1
|
Tan Y, An K, Su J. Review: Mechanism of herbivores synergistically metabolizing toxic plants through liver and intestinal microbiota. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 281:109925. [PMID: 38643812 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Interspecific interactions are central to ecological research. Plants produce toxic plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) as a defense mechanism against herbivore overgrazing, prompting their gradual adaptation to toxic substances for tolerance or detoxification. P450 enzymes in herbivore livers bind to PSMs, whereas UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase increase the hydrophobicity of the bound PSMs for detoxification. Intestinal microorganisms such as Bacteroidetes metabolize cellulase and other macromolecules to break down toxic components. However, detoxification is an overall response of the animal body, necessitating coordination among various organs to detoxify ingested PSMs. PSMs undergo detoxification metabolism through the liver and gut microbiota, evidenced by increased signaling processes of bile acids, inflammatory signaling molecules, and aromatic hydrocarbon receptors. In this context, we offer a succinct overview of how metabolites from the liver and gut microbiota of herbivores contribute to enhancing metabolic PSMs. We focused mainly on elucidating the molecular communication between the liver and gut microbiota involving endocrine, immune, and metabolic processes in detoxification. We have also discussed the potential for future alterations in the gut of herbivores to enhance the metabolic effects of the liver and boost the detoxification and metabolic abilities of PSMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Tan
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Kang An
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Junhu Su
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Andersen ME, Barutcu AR, Black MB, Harrill JA. Transcriptomic analysis of AHR wildtype and Knock-out rat livers supports TCDD's role in AHR/ARNT-mediated circadian disruption and hepatotoxicity. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 487:116956. [PMID: 38735589 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116956] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Single, high doses of TCDD in rats are known to cause wasting, a progressive loss of 30 to 50% body weight and death within several weeks. To identify pathway perturbations at or near doses causing wasting, we examined differentially gene expression (DGE) and pathway enrichment in centrilobular (CL) and periportal (PP) regions of female rat livers following 6 dose levels of TCDD - 0, 3, 22, 100, 300, and 1000 ng/kg/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. At the higher doses, rats lost weight, had increased liver/body weight ratios and nearly complete cessation of liver cell proliferation, signs consistent with wasting. DGE curves were left shifted for the CL versus the PP regions. Canonical Phase I and Phase II genes were maximally increased at lower doses and remained elevated at all doses. At lower doses, ≤ 22 ng/kg/day in the CL and ≤ 100 ng/kg/day, upregulated genes showed transcription factor (TF) enrichment for AHR and ARNT. At the mid- and high-dose doses, there was a large number of downregulated genes and pathway enrichment for DEGs which showed downregulation of many cellular metabolism processes including those for steroids, fatty acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and citric acid cycle. There was significant TF enrichment of the hi-dose downregulated genes for RXR, ESR1, LXR, PPARalpha. At the highest dose, there was also pathway enrichment with upregulated genes for extracellular matrix organization, collagen formation, hemostasis and innate immune system. TCDD demonstrates most of its effects through binding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) while the downregulation of metabolism genes at higher TCDD doses is known to be independent of AHR binding to DREs. Based on our results with DEG, we provide a hypothesis for wasting in which high doses of TCDD shift circadian processes away from the resting state, leading to greatly reduced synthesis of steroids and complex lipids needed for cell growth, and producing gene expression signals consistent with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in hepatocytes.
Collapse
|
3
|
Narita Y, Tamura A, Hatakeyama S, Uemura S, Miura A, Haga A, Tsuji N, Fujie N, Izumi Y, Sugawara T, Otaka M, Okamoto K, Lu P, Okuda S, Suzuki M, Nagata K, Shimizu H, Itoh H. The components of the AhR-molecular chaperone complex differ depending on whether the ligands are toxic or non-toxic. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:1478-1490. [PMID: 38605276 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14871] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) forms a complex with the HSP90-XAP2-p23 molecular chaperone when the cells are exposed to toxic compounds. Recently, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA) was reported to be an AhR ligand. Here, we investigated the components of the molecular chaperone complex when DHNA binds to AhR. Proteins eluted from the 3-Methylcolanthrene-affinity column were AhR-HSP90-XAP2-p23 complex. The AhR-molecular chaperone complex did not contain p23 in the eluents from the DHNA-affinity column. In 3-MC-treated cells, AhR formed a complex with HSP90-XAP2-p23 and nuclear translocation occurred within 30 min, while in DHNA-treated cells, AhR formed a complex with AhR-HSP90-XAP2, and translocation was slow from 60 min. Thus, the AhR activation mechanism may differ when DHNA is the ligand compared to toxic ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiko Narita
- Department of Neurosurgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Arisa Tamura
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Shiori Hatakeyama
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Seiya Uemura
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Atsuko Miura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of Life Science, Akita Cerebrospinal and Cardiovascular Center, Japan
| | - Asami Haga
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Noriko Tsuji
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Nozomi Fujie
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Yukina Izumi
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Japan
| | - Taku Sugawara
- Department of Life Science, Akita Cerebrospinal and Cardiovascular Center, Japan
| | - Michiro Otaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Okamoto
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Peng Lu
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Okuda
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Nagata
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shimizu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hideaki Itoh
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Marafini I, Monteleone I, Laudisi F, Monteleone G. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signalling in the Control of Gut Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4527. [PMID: 38674118 PMCID: PMC11050475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084527] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a transcription factor activated by many natural and synthetic ligands, represents an important mediator of the interplay between the environment and the host's immune responses. In a healthy gut, AHR activation promotes tolerogenic signals, which help maintain mucosal homeostasis. AHR expression is defective in the inflamed gut of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), where decreased AHR signaling is supposed to contribute to amplifying the gut tissue's destructive immune-inflammatory responses. We here review the evidence supporting the role of AHR in controlling the "physiological" intestinal inflammation and summarize the data about the therapeutic effects of AHR activators, both in preclinical mouse models of colitis and in patients with IBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Marafini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ivan Monteleone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Monteleone
- Gastroenterology Unit, Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xie H, Yang N, Yu C, Lu L. Uremic toxins mediate kidney diseases: the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:38. [PMID: 38491448 PMCID: PMC10943832 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00550-4] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was originally identified as an environmental sensor that responds to pollutants. Subsequent research has revealed that AhR recognizes multiple exogenous and endogenous molecules, including uremic toxins retained in the body due to the decline in renal function. Therefore, AhR is also considered to be a uremic toxin receptor. As a ligand-activated transcriptional factor, the activation of AhR is involved in cell differentiation and senescence, lipid metabolism and fibrogenesis. The accumulation of uremic toxins in the body is hazardous to all tissues and organs. The identification of the endogenous uremic toxin receptor opens the door to investigating the precise role and molecular mechanism of tissue and organ damage induced by uremic toxins. This review focuses on summarizing recent findings on the role of AhR activation induced by uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy and acute kidney injury. Furthermore, potential clinical approaches to mitigate the effects of uremic toxins are explored herein, such as enhancing uremic toxin clearance through dialysis, reducing uremic toxin production through dietary interventions or microbial manipulation, and manipulating metabolic pathways induced by uremic toxins through controlling AhR signaling. This information may also shed light on the mechanism of uremic toxin-induced injury to other organs, and provide insights into clinical approaches to manipulate the accumulated uremic toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Ninghao Yang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China.
| | - Limin Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu X, Taha R, Chu C, Xiao L, Wang T, Wang X, Huang X, Jiang Z, Sun L. Indirubin mediates adverse intestinal reactions in guinea pigs by downregulating the expression of AchE through AhR. Xenobiotica 2024; 54:83-94. [PMID: 38164702 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2023.2297745] [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: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Indirubin is the main component of the traditional Chinese medicine Indigo naturalis (IN), a potent agonist of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs). In China, IN is used to treat psoriasis and ulcerative colitis, and indirubin is used for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukaemia. However, IN and indirubin have adverse reactions, such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and intussusception, and their specific mechanism is unclear.The purpose of our research was to determine the specific mechanism underlying the adverse effects of IN and indirubin. By tracking the modifications in guinea pigs after the intragastric administration of indirubin for 28 days.The results demonstrate that indirubin could accelerate bowel movements and decrease intestinal acetylcholinesterase (AchE) expression. Experiments with NCM460 cells revealed that indirubin significantly reduced the expression of AchE, and the AchE levels were increased after the silencing of AhR and re-exposure to indirubin.This study showed that the inhibition of AchE expression by indirubin plays a key role in the occurrence of adverse reactions to indirubin and that the underlying mechanism is related to AhR-mediated AchE downregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Xu
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Reham Taha
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenghan Chu
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Science, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinzhi Wang
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenzhou Jiang
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixin Sun
- Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sun N, Wang H, Wang XY, Yu Q, Han JY, Huang Y, Zhou WX. Deletion of AhR attenuates fear memory leaving other types of memory intact. Behav Brain Res 2023; 451:114505. [PMID: 37217138 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114505] [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: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a classic "environmental sensor", has been found to play an important role in cognitive and emotional function. Recent studies showed AhR deletion led to an attenuated fear memory, providing a potential target against fear memory, whether it is the consequence of attenuated sense of fear or memory ability deficit or both is unclear. Here this study aims to work this out. The freezing time in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) reduced significantly in AhR knockout mice, indicating an attenuated fear memory. Hot plate test and acoustic startle reflex showed that AhR knockout did not change the pain threshold and hearing, excluded the possibility of sensory impairments. Results from NORT, MWM and SBT showed that deletion of AhR had little effects on other types of memory. But the anxiety-like behaviors reduced both in naïve or suffered (tested after CFC) AhR knockout mice, showing that AhR-deficient mice have a reduced basal and stressful emotional response. The basal low-frequency to high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of the AhR knockout mice was significantly lower than that of the control group, indicating lower sympathetic excitability in the basal state, suggesting a low level of basal stress in the knockout mice. Before and after CFC, the LF/HF ratio of AhR-KO mice tended to be significantly lower than that of WT mice, and their heart rate was significantly lower; and the AhR-KO mice also has a decreased serum corticosterone level after CFC, suggesting a reduced stress response in AhR knockout mice. Altogether, the basal stress level and stress response were significant reduced in AhR knockout mice, which might contribute to the attenuated fear memory with little impairment on other types of memory, suggesting AhR as a "psychologic sensor" additional to "environmental sensor".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Yuan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.
| | - Wen-Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yucel MA, Ozcelik I, Algul O. Machine learning study: from the toxicity studies to tetrahydrocannabinol effects on Parkinson's disease. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:365-377. [PMID: 36942739 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Investigating molecules having toxicity and chemical similarity to find hit molecules. Methods: The machine learning (ML) model was developed to predict the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activity of anti-Parkinson's and US FDA-approved drugs. The ML algorithm was a support vector machine, and the dataset was Tox21. Results: The ML model predicted apomorphine in anti-Parkinson's drugs and 73 molecules in FDA-approved drugs as active. The authors were curious if there is any molecule like apomorphine in these 73 molecules. A fingerprint similarity analysis of these molecules was conducted and found tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Molecular docking studies of THC for dopamine receptor 1 (affinity = -8.2 kcal/mol) were performed. Conclusion: THC may affect dopamine receptors directly and could be useful for Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Ali Yucel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan, 24100, Turkey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin University, Mersin, 33169, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Ozcelik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan, 24100, Turkey
| | - Oztekin Algul
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan, 24100, Turkey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin University, Mersin, 33169, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang X, Flaws JA, Spinella MJ, Irudayaraj J. The Relationship between Typical Environmental Endocrine Disruptors and Kidney Disease. TOXICS 2022; 11:32. [PMID: 36668758 PMCID: PMC9863798 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that alter the endocrine function of an organism, to result in adverse effects on growth and development, metabolism, and reproductive function. The kidney is one of the most important organs in the urinary system and an accumulation point. Studies have shown that EDCs can cause proteinuria, affect glomeruli and renal tubules, and even lead to diabetes and renal fibrosis in animal and human studies. In this review, we discuss renal accumulation of select EDCs such as dioxins, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates, and delineate how exposures to such EDCs cause renal lesions and diseases, including cancer. The regulation of typical EDCs with specific target genes and the activation of related pathways are summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jodi A. Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael J. Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
An overview of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in the Last two decades (2002–2022): A medicinal chemistry perspective. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
11
|
Phillips JL, Buermeyer AB, Nguyen BD, Loehr C, Kolluri SK. Loss of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor increases tumorigenesis in p53-deficient mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 454:116191. [PMID: 35926564 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116191] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates cell fate via activation of a diverse set of genes. There are conflicting reports describing the role of AhR in cancer. AhR-knockout mice do not develop tumors spontaneously, yet the AhR can act as a tumor suppressor in certain contexts. Loss of tumor suppression by p53 is common in human cancer. To investigate AhR function in the absence of p53, we generated mice lacking both AhR and p53. Mice deficient for AhR and p53 had shortened lifespan, increased tumorigenesis, and an altered tumor spectrum relative to control mice lacking only p53. In addition, knockout of both AhR and p53 resulted in reduced embryonic survival and neonatal fitness. We also examined the consequences of loss of AhR in p53-heterozygous mice and observed a significantly reduced lifespan and enhanced tumor burden. These findings reveal an important role for the AhR as a tumor suppressor in the absence of p53 signaling and support the development of anti-cancer therapeutics that would promote the tumor suppressive actions of the AhR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Phillips
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America
| | - Andrew B Buermeyer
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 897331, United States of America; The Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Bach D Nguyen
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America
| | - Christiane Loehr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 897331, United States of America; The Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America; The Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sato M, Nakamura S, Inada E, Takabayashi S. Recent Advances in the Production of Genome-Edited Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052548. [PMID: 35269691 PMCID: PMC8910656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat is an important animal model for understanding gene function and developing human disease models. Knocking out a gene function in rats was difficult until recently, when a series of genome editing (GE) technologies, including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the type II bacterial clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) systems were successfully applied for gene modification (as exemplified by gene-specific knockout and knock-in) in the endogenous target genes of various organisms including rats. Owing to its simple application for gene modification and its ease of use, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is now commonly used worldwide. The most important aspect of this process is the selection of the method used to deliver GE components to rat embryos. In earlier stages, the microinjection (MI) of GE components into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of a zygote was frequently employed. However, this method is associated with the use of an expensive manipulator system, the skills required to operate it, and the egg transfer (ET) of MI-treated embryos to recipient females for further development. In vitro electroporation (EP) of zygotes is next recognized as a simple and rapid method to introduce GE components to produce GE animals. Furthermore, in vitro transduction of rat embryos with adeno-associated viruses is potentially effective for obtaining GE rats. However, these two approaches also require ET. The use of gene-engineered embryonic stem cells or spermatogonial stem cells appears to be of interest to obtain GE rats; however, the procedure itself is difficult and laborious. Genome-editing via oviductal nucleic acids delivery (GONAD) (or improved GONAD (i-GONAD)) is a novel method allowing for the in situ production of GE zygotes existing within the oviductal lumen. This can be performed by the simple intraoviductal injection of GE components and subsequent in vivo EP toward the injected oviducts and does not require ET. In this review, we describe the development of various approaches for producing GE rats together with an assessment of their technical advantages and limitations, and present new GE-related technologies and current achievements using those rats in relation to human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sato
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (S.T.); Tel.: +81-3-3416-0181 (M.S.); +81-53-435-2001 (S.T.)
| | - Shingo Nakamura
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama 359-8513, Japan;
| | - Emi Inada
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Shuji Takabayashi
- Laboratory Animal Facilities & Services, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (S.T.); Tel.: +81-3-3416-0181 (M.S.); +81-53-435-2001 (S.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Eti NA, Flor S, Iqbal K, Scott RL, Klenov VE, Gibson-Corley KN, Soares MJ, Ludewig G, Robertson LW. PCB126 induced toxic actions on liver energy metabolism is mediated by AhR in rats. Toxicology 2022; 466:153054. [PMID: 34848246 PMCID: PMC8748418 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.153054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in the regulation of biological responses to more planar aromatic hydrocarbons, like TCDD. We previously described the sequence of events following exposure of male rats to a dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener, 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126), that binds avidly to the AhR and causes various types of toxicity including metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, and disruption of energy homeostasis. The purpose of this study was, to investigate the role of AhR to mediate those toxic manifestations following sub-acute exposure to PCB126 and to examine possible sex differences in effects. For this goal, we created an AhR knockout (AhR-KO) model using CRISPR/Cas9. Comparison was made to the wild type (WT) male and female Holtzman Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were injected with a single IP dose of corn oil vehicle or 5 μmol/kg PCB126 in corn oil and necropsied after 28 days. PCB126 caused significant weight loss, reduced relative thymus weights, and increased relative liver weights in WT male and female rats, but not in AhR-KO rats. Similarly, significant pathologic changes were visible which included necrosis and regeneration in female rats, micro- and macro-vesicular hepatocellular vacuolation in males, and a paucity of glycogen in livers of both sexes in WT rats only. Hypoglycemia and lower IGF1, and reduced serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were found in serum of both sexes of WT rats, low serum cholesterol levels only in the females, and no changes in AhR-KO rats. The expression of genes encoding enzymes related to xenobiotic metabolism (e.g. CYP1A1), gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and fatty acid oxidation were unaffected in the AhR-KO rats following PCB126 exposure as opposed to WT rats where expression was significantly upregulated (PPARα, females only) or downregulated suggesting a disrupted energy homeostasis. Interestingly, Acox2, Hmgcs, G6Pase and Pc were affected in both sexes, the gluconeogenesis and glucose transporter genes Pck1, Glut2, Sds, and Crem only in male WT-PCB rats. These results show the essential role of the AhR in glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation, i.e. in the regulation of energy production and homeostasis, but also demonstrate a significant difference in the effects of PCB126 in males verses females, suggesting higher vulnerability of glucose homeostasis in males and more changes in fatty acid/lipid homeostasis in females. These differences in effects, which may apply to more/all AhR agonists, should be further analyzed to identify health risks to specific groups of highly exposed human populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nazmin Akter Eti
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Susanne Flor
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Regan L Scott
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Violet E Klenov
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Katherine N Gibson-Corley
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Michael J Soares
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Gabriele Ludewig
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Larry W Robertson
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR): A Novel Therapeutic Target for Pulmonary Diseases? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031516. [PMID: 35163440 PMCID: PMC8836075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that is well-known for regulating xenobiotic metabolism. Studies in knockout and transgenic mice indicate that the AHR plays a vital role in the development of liver and regulation of reproductive, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and immune homeostasis. In this focused review on lung diseases associated with acute injury and alveolar development, we reviewed and summarized the current literature on the mechanistic role(s) and therapeutic potential of the AHR in acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Pre-clinical studies indicate that endogenous AHR activation is necessary to protect neonatal and adult lungs against hyperoxia- and cigarette smoke-induced injury. Our goal is to provide insight into the high translational potential of the AHR in the meaningful management of infants and adults with these lung disorders that lack curative therapies.
Collapse
|
15
|
Vazquez-Rivera E, Rojas B, Parrott JC, Shen AL, Xing Y, Carney PR, Bradfield CA. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a model PAS sensor. Toxicol Rep 2021; 9:1-11. [PMID: 34950569 PMCID: PMC8671103 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins containing PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) domains are commonly associated with environmental adaptation in a variety of organisms. The PAS domain is found in proteins throughout Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya and often binds small-molecules, supports protein-protein interactions, and transduces input signals to mediate an adaptive physiological response. Signaling events mediated by PAS sensors can occur through induced phosphorelays or genomic events that are often dependent upon PAS domain interactions. In this perspective, we briefly discuss the diversity of PAS domain containing proteins, with particular emphasis on the prototype member, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This ligand-activated transcription factor acts as a sensor of the chemical environment in humans and many chordates. We conclude with the idea that since mammalian PAS proteins often act through PAS-PAS dimers, undocumented interactions of this type may link biological processes that we currently think of as independent. To support this idea, we present a framework to guide future experiments aimed at fully elucidating the spectrum of PAS-PAS interactions with an eye towards understanding how they might influence environmental sensing in human and wildlife populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Vazquez-Rivera
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Brenda Rojas
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Jessica C. Parrott
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Anna L. Shen
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Yongna Xing
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Patrick R. Carney
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Christopher A. Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Iqbal K, Pierce SH, Kozai K, Dhakal P, Scott RL, Roby KF, Vyhlidal CA, Soares MJ. Evaluation of Placentation and the Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway in a Rat Model of Dioxin Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:117001. [PMID: 34747641 PMCID: PMC8574979 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our environment is replete with chemicals that can affect embryonic and extraembryonic development. Dioxins, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are compounds affecting development through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). OBJECTIVES The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of TCDD exposure on pregnancy and placentation and to evaluate roles for AHR and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in TCDD action. METHODS Actions of TCDD were examined in wild-type and genome-edited rat models. Placenta phenotyping was assessed using morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. RESULTS TCDD exposures were shown to result in placental adaptations and at higher doses, pregnancy termination. Deep intrauterine endovascular trophoblast cell invasion was a prominent placentation site adaptation to TCDD. TCDD-mediated placental adaptations were dependent upon maternal AHR signaling but not upon placental or fetal AHR signaling nor the presence of a prominent AHR target, CYP1A1. At the placentation site, TCDD activated AHR signaling within endothelial cells but not trophoblast cells. Immune and trophoblast cell behaviors at the uterine-placental interface were guided by the actions of TCDD on endothelial cells. DISCUSSION We identified an AHR regulatory pathway in rats activated by dioxin affecting uterine and trophoblast cell dynamics and the formation of the hemochorial placenta. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9256.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Stephen H. Pierce
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Keisuke Kozai
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Pramod Dhakal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Katherine F. Roby
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Carrie A. Vyhlidal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovation, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lim TX, Ahamed M, Reutens DC. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: A diagnostic and therapeutic target in glioma. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:422-435. [PMID: 34624509 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a deadly disease; 5-year survival rates have shown little improvement over the past 30 years. In vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is an important method of identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic molecular targets non-invasively. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that regulates multiple genes involved in immune response modulation and tumorigenesis. The AhR is an attractive potential drug target and studies have shown that its activation by small molecules can modulate innate and adaptive immunity beneficially and prevent AhR-mediated tumour promotion in several cancer types. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of the AhR in glioma tumorigenesis and highlight its potential as an emerging biomarker for glioma therapies targeting the tumour immune response and PET diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiang Lim
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Muneer Ahamed
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David C Reutens
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shankar P, McClure RS, Waters KM, Tanguay RL. Gene co-expression network analysis in zebrafish reveals chemical class specific modules. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:658. [PMID: 34517816 PMCID: PMC8438978 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07940-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zebrafish is a popular animal model used for high-throughput screening of chemical hazards, however, investigations of transcriptomic mechanisms of toxicity are still needed. Here, our goal was to identify genes and biological pathways that Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor 2 (AHR2) Activators and flame retardant chemicals (FRCs) alter in developing zebrafish. Taking advantage of a compendium of phenotypically-anchored RNA sequencing data collected from 48-h post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish, we inferred a co-expression network that grouped genes based on their transcriptional response. RESULTS Genes responding to the FRCs and AHR2 Activators localized to distinct regions of the network, with FRCs inducing a broader response related to neurobehavior. AHR2 Activators centered in one region related to chemical stress responses. We also discovered several highly co-expressed genes in this module, including cyp1a, and we subsequently show that these genes are definitively within the AHR2 signaling pathway. Systematic removal of the two chemical types from the data, and analysis of network changes identified neurogenesis associated with FRCs, and regulation of vascular development associated with both chemical classes. We also identified highly connected genes responding specifically to each class that are potential biomarkers of exposure. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we created the first zebrafish chemical-specific gene co-expression network illuminating how chemicals alter the transcriptome relative to each other. In addition to our conclusions regarding FRCs and AHR2 Activators, our network can be leveraged by other studies investigating chemical mechanisms of toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prarthana Shankar
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, 28645 East Highway 34, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Ryan S McClure
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific National Northwest Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Katrina M Waters
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, 28645 East Highway 34, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.,Biological Sciences Division, Pacific National Northwest Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, 28645 East Highway 34, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
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.
Collapse
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;
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that is a member of the PER-ARNT-SIM superfamily of environmental sensors. This receptor has been a molecule of interest for many years in the field of toxicology, as it was originally discovered to mediate the toxic effects of certain environmental pollutants like benzo(a)pyrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. While all animals express this protein, there is naturally occurring variability in receptor size and responsiveness to ligand. This naturally occurring variation, particularly in mice, has been an essential tool in the discovery and early characterization of the AHR. Genetic models including congenic mice and induced mutations at the Ahr locus have proven invaluable in further understanding the role of the AHR in adaptive metabolism and TCDD-induced toxicity. The creation and examination of Ahr null mice revealed an important physiological role for the AHR in vascular and hepatic development and mediation of the immune system. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview to many of the AHR models that have aided in the understanding of AHR biology thus far. We describe the naturally occurring polymorphisms, congenic models, induced mutations at the Ahr locus and at the binding partner Ah Receptor Nuclear Translocator and chaperone, Ah receptor associated 9 loci in mice, with a brief description of naturally occurring and induced mutations in rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Wilson
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christopher A Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wilson RH, Carney PR, Glover E, Parrott JC, Rojas BL, Moran SM, Yee JS, Nukaya M, Goetz NA, Rubinstein CD, Krentz KJ, Xing Y, Bradfield CA. Generation of an Allelic Series at the Ahr Locus Using an Edited Recombinant Approach. Toxicol Sci 2021; 180:239-251. [PMID: 33480436 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and a member of the PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) superfamily of environmental sensors. The AHR is involved in a series of biological processes including adaptive metabolism of xenobiotics, toxicity of certain environmental pollutants, vascular development, fertility, and immune function. Mouse models, including the Ahr null and Ahr conditional null (Ahrfx) mice, are widely used for the study of AHR-mediated biology and toxicity. The Ahr conditional null mouse harbors the low-affinity Ahrd allele that exhibits approximately a 10-fold lower binding affinity for certain xenobiotic AHR ligands than the widely used C57BL/6 mouse that harbors the higher affinity Ahrb1 allele. Here, we report a novel mouse model that introduces a V375A polymorphism that converts the low-affinity allele into a high-affinity allele, offering a more sensitive conditional model. In the generation of this novel conditional allele, two additional mutants arose, including a 3-bp deletion in the PAS-B domain (AhrNG367R) and an early termination codon in the PAS-B domain (AhrTer383). The AhrNG367R allele presents as a phenocopy of the null and the AhrTer383 allele presents as an antimorph when assessing for the ductus venosus and liver lobe weight endpoints. These new models represent a series of tools that will be useful in further characterizing AHR biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Wilson
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Patrick R Carney
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Edward Glover
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Jessica C Parrott
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Brenda L Rojas
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Susan M Moran
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Jeremiah S Yee
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Manabu Nukaya
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Nicholas A Goetz
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Clifford D Rubinstein
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Kathy J Krentz
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Yongna Xing
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Christopher A Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.,Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pohjanvirta R, Karppinen I, Galbán-Velázquez S, Esteban J, Håkansson H, Sankari S, Lindén J. Effects of a high-fat diet and global aryl hydrocarbon receptor deficiency on energy balance and liver retinoid status in male Sprague-Dawley rats. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 95:108762. [PMID: 33965534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108762] [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: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The physiological functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) are only beginning to unfold. Studies in wildtype and AHR knockout (AHRKO) mice have recently disclosed that AHR activity is required for obesity and steatohepatitis to develop when mice are fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). In addition, a line of AHRKO mouse has been reported to accumulate retinoids in the liver. Whether these are universal manifestations across species related to AHR activity level is not known yet. Therefore, we here subjected wildtype and AHRKO male rats (on Sprague-Dawley background) to HFD feeding coupled with free access to 10% sucrose solution and water; controls received a standard diet and water. Although the HFD-fed rats consumed more energy throughout the 24-week feeding regimen, they did not get overweight. However, relative weights of the brown and epididymal adipose tissues were elevated in HFD-fed rats, while that of the liver was lower in AHRKO than wildtype rats. Moreover, the four groups exhibited diet- or genotype-dependent differences in biochemical variables, some of which suggested marked dissimilarities from AHRKO mice. Expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes was induced in livers of HFD-fed AHRKO rats, but histologically they did not differ from others. HFD reduced the hepatic concentrations of retinyl palmitate, 9-cis-4-oxo-13,14-dihydroretinoic acid and (suggestively) retinol, whereas AHR status had no effect. Hence, the background strain/line of AHRKO rat is resistant to diet-induced obesity, and AHR does not modulate this or liver retinoid concentrations. Yet, subtle AHR-dependent differences in energy balance-related factors exist despite similar weight development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raimo Pohjanvirta
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ira Karppinen
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Javier Esteban
- Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Helen Håkansson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Satu Sankari
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jere Lindén
- FCLAP, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chenouard V, Remy S, Tesson L, Ménoret S, Ouisse LH, Cherifi Y, Anegon I. Advances in Genome Editing and Application to the Generation of Genetically Modified Rat Models. Front Genet 2021; 12:615491. [PMID: 33959146 PMCID: PMC8093876 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.615491] [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: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat has been extensively used as a small animal model. Many genetically engineered rat models have emerged in the last two decades, and the advent of gene-specific nucleases has accelerated their generation in recent years. This review covers the techniques and advances used to generate genetically engineered rat lines and their application to the development of rat models more broadly, such as conditional knockouts and reporter gene strains. In addition, genome-editing techniques that remain to be explored in the rat are discussed. The review also focuses more particularly on two areas in which extensive work has been done: human genetic diseases and immune system analysis. Models are thoroughly described in these two areas and highlight the competitive advantages of rat models over available corresponding mouse versions. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the advantages and potential of rat models for addressing specific scientific questions and to characterize the best genome-engineering tools for developing new projects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Chenouard
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- genOway, Lyon, France
| | - Séverine Remy
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Laurent Tesson
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Séverine Ménoret
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, SFR Santé, Inserm UMS 016, CNRS UMS 3556, Nantes Université, Nantes, France
| | - Laure-Hélène Ouisse
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | - Ignacio Anegon
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Esteban J, Sánchez-Pérez I, Hamscher G, Miettinen HM, Korkalainen M, Viluksela M, Pohjanvirta R, Håkansson H. Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in overall retinoid metabolism: Response comparisons to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure between wild-type and AHR knockout mice. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 101:33-49. [PMID: 33607186 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Young adult wild-type and aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout (AHRKO) mice of both sexes and the C57BL/6J background were exposed to 10 weekly oral doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; total dose of 200 μg/kg bw) to further characterize the observed impacts of AHR as well as TCDD on the retinoid system. Unexposed AHRKO mice harboured heavier kidneys, lighter livers and lower serum all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and retinol (REOH) concentrations than wild-type mice. Results from the present study also point to a role for the murine AHR in the control of circulating REOH and ATRA concentrations. In wild-type mice, TCDD elevated liver weight and reduced thymus weight, and drastically reduced the hepatic concentrations of 9-cis-4-oxo-13,14-dihydro-retinoic acid (CORA) and retinyl palmitate (REPA). In female wild-type mice, TCDD increased the hepatic concentration of ATRA as well as the renal and circulating REOH concentrations. Renal CORA concentrations were substantially diminished in wild-type male mice exclusively following TCDD-exposure, with a similar tendency in serum. In contrast, TCDD did not affect any of these toxicity or retinoid system parameters in AHRKO mice. Finally, a distinct sex difference occurred in kidney concentrations of all the analysed retinoid forms. Together, these results strengthen the evidence of a mandatory role of AHR in TCDD-induced retinoid disruption, and suggest that the previously reported accumulation of several retinoid forms in the liver of AHRKO mice is a line-specific phenomenon. Our data further support participation of AHR in the control of liver and kidney development in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Esteban
- Instituto De Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández De Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Ismael Sánchez-Pérez
- Instituto De Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández De Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Gerd Hamscher
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Hanna M Miettinen
- School of Pharmacy (Toxicology) and Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Merja Korkalainen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Insitute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Matti Viluksela
- School of Pharmacy (Toxicology) and Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Insitute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Raimo Pohjanvirta
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Mustialankatu 1, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Helen Håkansson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hattori Y, Takeda T, Fujii M, Taura J, Yamada H, Ishii Y. Attenuation of growth hormone production at the fetal stage is critical for dioxin-induced developmental disorder in rat offspring. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114495. [PMID: 33711284 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114495] [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: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Although dioxins and related chemicals have been suspected to disrupt child development, their toxic mechanism remains poorly understood. Our previous studies in rat fetuses revealed that maternal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a highly-toxic dioxin, suppresses fetal synthesis of pituitary growth hormone (GH) that is essential for development. This study examined the hypothesis that attenuating GH expression in fetuses triggers developmental disorders. Treating pregnant rats with 1 μg/kg TCDD reduced the circulating level of GH and its downstream factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), in the offspring only during the fetal and early neonatal stages. Although maternal TCDD exposure resulted in low body weight and length at babyhood and defects in the learning and memory ability at adulthood, GH supplementation in TCDD-exposed fetuses restored or tended to restore the defects including IGF-1 downregulation. Moreover, maternal TCDD exposure decreased the number of GH-positive cells during the fetal/neonatal stage. A microarray analysis showed that TCDD reduced the expression of death-associated protein-like 1 (DAPL1), a cell cycle-dependent proliferation regulator, in the fetal pituitary gland. In addition, TCDD treatment attenuated proliferating cells and cyclin mRNA expression in the fetal pituitary gland. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-knockout fetuses were insensitive to TCDD treatment, indicating that the TCDD-induced reduction in DAPL1 and GH mRNAs expression was due to AHR activation. Finally, DAPL1 knockdown suppressed GH and cyclin D2 expression in fetal pituitary cells. These results provide a novel evidence that dioxin suppresses GH-producing cell proliferation and GH synthesis due to partly targeting DAPL1, thereby impairing offspring development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Hattori
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoki Takeda
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Misaki Fujii
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junki Taura
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yamada
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuji Ishii
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Division of Pharmaceutical Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is essential for the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2023899118. [PMID: 33836606 PMCID: PMC7980441 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023899118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory signals are thought to be crucial for the pathogenesis of PAH; however, the underlying mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that AHR makes a causal contribution to the pathogenesis of PAH, activating a focal inflammatory response in the lungs and promoting infiltration of immune cells from the bone marrow. Furthermore, we found that PAH patients with higher AHR agonistic activity in sera are more susceptible to severe clinical events than those with lower activity. Because conventional therapy for pulmonary hypertension targeting pulmonary artery vasodilation has limited efficacy against severe PAH, the AHR-signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for PAH. In addition, AHR agonistic activity in serum represents a biomarker for PAH. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by arteriopathy in the small to medium-sized distal pulmonary arteries, often accompanied by infiltration of inflammatory cells. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a nuclear receptor/transcription factor, detoxifies xenobiotics and regulates the differentiation and function of various immune cells. However, the role of AHR in the pathogenesis of PAH is largely unknown. Here, we explore the role of AHR in the pathogenesis of PAH. AHR agonistic activity in serum was significantly higher in PAH patients than in healthy volunteers and was associated with poor prognosis of PAH. Sprague–Dawley rats treated with the potent endogenous AHR agonist, 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, in combination with hypoxia develop severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) with plexiform-like lesions, whereas Sprague–Dawley rats treated with the potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors did not. Ahr-knockout (Ahr−/−) rats generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system did not develop PH in the SU5416/hypoxia model. A diet containing Qing-Dai, a Chinese herbal drug, in combination with hypoxia led to development of PH in Ahr+/+ rats, but not in Ahr−/− rats. RNA-seq analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and bone marrow transplantation experiments show that activation of several inflammatory signaling pathways was up-regulated in endothelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which led to infiltration of CD4+ IL-21+ T cells and MRC1+ macrophages into vascular lesions in an AHR-dependent manner. Taken together, AHR plays crucial roles in the development and progression of PAH, and the AHR-signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for PAH.
Collapse
|
27
|
Kou Z, Dai W. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Its roles in physiology. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 185:114428. [PMID: 33515530 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was initially discovered as a cellular protein involved in mediating the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds. Extensive research in the past two decades has identified several families of physiological ligands and uncovered important functions of AHR in normal development and homeostasis. Deficiency in AHR expression disrupts major signaling systems and transcriptional programs, which appear to be responsible for the development of numerous developmental abnormalities including cardiac hypertrophy and epidermal hyperplasia. This mini review primarily summarizes recent advances in our understanding of AHR functions in normal physiology with an emphasis on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, integumentary, nervous, and immunomodulatory systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Kou
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, NY 10010, United States
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, NY 10010, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Csanaky IL, Lickteig AJ, Zhang Y, Klaassen CD. Effects of patent ductus venosus on bile acid homeostasis in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-null mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 403:115136. [PMID: 32679164 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is primarily known as one of the xenosensors and regulators of drug-metabolizing genes. Bile acids (BAs) are synthesized in the liver, and undergo several enterohepatic recirculations in which the liver removes BAs from the portal blood, minimizing the BAs that spill over into the systemic circulation. Previous studies revealed a lifelong patent ductus venosus (PDV) in AhR-null mice. Increased concentration of total BAs (Σ-BAs) in AhR-null mice is known; however, the impact of PDV on BA homeostasis in liver and bile remains unclear. This work investigated the consequences of PDV on BA homeostasis by comparing AhR-null and wild-type (WT) mice of both genders. In serum, Σ-BAs were markedly higher (64-85-fold) in AhR-null mice than in WT mice, especially due to the increase of tri-OH primary BAs (86-142-fold). Despite the extremely high concentration of serum BAs, the concentration of BAs in livers of AhR-null mice remained similar to WT mice. AhR-null livers were protected against increased BA influx by downregulation of uptake transporters and BA synthetic enzymes in the alternative pathway. Although livers of AhR-null mice are 20-25% smaller than WT mice, biliary excretion of BAs was maintained in the AhR-null mice, and even tended to increase. Surprisingly, intestinal Fgf15 expression was not increased, even though there was a marked increase in serum BA concentrations. Although PDV resulted in extremely high BA concentrations in serum of AhR-null mice, they maintained a concentration of BAs in liver and biliary excretion of BAs similar to control mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iván L Csanaky
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovation, Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA.
| | - Andrew J Lickteig
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Youcai Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Curtis D Klaassen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Szpirer C. Rat models of human diseases and related phenotypes: a systematic inventory of the causative genes. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:84. [PMID: 32741357 PMCID: PMC7395987 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat has been used for a long time as the model of choice in several biomedical disciplines. Numerous inbred strains have been isolated, displaying a wide range of phenotypes and providing many models of human traits and diseases. Rat genome mapping and genomics was considerably developed in the last decades. The availability of these resources has stimulated numerous studies aimed at discovering causal disease genes by positional identification. Numerous rat genes have now been identified that underlie monogenic or complex diseases and remarkably, these results have been translated to the human in a significant proportion of cases, leading to the identification of novel human disease susceptibility genes, helping in studying the mechanisms underlying the pathological abnormalities and also suggesting new therapeutic approaches. In addition, reverse genetic tools have been developed. Several genome-editing methods were introduced to generate targeted mutations in genes the function of which could be clarified in this manner [generally these are knockout mutations]. Furthermore, even when the human gene causing a disease had been identified without resorting to a rat model, mutated rat strains (in particular KO strains) were created to analyze the gene function and the disease pathogenesis. Today, over 350 rat genes have been identified as underlying diseases or playing a key role in critical biological processes that are altered in diseases, thereby providing a rich resource of disease models. This article is an update of the progress made in this research and provides the reader with an inventory of these disease genes, a significant number of which have similar effects in rat and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- , Waterloo, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gourronc FA, Markan KR, Kulhankova K, Zhu Z, Sheehy R, Quelle DE, Zingman LV, Kurago ZB, Ankrum JA, Klingelhutz AJ. Pdgfrα-Cre mediated knockout of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor protects mice from high-fat diet induced obesity and hepatic steatosis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236741. [PMID: 32730300 PMCID: PMC7392206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists such as dioxin have been associated with obesity and the development of diabetes. Whole-body Ahr knockout mice on high-fat diet (HFD) have been shown to resist obesity and hepatic steatosis. Tissue-specific knockout of Ahr in mature adipocytes via adiponectin-Cre exacerbates obesity while knockout in liver increases steatosis without having significant effects on obesity. Our previous studies demonstrated that treatment of subcutaneous preadipocytes with exogenous or endogenous AHR agonists disrupts maturation into functional adipocytes in vitro. Here, we used platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (Pdgfrα)-Cre mice, a Cre model previously established to knock out genes in preadipocyte lineages and other cell types, but not liver cells, to further define AHR's role in obesity. We demonstrate that Pdgfrα-Cre Ahr-floxed (Ahrfl/fl) knockout mice are protected from HFD-induced obesity compared to non-knockout Ahrfl/fl mice (control mice). The Pdgfrα-Cre Ahrfl/fl knockout mice were also protected from increased adiposity, enlargement of adipocyte size, and liver steatosis while on the HFD compared to control mice. On a regular control diet, knockout and non-knockout mice showed no differences in weight gain, indicating the protective phenotype arises only when animals are challenged by a HFD. At the cellular level, cultured cells from brown adipose tissue (BAT) of Pdgfrα-Cre Ahrfl/fl mice were more responsive than cells from controls to transcriptional activation of the thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) gene by norepinephrine, suggesting an ability to burn more energy under certain conditions. Collectively, our results show that knockout of Ahr mediated by Pdgfrα-Cre is protective against diet-induced obesity and suggest a mechanism by which enhanced UCP1 activity within BAT might confer these effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francoise A. Gourronc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Kathleen R. Markan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Katarina Kulhankova
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Zhiyong Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Ryan Sheehy
- Department of Pharmacology, Kansas City University, Kansas City, KS, United States of America
| | - Dawn E. Quelle
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Leonid V. Zingman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Zoya B. Kurago
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Department of Pathology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - James A. Ankrum
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Aloysius J. Klingelhutz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Williams AE, Watt J, Robertson LW, Gadupudi G, Osborn ML, Soares MJ, Iqbal K, Pedersen KB, Shankar K, Littleton S, Maimone C, Eti NA, Suva LJ, Ronis MJJ. Skeletal Toxicity of Coplanar Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congener 126 in the Rat Is Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Dependent. Toxicol Sci 2020; 175:113-125. [PMID: 32119087 PMCID: PMC7197949 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence links polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to skeletal toxicity, however mechanisms whereby PCBs affect bone are poorly studied. In this study, coplanar PCB 126 (5 μmol/kg) or corn oil vehicle was administered to N = 5 and 6 male and female, wild type (WT) or AhR -/- rats via intraperitoneal injection. Animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Bone length was measured; bone morphology was assessed by microcomputed tomography and dynamic histomorphometry. Reduced bone length was the only genotype-specific effect and only observed in males (p < .05). WT rats exposed to PCB 126 had reduced serum calcium, and smaller bones with reduced tibial length, cortical area, and medullary area relative to vehicle controls (p < .05). Reduced bone formation rate observed in dynamic histomorphometry was consistent with inhibition of endosteal and periosteal bone growth. The effects of PCB 126 were abolished in AhR -/- rats. Gene expression in bone marrow and shaft were assessed by RNA sequencing. Approximately 75% of the PCB-regulated genes appeared AhR dependent with 89 genes significantly (p < .05) regulated by both PCB 126 and knockout of the AhR gene. Novel targets significantly induced by PCB 126 included Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf/Ccn2), which regulate chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation in the bone growth plate and cell-matrix interactions. These data suggest the toxic effects of PCB 126 on bone are mediated by AhR, which has direct effects on the growth plate and indirect actions related to endocrine disruption. These studies clarify important mechanisms underlying skeletal toxicity of dioxin-like PCBs and highlight potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee E Williams
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - James Watt
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Larry W Robertson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Gopi Gadupudi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Michele L Osborn
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Michael J Soares
- Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Kim B Pedersen
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Kartik Shankar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Shana Littleton
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Cole Maimone
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Nazmin A Eti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Larry J Suva
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Martin J J Ronis
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Avilla MN, Malecki KMC, Hahn ME, Wilson RH, Bradfield CA. The Ah Receptor: Adaptive Metabolism, Ligand Diversity, and the Xenokine Model. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:860-879. [PMID: 32259433 PMCID: PMC7175458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Ah receptor (AHR) has been studied for almost five decades. Yet, we still have many important questions about its role in normal physiology and development. Moreover, we still do not fully understand how this protein mediates the adverse effects of a variety of environmental pollutants, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins ("dioxins"), and many polyhalogenated biphenyls. To provide a platform for future research, we provide the historical underpinnings of our current state of knowledge about AHR signal transduction, identify a few areas of needed research, and then develop concepts such as adaptive metabolism, ligand structural diversity, and the importance of proligands in receptor activation. We finish with a discussion of the cognate physiological role of the AHR, our perspective on why this receptor is so highly conserved, and how we might think about its cognate ligands in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mele N. Avilla
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
| | - Kristen M. C. Malecki
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology
Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543-1050, United States
| | - Rachel H. Wilson
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
| | - Christopher A. Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
- McArdle
Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-227, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Garcia-Villatoro EL, DeLuca JAA, Callaway ES, Allred KF, Davidson LA, Hensel ME, Menon R, Ivanov I, Safe SH, Jayaraman A, Chapkin RS, Allred CD. Effects of high-fat diet and intestinal aryl hydrocarbon receptor deletion on colon carcinogenesis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G451-G463. [PMID: 31905023 PMCID: PMC7137094 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00268.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of a high-fat diet has been associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the effects of the interaction between dietary fat content and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) on colorectal carcinogenesis remain unclear. Mainly known for its role in xenobiotic metabolism, AhR has been identified as an important regulator for maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis. Although previous research using whole body AhR knockout mice has revealed an increased incidence of colon and cecal tumors, the unique role of AhR activity in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and modifying effects of fat content in the diet at different stages of sporadic CRC development are yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we have examined the effects of a high-fat diet on IEC-specific AhR knockout mice in a model of sporadic CRC. Although loss of AhR activity in IECs significantly induced the development of premalignant lesions, in a separate experiment, no significant changes in colon mass incidence were observed. Moreover, consumption of a high-fat diet promoted cell proliferation in crypts at the premalignant colon cancer lesion stage and colon mass multiplicity as well as β-catenin expression and nuclear localization in actively proliferating cells in colon masses. Our data demonstrate the modifying effects of high-fat diet and AhR deletion in IECs on tumor initiation and progression.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Through the use of an intestinal-specific aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) knockout mouse model, this study demonstrates that the expression of AhR in intestinal epithelial cells is required to reduce the formation of premalignant colon cancer lesions. Furthermore, consumption of a high-fat diet and the loss of AhR in intestinal epithelial cells influences the development of colorectal cancer at various stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer A. A. DeLuca
- 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Evelyn S. Callaway
- 2Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kimberly F. Allred
- 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Laurie A. Davidson
- 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas,3Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Martha E. Hensel
- 4Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Rani Menon
- 2Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- 5Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen H. Safe
- 5Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- 2Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Robert S. Chapkin
- 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas,3Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Clinton D. Allred
- 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Mahringer A, Bernd A, Miller DS, Fricker G. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands increase ABC transporter activity and protein expression in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) renal proximal tubules. Biol Chem 2020; 400:1335-1345. [PMID: 30913027 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Many widespread and persistent organic pollutants, for example, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and some polychlorinated biphenyls, activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) causing it to translocate to the cell nucleus where it transactivates target genes, increasing expression of a number of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes as well as some transporters. AhR's ability to target transporters within the kidney is essentially unexplored. We show here that exposing isolated killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) renal proximal tubules to micromolar β-naphthoflavone (BNF) or nanomolar TCDD roughly doubled the transport activity of Multidrug resistance-associated proteins Mrp2 and Mrp4, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp), all ATP-driven xenobiotic efflux pumps and critical determinants of renal xenobiotic excretion. These effects were abolished by actinomycin D and cycloheximide and by the AhR antagonist, α-naphthoflavone, indicating that increased transport activity was dependent on transcription and translation as well as ligand binding to AhR. Quantitative immunostaining of renal tubules exposed to BNF and TCDD showed increased luminal membrane expression of Mrp2, Mrp4, P-gp and Bcrp. Thus, in these renal tubules, the four ABC transporters are targets of AhR action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mahringer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - Alexandra Bernd
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - David S Miller
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA.,Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology and Chemistry, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Gert Fricker
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ishida T, Takechi S. β-Naphthoflavone, an exogenous ligand of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, disrupts zinc homeostasis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. J Toxicol Sci 2020; 44:711-720. [PMID: 31588062 DOI: 10.2131/jts.44.711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between the disruption of zinc homeostasis and the onset of diseases. However, little is known about the factors that disrupt zinc homeostasis. Here, we investigated the effects of β-naphthoflavone, an exogenous ligand of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), on intracellular zinc levels. Human hepatoma HepG2 cells were treated with β-naphthoflavone for 3 days, and intracellular labile and total zinc levels were assessed through flow cytometry and inductively coupled plasma atom emission spectroscopy, respectively. The mRNA levels of zinc transporters were determined by real-time PCR. Treatment of cells with β-naphthoflavone induced a decrease in intracellular labile zinc in a dose-dependent manner, with significantly decreased levels observed at 1 µM compared with controls. Additionally, intracellular total zinc levels demonstrated a decreasing trend with 10 µM β-naphthoflavone. Zinc pyrithione recovered the decrease in intracellular labile zinc levels induced by β-naphthoflavone, while zinc sulfate had no effect. Moreover, significant decreases in the mRNA levels of zinc transporters ZnT10 and ZIP5 were observed in response to 10 µM β-naphthoflavone. These results demonstrated that β-naphthoflavone has the potential to disrupt zinc homeostasis in hepatocytes. Although the underlying mechanism remains to be determined, suppression of zinc transporter transcription through AHR activation may be involved in the β-naphthoflavone-induced disruption of intracellular zinc levels.
Collapse
|
36
|
Liu X, Li X, Tao Y, Li N, Ji M, Zhang X, Chen Y, He Z, Yu K, Yu Z. TCDD inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of human fetal palatal mesenchymal cells through AhR and BMP-2/TGF-β/Smad signaling. Toxicology 2019; 431:152353. [PMID: 31887333 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.152353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes cleft palate at high rates, but little is known about the underlying biological mechanisms. In the present study, we cultured osteoblasts from human fetal palate mesenchymal cells (hFPMCs) to explore the effects of TCDD on osteogenic differentiation. The results showed that TCDD significantly decreased cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition. RNA analyses and protein detection demonstrated that TCDD downregulated a wide array of pro-osteogenic biomarkers. Further investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that exposure to TCDD activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling and inhibited BMP-2/TGF-β1/Smad pathway molecules. The inactivation of AhR signaling using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated AhR deletion or by genetic siRNA knockdown significantly blocked the effects induced by TCDD, suggesting a critical role of AhR activation in the TCDD-mediated inhibition of hFPMC osteogenic differentiation. The cotreatment with TGF-β1 or BMP-2 and TCDD significantly relieved the activation of AhR and rescued the impairment of osteogenesis caused by TCDD. Taken together, our findings indicated that TCDD inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of hFPMCs via crosstalk between AhR and BMP-2/TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhuan Liu
- Center for Clinical Single-Cell Biomedicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xue Li
- Center for Clinical Single-Cell Biomedicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yuchang Tao
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ning Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, China
| | - Mengmeng Ji
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Division of Blood Vessel Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhidong He
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kailun Yu
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zengli Yu
- Center for Clinical Single-Cell Biomedicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: an environmental sensor integrating immune responses in health and disease. Nat Rev Immunol 2019; 19:184-197. [PMID: 30718831 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-019-0125-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 127.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The environment, diet, microbiota and body's metabolism shape complex biological processes in health and disease. However, our understanding of the molecular pathways involved in these processes is still limited. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that integrates environmental, dietary, microbial and metabolic cues to control complex transcriptional programmes in a ligand-specific, cell-type-specific and context-specific manner. In this Review, we summarize our current knowledge of AHR and the transcriptional programmes it controls in the immune system. Finally, we discuss the role of AHR in autoimmune and neoplastic diseases of the central nervous system, with a special focus on the gut immune system, the gut-brain axis and the therapeutic potential of targeting AHR in neurological disorders.
Collapse
|
38
|
Ronis MJ, Watt J, Pulliam CF, Williams AE, Alund AW, Haque E, Gadupudi GS, Robertson LW. Skeletal toxicity resulting from exposure of growing male rats to coplanar PCB 126 is associated with disruption of calcium homeostasis and the GH-IGF-1 axis and direct effects on bone formation. Arch Toxicol 2019; 94:389-399. [PMID: 31820026 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02645-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal toxicity has been reported following exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures. However, molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We exposed groups of male 4-5-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats to 3,3', 4, 4', 5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), a dioxin-like coplanar PCB congener by a single i.p. injection of 5 µmol/kg in soy oil vehicle or vehicle alone. After 4 weeks, rats were euthanized. PCB exposure resulted in hypocalcemia (P < 0.05) and significant increases in serum PTH without changes in serum phosphorous. Hyperparathyroidism was accompanied by increased expression of mRNAs of vitamin D3 metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP27B1 and CYP24 in the kidney (P < 0.05). PCB exposure also reduced body weight, serum IGF-1, and hepatic expression of mRNAs encoding the male-specific GH-pattern-regulated CYP2C11 and CYP3A2 relative to controls (P < 0.05). PCB exposure reduced long bone length, diameter, and surface area, but increased trabecular thickness and volume (P < 0.05). Serum osteocalcin (P < 0.05), a marker and a regulator of bone formation, was reduced, but PCB exposure had no effect on the bone resorption marker RatLaps. Exposure of human intestinal Caco-2 cells to 10-100 nM PCB 126 in the presence of vitamin D3 resulted in inhibition of mRNAs for the calcium transporters TRPV6 and PMCA1b (P < 0.05). In addition, PCB 126 suppressed osteoblastogenesis in primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell cultures which was blunted by the AhR antagonist CH-223191. These data provide novel evidence that skeletal toxicity after exposure to PCB 126 is a result of disruption of calcium homeostasis and the GH-IGF-1 axis, and involves direct AhR-mediated effects on bone formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Ronis
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, 1901 Perdido Str., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | - James Watt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, 1901 Perdido Str., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Casey F Pulliam
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, 1901 Perdido Str., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Ashlee E Williams
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, 1901 Perdido Str., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Alexander W Alund
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ezazul Haque
- IDGP in Human Toxicology and Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gopi S Gadupudi
- IDGP in Human Toxicology and Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Larry W Robertson
- IDGP in Human Toxicology and Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Doan TQ, Berntsen HF, Verhaegen S, Ropstad E, Connolly L, Igout A, Muller M, Scippo ML. A mixture of persistent organic pollutants relevant for human exposure inhibits the transactivation activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in vitro. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:113098. [PMID: 31479813 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While humans are exposed to mixtures of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), their risk assessment is usually based on a chemical-by-chemical approach. To assess the health effects associated with mixed exposures, knowledge on mixture toxicity is required. Several POPs are potential ligands of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which involves in xenobiotic metabolism and controls many biological pathways. This study assesses AhR agonistic and antagonistic activities of 29 POPs individually and in mixtures by using Chemical-Activated LUciferase gene eXpression bioassays with 3 transgenic cell lines (rat hepatoma DR-H4IIE, human hepatoma DR-Hep G2 and human mammary gland carcinoma DR-T47-D). Among the 29 POPs, which were selected based on their abundance in Scandinavian human blood, only 4 exerted AhR agonistic activities, while 16 were AhR antagonists in DR-H4IIE, 5 in DR-Hep G2 and 7 in DR-T47-D when tested individually. The total POP mixture revealed to be AhR antagonistic. It antagonized EC50 TCDD inducing AhR transactivation at a concentration of 125 and 250 and 500 fold blood levels in DR-H4IIE, DR-T47-D and DR-Hep G2, respectively, although each compound was present at these concentrations lower than their LOEC values. Such values could occur in real-life in food contamination incidents or in exposed populations. In DR-H4IIE, the antagonism of the total POP mixture was due to chlorinated compounds and, in particular, to PCB-118 and PCB-138 which caused 90% of the antagonistic activity in the POP mixture. The 16 active AhR antagonists acted additively. Their mixed effect was predicted successfully by concentration addition or generalized concentration addition models, rather than independent action, with only two-fold IC50 underestimation. We also attained good predictions for the full dose-response curve of the antagonistic activity of the total POP mixture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Q Doan
- Laboratory of Food Analysis, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, University of Liège, Liège, 4000, Belgium
| | - H F Berntsen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Experimental Biomedicine, NMBU - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, N-0033, Norway; Department of Administration, Lab Animal Unit, National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 Dep, Oslo, N-0033, Norway
| | - S Verhaegen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Experimental Biomedicine, NMBU - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, N-0033, Norway
| | - E Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Experimental Biomedicine, NMBU - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, N-0033, Norway
| | - L Connolly
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - A Igout
- Department of Biomedical and Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, 4000, Belgium
| | - M Muller
- GIGA-R, Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, University of Liège, Liège, 4000, Belgium
| | - M L Scippo
- Laboratory of Food Analysis, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, University of Liège, Liège, 4000, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhao H, Chen L, Yang T, Feng YL, Vaziri ND, Liu BL, Liu QQ, Guo Y, Zhao YY. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation mediates kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 2019; 17:302. [PMID: 31488157 PMCID: PMC6727512 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-2054-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a well-known ligand-activated cytoplasmic transcription factor that contributes to cellular responses against environmental toxins and carcinogens. AhR is activated by a range of structurally diverse compounds from the environment, microbiome, natural products, and host metabolism, suggesting that AhR possesses a rather promiscuous ligand binding site. Increasing studies have indicated that AhR can be activated by a variety of endogenous ligands and induce the expression of a battery of genes. AhR regulates a variety of physiopathological events, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion and migration. These new roles have expanded our understanding of the AhR signalling pathways and endogenous metabolites interacting with AhR under homeostatic and pathological conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated that AhR is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this review, we summarize gut microbiota-derived ligands inducing AhR activity in patients with CKD, CVD, diabetic nephropathy and RCC that may provide a new diagnostic and prognostic approach for complex renal damage. We further highlight polyphenols from natural products as AhR agonists or antagonists that regulate AhR activity. A better understanding of structurally diverse polyphenols and AhR biological activities would allow us to illuminate their molecular mechanism and discover potential therapeutic strategies targeting AhR activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tian Yang
- Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ya-Long Feng
- Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Nosratola D Vaziri
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92897, USA
| | - Bao-Li Liu
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Qing-Quan Liu
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Ying-Yong Zhao
- Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Matvere A, Teino I, Varik I, Kuuse S, Tiido T, Kristjuhan A, Maimets T. FSH/LH-Dependent Upregulation of Ahr in Murine Granulosa Cells Is Controlled by PKA Signaling and Involves Epigenetic Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20123068. [PMID: 31234584 PMCID: PMC6627912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20123068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a ligand-activated transcription factor primarily known for its toxicological functions. Recent studies have established its importance in many physiological processes including female reproduction, although there is limited data about the precise mechanisms how Ahr itself is regulated during ovarian follicle maturation. This study describes the expression of Ahr in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) of immature mice in a gonadotropin-dependent manner. We show that Ahr upregulation in vivo requires both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) activities. FSH alone increased Ahr mRNA, but had no effect on Ahr protein level, implicating a possible LH-dependent post-transcriptional regulation. Also, the increase in Ahr protein is specific to large antral follicles in induced follicle maturation. We show that Ahr expression in GCs of mid-phase follicular maturation is downregulated by protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and activation of Ahr promoter is regulated by chromatin remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antti Matvere
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Indrek Teino
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Inge Varik
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Sulev Kuuse
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Tarmo Tiido
- Clinical Research Centre, National Centre of Translational and Clinical Research, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Arnold Kristjuhan
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Toivo Maimets
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yoshioka W, Tohyama C. Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicity of Dioxins and Related Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E617. [PMID: 30708991 PMCID: PMC6387164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dioxins and related compounds induce morphological abnormalities in developing animals in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent manner. Here we review the studies in which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is used as a prototypical compound to elucidate the pathogenesis of morphological abnormalities. TCDD-induced cleft palate in fetal mice involves a delay in palatogenesis and dissociation of fused palate shelves. TCDD-induced hydronephrosis, once considered to be caused by the anatomical obstruction of the ureter, is now separated into TCDD-induced obstructive and non-obstructive hydronephrosis, which develops during fetal and neonatal periods, respectively. In the latter, a prostaglandin E₂ synthesis pathway and urine concentration system are involved. TCDD-induced abnormal development of prostate involves agenesis of the ventral lobe. A suggested mechanism is that AhR activation in the urogenital sinus mesenchyme by TCDD modulates the wingless-type MMTV integration site family (WNT)/β-catenin signaling cascade to interfere with budding from urogenital sinus epithelium. TCDD exposure to zebrafish embryos induces loss of epicardium progenitor cells and heart malformation. AHR2-dependent downregulation of Sox9b expression in cardiomyocytes is a suggested underlying mechanism. TCDD-induced craniofacial malformation in zebrafish is considered to result from the AHR2-dependent reduction in SRY-box 9b (SOX9b), probably partly via the noncoding RNA slincR, resulting in the underdevelopment of chondrocytes and cartilage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Environmental Health Sciences, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Chiharu Tohyama
- Laboratory of Environmental Health Sciences, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Bock KW. Human AHR functions in vascular tissue: Pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of AHR agonists in atherosclerosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 159:116-120. [PMID: 30508524 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of intense research physiologic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) functions have not been elucidated. Challenges include marked species differences and dependence on cell type and cellular context. A previous commentary on human AHR functions in skin and intestine has been extended to vascular tissue. Similar functions appear to be operating in vascular tissue including microbial defense, modulation of stem/progenitor cells as well as control of immunity and inflammation. However, AHR functions are Janus faced: Detrimental AHR functions in vascular tissue are well documented, e.g., upon exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cigarette smoke leading to oxidative stress and generation of oxidized LDL. Modified LDL particles accumulate in macrophages and smooth muscle-derived pro-inflammatory foam cells, the hallmark of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, numerous anti-inflammatory AHR agonists have been identified including bilirubin and quercetin. Mechanisms as to how AHR produces pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in the vascular system need further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karl Walter Bock
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wilhelmstrasse 56, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Knutsen HK, Alexander J, Barregård L, Bignami M, Brüschweiler B, Ceccatelli S, Cottrill B, Dinovi M, Edler L, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Nebbia CS, Oswald IP, Petersen A, Rose M, Roudot AC, Schwerdtle T, Vleminckx C, Vollmer G, Wallace H, Fürst P, Håkansson H, Halldorsson T, Lundebye AK, Pohjanvirta R, Rylander L, Smith A, van Loveren H, Waalkens-Berendsen I, Zeilmaker M, Binaglia M, Gómez Ruiz JÁ, Horváth Z, Christoph E, Ciccolallo L, Ramos Bordajandi L, Steinkellner H, Hoogenboom LR. Risk for animal and human health related to the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feed and food. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05333. [PMID: 32625737 PMCID: PMC7009407 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and DL-PCBs in feed and food. The data from experimental animal and epidemiological studies were reviewed and it was decided to base the human risk assessment on effects observed in humans and to use animal data as supportive evidence. The critical effect was on semen quality, following pre- and postnatal exposure. The critical study showed a NOAEL of 7.0 pg WHO2005-TEQ/g fat in blood sampled at age 9 years based on PCDD/F-TEQs. No association was observed when including DL-PCB-TEQs. Using toxicokinetic modelling and taking into account the exposure from breastfeeding and a twofold higher intake during childhood, it was estimated that daily exposure in adolescents and adults should be below 0.25 pg TEQ/kg bw/day. The CONTAM Panel established a TWI of 2 pg TEQ/kg bw/week. With occurrence and consumption data from European countries, the mean and P95 intake of total TEQ by Adolescents, Adults, Elderly and Very Elderly varied between, respectively, 2.1 to 10.5, and 5.3 to 30.4 pg TEQ/kg bw/week, implying a considerable exceedance of the TWI. Toddlers and Other Children showed a higher exposure than older age groups, but this was accounted for when deriving the TWI. Exposure to PCDD/F-TEQ only was on average 2.4- and 2.7-fold lower for mean and P95 exposure than for total TEQ. PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs are transferred to milk and eggs, and accumulate in fatty tissues and liver. Transfer rates and bioconcentration factors were identified for various species. The CONTAM Panel was not able to identify reference values in most farm and companion animals with the exception of NOAELs for mink, chicken and some fish species. The estimated exposure from feed for these species does not imply a risk.
Collapse
|
45
|
Larigot L, Juricek L, Dairou J, Coumoul X. AhR signaling pathways and regulatory functions. BIOCHIMIE OPEN 2018; 7:1-9. [PMID: 30003042 PMCID: PMC6039966 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopen.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 347] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Animals and humans are exposed each day to a multitude of chemicals in the air, water and food. They have developed a battery of enzymes and transporters that facilitate the biotransformation and elimination of these compounds. Moreover, a majority of these enzymes and transporters are inducible due to the activation of xenobiotic receptors which act as transcription factors for the regulation of their target genes (such as xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, see below §4 for the AhR). These receptors include several members of the nuclear/steroid receptor family (CAR for Constitutive Androstane Receptor, PXR for Pregnane X Receptor) but also the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor or AhR, a member of the bHLH-PAS family (basic Helix-Loop-Helix - Period/ARNT/Single minded). In addition to the regulation of xenobiotic metabolism, numerous alternative functions have been characterized for the AhR since its discovery. These alternative functions will be described in this review along with its endogenous functions as revealed by experiments performed on knock-out animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Larigot
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Ludmila Juricek
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Julien Dairou
- CNRS 8601, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hattori Y, Takeda T, Nakamura A, Nishida K, Shioji Y, Fukumitsu H, Yamada H, Ishii Y. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is indispensable for dioxin-induced defects in sexually-dimorphic behaviors due to the reduction in fetal steroidogenesis of the pituitary-gonadal axis in rats. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 154:213-221. [PMID: 29753751 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Many forms of the toxic effects produced by dioxins and related chemicals take place following activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Our previous studies have demonstrated that treating pregnant rats with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a highly toxic dioxin, attenuates the pituitary expression of gonadotropins to reduce testicular steroidogenesis during the fetal stage, resulting in the impairment of sexually-dimorphic behaviors after the offspring reach maturity. To investigate the contribution of AHR to these disorders, we examined the effects of TCDD on AHR-knockout (AHR-KO) Wistar rats. When pregnant AHR-heterozygous rats were given an oral dose of 1 µg/kg TCDD at gestational day (GD) 15, TCDD reduced the expression of pituitary gonadotropins and testicular steroidogenic proteins in male wild-type fetuses at GD20 without affecting body weight, sex ratio and litter size. However, the same defect did not occur in AHR-KO fetuses. Further, fetal exposure to TCDD impaired the activity of masculine sexual behavior after reaching adulthood only in the wild-type offspring. Also, in female offspring, not only the fetal gonadotropins production but also sexual dimorphism, such as saccharin preference, after growing up were suppressed by TCDD only in the wild-type. Interestingly, in the absence of TCDD, deleting AHR reduced masculine sexual behavior, as well as fetal steroidogenesis of the pituitary-gonadal axis. These results provide novel evidence that 1) AHR is required for TCDD-produced defects in sexually-dimorphic behaviors of the offspring, and 2) AHR signaling plays a role in gonadotropin synthesis during the developmental stage to acquire sexual dimorphism after reaching adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Hattori
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoki Takeda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Arisa Nakamura
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kyoko Nishida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuko Shioji
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Haruki Fukumitsu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yamada
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuji Ishii
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Manzella C, Singhal M, Alrefai WA, Saksena S, Dudeja PK, Gill RK. Serotonin is an endogenous regulator of intestinal CYP1A1 via AhR. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6103. [PMID: 29666456 PMCID: PMC5904159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a nuclear receptor that controls xenobiotic detoxification via induction of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and regulates immune responses in the intestine. Metabolites of L-tryptophan activate AhR, which confers protection against intestinal inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that serotonin (5-HT) is an endogenous activator of AhR in intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment of Caco-2 monolayers with 5-HT induced CYP1A1 mRNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and also stimulated CYP1A1 activity. CYP1A1 induction by 5-HT was dependent upon uptake via serotonin transporter (SERT). Antagonism of AhR and knockdown of AhR and its binding partner aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) attenuated CYP1A1 induction by 5-HT. Activation of AhR was evident by its nuclear translocation after 5-HT treatment and by induction of an AhR-responsive luciferase reporter. In vivo studies showed a dramatic decrease in CYP1A1 expression and other AhR target genes in SERT KO ileal mucosa by microarray analysis. These results suggest that intracellular accumulation of 5-HT via SERT induces CYP1A1 expression via AhR in intestinal epithelial cells, and SERT deficiency in vivo impairs activation of AhR. Our studies provide a novel link between the serotonergic and AhR pathways which has implications in xenobiotic metabolism and intestinal inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Manzella
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Megha Singhal
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Waddah A Alrefai
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Seema Saksena
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Pradeep K Dudeja
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ravinder K Gill
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Takeda T. [Molecular Mechanism Whereby Maternal Exposure to Dioxin Suppresses Sexual Maturation of the Offspring after Growing Up]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2018; 137:1373-1379. [PMID: 29093374 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.17-00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dioxins, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are responsible for producing serious toxic effects in the next generation, such as sexual immaturity. Our laboratory found that treating pregnant rats on gestational day 15 with TCDD (1 μg/kg orally) targets pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) to attenuate testicular steroidogenesis in fetuses. Because sex steroids during a short window ("the critical period") in the perinatal stage stimulate brain differentiation closely linked to sexual maturation, it is likely that TCDD imprints sexual immaturity on the offspring due to the lowered expression of LH during the fetal period. To address this hypothesis, we first investigated the effect of supplementation of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), an LH-mimicking hormone, in fetuses exposed to TCDD. The result showed that eCG ameliorated defects in sexual behavior in adulthood as well as in steroidogenesis during the fetal stage. We also found that maternal exposure to TCDD induced the pituitary expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in fetuses. In agreement with this, TCDD deacetylated the histones wrapped around the LHβ gene, and valproic acid, an HDAC inhibitor, blocked the reduced level of LHβ caused by TCDD. These observations strongly suggest that TCDD induces the expression of HDACs to attenuate fetal LH production. Finally, such a transient reduction in steroidogenesis of the pituitary-gonadal axis causes a decrease in the expression of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone, resulting in defects in sexual behavior in adulthood. This review increases our understanding of the developmental toxicities caused by endocrine disruptors including dioxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Takeda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Taft JD, Colonnetta MM, Schafer RE, Plick N, Powell WH. Dioxin Exposure Alters Molecular and Morphological Responses to Thyroid Hormone in Xenopus laevis Cultured Cells and Prometamorphic Tadpoles. Toxicol Sci 2018; 161:196-206. [PMID: 29294139 PMCID: PMC5837452 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian metamorphosis is driven by thyroid hormone (TH). We used prometamorphic tadpoles and a cell line of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) to examine immediate effects of dioxin exposure on TH. Gene expression patterns suggest cross-talk between the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathways. In XLK-WG cells, expression of Cytochrome P450 1A6 (cyp1A6), an AHR target, was induced 1000-fold by 100 nM TCDD (2, 3, 7, 8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin). Krüppel-Like Factor 9 (klf9), the first gene induced in a cascade of TH responses tied to metamorphosis, was upregulated over 5-fold by 50 nM triiodothyronine (T3) and 2-fold by dioxin. Co-exposure to T3 and TCDD boosted both responses, further inducing cyp1A6 by 75% and klf9 about 60%. Additional canonical targets of each receptor, including trβa and trβb (TR) and udpgt1a (AHR) responded similarly. Induction of TH targets by TCDD in XLK-WG cells predicts that exposure could speed metamorphosis. We tested this hypothesis in two remodeling events: tail resorption and hind limb growth. Resorption of ex vivo cultured tails was accelerated by 10 nM T3, while a modest increase in resorption by 100 nM TCDD lacked statistical significance. Hind limbs doubled in length over four days following 1 nM T3 treatment, but limb length was unaffected by 100 nM TCDD. TCDD co-exposure reduced the T3 effect by nearly 40%, despite TCDD induction of klf9 in whole tadpoles, alone or with T3. These results suggest that tissue-specific TCDD effects limit or reverse the increased metamorphosis rate predicted by klf9 induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin D Taft
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio 43022
| | | | | | - Natalie Plick
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio 43022
| | - Wade H Powell
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio 43022
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Takeda T, Komiya Y, Koga T, Ishida T, Ishii Y, Kikuta Y, Nakaya M, Kurose H, Yokomizo T, Shimizu T, Uchi H, Furue M, Yamada H. Dioxin-induced increase in leukotriene B4 biosynthesis through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and its relevance to hepatotoxicity owing to neutrophil infiltration. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:10586-10599. [PMID: 28487374 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.764332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dioxin and related chemicals alter the expression of a number of genes by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR) to produce a variety of disorders including hepatotoxicity. However, it remains largely unknown how these changes in gene expression are linked to toxicity. To address this issue, we initially examined the effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachrolodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a most toxic dioxin, on the hepatic and serum metabolome in male pubertal rats and found that TCDD causes many changes in the level of fatty acids, bile acids, amino acids, and their metabolites. Among these findings was the discovery that TCDD increases the content of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), an inducer of inflammation due to the activation of leukocytes, in the liver of rats and mice. Further analyses suggested that an increase in LTB4 comes from a dual mechanism consisting of an induction of arachidonate lipoxygenase-5, a rate-limiting enzyme in LTB4 synthesis, and the down-regulation of LTC4 synthase, an enzyme that converts LTA4 to LTC4. The above changes required AHR activation, because the same was not observed in AHR knock-out rats. In agreement with LTB4 accumulation, TCDD caused the marked infiltration of neutrophils into the liver. However, deleting LTB4 receptors (BLT1) blocked this effect. A TCDD-produced increase in the mRNA expression of inflammatory markers, including tumor-necrosis factor and hepatic damage, was also suppressed in BLT1-null mice. The above observations focusing on metabolomic changes provide novel evidence that TCDD accumulates LTB4 in the liver by an AHR-dependent induction of LTB4 biosynthesis to cause hepatotoxicity through neutrophil activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yuji Ishii
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Life Sciences and
| | - Yasushi Kikuta
- the Department of Applied Biological Science, Fukuyama University, Hiroshima 729-0292, Japan
| | - Michio Nakaya
- the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kurose
- the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehiko Yokomizo
- the Department of Biochemistry, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Takao Shimizu
- the Department of Lipid Signaling, Research Institute National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan.,the Department of Lipidomics, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan, and
| | - Hiroshi Uchi
- the Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masutaka Furue
- the Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.,the Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|