Transplantation of fetal liver tissue suspension into the spleens of adult syngenic rats: inducibility of cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenase functions by beta-naphthoflavone, phenobarbital and dexamethasone

Influence of recipient gender on intrasplenic fetal liver tissue transplants in rats: cytochrome P450-mediated monooxygenase functions

Rat livers display a sex-specific cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms expression pattern with consecutive differences in P450-mediated monooxygenase activities, which have been shown to be due to a differential profile of growth hormone (GH) secretion. Parallel to previous investigations on P450 isoforms expression, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the influence of recipient gender on P450-mediated monooxygenase activities in intrasplenic liver tissue transplants in comparison to orthotopic liver. Fetal liver tissue suspensions of mixed gender were transplanted into the spleen of adult male or female syngenic recipients. Four months after grafting transplant-recipients and age-matched controls were treated with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), phenobarbital (PB), dexamethasone (DEX) or the vehicles and sacrificed 24 or 48 h thereafter. P450-dependent monooxygenase activities were assessed by a series of model reactions for different P450 subtypes in liver and spleen 9000 g supernatants. In spleens of male and female control rats only very low monooxygenase activities were detectable, whereas with most model reactions distinct activities were observed in transplant-containing organs. Livers and transplant-containing spleens from male rats displayed higher basal ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and testosterone 2alpha-, 2beta-, 6beta-, 14alpha-, 15alpha-, 15beta-, 16alpha-, 16beta- and 17-hydroxylase activities than those from females. On the other hand, like the respective livers, spleens from female transplant-recipients demonstrated more pronounced p-nitrophenol- and testosterone 6alpha- and 7alpha-hydroxylase activities than those from male hosts. With nearly all model reactions gender-specific differences in inducibility by BNF, PB or DEX could be demonstrated in livers as well as in transplant-containing spleens. These results further confirm that the P450 system of intrasplenic liver tissue transplants and the respective orthotopic livers is similarly influenced by recipient gender.

Expression and inducibility of cytochrome P450 isoforms in 1-year-old intrasplenic liver cell transplants in rats

Syngenic fetal liver tissue suspensions were transplanted into the spleens of 60- to 90-day-old male Fischer 344 inbred rats. Transplant recipients were compared with age-matched control rats. One year after surgery, the animals were treated orally with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), phenobarbital (PB), dexamethasone (DEX) or the respective solvents 24 or 48 h before being killed. Expression of cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms in spleens and orthotopic livers was assessed by immunohistochemistry and P450-dependent monooxygenase functions by the model reactions ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (ECOD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylation (PROD) and ethylmorphine N-demethylation (EMND). Spleens of control animals displayed almost no expression of P450 isoforms and P450-mediated monooxygenase functions. Similar to liver, in the transplanted hepatocytes no P450 1A1 but distinct P450 2B1 and 3A2 expression was observed. Furthermore, the transplant-containing spleens displayed significant EROD, ECOD, PROD and EMND activities. Similar to normal liver, BNF treatment enhanced P450 1A1 and 2B1, PB induced P450 2B1 and 3A2, and DEX induced P450 3A2 expression in the transplanted hepatocytes. Correspondingly, in the transplant-containing spleens EROD, ECOD and PROD activities were significantly enhanced following BNF treatment, EROD, ECOD, PROD and EMND activities after PB administration, and EMND activity by DEX treatment. These results demonstrate that hepatocytes originating from fetal liver tissue suspensions can survive in the spleen at least for 1 year. They have differentiated into adult hepatocytes and even 1 year after transplantation express different P450 isoforms which are inducible by BNF, PB and DEX, corresponding to normal adult liver.

Regulation of heme metabolism in rat hepatocytes and hepatocyte cell lines: delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase and heme oxygenase are regulated by different heme-dependent mechanisms

Regulation of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase and heme oxygenase was analyzed in primary rat hepatocytes and in two immortalized cell lines, CWSV16 and CWSV17 cells. ALA synthase was induced by 4,6-dioxohepatnoic acid (4,6-DHA), a specific inhibitor of ALA dehydratase, in all three systems; however, the induction in CWSV17 cells was greater than in either of the other two systems. Therefore, CWSV17 cells were used to explore the regulation of both enzymes by heme and 4,6-DHA. Data obtained from detailed concentration curves demonstrated that 4,6-DHA induced the activity of ALA synthase once ALA dehydratase activity became rate-limiting for heme biosynthesis. Heme induced heme oxygenase activity with increases occurring at concentrations of 10 microM or greater. Heme blocked the 4,6-DHA-dependent induction of ALA synthase with an EC50 of 1.25 microM. Heme-dependent decreases of ALA synthase mRNA levels occurred more quickly and at lower concentrations than heme-dependent increases of heme oxygenase mRNA levels. ALA synthase mRNA remained at reduced levels for extended periods of time, while the increases in heme oxygenase mRNA were much more transient. The drastic differences in concentrations and times at which heme-dependent effects were observed strongly suggest that two-different heme-dependent mechanisms control the ALA synthase and heme oxygenase mRNAs. In CWSV17 cells, heme decreased the stability of ALA synthase mRNA from 2.5 to 1.3 h, while 4,6-DHA increased the stability of the mRNA to 5.2 h. These studies demonstrate that regulation of ALA synthase mRNA levels by heme in a mammalian system is mediated by a change in ALA synthase mRNA stability. The results reported here demonstrate the function of the regulatory heme pool on both ALA synthase and heme oxygenase in a mammalian hepatocyte system.

Transplantation of fetal liver tissue suspension into the spleens of adult syngenic rats: effects of different cytotoxins on cytochrome P450 mediated monooxygenase functions and on oxidative state

Syngenic fetal liver tissue suspensions were transplanted into the spleens of adult male Fisher 344 inbred rats. Four months after surgery, transplant recipients and age matched control rats were treated with different cytotoxins (allyl alcohol [AAL], bromobenzene [BBZ], carbon tetrachloride [CCl4], or thioacetamide [TAA]) or the respective solvents 24 or 48 hours before sacrifice. Effects of the cytotoxins on P450 mediated monooxygenase functions in liver and spleen 9,000 g supernatants were assessed by measuring the model reactions ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (ECOD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylation (PROD), and ethylmorphine N-demethylation (EMND). Additionally, the influence on the oxidative state was investigated by assessing the liver and spleen tissue content of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products and of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH;GSSG). The livers of both solvent treated transplant recipients and control rats displayed regular EROD, ECOD, PROD and EMND activities. After AAL treatment EROD and EMND activities within the livers were not affected, but ECOD and PROD activities were increased. BBZ administration caused a decrease in EROD and EMND activities, ECOD activity remained unaffected, and PROD activity was even increased. CCl4 and TAA administration caused a strong reduction in the activity of all four model reactions. Spleens of control rats displayed almost no P450 mediated monooxygenase functions, independent whether the rats had been treated with the cytotoxins or not. In the transplant containing spleens, however, significant EROD and ECOD, but hardly any PROD or EMND activities were seen. After AAL administration EROD activity was not affected in the transplant containing spleens, but ECOD activity was increased. BBZ treatment led to a decrease in EROD and an elevation in ECOD activity. CCl4 and TAA strongly reduced the activity of both of these model reactions. The tissue content of LPO products within livers and transplant containing spleens was significantly increased after BBZ and CCl4 treatment. An elevation in LPO products was also seen in the spleens of the control rats due to CCl4 administration. Tissue GSH and GSSG content in both livers and transplant containing spleens were strongly reduced after BBZ treatment. After CCl4 administration only a significant decrease in liver GSSG contents was seen. TAA treatment caused a reduction in the GSH and GSSG content in the spleens of both transplant recipients and control rats, but not in the livers. From these results it can be concluded, that the effects of cytotoxins like AAL, BBZ, CCl4 or TAA on P450 dependent monooxygenase functions and on oxidative state are exerted in the ectopic intrasplenic liver cell transplants in a similar way as in normal orthotopic liver.

Transplantation of fetal liver tissue suspension into the spleens of adult syngenic rats: effects of different cytotoxins on cytochrome P450 isoforms expression and on glycogen content

Syngenic fetal liver tissue suspensions were transplanted into the spleens of adult male Fisher 344 inbred rats. Four months after surgery, transplant recipients and age matched control rats were treated with different cytotoxins (allyl alcohol [AAL], bromobenzene [BBZ], carbon tetrachloride [CCl4], or thioacetamide [TAA]) or the respective solvents 24 or 48 hours before sacrifice. Effects of the cytotoxins on the expression of three cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms, 1A1, 2B1 and 3A2, within spleens and livers were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, effects on glycogen content within the hepatocytes were examined. In the livers AAL caused small lesions and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes only in some periportal areas. BBZ led to a perivenous necrosis of single cells only, whereas CCl4 and TAA caused complete necrosis of the centrilobular parenchyma. Treatment with each of the four cytotoxins led to necrosis and fatty degeneration of single or groups of hepatocytes within the intrasplenic transplants. This effect was most pronounced with CCl4 and TAA. The orthotopic livers of both solvent treated transplant recipients and control rats displayed only in few lobules a slight P450 1A1, but in all lobules a strong P450 2B1 and 3A2 expression, all mainly located in the hepatocytes around the central veins. AAL administration led to an increase in the P450 2B1 expression in the perivenous hepatocytes, whereas the staining for P450 1A1 was not affected and that for P450 3A2 in the periportal areas was even decreased. BBZ administration caused a P450 1A1 expression in the periportal hepatocytes but a decrease in this staining of the perivenous cells. The number of hepatocytes positively stained for P450 2B1 and 3A2 in the perivenous and intermediate zones was diminished in comparison to the livers of solvent treated rats. TAA and, more pronounced, CCl4 administration caused a strong reduction in the expression of all three P450 isoforms. Spleens of control rats displayed almost no P450 isoforms expression, independent of the treatment with the cytotoxins. Similar to adult liver, the hepatocytes in the transplant containing spleens showed nearly no P450 1A1, but a noticeable P450 2B1 and 3A2 expression. No staining was observed within the bile duct cells of the intrasplenic transplants. AAL administration slightly reduced the P450 2B1 and 3A2 expression in the transplants. BBZ and, much more pronounced, CCl4 and TAA treatment diminished the staining for all three P450 isoforms. AAL administration led to a marked decrease in the glycogen content of the hepatocytes of the periportal zones of the liver lobules, whereas after BBZ, CCl4 and TAA treatment a strong perivenous reduction in the glycogen content was seen. Similarly, within the intrasplenic transplants a remarkable decline in the glycogen content of the hepatocytes was caused by the treatment with each of the four cytotoxins. Especially after AAL and BBZ treatment the glycogen depletion within both livers and transplants was much more pronounced than the effects on morphology or P450 isoforms expression. It can be concluded that the effects of cytotoxins like AAL, BBZ, CCl4 or TAA seen in normal orthotopic liver are exerted in a similar way also in intrasplenic liver cell transplants.