubule sodium-glucose transporter SGLT2 can protect against CKD progression, but their effect on AA-induced kidney injury remains unknown. C57BL/6J mice (15-wk-old) were administered vehicle or AA every 3 days for 3 wk (10 and 3 mg/kg ip in females and males, respectively). Dapagliflozin (dapa, 0.01 g/kg diet) or vehicle was initiated 7 days prior to AA injections. All dapa effects were sex independent, including a robust glycosuria. Dapa lowered urinary kidney-injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) and albumin (both normalized to creatinine) after the last AA injection and kidney mRNA expression of early DNA damage response markers (p53 and p21) 3 wk later at the study end. Dapa also attenuated AA-induced increases in plasma creatinine as well as AA-induced up-regulation of renal pro-senescence, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes, and kidney collagen staining. When assessed 1 day after a single AA injection, dapa pretreatment attenuated AL-DNA adduct formation by 10 and 20% in kidney and liver, respectively, associated with reduced p21 expression. Initiating dapa application after the last AA injection also improved kidney outcome but in a less robust manner. In conclusion, the first evidence is presented that pretreatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor can attenuate the AA-induced DNA damage response and subsequent nephropathy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Recurrent exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) causes kidney function loss and fibrosis in mice and in humans, e.g., in the form of the endemic Balkan nephropathy. Inhibitors of the proximal tubule sodium-glucose transporter SGLT2 can protect against CKD progression, but their effect on AA-induced kidney injury remains unknown. Here we provide the first evidence in a murine model that pretreatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor can attenuate the AA-induced DNA damage response and subsequent nephropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Oe
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Young Chul Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Viktoriya S Sidorenko
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Sadhana Kanoo
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Natalia Lopez
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Helen A Goodluck
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Maria Crespo-Masip
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Volker Vallon
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Grin IR, Petrova DV, Endutkin AV, Ma C, Yu B, Li H, Zharkov DO. Base Excision DNA Repair in Plants: Arabidopsis and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14746. [PMID: 37834194 PMCID: PMC10573277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Base excision DNA repair (BER) is a key pathway safeguarding the genome of all living organisms from damage caused by both intrinsic and environmental factors. Most present knowledge about BER comes from studies of human cells, E. coli, and yeast. Plants may be under an even heavier DNA damage threat from abiotic stress, reactive oxygen species leaking from the photosynthetic system, and reactive secondary metabolites. In general, BER in plant species is similar to that in humans and model organisms, but several important details are specific to plants. Here, we review the current state of knowledge about BER in plants, with special attention paid to its unique features, such as the existence of active epigenetic demethylation based on the BER machinery, the unexplained diversity of alkylation damage repair enzymes, and the differences in the processing of abasic sites that appear either spontaneously or are generated as BER intermediates. Understanding the biochemistry of plant DNA repair, especially in species other than the Arabidopsis model, is important for future efforts to develop new crop varieties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inga R. Grin
- Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, 8 Lavrentieva Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (D.V.P.); (A.V.E.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 2 Pirogova St., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Daria V. Petrova
- Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, 8 Lavrentieva Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (D.V.P.); (A.V.E.)
| | - Anton V. Endutkin
- Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, 8 Lavrentieva Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (D.V.P.); (A.V.E.)
| | - Chunquan Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150080, China; (C.M.); (B.Y.); (H.L.)
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Biological Fermentation Engineering for Cold Region, Harbin 150080, China
- School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150080, China; (C.M.); (B.Y.); (H.L.)
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Biological Fermentation Engineering for Cold Region, Harbin 150080, China
- School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150080, China; (C.M.); (B.Y.); (H.L.)
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Biological Fermentation Engineering for Cold Region, Harbin 150080, China
- School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Dmitry O. Zharkov
- Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, 8 Lavrentieva Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (D.V.P.); (A.V.E.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 2 Pirogova St., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Das S, Thakur S, Korenjak M, Sidorenko VS, Chung FFL, Zavadil J. Aristolochic acid-associated cancers: a public health risk in need of global action. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:576-591. [PMID: 35854147 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00494-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are a group of naturally occurring compounds present in many plant species of the Aristolochiaceae family. Exposure to AA is a significant risk factor for severe nephropathy, and urological and hepatobiliary cancers (among others) that are often recurrent and characterized by the prominent mutational fingerprint of AA. However, herbal medicinal products that contain AA continue to be manufactured and marketed worldwide with inadequate regulation, and possible environmental exposure routes receive little attention. As the trade of food and dietary supplements becomes increasingly globalized, we propose that further inaction on curtailing AA exposure will have far-reaching negative effects on the disease trends of AA-associated cancers. Our Review aims to systematically present the historical and current evidence for the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of AA, and the effect of removing sources of AA exposure on cancer incidence trends. We discuss the persisting challenges of assessing the scale of AA-related carcinogenicity, and the obstacles that must be overcome in curbing AA exposure and preventing associated cancers. Overall, this Review aims to strengthen the case for the implementation of prevention measures against AA's multifaceted, detrimental and potentially fully preventable effects on human cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Das
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France
| | - Shefali Thakur
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Korenjak
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France
| | - Viktoriya S Sidorenko
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France.
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
| | - Jiri Zavadil
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang C, Zhang Y, Chen D, Weng H, Li H, Lu Y. Oral subacute nephrotoxicity of aristololactam I in rats. Toxicology 2022; 475:153228. [PMID: 35690179 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Aristolactams (ALs) have been recognized as one kind of metabolites of aristolochic acids (AAs), the nephrotoxic components of Aristolochiaceae plants, and are more widely distributed than AAs in herbal medicines. This study evaluated the oral subacute nephrotoxicity of aristolactam I (AL I), a representative compound of ALs. AL I was intragastrically administered to rats at 20 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 10 or 20 days, with aristolochic acid I (AA I) used as positive control at the same dose. After 10-day treatment, AL I led to a significant increase in early renal injury-related indices in urine and obvious histopathological lesions in kidneys, including degeneration of tubular epithelial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. The lesions induced by AL I were significantly aggravated after 20-day exposure. However, AL I induced less histopathological damage in kidneys than AA I in both 10- and 20-day groups. Our results indicated that oral AL I caused nephrotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and overactivation of the complement system as AA I did. Three detected apoptosis-associated indicators were not affected by AL I but remarkably increased by AA I. In summary, oral AL I induced evident renal damage in rats after only 10 days of treatment, and the damage was aggravated after 20 days. However, AL I was obviously less nephrotoxic than AA I via oral gavage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changyue Wang
- Department of Natural Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunyi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daofeng Chen
- Department of Natural Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongbo Weng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Natural Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Karanović S, Ardin M, Tang Z, Tomić K, Villar S, Renard C, Venturini E, Lorch AH, Lee DS, Stipančić Ž, Slade N, Vuković Brinar I, Dittrich D, Karlović K, Borovečki F, Dickman KG, Olivier M, Grollman AP, Jelaković B, Zavadil J. Molecular profiles and urinary biomarkers of upper tract urothelial carcinomas associated with aristolochic acid exposure. Int J Cancer 2022; 150:374-386. [PMID: 34569060 PMCID: PMC8627473 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) arise in the context of nephropathy linked to exposure to the herbal carcinogen aristolochic acid (AA). Here we delineated the molecular programs underlying UTUC tumorigenesis in patients from endemic aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) regions in Southern Europe. We applied an integrative multiomics analysis of UTUCs, corresponding unaffected tissues and of patient urines. Quantitative microRNA (miRNA) and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression profiling, immunohistochemical analysis by tissue microarrays and exome and transcriptome sequencing were performed in UTUC and nontumor tissues. Urinary miRNAs of cases undergoing surgery were profiled before and after tumor resection. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein levels were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests and trend assessment. Dedicated bioinformatic tools were used for analysis of pathways, mutational signatures and result visualization. The results delineate UTUC-specific miRNA:mRNA networks comprising 89 miRNAs associated with 1,862 target mRNAs, involving deregulation of cell cycle, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage response, DNA repair, bladder cancer, oncogenes, tumor suppressors, chromatin structure regulators and developmental signaling pathways. Key UTUC-specific transcripts were confirmed at the protein level. Exome and transcriptome sequencing of UTUCs revealed AA-specific mutational signature SBS22, with 68% to 76% AA-specific, deleterious mutations propagated at the transcript level, a possible basis for neoantigen formation and immunotherapy targeting. We next identified a signature of UTUC-specific miRNAs consistently more abundant in the patients' urine prior to tumor resection, thereby defining biomarkers of tumor presence. The complex gene regulation programs of AAN-associated UTUC tumors involve regulatory miRNAs prospectively applicable to noninvasive urine-based screening of AAN patients for cancer presence and recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Karanović
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center ZagrebSchool of Medicine, University of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Maude Ardin
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms BranchInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, WHOLyonFrance
| | - Zuojian Tang
- Institute for Systems GeneticsNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Present address:
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.RidgefieldCTUSA
| | - Karla Tomić
- Department of PathologyGeneral Hospital Dr. Josip BenčevićSlavonski BrodCroatia
- Present address:
Department of PathologyÅlesund Hospital, Møre and Romsdal Health TrustÅlesundNorway
| | - Stephanie Villar
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms BranchInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, WHOLyonFrance
| | - Claire Renard
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms BranchInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, WHOLyonFrance
| | - Elisa Venturini
- Office for Collaborative ScienceNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Present address:
Natera, Inc.San CarlosCAUSA
| | - Adam H. Lorch
- Biochemistry and Molecular GeneticsNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Daniel S. Lee
- Office for Collaborative ScienceNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Želimir Stipančić
- Department for Dialysis OdžakCounty Hospital OrašjeOdžakBosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Neda Slade
- Division of Molecular MedicineInstitute Ruđer BoškovićZagrebCroatia
| | - Ivana Vuković Brinar
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center ZagrebSchool of Medicine, University of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Damir Dittrich
- Department of UrologyGeneral Hospital Dr. Josip BenčevićSlavonski BrodCroatia
| | - Krešimir Karlović
- Department of UrologyGeneral Hospital Dr. Josip BenčevićSlavonski BrodCroatia
| | - Fran Borovečki
- Department for Functional Genomics, Center for Translational and Clinical ResearchUniversity Hospital Center Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Kathleen G. Dickman
- Department of MedicineStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
- Department of Medicine/NephrologyStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
| | - Magali Olivier
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms BranchInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, WHOLyonFrance
| | | | - Bojan Jelaković
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center ZagrebSchool of Medicine, University of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Jiri Zavadil
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms BranchInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, WHOLyonFrance
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu S, Xian Z, Zhao Y, Wang L, Tian J, Pan C, Han J, Zhang Y, Li C, Yi Y, Liu C, Wang D, Meng J, Qin S, Wang F, Liang A. Quantitative Determination and Toxicity Evaluation of Aristolochic Acid Analogues in Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt (Xixin) and Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:761593. [PMID: 34899315 PMCID: PMC8662950 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.761593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Asarum (Xixin), which contains analogues of aristolochic acid (AA), is the only species of the genus Aristolochia included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020. However, the contents and nephrotoxic effects of AA analogs in Asarum (Xixin) and its formulations have not been clarified. An automatic, effective solid phase extraction process and UPLC-MS/MS method were established for the pretreatment and quantitative detection of AA analogues in commercially available traditional Chinese patent medicines. The cytotoxicity and DNA damage induced by five analogues of AA were evaluated by CCK8 using human kidney cells (HK-2) and comet assays. HPLC was used to detect the analogues of AA in Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt (Xixin). The results showed that the contents of AA I, AA II, and AA IIIa were below the detection limit, while AA IVa and AL I presented relatively high contents of Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt (Xixin), within the range of 66.50–121.03 μg/g and 19.73–43.75 μg/g, respectively. The levels of AA analogues were in the nanogram-per-gram level in the main traditional Chinese patent medicines. AA I and AL I exhibited relatively high cytotoxicity at 48 h in CCK8 assays, while AA II, AA IIIa, and AA IVa showed weak cytotoxicity even at 800–1,000 μM. AA I induced significant pathological alterations and direct DNA damage at 40 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively. No distinct nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity was observed in mice treated with AA II, AA IIIa, AA IVa, or AL I at 40 mg/kg in this study. Consumption of Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt (Xixin) with controlled doses and periods is relatively safe as the contents of AA analogues in Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt (Xixin) and its formulations were far below those causing acute toxicity in this study. But, the long-term toxicity of Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt (Xixin) still needs further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong Xian
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lianmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingzhuo Tian
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Pan
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayin Han
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yushi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Yi
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenyue Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dunfang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shasha Qin
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aihua Liang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Natural Medicine and TCM Injections, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang Y, Geng X, Chi K, Liu C, Liu R, Chen X, Hong Q, Cai G. Ultrasound enhances the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells wrapped in greater omentum for aristolochic acid nephropathy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:261. [PMID: 33941258 PMCID: PMC8091698 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02243-7] [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: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to promote regeneration in both subjects with acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but their efficacy remains limited, probably because most of the cells accumulate in the lungs, liver, and spleen after an intravenous infusion. Therefore, ultrasound-guided administration of MSCs represents a possible approach to solve this problem. The greater omentum is used to promote cell survival due to its rich vasculature. We hypothesized that ultrasound-guided administration of MSCs combined with greater omentum might be more curative than currently available approaches. Methods In this study, we established an aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) model by intraperitoneally administering aristolochic acid I sodium salt (AA-I) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight on alternate days for 4 weeks. Subsequently, a laparotomy was performed, and the left kidney from which the capsule had been removed was wrapped with the greater omentum. A dose of 2 × 107 MSCs was injected into the space between the greater omentum and the left kidney. Equal amounts of MSCs were administered under ultrasound guidance every second week for a total of 4 treatments. Mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after surgery. Serum creatinine and blood urea levels were measured to assess renal function. qPCR, Western blot, and histological analyses were conducted to further investigate the therapeutic mechanism of MSCs. Results Ultrasound-guided injection of MSCs into the greater omentum that surrounds the kidney enriched cells in the kidney region for up to 5 days. Renal function tests indicated that MSCs improved renal function to a great extent, as reflected by decreased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels. In addition, histological analyses showed that MSCs noticeably attenuated kidney injury, as evidenced by the amelioration of tubular necrosis and peritubular interstitial fibrosis. Mitigation of renal interstitial fibrosis was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blotting after MSC treatment. Moreover, immunofluorescence staining revealed that MSCs alleviated inflammatory responses by increasing the counts of CD206+ cells and decreasing the counts of CD68+ cells. MSC migration was initiated in response to AA-I-treated renal epithelial cells in an in vitro migration assay. Conclusions These findings suggested that administration of MSCs into the cavity formed by the injured kidney and the greater omentum under ultrasound guidance improved renal function, attenuated kidney injury, and mitigated renal interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory responses. Thus, this approach might be a safe and effective therapy for CKD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02243-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiaodong Geng
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Kun Chi
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Guangyan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chan CK, Chan KKJ, Liu N, Chan W. Quantitation of Protein Adducts of Aristolochic Acid I by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry: A Novel Method for Biomonitoring Aristolochic Acid Exposure. Chem Res Toxicol 2021; 34:144-153. [PMID: 33410325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that chronic exposure to aristolochic acids (AAs) is one of the etiological pathways leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Due to the traditional practice of herbal medicine and AA-containing plants being used extensively as medicinal herbs, over 100 million East Asians are estimated to be at risk of AA poisoning. Given that the chronic nephrotoxicity of AAs only manifests itself after decades of exposure, early diagnosis of AA exposure could allow for timely intervention and disease risk reduction. However, an early detection method is not yet available, and diagnosis can only be established at the end stage of CKD. The goal of this study was to develop a highly sensitive and selective method to quantitate protein adducts of aristolochic acid I (AAI) as a biomarker of AA exposure. The method entails the release of protein-bound aristolactam I (ALI) by heat-assisted alkaline hydrolysis, extraction of ALI, addition of internal standard, and quantitation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric analysis. Accuracy and precision of the method were critically evaluated using a synthetic ALI-containing glutathione adduct. The validated method was subsequently used to detect dose-dependent formation of ALI-protein adducts in human serum albumin exposed to AAI and in proteins isolated from the tissues and sera of AAI-exposed rats. Our time-dependent study showed that ALI-protein adducts remained detectable in rats even at 28 days postdosing. It is anticipated that the developed method will fill the technical gap in diagnosing AA intoxication and facilitate the biomonitoring of human exposures to AAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Kong Chan
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kwan-Kit Jason Chan
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ning Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wan Chan
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To acquaint urologists with aristolochic acid nephropathy, an iatrogenic disease that poses a distinct threat to global public health. In China alone, 100 million people may currently be at risk. We illustrate the power of molecular epidemiology in establishing the cause of this disease. RECENT FINDINGS Molecular epidemiologic approaches and novel mechanistic information established a causative linkage between exposure to aristolochic acid and urothelial carcinomas of the bladder and upper urinary tract. Noninvasive tests are available that detect urothelial cancers through the genetic analysis of urinary DNA. Combined with cytology, some of these tests can detect 95% of patients at risk of developing bladder and/or upper urothelial tract cancer. Robust biomarkers, including DNA-adduct and mutational signature analysis, unequivocally identify aristolochic acid-induced tumours. The high mutational load associated with aristolochic acid-induced tumours renders them candidates for immune-checkpoint therapy. SUMMARY Guided by recent developments that facilitate early detection of urothelial cancers, the morbidity and mortality associated with aristolochic acid-induced bladder and upper tract urothelial carcinomas may be substantially reduced. The molecular epidemiology tools that define aristolochic acid-induced tumours may be applicable to other studies assessing potential environmental carcinogens.
Collapse
|