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Linsky JMJ, Dunlop RA, Noad MJ, McMichael LA. Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 199:106596. [PMID: 38905865 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The health of migratory eastern Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) can reflect the condition of their remote polar foraging environments. This study used gene expression (LEP, LEPR, ADIQ, AhR, TNF-α, HSP-70), blubber hormone concentrations (cortisol, testosterone), and photogrammetric body condition to assess this sentinel species during a period of unprecedented changes to anthropogenic activity and natural processes. The results revealed higher cortisol concentrations in 2020 compared to 2021, suggesting a decline in physiological stress between years. Additionally, metabolic transcripts LEPR, and AhR, which is also linked to xenobiotic metabolism, were upregulated during the 2020 southbound migration. These differences suggest that one or more environmental stressors were reduced between 2020 and 2021, with upregulated AhR possibly indicating a Southern Ocean pollutant declined between the years. This research confirms a Southern Ocean-wide decrease in whale stress during the study period and informs efforts to identify key stressors on Antarctic marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M J Linsky
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Rebecca A Dunlop
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Michael J Noad
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia; Centre for Marine Science, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Lee A McMichael
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
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2
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Wang Y, Zhao Y, Tang X, Nan X, Jiang L, Wang H, Liu J, Yang L, Yao J, Xiong B. Nutrition, gastrointestinal microorganisms and metabolites in mastitis occurrence and control. ANIMAL NUTRITION (ZHONGGUO XU MU SHOU YI XUE HUI) 2024; 17:220-231. [PMID: 38800734 PMCID: PMC11126769 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Mastitis affects almost all mammals including humans and dairy cows. In the dairy industry, bovine mastitis is a disease with a persistently high incidence, causing serious losses to the health of cows, the quality of dairy products, and the economy of dairy farms. Although local udder infection caused by the invasion of exogenous pathogens into the mammary gland was considered the main cause of mastitis, evidence has been established and continues to grow, showing that nutrition factors and gastrointestinal microbiome (GM) as well as their metabolites are also involved in the development of mammary inflammatory response. Suboptimal nutrition is recognized as a risk factor for increased susceptibility to mastitis in cattle, in particular the negative energy balance. The majority of data regarding nutrition and bovine mastitis involves micronutrients. In addition, the dysbiotic GM can directly trigger or aggravate mastitis through entero-mammary gland pathway. The decreased beneficial commensal bacteria, lowered bacterial diversity, and increased pathogens as well as proinflammatory metabolites are found in both the milk and gastrointestinal tract of mastitic dairy cows. This review discussed the relationship between the nutrition (energy and micronutrient levels) and mastitis, summarized the role of GM and metabolites in regulating mastitis. Meanwhile, several non-antibiotics strategies were provided for the prevention and alleviation of mastitis, including micronutrients, probiotics, short-chain fatty acids, high-fiber diet, inulin, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yiguang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangfang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuemei Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Linshu Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Dairy Cow Nutrition, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Langfang Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, Langfang 065000, China
| | - Liang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junhu Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Benhai Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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3
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Shao Y, Yu Y, Pang S, Ge L, Shi H. Soybean Isoflavones Ameliorates Lactation Performance in Postpartum Mice by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Regulating Gut Microflora. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024; 68:e2300184. [PMID: 38175853 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300184] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum dysgalactiae syndrome (PPDS) is one of the key issues affecting breastfeeding, usually occurring as breast swelling, a low milk yield, and at length a stop of breast milk secretion. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diet therapy in treating or preventing PPDS. This study aims to analyze the effect of soybean isoflavone (SIF), a natural estrogen found in plants, on postpartum lactation performance in mice and to evaluate its potential as a treatment for PPDS. Adult female BALB/c mice at 8 weeks of age (25 ± 3 g) are randomly divided into four groups fed with different levels of SIF and a normal diet for 14 days. SIF (0, 50, 100, 200 mg kg-1 BW) is provided via intra-gastric route to the experimental mice. Using a high-throughput sequencing of microbial diversity and mammary gland metabolites, it is found that SIF-treated mice potentially show an improved milk performance via enhanced antioxidant capacity and altered gut microbiota. SIF from plant sources at a high dosage promotes the lactation in normal postpartum mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexin Shao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yan Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Shilong Pang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Liyan Ge
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Huaiping Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
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4
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Elson DJ, Kolluri SK. Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and AhR as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040526. [PMID: 37106727 PMCID: PMC10135996 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulating a wide range of biological responses. A diverse array of xenobiotics and endogenous small molecules bind to the receptor and drive unique phenotypic responses. Due in part to its role in mediating toxic responses to environmental pollutants, AhR activation has not been traditionally viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the expression and activation of AhR can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, and many clinically approved drugs transcriptionally activate AhR. Identification of novel select modulators of AhR-regulated transcription that promote tumor suppression is an active area of investigation. The development of AhR-targeted anticancer agents requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor suppression. Here, we summarized the tumor-suppressive mechanisms regulated by AhR with an emphasis on the endogenous functions of the receptor in opposing carcinogenesis. In multiple different cancer models, the deletion of AhR promotes increased tumorigenesis, but a precise understanding of the molecular cues and the genetic targets of AhR involved in this process is lacking. The intent of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting AhR-dependent tumor suppression and distill insights for development of AhR-targeted cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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5
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Sweeney C, Lazennec G, Vogel CFA. Environmental exposure and the role of AhR in the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1095289. [PMID: 36588678 PMCID: PMC9797527 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1095289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) through environmental exposure to chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) can lead to severe adverse health effects and increase the risk of breast cancer. This review considers several mechanisms which link the tumor promoting effects of environmental pollutants with the AhR signaling pathway, contributing to the development and progression of breast cancer. We explore AhR's function in shaping the tumor microenvironment, modifying immune tolerance, and regulating cancer stemness, driving breast cancer chemoresistance and metastasis. The complexity of AhR, with evidence for both oncogenic and tumor suppressor roles is discussed. We propose that AhR functions as a "molecular bridge", linking disproportionate toxin exposure and policies which underlie environmental injustice with tumor cell behaviors which drive poor patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Sweeney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Gwendal Lazennec
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, SYS2DIAG-ALCEN, Cap Delta, Montpellier, France
| | - Christoph F. A. Vogel
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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6
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Dopkins N, Neameh WH, Hall A, Lai Y, Rutkovsky A, Gandy AO, Lu K, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M. Effects of Acute 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin Exposure on the Circulating and Cecal Metabolome Profile. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11801. [PMID: 34769237 PMCID: PMC8583798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a polyhalogenated planar hydrocarbon belonging to a group of highly toxic and persistent environmental contaminants known as "dioxins". TCDD is an animal teratogen and carcinogen that is well characterized for causing immunosuppression through activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). In this study, we investigated the effect of exposure of mice to an acute dose of TCDD on the metabolic profile within the serum and cecal contents to better define the effects of TCDD on host physiology. Our findings demonstrated that within the circulating metabolome following acute TCDD exposure, there was significant dysregulation in the metabolism of bioactive lipids, amino acids, and carbohydrates when compared with the vehicle (VEH)-treated mice. These widespread changes in metabolite abundance were identified to regulate host immunity via modulating nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) activity and work as biomarkers for a variety of organ injuries and dysfunctions that follow TCDD exposure. Within the cecal content of mice exposed to TCDD, we were able to detect changes in inflammatory markers that regulate NF-κB, markers of injury-related inflammation, and changes in lysine degradation, nicotinamide metabolism, and butanoate metabolism, which collectively suggested an immediate suppression of broad-scale metabolic processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Collectively, these results demonstrate that acute TCDD exposure results in immediate irregularities in the circulating and intestinal metabolome, which likely contribute to TCDD toxicity and can be used as biomarkers for the early detection of individual exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Dopkins
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
| | - Wurood Hantoosh Neameh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
| | - Alina Hall
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
| | - Yunjia Lai
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.L.); (K.L.)
| | - Alex Rutkovsky
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
| | - Alexa Orr Gandy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.L.); (K.L.)
| | - Prakash S. Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (N.D.); (W.H.N.); (A.H.); (A.R.); (A.O.G.); (P.S.N.)
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7
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Vogel CFA, Lazennec G, Kado SY, Dahlem C, He Y, Castaneda A, Ishihara Y, Vogeley C, Rossi A, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Jugan J, Mori H, Borowsky AD, La Merrill MA, Sweeney C. Targeting the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer Development. Front Immunol 2021; 12:625346. [PMID: 33763068 PMCID: PMC7982668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.625346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) through environmental exposure to known human carcinogens including dioxins can lead to the promotion of breast cancer. While the repressor protein of the AhR (AhRR) blocks the canonical AhR pathway, the function of AhRR in the development of breast cancer is not well-known. In the current study we examined the impact of suppressing AhR activity using its dedicated repressor protein AhRR. AhRR is a putative tumor suppressor and is silenced in several cancer types, including breast, where its loss correlates with shorter patient survival. Using the AhRR transgenic mouse, we demonstrate that AhRR overexpression opposes AhR-driven and inflammation-induced growth of mammary tumors in two different murine models of breast cancer. These include a syngeneic model using E0771 mammary tumor cells as well as the Polyoma Middle T antigen (PyMT) transgenic model. Further AhRR overexpression or knockout of AhR in human breast cancer cells enhanced apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutics and inhibited the growth of mouse mammary tumor cells. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that AhRR suppresses mammary tumor development and suggests that strategies which lead to its functional restoration and expression may have therapeutic benefit.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Genetically Modified
- Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming/genetics
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Doxorubicin/pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Etoposide/pharmacology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- MCF-7 Cells
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Time Factors
- Tumor Burden
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph F. A. Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Sarah Y. Kado
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Carla Dahlem
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Yi He
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alejandro Castaneda
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Christian Vogeley
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Juliann Jugan
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Hidetoshi Mori
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alexander D. Borowsky
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Michele A. La Merrill
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Colleen Sweeney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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8
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The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Undergoes Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041654. [PMID: 33562118 PMCID: PMC7914569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated signaling molecule expressed in many cell types, including triple-negative and non-triple-negative breast cancer cells. It affects breast cancer growth and crosstalk with estrogen receptor signaling. Normally, this receptor is degraded shortly after ligand activation via the 26S proteasome. Here, we report that AHR undergoes chaperone-mediated autophagy in MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer cells. This lysosomal degradation of AHR exhibits the following characteristics: (1) it is triggered by 6 amino-nicotinamide, starvation, and piperazinylpyrimidine compound Q18; (2) it is not observed in non-triple-negative breast cancer cells (MCF-7, T47D, and MDA-MB-361); (3) it can be inhibited by progesterone receptor B but not estrogen receptor alpha; (4) it can be reversed by chloroquine but not MG132; (5) it requires LAMP2A; and (6) it involves AHR-HSC70 and AHR-LAMP2A interactions. The NEKFF sequence localized at amino acid 558 of human AHR appears to be a KFERQ-like motif of chaperone-mediated autophagy, responsible for the LAMP2A-mediated AHR protein degradation.
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9
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Allen J, Zhang J, Quickel MD, Kennett M, Patterson AD, Hankey-Giblin PA. Ron Receptor Signaling Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis in a Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Mouse Model. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3268-3280. [PMID: 30091925 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is commonly observed in the terminal stages of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and with no specific and effective antifibrotic therapies available, this disease is a major global health burden. The MSP/Ron receptor axis has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in a number of mouse models, due at least in part, to its ability to limit pro-inflammatory responses in tissue-resident macrophages and hepatocytes. In this study, we established the role of the Ron receptor in steatohepatitis-induced hepatic fibrosis using Ron ligand domain knockout mice on an apolipoprotein E knockout background (DKO). After 18 weeks of high-fat high-cholesterol feeding, loss of Ron activation resulted in exacerbated NASH-associated steatosis which is precedent to hepatocellular injury, inflammation and fibrosis. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics identified significant changes in serum metabolites that can modulate the intrahepatic lipid pool in hepatic steatosis. Serum from DKO mice had higher concentrations of lipids, VLDL/LDL and pyruvate, whereas glycine levels were reduced. Parallel to the aggravated steatohepatitis, increased accumulation of collagen, inflammatory immune cells and collagen producing-myofibroblasts were seen in the livers of DKO mice. Gene expression profiling revealed that DKO mice exhibited elevated expression of genes encoding Ron receptor ligand MSP, collagens, ECM remodeling proteins and pro-fibrogenic cytokines in the liver. Our results demonstrate the protective effects of Ron receptor activation on NASH-induced hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Allen
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania United States
| | - Jingtao Zhang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania United States
| | - Michael D Quickel
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania United States
| | - Mary Kennett
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania United States
| | - Andrew D Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania United States
| | - Pamela A Hankey-Giblin
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania United States
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