Arsenic enhancement of skin neoplasia by chronic stimulation of growth factors

Application of the in vivo oxidative stress reporter Hmox1 as mechanistic biomarker of arsenic toxicity

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a naturally occurring metalloid present in drinking water and polluted air exposing millions of people globally. Epidemiological studies have linked iAs exposure to the development of numerous diseases including cognitive impairment, cardiovascular failure and cancer. Despite intense research, an effective therapy for chronic arsenicosis has yet to be developed. Laboratory studies have been of great benefit in establishing the pathways involved in iAs toxicity and providing insights into its mechanism of action. However, the in vivo analysis of arsenic toxicity mechanisms has been difficult by the lack of reliable in vivo biomarkers of iAs's effects. To address this issue we have applied the use of our recently developed stress reporter models to study iAs toxicity. The reporter mice Hmox1 (oxidative stress/inflammation; HOTT) and p21 (DNA damage) were exposed to iAs at acute and chronic, environmentally relevant, doses. We observed induction of the oxidative stress reporters in several cell types and tissues, which was largely dependent on the activation of transcription factor NRF2. We propose that our HOTT reporter model can be used as a surrogate biomarker of iAs-induced oxidative stress, and it constitutes a first-in-class platform to develop treatments aimed to counteract the role of oxidative stress in arsenicosis. Indeed, in a proof of concept experiment, the HOTT reporter mice were able to predict the therapeutic utility of the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine in the prevention of iAs associated toxicity.

Arsenic Stimulates Myoblast Mitochondrial Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor to Impair Myogenesis

Arsenic exposure impairs muscle metabolism, maintenance, progenitor cell differentiation, and regeneration following acute injury. Low to moderate arsenic exposures target muscle fiber and progenitor cell mitochondria to epigenetically decrease muscle quality and regeneration. However, the mechanisms for how low levels of arsenic signal for prolonged mitochondrial dysfunction are not known. In this study, arsenic attenuated murine C2C12 myoblasts differentiation and resulted in abnormal undifferentiated myoblast proliferation. Arsenic prolonged ligand-independent phosphorylation of mitochondrially localized epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a major driver of proliferation. Treating cells with a selective EGFR kinase inhibitor, AG-1478, prevented arsenic inhibition of myoblast differentiation. AG-1478 decreased arsenic-induced colocalization of pY845EGFR with mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit II, as well as arsenic-enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species generation, and cell cycling. All of the arsenic effects on mitochondrial signaling and cell fate were mitigated or reversed by addition of mitochondrially targeted agents that restored mitochondrial integrity and function. Thus, arsenic-driven pathogenesis in skeletal muscle requires sustained mitochondrial EGFR activation that promotes progenitor cell cycling and proliferation at the detriment of proper differentiation. Collectively, these findings suggest that the arsenic-activated mitochondrial EGFR pathway drives pathogenic signaling for impaired myoblast metabolism and function.

Chronic and acute arsenic exposure enhance EGFR expression via distinct molecular mechanisms

The impacts of acute arsenic exposure (i.e. vomiting, diarrhea, and renal failure) are distinct from those brought about by sustained, low level exposure from environmental sources or drinking of contaminated well water. Chronic arsenic exposure is a risk factor for the development of pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer. How arsenic exposure leads to pulmonary disease is not fully understood. Both acute versus chronic arsenic exposure increase EGFR expression, but do so via distinct molecular mechanisms. BEAS-2B cells were exposed to either acute sodium arsenite (5 μM for 24 h) or chronic sodium arsenite (100 nM for 24 weeks). Cells treated with acute arsenic exhibited a decrease in viability, changes in morphology, and increased mRNA level of BTC. In contrast, during 24 weeks of arsenic exposure, the cells had increased EGFR expression and activity, and increased mRNA and protein levels of TGFα. Further, chronic arsenic treatment caused an increase in cell migration in the absence of exogenous ligand. Elevated TGFα and EGFR expression are features of many non-small cell lung cancers. We propose that lung epithelial cells chronically exposed to low level arsenic increases EGFR signaling via TGFα production to enhance ligand-independent cell migration.

Long-Term Combinatorial Exposure to Trichloroethylene and Inorganic Arsenic in Genetically Heterogeneous Mice Results in Renal Tubular Damage and Cancer-Associated Molecular Changes

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and inorganic arsenic (iAs) are environmental contaminants that can target the kidney. Chronic exposure to TCE is associated with increased incidence of renal cell carcinoma, while co-exposure to TCE and iAs likely occurs in exposed human populations, such as those near Superfund sites. In order to better understand the kidney health consequences of TCE and/or iAs exposure, a genetically heterogeneous mouse population derived from FVB/NJ and CAST/EiJ mouse strains and deficient for multidrug resistance genes (Abcb1atm1Bor , Abcb1btm1Bor ) was chronically exposed for 52-weeks to varying concentrations of TCE and iAs. Although no exposure group resulted in primary renal cell tumors, kidneys from exposed mice did have significant increases in histologic and biochemical evidence of renal tubular disease with each toxicant alone and with combined exposure, with males having significantly higher levels of damage. Although no added increase in tubular disease was observed with combination exposure compared to single toxicants, molecular changes in kidneys from mice that had the combined exposure were similar to those previous observed in an embryonic stem cell assay for the P81S TCE-induced renal cell carcinoma mutation in the Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) gene. While this model more accurately reflects human exposure conditions, development of primary renal tumors observed in humans following chronic TCE exposure was not reproduced even after inclusion of genetic heterogeneity and co-carcinogenic iAs.

ΔNp63 promotes abnormal epidermal proliferation in arsenical skin cancers

Arsenic is known to perturb epidermal homeostasis and induce abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, leading to skin carcinogenesis. P63 and its isoforms are essential to regulate epidermal homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the role of p63 isoforms in abnormal epidermal proliferation induced by arsenic. Using arsenic-induced Bowen's disease (As-BD; an intraepidermal carcinoma) as a disease model, we found that in As-BD, the expression of proliferating basal keratinocytes marker cytokeratin 14 (CK14) and N-terminal truncated p63 isoform (ΔNp63; proliferation regulator) was increased, however, that of the differentiation marker cytokeratin 10 (CK10) and full-length p63 isoform (TAp63; differentiation regulator) was decreased in squamous cells as compared with healthy subjects. These observations were recapitulated in the arsenic-treated skin equivalents (SEs). The SEs showed that arsenic increased epidermal thickness, induced abnormal proliferation, and increased ΔNp63 expression in squamous cells as compared with the control. Treatment of cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes (HKCs) with arsenic increased CK14 and △Np63 expressions, but decreased TAp63 and CK10 expressions. Furthermore, knockdown of ΔNp63 by RNA interference abrogated arsenic-induced CK14 expression and recovered the reduction of TAp63 and CK10 caused by arsenic. These findings indicated that ΔNp63 is a pivotal regulator in the abnormal cell proliferation in arsenical cancers.

Low dose arsenite confers resistance to UV induced apoptosis via p53-MDM2 pathway in ketatinocytes

Chronic arsenite and ultraviolet (UV) exposure are associated with skin tumor. To investigate the details by low concentrations of arsenite and UV induced carcinogenesis in skin, hTERT-immortalized human keratinocytes were used as a cellular model with exposure to low concentrations of sodium arsenite and UV. The effect of NaAsO₂ on UV treatment-induced apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst staining. We found that the cell apoptosis induced by UV exposure was significantly attenuated after exposure to low-dose arsenite, and knockdown of p53 could block UV-induced apoptosis indicating that this phenomenon depended on p53. Interestingly, the expression of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), including its protein and transcriptional levels, was remarkably high after exposure to low-dose arsenite. Moreover, low-dose arsenite treatment dramatically decreased the MDM2 gene promoter activity, suggesting that this effect has been mediated through transcription. In addition, treatment of PD98059 reversed low-dose arsenite-induced MDM2 expression, and the inhibition of ERK2 expression could significantly block MDM2 expression as a consequence, and p53 expression automatically was increased. To validate the role of p53 in exposure to low-dose arsenite, the expression of p53 was examined by immunohistochemistry in the skin of Sprague−Dawley rats model by chronic arsenite exposure for 6 months and in patients with arsenic keratosis, and the results showed that the expression of p53 was decreased in those samples. Taken together, our results demonstrated that low-dose arsenite-induced resistance to apoptosis through p53 mediated by MDM2 in keratinocytes.

Integration of microRNAome, proteomics and metabolomics to analyze arsenic-induced malignant cell transformation

Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to tumorigenesis in different organs and tissues, such as skin; however, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. In this present study, we integrated “omics” including microRNAome, proteomics and metabolomics to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms. Compared with non-malignant human keratinocytes (HaCaT), twenty-six miRNAs were significantly altered in arsenic-induced transformed cells. Among these miRNAs, the differential expression of six miRNAs was confirmed using Q-RT-PCR, representing potential oxidative stress genes. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS) were performed to identify the differential expression of proteins in arsenic-induced transformed cells, and twelve proteins were significantly changed. Several proteins were associated with oxidative stress and carcinogenesis including heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2). Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and Q-TOF mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS), 68 metabolites including glutathione, fumaric acid, citric acid, phenylalanine, and tyrosine, related to redox metabolism, glutathione metabolism, citrate cycle, met cycle, phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism were identified and quantified. Taken together, these results indicated that arsenic-induced transformed cells exhibit alterations in miRNA, protein and metabolite profiles providing novel insights into arsenic-induced cell malignant transformation and identifying early potential biomarkers for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma induced by arsenic.

Arsenic Induces p62 Expression to Form a Positive Feedback Loop with Nrf2 in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes: Implications for Preventing Arsenic-Induced Skin Cancer

Exposure to inorganic arsenic in contaminated drinking water poses an environmental public health threat for hundreds of millions of people in the US and around the world. Arsenic is a known carcinogen for skin cancer. However, the mechanism by which arsenic induces skin cancer remains poorly understood. Here, we have shown that arsenic induces p62 expression in an autophagy-independent manner in human HaCaT keratinocytes. In mouse skin, chronic arsenic exposure through drinking water increases p62 protein levels in the epidermis. Nrf2 is required for basal and arsenic-induced p62 up-regulation. p62 knockdown reduces arsenic-induced Nrf2 activity, and induces sustained p21 up-regulation. p62 induction is associated with increased proliferation in mouse epidermis. p62 knockdown had little effect on arsenic-induced apoptosis, while it decreased cell proliferation following arsenic treatment. Our findings indicate that arsenic induces p62 expression to regulate the Nrf2 pathway in human keratinocytes and suggest that targeting p62 may help prevent arsenic-induced skin cancer.

Kinetics and thermodynamics of zinc(II) and arsenic(III) binding to XPA and PARP-1 zinc finger peptides

Inhibition of DNA repair is an established mechanism of arsenic co-carcinogenesis, and may be perpetuated by the binding of As(III) to key zinc finger (zf) DNA repair proteins. Validated molecular targets of As(III) include the first zinc finger domain of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 (PARP-1), and the zinc finger domain of Xeroderma Pigmentosum Complementation Group A (XPA). In order to gain an understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the interaction of As(III) with these two zinc finger motifs, a fluorescence based approach was used to investigate Zn(II) and As(III) binding to synthetic model peptides corresponding to the zf motif of XPA and first zf motif of PARP-1, referred to in this paper as XPAzf and PARP-1zf-1, respectively. While XPAzf and PARP-1zf-1 display similar relative affinities for As(III), PARP-1zf-1 shows a potential kinetic advantage over XPAzf for As(III) binding, with a rate constant for the fast phase of formation of As(III)-PARP-1zf-1 approximately 4-fold higher than for As(III)-XPAzf. However, the binding of Zn(II) with either peptide proceeds at a faster rate than As(III). Notably, XPAzf demonstrates comparable affinities for binding both metals, while PARP-1zf-1 shows a slightly higher affinity for Zn(II), suggesting that the relative concentrations of Zn(II) and As(III) in a system may significantly influence which species predominates in zinc finger occupancy. These results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying interactions between zinc finger structures and As(III), and highlight the potential utility of zinc supplementation in mitigating adverse effects of As(III) on zinc finger functions in vivo.

Pharmacokinetic and Genomic Effects of Arsenite in Drinking Water on Mouse Lung in a 30-Day Exposure

The 2 objectives of this subchronic study were to determine the arsenite drinking water exposure dependent increases in female C3H mouse liver and lung tissue arsenicals and to characterize the dose response (to 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm arsenite in drinking water for 30 days and a purified AIN-93M diet) for genomic mouse lung expression patterns. Mouse lungs were analyzed for inorganic arsenic, monomethylated, and dimethylated arsenicals by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy. The total lung mean arsenical levels were 1.4, 22.5, 30.1, 50.9, 105.3, and 316.4 ng/g lung tissue after 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm, respectively. At 85 ppm, the total mean lung arsenical levels increased 14-fold and 131-fold when compared to either the lowest noncontrol dose (0.05 ppm) or the control dose, respectively. We found that arsenic exposure elicited minimal numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 77, 38, 90, 87, and 87 DEGs) after 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm, respectively, which were associated with cardiovascular disease, development, differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and stress response. After 30 days of arsenite exposure, this study showed monotonic increases in mouse lung arsenical (total arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid) concentrations but no clear dose-related increases in DEG numbers.

The effect of arsenic on some antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in various tissues of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio)

The effect of arsenic bioaccumulation in liver, kidney, skin, muscle, and intestinal tissues of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) was investigated on lipid peroxidation and certain antioxidant enzyme activities. In this study, three aquarium groups were formed from mirror carp: control group, 0.5-, and 1-mg/L arsenic concentrations. The fish were dissected after 1 month. Arsenic bioaccumulation, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were determined in the tissues. Results showed that arsenic was accumulated in liver, kidney, muscle, skin, and intestinal tissues. As the final product of lipid peroxidation, MDA levels were determined to have increased in all tissues with the exception of muscle. On the other hand, CAT and SOD enzyme activities in the fish tissues were decreased as compared to the control group. In the muscle tissue, differences were observed in the enzyme activities depending on arsenic concentration. Considering the increases in enzyme inhibition and MDA levels, liver was observed to be the main tissue affected in response to the arsenic toxicity.

STAT3-dependent VEGF production from keratinocytes abrogates dendritic cell activation and migration by arsenic: a plausible regional mechanism of immunosuppression in arsenical cancers

Arsenic remains an important environmental hazard that causes several human cancers. Arsenic-induced Bowen's disease (As-BD), a skin carcinoma in situ, is the most common arsenical cancer. While great strides have been made in our understanding of arsenic carcinogenesis, how host immunity contributes to this process remains unknown. Patients with As-BD have an impaired contact hypersensitivity response. Although impaired T cell activation has been well-documented in arsenical cancers, how dendritic cell (DC), the key cell regulating innate immunity, regulates the immune response in arsenical cancers remains unclear. Using myeloid derived DC (MDDC) from patients with As-BD and normal controls as well as bone marrow derived DC (BMDC) from mice fed with or without arsenic, we measured the migration of DC. As-BD patients showed an impaired CCL21-mediated MDDC migration in vitro. Arsenic-fed mice had defective DC migration toward popliteal lymph nodes when injected with allogenic BMDCs via foot pad. Using skin from As-BD and normal controls, we found an increased expression of STAT3, a transcriptional factor contributing to impaired DC activation. Arsenic induced STAT3 activation and the production of VEGF in keratinocytes. The increase in VEGF was blocked by inhibiting STAT3 with RNA interference or pharmaceutically with JSI-124. While VEGF by itself minimally induced the expression of CD86 and MHC-II in MDDC, arsenic induced-MDDC activation was abolished by VEGF pretreatment. We concluded that the STAT3-VEGF axis in keratinocytes inhibits DC migration in the microenvironment of As-BD, indicating that cellular interactions play an important role in regulating the disease course of arsenical cancers.

Co-exposure of arsenic and cadmium through drinking water and tobacco smoking: risk assessment on kidney dysfunction

The combined exposure of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) causes more pronounced renal toxicity. The study aimed to evaluate the level of As and Cd in biological samples (blood and urine) of adults males, age ranged (30-50 years) exposed referent (ER) and exposed kidney patients (EKP), consumed contaminated drinking water of lake and smoking local cigarettes manufactured by tobacco plants grown on agricultural soil, irrigated with contaminated lake water. For comparative purpose age matched nonexoposed referent (NR) and nonexposed kidney patient (NKP), consumed municipal treaded water and smoking branded cigarette were also selected. The As and Cd levels in drinking water, biological samples, tobacco of branded and nonbranded cigarettes were analyzed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The As and Cd concentrations in lake water were higher than the permissible limit recommended by the World Health Organization for drinking water. The As and Cd levels in local cigarette tobacco were found to be 3- to 4-folds higher than branded cigarettes. The biochemical parameters especially urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) of ER, EKP, ER, and EKP subjects were studied as a biomarkers of renal dysfunction. The NAG values were found to be higher in EKP as compared to NKP (p < 0.01). The linear regressions showed higher correlations between As and Cd concentrations in water versus blood and urine samples of EKP (r = 0.71-0.78 and 0.68-0.72), as compared to NKP (p < 0.05).

Role of reactive oxygen species in arsenic-induced transformation of human lung bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells

Arsenic is an environmental carcinogen, its mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain to be investigated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be important. A previous study (Carpenter et al., 2011) has measured ROS level in human lung bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells and arsenic-transformed BEAS-2B cells and found that ROS levels were higher in transformed cells than that in parent normal cells. Based on these observations, the authors concluded that cell transformation induced by arsenic is mediated by increased cellular levels of ROS. This conclusion is problematic because this study only measured the basal ROS levels in transformed and parent cells and did not investigate the role of ROS in the process of arsenic-induced cell transformation. The levels of ROS in arsenic-transformed cells represent the result and not the cause of cell transformation. Thus question concerning whether ROS are important in arsenic-induced cell transformation remains to be answered. In the present study, we used expressions of catalase (antioxidant against H2O2) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2, antioxidant against O2(-)) to decrease ROS level and investigated their role in the process of arsenic-induced cell transformation. Our results show that inhibition of ROS by antioxidant enzymes decreased arsenic-induced cell transformation, demonstrating that ROS are important in this process. We have also shown that in arsenic-transformed cells, ROS generation was lower and levels of antioxidants are higher than those in parent cells, in a disagreement with the previous report. The present study has also shown that the arsenic-transformed cells acquired apoptosis resistance. The inhibition of catalase to increase ROS level restored apoptosis capability of arsenic-transformed BEAS-2B cells, further showing that ROS levels are low in these cells. The apoptosis resistance due to the low ROS levels may increase cells proliferation, providing a favorable environment for tumorigenesis of arsenic-transformed cells.

Arsenic induced overexpression of inflammatory cytokines based on the human urothelial cell model in vitro and urinary secretion of individuals chronically exposed to arsenic

Chronic persistent inflammation could play an important role in the pathogenesis of some malignancies, and inflammation is a critical factor for bladder cancer development. In this study, we measured urine levels of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-8 in arsenic exposure workers and expressions of inflammatory cytokines in human urothelial cells in vivo and in vitro. We found the concentrations of IL-8, TNF-α, and TGF-α presented in urine were significantly elevated in the high urinary arsenic workers compared with the low urinary arsenic workers. Multiple regression analysis showed that the urinary IL-8 level was significantly positively associated with urinary iAs concentration after adjusting for the confounding effects of age, employed years, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol, and seafood consumption in recent 3 days. Urinary TNF-α and TGF-α levels were also significantly positively associated with urinary iAs concentration, and SMI. TGF-α level was negatively associated with age after adjusting for the confounding effects. Consistent with the results in vivo, mRNA expressions of TNF-α, TGF-α, and IL-8 and protein expressions of TGF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-8 were significantly elevated in SV-HUC-1 cells after exposure to lower concentrations of arsenite for 24h as compared to the control group. These data indicated that arsenic increased the secretion of inflammatory factors and IL-8, TNF-α, and TGF-α expression may be a useful biomarker of the effect of arsenic exposure.

Bimodal responses of cells to trace elements: insights into their mechanism of action using a biospectroscopy approach

Understanding how organisms respond to trace elements is important because some are essential for normal bodily homeostasis, but can additionally be toxic at high concentrations. The inflection point for many of these elements is unknown and requires sensitive techniques capable of detecting subtle cellular changes as well as cytotoxic alterations. In this study, we treated human cells with arsenic (As), copper or selenium (Se) in a dose-response manner and used attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) microspectroscopy combined with computational analysis to examine cellular alterations. Cell cultures were treated with As(V), Cu(2+) or Se(IV) at concentrations ranging from 0.001 mg L(-1) to 1000 mg L(-1) and their effects were spectrochemically determined. Results show that As(V) and Cu(2+) induce bimodal dose-response effects on cells; this is in line with hormesis-driven responses. Lipids and proteins seem to be the main cell targets for all the elements tested; however, each compound produced a unique fingerprint of effect. Spectral biomarkers indicate that all test agents generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could either stimulate repair mechanisms or induce damage in cells.

Trivalent arsenic species induce changes in expression and levels of proinflammatory cytokines in intestinal epithelial cells

Chronic arsenic (As) toxicity in humans has been documented in many countries where exposure mostly occurs through drinking water. The As immunotoxic effects have been demonstrated in animal models as well as in humans. The studies of the immunotoxicity of As have centered on organs related to immune response or target organs, with few data being available at intestinal level. The present study has evaluated the changes in the expression and release of cytokines in Caco-2 cells, widely used as an intestinal epithelial model. Differentiated cells were exposed to 1 μM of As(III), 0.1 μM of monomethylarsonous acid [MMA(III)] and 1 μM of dimethylarsinous acid [DMA(III)] during 2, 4, 6 and 24 h. Additionally, the effect of As coexposure with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 ng/mL) has been evaluated. The results show trivalent species to induce increases in the expression and release of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL6, IL8 - the magnitude and time of response being different for each As species. The response of greatest magnitude corresponds to DMA(III), followed by As(III), while MMA(III) generates a limited response. Furthermore, the presence of LPS in the co-exposed cells could affect the expression and secretion of cytokines compared with individual exposure to arsenicals, especially for As(III)/LPS and DMA(III)/LPS.

p27 suppresses cyclooxygenase-2 expression by inhibiting p38β and p38δ-mediated CREB phosphorylation upon arsenite exposure

p27 is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor that suppresses a cell's transition from G0 to S phase, therefore acting as a tumor suppressor. Our most recent studies demonstrate that upon arsenite exposure, p27 suppresses Hsp27 and Hsp70 expressions through the JNK2/c-Jun- and HSF-1-dependent pathways, suggesting a novel molecular mechanism underlying the tumor suppressive function of p27 in a CDK-independent manner. We found that p27-deficiency (p27-/-) resulted in the elevation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression at transcriptional level, whereas the introduction of p27 brought back COX-2 expression to a level similar to that of p27+/+ cells, suggesting that p27 exhibits an inhibitory effect on COX-2 expression. Further studies identified that p27 inhibition of COX-2 expression was specifically due to phosphorylation of transcription factor cAMP response element binding (CREB) phosphorylation mediated by p38β and p38δ. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism underlying tumor suppression effect of p27 and will contribute to the understanding of the overall mechanism of p27 tumor suppression in a CDK-independent manner.

Reduction of arsenite-enhanced ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage by supplemental zinc

Arsenic is a recognized human carcinogen and there is evidence that arsenic augments the carcinogenicity of DNA damaging agents such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR) thereby acting as a co-carcinogen. Inhibition of DNA repair is one proposed mechanism to account for the co-carcinogenic actions of arsenic. We and others find that arsenite interferes with the function of certain zinc finger DNA repair proteins. Furthermore, we reported that zinc reverses the effects of arsenite in cultured cells and a DNA repair target protein, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. In order to determine whether zinc ameliorates the effects of arsenite on UVR-induced DNA damage in human keratinocytes and in an in vivo model, normal human epidermal keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mice were exposed to arsenite, zinc or both before solar-simulated (ss) UVR exposure. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activity, DNA damage and mutation frequencies at the Hprt locus were measured in each treatment group in normal human keratinocytes. DNA damage was assessed in vivo by immunohistochemical staining of skin sections isolated from SKH-1 hairless mice. Cell-based findings demonstrate that ssUVR-induced DNA damage and mutagenesis are enhanced by arsenite, and supplemental zinc partially reverses the arsenite effect. In vivo studies confirm that zinc supplementation decreases arsenite-enhanced DNA damage in response to ssUVR exposure. From these data we can conclude that zinc offsets the impact of arsenic on ssUVR-stimulated DNA damage in cells and in vivo suggesting that zinc supplementation may provide a strategy to improve DNA repair capacity in arsenic exposed human populations.

Morpho-mechanical intestinal remodeling in type 2 diabetic GK rats--is it related to advanced glycation end product formation?

Little is known about the mechanisms for the biomechanical remodeling in diabetes. The histomorphology, passive biomechanical properties and expression of advanced glycation end product (N epsilon-(carboxymethyl) lysine, AGE) and its receptor (RAGE) were studied in jejunal segments from 8 GK diabetic rats (GK group) and 10 age-matched normal rats (Normal group). The mechanical test was done by using a ramp distension of fluid into the jejunal segments in vitro. Circumferential stress and strain were computed from the length, diameter and pressure data and from the zero-stress state geometry. AGE and RAGE were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Linear regression analysis was done to study association between the glucose level and AGE/RAGE expression with the histomorphometric and biomechanical parameters. The blood glucose level, the jejunal weight per length, wall thickness, wall area and layer thickness significantly increased in the GK group compared with the Normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.001). The opening angle and absolute values of residual strain decreased whereas the circumferential stiffness of the jejunal wall increased in the GK group (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Furthermore, stronger AGE expression in the villi and crypt and RAGE expression in the villi were found in the GK group (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Most histomorphometric and biomechanical changes were associated with blood glucose level and AGE/RAGE expression. In conclusion, histomorphometric and biomechanical remodeling occurred in type 2 diabetic GK rats. The increasing blood glucose level and the increased AGE/RAGE expression were associated with the remodeling, indicating a causal relationship.

Subacute arsenic exposure through drinking water reduces the pharmacodynamic effects of ketoprofen in male rats

We evaluated the modulatory role of the groundwater contaminant arsenic on the pharmacodynamic responses of the nonsteroidal analgesic-antipyretic drug ketoprofen and the major pro-inflammatory mediators linked to the mechanism of ketoprofen's therapeutic effects. Rats were pre-exposed to sodium arsenite (0.4, 4 and 40 ppm) through drinking water for 28 days. The pharmacological effects of orally administered ketoprofen (5 mg/kg) were evaluated the following day. Pain, inflammation and pyretic responses were, respectively, assessed through formalin-induced nociception, carrageenan-induced inflammation and lipopolysaccharide-induced pyrexia. Arsenic inhibited ketoprofen's analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. Further, arsenic enhanced cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 activities and tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and prostaglandin-E(2) production in hind paw muscle. These results suggest a functional antagonism of ketoprofen by arsenic. This may relate to arsenic-mediated local release of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, which causes cyclooxygenase induction and consequent prostaglandin-E(2) release. In conclusion, subacute exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenic through drinking water may aggravate pain, inflammation and pyrexia and thereby, may reduce the therapeutic efficacy of ketoprofen.

Overabundance of putative cancer stem cells in human skin keratinocyte cells malignantly transformed by arsenic

Arsenic is a human skin carcinogen. Cancer is probably a disease driven by stem cells (SCs), and SCs are likely a key target during arsenic oncogenesis. In utero arsenic exposure predisposes mice to skin cancers that overproduce cancer SCs (CSCs) and have distorted CSC signaling and population dynamics. Therefore, we hypothesized CSC accumulation may occur during arsenic-induced malignant transformation in vitro of human skin keratinocytes. Thus, the HaCaT cell line, malignantly transformed by arsenite (100 nM, 30 weeks; termed As-TM cells) in prior work, was further studied for the quantity and nature of SCs after this transformation. SCs were isolated from passage-matched control and As-TM cells by a magnetic bead system that enriches for CD34-positive cells. There were 2.5 times more SCs isolated from As-TM cells than control. Holoclone production from As-TM putative CSCs was 2.5-fold higher by 1 week and 3.5-fold higher by 2 weeks than control SCs. Potential malignant phenotype was assessed in isolated SC/CSCs. Transcript level of SC/CSC markers were elevated in both isolated As-TM CSCs and control SCs compared with parental cells, but compared with control SCs, As-TM putative CSCs had elevated CD34, K5, K14, K15, and K19 transcripts and dramatically stronger staining for p63, Rac1, K5, Notch1, and K19. As-TM putative CSCs also showed markedly elevated MMP-9 secretion and colony formation, indicators of cancer phenotype, even compared with total population of As-TM cells. Thus, malignant phenotype is particularly pronounced in CSCs after arsenic-induced transformation of human skin cells and occurs concurrently with a potential overproduction of these cells.

Arsenic exposure and toxicology: a historical perspective

The metalloid arsenic is a natural environmental contaminant to which humans are routinely exposed in food, water, air, and soil. Arsenic has a long history of use as a homicidal agent, but in the past 100 years arsenic, has been used as a pesticide, a chemotherapeutic agent and a constituent of consumer products. In some areas of the world, high levels of arsenic are naturally present in drinking water and are a toxicological concern. There are several structural forms and oxidation states of arsenic because it forms alloys with metals and covalent bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other elements. Environmentally relevant forms of arsenic are inorganic and organic existing in the trivalent or pentavalent state. Metabolism of arsenic, catalyzed by arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase, is a sequential process of reduction from pentavalency to trivalency followed by oxidative methylation back to pentavalency. Trivalent arsenic is generally more toxicologically potent than pentavalent arsenic. Acute effects of arsenic range from gastrointestinal distress to death. Depending on the dose, chronic arsenic exposure may affect several major organ systems. A major concern of ingested arsenic is cancer, primarily of skin, bladder, and lung. The mode of action of arsenic for its disease endpoints is currently under study. Two key areas are the interaction of trivalent arsenicals with sulfur in proteins and the ability of arsenic to generate oxidative stress. With advances in technology and the recent development of animal models for arsenic carcinogenicity, understanding of the toxicology of arsenic will continue to improve.

Arsenic transformation predisposes human skin keratinocytes to UV-induced DNA damage yet enhances their survival apparently by diminishing oxidant response

Inorganic arsenic and UV, both human skin carcinogens, may act together as skin co-carcinogens. We find human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) are malignantly transformed by low-level arsenite (100nM, 30weeks; termed As-TM cells) and with transformation concurrently undergo full adaptation to arsenic toxicity involving reduced apoptosis and oxidative stress response to high arsenite concentrations. Oxidative DNA damage (ODD) is a possible mechanism in arsenic carcinogenesis and a hallmark of UV-induced skin cancer. In the current work, inorganic arsenite exposure (100nM) did not induce ODD during the 30weeks required for malignant transformation. Although acute UV-treatment (UVA, 25J/cm(2)) increased ODD in passage-matched control cells, once transformed by arsenic to As-TM cells, acute UV actually further increased ODD (>50%). Despite enhanced ODD, As-TM cells were resistant to UV-induced apoptosis. The response of apoptotic factors and oxidative stress genes was strongly mitigated in As-TM cells after UV exposure including increased Bcl2/Bax ratio and reduced Caspase-3, Nrf2, and Keap1 expression. Several Nrf2-related genes (HO-1, GCLs, SOD) showed diminished responses in As-TM cells after UV exposure consistent with reduced oxidant stress response. UV-exposed As-TM cells showed increased expression of cyclin D1 (proliferation gene) and decreased p16 (tumor suppressor). UV exposure enhanced the malignant phenotype of As-TM cells. Thus, the co-carcinogenicity between UV and arsenic in skin cancer might involve adaptation to chronic arsenic exposure generally mitigating the oxidative stress response, allowing apoptotic by-pass after UV and enhanced cell survival even in the face of increased UV-induced oxidative stress and increased ODD.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in the livers of chronically i-As-treated hamsters

Inorganic arsenic (i-As) is a human carcinogen causing skin, lung, urinary bladder, liver and kidney tumors. Chronic exposure to this naturally occurring contaminant, mainly via drinking water, is a significant worldwide environmental health concern. To explore the molecular mechanisms of arsenic hepatic injury, a differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) screening was undertaken to identify genes with distinct expression patterns between the liver of low i-As-exposed and control animals. Golden Syrian hamsters (5-6 weeks of age) received drinking water containing 15 mg i-As/L as sodium arsenite, or unaltered water for 18 weeks. The in vivo MN test was carried out, and the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MN-RETs) was scored as a measure of exposure and As-related genotoxic/carcinogenic risk. A total of 68 differentially expressed bands were identified in our initial screen, 41 of which could be assigned to specific genes. Differential level of expression of a selected number of genes was verified using real-time RT-PCR with gene-specific primers. Arsenic-altered gene expression included genes related to stress response, cellular metabolism, cell cycle regulation, telomere maintenance, cell-cell communication and signal transduction. Significant differences of MN-RET were found between treated (8.70 ± 0.02 MN/1000RETs) and control (2.5 ± 0.70 MN/1000RETs) groups (P<0.001), demonstrating both the exposure and the i-As genotoxic/carcinogenic risk. Overall, this paper reveals some possible networks involved in hepatic arsenic-related genotoxicity, carcinogenesis and diabetogenesis. Additional studies to explore further the potential implications of each candidate gene are of especial interest. The present work opens the door to new prospects for the study of i-As mechanisms taking place in the liver under chronic settings.

Exposure to multiple metals from groundwater-a global crisis: geology, climate change, health effects, testing, and mitigation

This paper presents an overview of the global extent of naturally occurring toxic metals in groundwater. Adverse health effects attributed to the toxic metals most commonly found in groundwater are reviewed, as well as chemical, biochemical, and physiological interactions between these metals. Synergistic and antagonistic effects that have been reported between the toxic metals found in groundwater and the dietary trace elements are highlighted, and common behavioural, cultural, and dietary practices that are likely to significantly modify health risks due to use of metal-contaminated groundwater are reviewed. Methods for analytical testing of samples containing multiple metals are discussed, with special attention to analytical interferences between metals and reagents. An overview is presented of approaches to providing safe water when groundwater contains multiple metallic toxins.

Arsenite interacts selectively with zinc finger proteins containing C3H1 or C4 motifs

Arsenic inhibits DNA repair and enhances the genotoxicity of DNA-damaging agents such as benzo[a]pyrene and ultraviolet radiation. Arsenic interaction with DNA repair proteins containing functional zinc finger motifs is one proposed mechanism to account for these observations. Here, we report that arsenite binds to both CCHC DNA-binding zinc fingers of the DNA repair protein PARP-1 (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1). Furthermore, trivalent arsenite coordinated with all three cysteine residues as demonstrated by MS/MS. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of peptides harboring site-directed substitutions of cysteine with histidine residues within the PARP-1 zinc finger revealed that arsenite bound to peptides containing three or four cysteine residues, but not to peptides with two cysteines, demonstrating arsenite binding selectivity. This finding was not unique to PARP-1; arsenite did not bind to a peptide representing the CCHH zinc finger of the DNA repair protein aprataxin, but did bind to an aprataxin peptide mutated to a CCHC zinc finger. To investigate the impact of arsenite on PARP-1 zinc finger function, we measured the zinc content and DNA-binding capacity of PARP-1 immunoprecipitated from arsenite-exposed cells. PARP-1 zinc content and DNA binding were decreased by 76 and 80%, respectively, compared with protein isolated from untreated cells. We observed comparable decreases in zinc content for XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum group A) protein (CCCC zinc finger), but not SP-1 (specificity protein-1) or aprataxin (CCHH zinc finger). These findings demonstrate that PARP-1 is a direct molecular target of arsenite and that arsenite interacts selectively with zinc finger motifs containing three or more cysteine residues.

Realgar, cinnabar and An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan are much less chronically nephrotoxic than common arsenicals and mercurials

Realgar (As(4)S(4)) and cinnabar (HgS) are frequently included in traditional Chinese medicines and Indian Ayurvedic medicines. Both As and Hg are well known for toxic effects, and their safety is of concern. The aim of this study was to compare chronic nephrotoxicity of An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH), realgar and cinnabar with common arsenicals and mercurials. Mice were orally administrated with AGNH (3 g/kg, 6-fold of clinical dose), cinnabar (0.3 g/kg, amount in AGNH) and realgar (0.3 g/kg, amount in AGNH), HgCl(2) (0.118 mmol/kg, 1/10 of cinnabar), MeHg (0.012 mmol/kg, 1/100 of cinnabar), NaAsO(2) (As(3+) 0.028 mmol/kg, 1/100 of realgar) or Na(2)HAsO(4) (As(5+) 0.056 mmol/kg, 1/50 of realgar), daily for six weeks, and nephrotoxicity was examined. Animal body weights were decreased by MeHg and HgCl(2). Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were elevated by MeHg. Renal pathology was severe in the MeHg and HgCl(2) groups, moderate in the arsenite, arsenate and realgar groups and mild in the cinnabar and AGNH groups. Renal Hg accumulation in the MeHg and HgCl(2) groups was 50-200 folds higher than the cinnabar group. Expressions of metallothionein-1 and heme oxygenase-1, biomarkers for metal toxicity, were increased 2-5 folds by arsenite, arsenate, MeHg and HgCl(2), but not by realgar, cinnabar and AGNH. The chemokine and glutathione-S transferase-α4, markers for inflammation, were also increased by MeHg and HgCl(2). Expressions of cell adhesion gene S100a9 and E-cadherin were altered by HgCl(2), arsenite and realgar. Taken together, chemical forms of mercury and arsenic are major determinants in their disposition and toxicity.

Arsenical keratoses in Bangladesh--update and prevention strategies

Arsenic is considered a Class I human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer because of its increased risk for skin cancer, as well as internal cancers, such as lung and bladder cancer. Arsenic contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh has been called the "largest mass poisoning of a population in history." This inorganic arsenic contamination is of natural origin, with arsenic thought to be released to the groundwater from the surrounding sediment. Arsenicosis and its risk factors and prevention and management are discussed in this article.

Gene expression of normal human epidermal keratinocytes modulated by trivalent arsenicals

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) is associated with the development of benign and malignant human skin lesions including nonmelanoma skin cancers. The precise arsenical form(s) responsible for this carcinogenic effect are unknown, although trivalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(III)) and two of its toxic metabolites, monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(III)) and methylarsinous acid (DMA(III)), are attractive candidates. In an effort to better understand and compare their toxic effects in the skin, we compared the global gene expression profiles of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) exposed to varying noncytotoxic/slightly cytotoxic concentrations of iAs(III), MMA(III), and DMA(III) for 24 h. Exposure to each arsenical treatment group exhibited a dose effect in the number of altered genes and the magnitude of expression change in NHEKs. The most significant gene expression changes associated with iAs(III) and MMA(III) exposure were consistent with several key events believed to be important to As-driven skin carcinogenesis, namely induction of oxidative stress, increased transcript levels of keratinocyte growth factors, and modulation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways. At both comparable arsenical concentrations and comparable NHEK toxicity, greater potential carcinogenic effects were observed in MMA(III)-exposed NHEKs than those exposed to iAs(III), including involvement of more proinflammatory signals and increased transcript levels of more growth factor genes. In contrast, none of these above-mentioned transcriptional trends were among the most significantly altered functions in the DMA(III) treatment group. This study suggests the relative capacity of each of the tested arsenicals to drive suspected key events in As-mediated skin carcinogenesis is MMA(III) > iAs(III) with little contribution from DMA(III).

Cancer in experimental animals exposed to arsenic and arsenic compounds

Inorganic arsenic is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant that has long been considered a human carcinogen. Recent studies raise further concern about the metalloid as a major, naturally occurring carcinogen in the environment. However, during this same period it has proven difficult to provide experimental evidence of the carcinogenicity of inorganic arsenic in laboratory animals and, until recently, there was considered to be a lack of clear evidence for carcinogenicity of any arsenical in animals. More recent work with arsenical methylation metabolites and early life exposures to inorganic arsenic has now provided evidence of carcinogenicity in rodents. Given that tens of millions of people worldwide are exposed to potentially unhealthy levels of environmental arsenic, in vivo rodent models of arsenic carcinogenesis are a clear necessity for resolving critical issues, such as mechanisms of action, target tissue specificity, and sensitive subpopulations, and in developing strategies to reduce cancers in exposed human populations. This work reviews the available rodent studies considered relevant to carcinogenic assessment of arsenicals, taking advantage of the most recent review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that has not yet appeared as a full monograph but has been summarized (IARC, 2009 , IARC Special Report: Policy, Vol. 10. Lyon: IARC Press, 453–454). Many valid studies show that arsenic can interact with other carcinogens/agents to enhance oncogenesis, and help elucidate mechanisms, and these too are summarized in this review. Finally, this body of rodent work is discussed in light of its impact on mechanisms and in the context of the persistent argument that arsenic is not carcinogenic in animals.

Effect of arsenic trioxide (Trisenox) on actin organization in K-562 erythroleukemia cells

Actin is one of the cytoskeletal proteins that take part in many cellular processes. The aim of this study was to show the influence of Trisenox (arsenic trioxide), on the cytoplasmic and nuclear F-actin organization. Arsenic trioxide is the proapoptotic factor. Together with increasing doses, it caused the increase in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis. Under arsenic trioxide treatment, cytoplasmic and nuclear F-actin (polymerized form of G-actin) was found reorganized. It was transformed into granulated structures. In cytometer studies fluorescence intensity of cytoplasmic F-actin after ATO treatment decreasing urgently in comparison to control. The obtained results may suggest the involvement of F-actin in apoptosis, especially in chromatin reorganization.

Effects of arsenic exposure on DNA methylation and epigenetic gene regulation

Arsenic is a nonmutagenic human carcinogen that induces tumors through unknown mechanisms. A growing body of evidence suggests that its carcinogenicity results from epigenetic changes, particularly in DNA methylation. Changes in gene methylation status, mediated by arsenic, have been proposed to activate oncogene expression or silence tumor suppressor genes, leading to long-term changes in the activity of genes controlling cell transformation. Mostly descriptive, and often contradictory, studies have demonstrated that arsenic exposure is associated with both hypo- and hyper-methylation at various genetic loci in vivo or in vitro. This ambiguity has made it difficult to assess whether the changes induced by arsenic are causally involved in the transformation process or are simply a reflection of the altered physiology of rapidly dividing cancer cells. Here, we discuss the evidence supporting changes in DNA methylation as a cause of arsenic carcinogenesis and highlight the strengths and limitations of these studies, as well as areas where consistencies and inconsistencies exist.

Enhanced ROS production and redox signaling with combined arsenite and UVA exposure: contribution of NADPH oxidase

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major etiological factor in skin carcinogenesis. However, in vivo studies demonstrate that mice exposed to arsenic and UVR exhibit significantly more tumors and oxidative DNA damage than animals treated with either agent alone. Interactions between arsenite and UVR in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stress-associated signaling may provide a basis for the enhanced carcinogenicity. In this study keratinocytes were pretreated with arsenite (3 microM) and then exposed to UVA (10 kJ/m(2)). We report that exposure to UVA after arsenite pretreatment enhanced ROS production, p38 MAP kinase activation, and induction of a redox-sensitive gene product, heme oxygenase-1, compared to either stimulus alone. UVR exposure resulted in rapid and transient NADPH oxidase activation, whereas the response to arsenite was more pronounced and persistent. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase decreased ROS production in arsenite-treated cells but had little impact on UVA-exposed cells. Furthermore, arsenite-induced, but not UVA-induced, p38 activation and HO-1 expression were dependent upon NADPH oxidase activity. These findings indicate differences in the mechanisms of ROS production by arsenite and UVA that may provide an underlying basis for the observed enhancement of redox-related cellular responses upon combined UVA and arsenite exposure.

Inorganic arsenic and human prostate cancer

We critically evaluated the etiologic role of inorganic arsenic in human prostate cancer. We assessed data from relevant epidemiologic studies concerning environmental inorganic arsenic exposure. Whole animal studies were evaluated as were in vitro model systems of inorganic arsenic carcinogenesis in the prostate. Multiple studies in humans reveal an association between environmental inorganic arsenic exposure and prostate cancer mortality or incidence. Many of these human studies provide clear evidence of a dose-response relationship. Relevant whole animal models showing a relationship between inorganic arsenic and prostate cancer are not available. However, cellular model systems indicate arsenic can induce malignant transformation of human prostate epithelial cells in vitro. Arsenic also appears to impact prostate cancer cell progression by precipitating events leading to androgen independence in vitro. Available evidence in human populations and human cells in vitro indicates that the prostate is a target for inorganic arsenic carcinogenesis. A role for this common environmental contaminant in human prostate cancer initiation and/or progression would be very important.

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 by arsenite interferes with repair of oxidative DNA damage

Arsenic enhances skin tumor formation when combined with other carcinogens, including UV radiation (UVR). In this study we report that low micromolar concentrations of arsenite synergistically increases UVR-induced oxidative DNA damage in human keratinocytes as detected by 8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG) formation. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is involved in base excision repair, a process that repairs 8-OHdG lesions. Arsenite suppresses UVR-induced PARP-1 activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of PARP-1 activity by 3-aminobenzamide or small interfering RNA silencing of PARP-1 expression significantly increases UVR-induced 8-OHdG formation, suggesting that inhibition of PARP-1 activity by arsenite contributes to oxidative DNA damage. PARP-1 is a zinc finger protein, and mass spectrometry analysis reveals that arsenite can occupy a synthetic apopeptide representing the first zinc finger of PARP-1 (PARPzf). When the PARPzf peptide is preincubated with Zn(II) followed by incubation with increasing concentrations of arsenite, the ZnPARPzf signal is decreased while the AsPARPzf signal intensity is increased as a function of arsenite dose, suggesting a competition between zinc and arsenite for the same binding site. Addition of Zn(II) abolished arsenite enhancement of UVR-stimulated 8-OHdG generation and restored PARP-1 activity. Our findings demonstrate that arsenite inhibits oxidative DNA damage repair and suggest that interaction of arsenite with the PARP-1 zinc finger domain contributes to the inhibition of PARP-1 activity by arsenite. Arsenite inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is one likely mechanism for the reported co-carcinogenic activities of arsenic in UVR-induced skin carcinogenesis.

Arsenic exposure in utero exacerbates skin cancer response in adulthood with contemporaneous distortion of tumor stem cell dynamics

Arsenic is a carcinogen with transplacental activity that can affect human skin stem cell population dynamics in vitro by blocking exit into differentiation pathways. Keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) are probably a key target in skin carcinogenesis. Thus, we tested the effects of fetal arsenic exposure in Tg.AC mice, a strain sensitive to skin carcinogenesis via activation of the v-Ha-ras transgene likely in KSCs. After fetal arsenic treatment, offspring received topical 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) through adulthood. Arsenic alone had no effect, whereas TPA alone induced papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). However, fetal arsenic treatment before TPA increased SCC multiplicity 3-fold more than TPA alone, and these SCCs were much more aggressive (invasive, etc.). Tumor v-Ha-ras levels were 3-fold higher with arsenic plus TPA than TPA alone, and v-Ha-ras was overexpressed early on in arsenic-treated fetal skin. CD34, considered a marker for both KSCs and skin cancer stem cells, and Rac1, a key gene stimulating KSC self-renewal, were greatly increased in tumors produced by arsenic plus TPA exposure versus TPA alone, and both were elevated in arsenic-treated fetal skin. Greatly increased numbers of CD34-positive probable cancer stem cells and marked overexpression of RAC1 protein occurred in tumors induced by arsenic plus TPA compared with TPA alone. Thus, fetal arsenic exposure, although by itself oncogenically inactive in skin, facilitated cancer response in association with distorted skin tumor stem cell signaling and population dynamics, implicating stem cells as a target of arsenic in the fetal basis of skin cancer in adulthood.

Methylated Arsenicals: The Implications of Metabolism and Carcinogenicity Studies in Rodents to Human Risk Assessment

Monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) are active ingredients in pesticidal products used mainly for weed control. MMA(V) and DMA(V) are also metabolites of inorganic arsenic, formed intracellularly, primarily in liver cells in a metabolic process of repeated reductions and oxidative methylations. Inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen, inducing tumors of the skin, urinary bladder, and lung. However, a good animal model has not yet been found. Although the metabolic process of inorganic arsenic appears to enhance the excretion of arsenic from the body, it also involves formation of methylated compounds of trivalent arsenic as intermediates. Trivalent arsenicals (whether inorganic or organic) are highly reactive compounds that can cause cytotoxicity and indirect genotoxicity in vitro. DMA(V) was found to be a bladder carcinogen only in rats and only when administered in the diet or drinking water at high doses. It was negative in a two-year bioassay in mice. MMA(V) was negative in 2-year bioassays in rats and mice. The mode of action for DMA(V)-induced bladder cancer in rats appears to not involve DNA reactivity, but rather involves cytotoxicity with consequent regenerative proliferation, ultimately leading to the formation of carcinoma. This critical review responds to the question of whether DMA(V)-induced bladder cancer in rats can be extrapolated to humans, based on detailed comparisons between inorganic and organic arsenicals, including their metabolism and disposition in various animal species. The further metabolism and disposition of MMA(V) and DMA(V) formed endogenously during the metabolism of inorganic arsenic is different from the metabolism and disposition of MMA(V) and DMA(V) from exogenous exposure. The trivalent arsenicals that are cytotoxic and indirectly genotoxic in vitro are hardly formed in an organism exposed to MMA(V) or DMA(V) because of poor cellular uptake and limited metabolism of the ingested compounds. Furthermore, the evidence strongly supports a nonlinear dose-response relationship for the biologic processes involved in the carcinogenicity of arsenicals. Based on an overall review of the evidence, using a margin-of-exposure approach for MMA(V) and DMA(V) risk assessment is appropriate. At anticipated environmental exposures to MMA(V) and DMA(V), there is not likely to be a carcinogenic risk to humans.