Metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in human bronchoalveolar H358 cells using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Beyond the Drinking Water Directive: The use of reporter gene assays as an added tool for effect-based monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in drinking water sources

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are legacy organic micropollutants (OMPs) that are sporadically detected in drinking water (DW) sources. The European Drinking Water Directive requires EU member states to monitor 5 PAHs in DW and its sources. The Dutch national regulations require 6 additional PAHs to be monitored and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These indicator compounds act as representatives for large compound classes. PCBs alone comprise 209 congeners, it is evident that conventional chemical target analysis (GC-tQ-MS) alone is not sufficient to monitor these entire compound classes. This study investigated the application of reporter gene assays as effect-based methods (EBMs) to monitor PAHs and PCBs in DW sources. Herein, it was assessed what added value the bioassays can bring compared to the current approach of chemical target analysis for PCBs and PAHs. Regulated and non-regulated PAHs and PCBs were tested in four bioassays to determine the relative potency factors (RPFs) for these compounds. Non-regulated congeners were found to be active in the PAH-CALUX and anti-AR CALUX. An assessment of surface water (SW) spiked with standard mixtures containing PAHs and PCBs confirmed the predictable behavior of the PAH-CALUX. Moreover, the bioassay was able to detect AhR-mediated activity caused by non-regulated PAHs and PCBs, whereas this would have been missed by conventional chemical target analysis. Last, a field study was conducted in Dutch DW sources at six sampling moments. The PAH-CALUX detected AhR-mediated activity at all sampling moments and an ecological effect-based trigger (EBT) value was exceeded on multiple accounts. Combined application of GC-tQ-MS and the PAH-CALUX ensures compliancy with monitoring legislation and provides additional insights into potential hazards to humans and the environment.

Differential effects of pesticides on dioxin receptor signaling and p53 activation

As modern agricultural practices increase their use of chemical pesticides, it is inevitable that we will find a number of these xenobiotics within drinking water supplies and disseminated throughout the food chain. A major problem that arises from this pollution is that the effects of most of these pesticides on cellular mechanisms in general, and how they interact with each other and affect human cells are still poorly understood. In this study we make use of cultured human cancer cells to measure by qRT-PCR how pesticides affect gene expression of stress pathways. Immunoblotting studies were performed to monitor protein expression levels and activation of signaling pathways. We make use of immunofluorescence and microscopy to visualize and quantify DNA damage events in those cells. In the current study, we evaluate the potential of a subset of widely used pesticides to activate the dioxin receptor pathway and affect its crosstalk with estrogen receptor signaling. We quantify the impact of these chemicals on the p53-dependent cellular stress response. We find that, not only can the different pesticides activate the dioxin receptor pathway, most of them have better than additive effects on this pathway when combined at low doses. We also show that different pesticides have the ability to trigger crosstalk events that may generate genotoxic estrogen metabolites. Finally, we show that some, but not all of the tested pesticides can induce a p53-dependent stress response. Taken together our results provide evidence that several xenobiotics found within the environment have the potential to interact together to elicit significant effects on cell systems. Our data warrants caution when the toxicity of substances that are assessed simply for individual chemicals, since important biological effects could be observed only in the presence of other compounds, and that even at very low concentrations.

Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene and 1-Nitropyrene in Particulate Matter Increases Oxidative Stress in the Human Body

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been reported to cause oxidative stress in metabolic processes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), in the atmosphere and oxidative stress levels in the human body. This study included 44 Korean adults who lived in Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Atmospheric BaP and 1-NP concentrations and urinary 6-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene (6-OHNP), N-acetyl-1-aminopyrene (1-NAAP), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations were measured. The oxidative stress level was assessed by measuring urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations. Urinary TBARS and 6-OHNP concentrations significantly differed between winter and summer. BaP exposure was significantly associated with urinary 8-OHdG concentrations in summer. However, atmospheric 1-NP did not show a significant correlation with oxidative stress marker concentrations. Urinary 1-NAAP concentration was a significant determinant for urinary 8-OHdG concentration in summer. Oxidative stress in the body increases in proportion to inhalation exposure to BaP, and more 8-OHdG is produced in the body as the amount of 1-NP, which is metabolized to 1-AP or 1-NAAP, increases.

ATG7 upregulation contributes to malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells by B[a]PDE via DNMT3B protein degradation and miR-494 promoter methylation

Lung cancer primarily arises from exposure to various environmental factors, particularly airborne pollutants. Among the various lung carcinogens, benzo(a)pyrene and its metabolite B[a]PDE are the strongest ones that actively contribute to lung cancer development. ATG7 is an E1-like activating enzyme and contributes to activating autophagic responses in mammal cells. However, the potential alterations of ATG7 and its role in B[a]PDE-caused lung carcinogenesis remain unknown. Here, we found that B[a]PDE exposure promoted ATG7 expression in mouse lung tissues, while B[a]PDE exposure resulted in ATG7 induction in human normal bronchial epithelial cells. Our studies also demonstrated a significant correlation between high ATG7 expression levels and poor overall survival in lung cancer patients. ATG7 knockdown significantly repressed Beas-2B cell transformation upon B[a]PDE exposure, and such promotive effect of ATG7 on cell transformation mediated the p27 translation inhibition. Further studies revealed that miR-373 inhibition was required to stabilize ATG7 mRNA, therefore increasing ATG7 expression following B[a]PDE exposure, while ATG7 induction led to the autophagic degradation of the DNA methyltransferase 3 Beta (DNMT3B) protein, in turn promoted miR-494 transcription via its promoter region methylation status suppression. We also found that the miR-494 upregulation inhibited p27 protein translation and promoted bronchial epithelial cell transformation via its directly targeting p27 mRNA 3'-UTR region. Current studies, to the best of our knowledge, are for the first time to identify that ATG7 induction and its mediated autophagy is critical for B[a]PDE-induced transformation of human normal epithelial cells.

Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene Decreases Noradrenergic and Serotonergic Axons in Hippocampus of Mouse Brain

Epidemiological studies showed the association between air pollution and dementia. A soluble fraction of particulate matters including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is suspected to be involved with the adverse effects of air pollution on the central nervous system of humans. It is also reported that exposure to benzopyrene (B[a]P), which is one of the PAHs, caused deterioration of neurobehavioral performance in workers. The present study investigated the effect of B[a]P on noradrenergic and serotonergic axons in mouse brains. In total, 48 wild-type male mice (10 weeks of age) were allocated into 4 groups and exposed to B[a]P at 0, 2.88, 8.67 or 26.00 µg/mice, which is approximately equivalent to 0.12, 0.37 and 1.12 mg/kg bw, respectively, by pharyngeal aspiration once/week for 4 weeks. The density of noradrenergic and serotonergic axons was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas. Exposure to B[a]P at 2.88 µg/mice or more decreased the density of noradrenergic or serotonergic axons in the CA1 area and the density of noradrenergic axons in the CA3 area in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, exposure to B[a]P dose-dependently upregulated Tnfα at 8.67 µg/mice or more, as well as upregulating Il-1β at 26 µg/mice, Il-18 at 2.88 and 26 µg/mice and Nlrp3 at 2.88 µg/mice. The results demonstrate that exposure to B[a]P induces degeneration of noradrenergic or serotonergic axons and suggest the involvement of proinflammatory or inflammation-related genes with B[a]P-induced neurodegeneration.

A Review of Stable Isotope Labeling and Mass Spectrometry Methods to Distinguish Exogenous from Endogenous DNA Adducts and Improve Dose-Response Assessments

Cancer remains the second most frequent cause of death in human populations worldwide, which has been reflected in the emphasis placed on management of risk from environmental chemicals considered to be potential human carcinogens. The formation of DNA adducts has been considered as one of the key events of cancer, and persistence and/or failure of repair of these adducts may lead to mutation, thus initiating cancer. Some chemical carcinogens can produce DNA adducts, and DNA adducts have been used as biomarkers of exposure. However, DNA adducts of various types are also produced endogenously in the course of normal metabolism. Since both endogenous physiological processes and exogenous exposure to xenobiotics can cause DNA adducts, the differentiation of the sources of DNA adducts can be highly informative for cancer risk assessment. This review summarizes a highly applicable methodology, termed stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry (SILMS), that is superior to previous methods, as it not only provides absolute quantitation of DNA adducts but also differentiates the exogenous and endogenous origins of DNA adducts. SILMS uses stable isotope-labeled substances for exposure, followed by DNA adduct measurement with highly sensitive mass spectrometry. Herein, the utilities and advantage of SILMS have been demonstrated by the rich data sets generated over the last two decades in improving the risk assessment of chemicals with DNA adducts being induced by both endogenous and exogenous sources, such as formaldehyde, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, and ethylene oxide.

The smoking estrogens - a potential synergy between estradiol and benzo(a)pyrene

According to recent statistics, Lung Cancer (LC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumor types, representing nearly 12% of all global cancer cases. Moreover, in recent years, an increased mortality rate and incidence of this cancer were observed, especially among nonsmokers. Lung cancer patients are often characterized by poor prognosis and low survival rates, which encourages the scientific community to investigate the biochemical and molecular processes leading to the development of this malignancy. Furthermore, the mechanisms of LC formation and progression are not yet fully elucidated due to their high complexity, as well as a multitude of environmental, genetic, and molecular factors involved. Even though LC's association with exposure to cigarette smoke is indisputable, current research provides evidence that the development of this cancer can also be affected by the presence of estrogens and their interaction with several tobacco smoke components. Hence, the main goal of this brief review was to investigate reports of a possible synergy between 17β estradiol (E2), the most biologically active estrogen, and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a strongly carcinogenic compound produced as a result of incomplete tobacco combustion. The literature sources demonstrate a possible carcinogenic synergy between estrogens, especially E2, and BaP, a toxic tobacco smoke component. Therefeore, the combined effect of disturbed estrogen production in cancer cells, as well as the molecular influence exerted by BaP, could explain the increased aggressiveness and rate of LC development. Summarizing, the synergistic effect of these risk factors is an interesting area of further research.

SkinBug: an artificial intelligence approach to predict human skin microbiome-mediated metabolism of biotics and xenobiotics

In addition to being pivotal for the host health, the skin microbiome possesses a large reservoir of metabolic enzymes, which can metabolize molecules (cosmetics, medicines, pollutants, etc.) that form a major part of the skin exposome. Therefore, to predict the complete metabolism of any molecule by skin microbiome, a curated database of metabolic enzymes (1,094,153), reactions, and substrates from ∼900 bacterial species from 19 different skin sites were used to develop “SkinBug.” It integrates machine learning, neural networks, and chemoinformatics methods, and displays a multiclass multilabel accuracy of up to 82.4% and binary accuracy of up to 90.0%. SkinBug predicts all possible metabolic reactions and associated enzymes, reaction centers, skin microbiome species harboring the enzyme, and the respective skin sites. Thus, SkinBug will be an indispensable tool to predict xenobiotic/biotic metabolism by skin microbiome and will find applications in exposome and microbiome studies, dermatology, and skin cancer research.

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SkinBug is AI/ML-based tool to predict metabolism of molecules by Skin microbiome

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Database of 1,094,153 metabolic enzymes from 897 pangenomes of skin microbiome

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Predicts enzymes, bacterial species, and skin sites for the predicted reactions

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82.4% multilabel and 90.0% binary accuracy, and validated on 28 diverse real cases

Optimization of a pre-metabolization procedure using rat liver S9 and cell-extracted S9 in the Ames fluctuation test

Many environmental pollutants pose a toxicological hazard only after metabolic activation. In vitro bioassays using cell lines or bacteria have often no or reduced metabolic activity, which impedes their use in the risk assessment. To improve the predictive capability of in vitro assays, external metabolization systems like the liver S9 fraction are frequently combined with in vitro toxicity assays. While it is typical for S9 fractions that samples and testing systems are combined in the same exposure system, we propose to separate the metabolism step and toxicity measurement. This allows for a modular combination of metabolic activation by enzymes isolated from rat liver (S9) or a biotechnological alternative (ewoS9^R) with in vitro bioassays that lack metabolic capacity. Benzo(a)pyrene and 2-aminoanthracene were used as model compounds to optimize the conditions for the S9 metabolic degradation/activation step. The Ames assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 was applied to validate the set-up of decoupling the S9 activation/metabolism from the bioassay system. S9 protein concentration of 0.25 mg_protein/mL, a supplement of 0.13 mM NADPH and a pre-incubation time of 100 min are recommended for activation of samples prior to dosing them to in vitro bioassays using the regular dosing protocols of the respective bioassay. EwoS9^R performed equally well as Moltox S9, which is a step forward in developing true animal-free in vitro bioassays. After pre-incubation with S9 fraction, chemicals induced bacteria revertants in both the TA98 and the TA100 assay as efficiently as the standard Ames assay. The pre-incubation of chemicals with S9 fraction could serve for a wide range of cellular in vitro assays to efficiently combine activation and toxicity measurement, which may greatly facilitate the application of these assays for chemical hazard assessment and monitoring of environmental samples.

[Effect of benzo(a)pyrene on the expression of AhR-regulated microRNA in female and male rat lungs]

Smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer, mainly due to presence of nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo[a]pyrene (BP) in tobacco smoke composition. The genotoxic effect of BP is based on the high DNA-binding ability of its metabolites, while the epigenetic effects are mediated by a change in the expression of cancer related genes or regulatory RNAs. It has been shown that women have a higher risk to develop lung cancer upon smoking rather than men. We hypothesized that crosstalk between signaling pathways activated by BP and estrogens could underlie the sex-dependent differences in miRNAs expression. To test this hypothesis, male and female rats were subjected to short-term or long-term BP exposure. Using in silico analysis, miRNAs containing the ER- and AhR-binding sites in the promoters of the genes (or host genes) were selected. During chronic exposure of BP the expression of miR-22-3p, -29a-3p, -126a-3p, -193b-5p in the lungs of male rats were significantly increased, while the level of miRNA-483-3p were decreased. Expression of miRNA-483-3p was up-regulated during chronic BP exposure in the lungs of female rats and the levels of other studied miRNAs were unchanged. In turn, changes in the expression of miRNAs were followed by changes in the expression of their target genes, including PTEN, EMP2, IGF1, ITGA6, SLC34A2, and the observed changes in female and male rat lungs were varied. Thus, our results suggest that sex-dependent epigenetic effects of BP may be based on different expression of AhR- and ER- regulated miRNAs.

An update on immunologic mechanisms in the respiratory mucosa in response to air pollutants

Every day, we breathe in more than 10,000 L of air that contains a variety of air pollutants that can pose negative consequences to lung health. The respiratory mucosa formed by the airway epithelium is the first point of contact for air pollution in the lung, functioning as a mechanical and immunologic barrier. Under normal circumstances, airway epithelial cells connected by tight junctions secrete mucus, airway surface lining fluid, host defense peptides, and antioxidants and express innate immune pattern recognition receptors to respond to inhaled foreign substances and pathogens. Under conditions of air pollution exposure, the defenses of the airway epithelium are compromised by reductions in barrier function, impaired host defense to pathogens, and exaggerated inflammatory responses. Central to the mechanical and immunologic changes induced by air pollution are activation of redox-sensitive pathways and a role for antioxidants in normalizing these negative effects. Genetic variants in genes important in epithelial cell function and phenotype contribute to a diversity of responses to air pollution in the population at the individual and group levels and suggest a need for personalized approaches to attenuate the respiratory mucosal immune responses to air pollution.

Development and Uses of Offline and Web-Searchable Metabolism Databases - The Case of Benzo[a]pyrene

BACKGROUND

The present work describes development of offline and web-searchable metabolism databases for drugs, other chemicals, and physiological compounds using human and model species, prompted by the large amount of data published after year 1990. The intent was to provide a rapid and accurate approach to published data to be applied both in science and to assist therapy.

METHODS

Searches for the data were done using the Pub Med database, accessing the Medline database of references and abstracts. In addition, data presented at scientific conferences (e.g., ISSX conferences) are included covering the publishing period beginning with the year 1976.

RESULTS

Application of the data is illustrated by the properties of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its metabolites. Analysis show higher activity of P450 1A1 for activation of the (-)- isomer of trans-B[a]P-7,8-diol, while P4501B1 exerts higher activity for the (+)- isomer. P450 1A2 showed equally low activity in the metabolic activation of both isomers.

CONCLUSION

The information collected in the databases is applicable in prediction of metabolic drug-drug and/or drug-chemical interactions in clinical and environmental studies. The data on the metabolism of searched compound (exemplified by benzo[a]pyrene and its metabolites) also indicate toxicological properties of the products of specific reactions. The offline and web-searchable databases had wide range of applications (e.g. computer assisted drug design and development, optimization of clinical therapy, toxicological applications) and adjustment in everyday life styles.

Protective Effect of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Extract against Benzo[a]pyrene Induced Skin Damage through Inhibition of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is present in the atmosphere surrounding our environment. Although B[a]P is a procarcinogen, enzymatically metabolized benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) could intercalate into DNA to form bulky BPDE-DNA adducts as an ultimate carcinogenic product in human keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of mulberry extract, purified from the fruit of Morus Alba L., on B[a]P-induced cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes and its mechanisms of action. In this study, we confirmed that B[a]P induced nuclear translocation and the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were decreased by pretreatment of mulberry extract. Mulberry extract could decrease DNA damage through the suppression of B[a]P derived DNA adduct formation and restoration of cell cycle retardation at S phase in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a major active compound of mulberry extract, showed biological activities to protect the cells from B[a]P exposure, similar to the effectivity of the mulberry extract. These results indicated that the inhibitory effect of C3G against B[a]P inducing skin cancer is attributable to repress the AhR signaling pathway.

Comparison of human cytochrome P450 1A1-catalysed oxidation of benzo[a]pyrene in prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems

ABSTRACT

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 is the most important enzyme activating and detoxifying the human carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). In the previous studies, we had shown that not only the canonic NADPH:CYP oxidoreductase (POR) can act as electron donor but also cytochrome b5 and its reductase, NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase. Here, we studied the role of the expression system used on the metabolites generated and the levels of DNA adducts formed by activated BaP. We used an eukaryotic and a prokaryotic cellular system (Supersomes, microsomes isolated from insect cells, and Bactosomes, a membrane fraction of Escherichia coli, each transfected with cDNA of human CYP1A1 and POR). These were reconstituted with cytochrome b5 with and without NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase. We evaluated the effectiveness of each cofactor, NADPH and NADH, to mediate BaP metabolism. We found that both systems differ in catalysing the reactions activating and detoxifying BaP. Two BaP-derived DNA adducts were generated by the CYP1A1-Supersomes, both in the presence of NADPH and NADH, whereas NADPH but not NADH was able to support this reaction in the CYP1A1-Bactosomes. Seven BaP metabolites were found in Supersomes with NADPH or NADH, whereas NADPH but not NADH was able to generate five BaP metabolites in Bactosomes. Our study demonstrates different catalytic efficiencies of CYP1A1 expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in BaP bioactivation indicating some limitations in the use of E. coli cells for such studies.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Evaluation of the RBC Pig-a assay and the PIGRET assay using benzo[a]pyrene in rats

The red blood cell (RBC) Pig-a assay has the potential to detect the in vivo mutagenicity of chemicals. Recently, use of the Pig-a assay with reticulocytes (the PIGRET assay) reportedly enabled the in vivo mutagenicity of chemicals to be detected earlier than using the RBC Pig-a assay. To evaluate whether the PIGRET assay is useful and effective as a short-term test, compared with the RBC Pig-a assay, we performed both assays using benzo[a]pyrene (BP), which is a well-known mutagen. BP was used to dose 8-week-old male rats orally at 0, 75.0, 150, and 300mg/kg administered as a single administration. Peripheral blood samples were then collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 28 after treatment and were used in both assays. In the treatment groups receiving 150mg/kg of BP or more, both the RBC Pig-a assay and the PIGRET assay detected the in vivo mutagenicity of BP. In the 300mg/kg treatment group, in which a significant increase in the mutant frequency (MF) was observed at all the sampling points using both the RBC Pig-a assay and the PIGRET assay, the reticulocyte (RET) Pig-a MF was higher than the RBC Pig-a MF on days 7 and 14 after treatment; nevertheless, the negative control RET Pig-a MF was comparable to the negative control RBC Pig-a MF. In addition, the RET Pig-a MF began to increase after day 7 and reached a maximum value on day 14 after treatment, whereas the RBC Pig-a MF increased continuously from day 7 until day 28 after treatment. These results indicate that the PIGRET assay has a higher sensitivity than the RBC Pig-a assay and that the PIGRET assay is useful for the earlier detection of the in vivo mutagenicity of chemicals, compared with the RBC Pig-a assay.

NADH:Cytochrome b5 Reductase and Cytochrome b5 Can Act as Sole Electron Donors to Human Cytochrome P450 1A1-Mediated Oxidation and DNA Adduct Formation by Benzo[a]pyrene

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen that covalently binds to DNA after activation by cytochrome P450 (P450). Here, we investigated whether NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase (CBR) in the presence of cytochrome b5 can act as sole electron donor to human P450 1A1 during BaP oxidation and replace the canonical NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) system. We also studied the efficiencies of the coenzymes of these reductases, NADPH as a coenzyme of POR, and NADH as a coenzyme of CBR, to mediate BaP oxidation. Two systems containing human P450 1A1 were utilized: human recombinant P450 1A1 expressed with POR, CBR, epoxide hydrolase, and cytochrome b5 in Supersomes and human recombinant P450 1A1 reconstituted with POR and/or with CBR and cytochrome b5 in liposomes. BaP-9,10-dihydrodiol, BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, BaP-1,6-dione, BaP-3,6-dione, BaP-9-ol, BaP-3-ol, a metabolite of unknown structure, and two BaP-DNA adducts were generated by the P450 1A1-Supersomes system, both in the presence of NADPH and in the presence of NADH. The major BaP-DNA adduct detected by (32)P-postlabeling was characterized as 10-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP (assigned adduct 1), while the minor adduct is probably a guanine adduct derived from 9-hydroxy-BaP-4,5-epoxide (assigned adduct 2). BaP-3-ol as the major metabolite, BaP-9-ol, BaP-1,6-dione, BaP-3,6-dione, an unknown metabolite, and adduct 2 were observed in the system using P450 1A1 reconstituted with POR plus NADPH. When P450 1A1 was reconstituted with CBR and cytochrome b5 plus NADH, BaP-3-ol was the predominant metabolite too, and an adduct 2 was also generated. Our results demonstrate that the NADH/cytochrome b5/CBR system can act as the sole electron donor both for the first and second reduction of P450 1A1 during the oxidation of BaP in vitro. They suggest that NADH-dependent CBR can replace NADPH-dependent POR in the P450 1A1-catalyzed metabolism of BaP.

The impact of individual cytochrome P450 enzymes on oxidative metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in human livers

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen that covalently binds to DNA after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In this study human recombinant CYPs (CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5) were expressed in Supersomes™ together with their reductases, NADPH:CYP oxidoreductase, epoxide hydrolase and cytochrome b5 , to investigate BaP metabolism. Human CYPs produced up to eight BaP metabolites. Among these, BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol and BaP-9-ol, which are intermediates in BaP-derived DNA adduct formation, were mainly formed by CYP1A1 and 1B1, and to a lesser extent by CYP2C19 and 3A4. BaP-3-ol, a metabolite that is a 'detoxified' product of BaP, was formed by most human CYPs tested, although CYP1A1 and 1B1 produced it the most efficiently. Based on the amounts of the individual BaP metabolites formed by these CYPs and their expression levels in human liver, we determined their contributions to BaP metabolite formation in this organ. Our results indicate that hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP2C19 are most important in the activation of BaP to BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, whereas CYP2C19, 3A4, and 1A1 are the major enzymes contributing to the formation of BaP-9-ol. BaP-3-ol is predominantly formed by hepatic CYP3A4, while CYP1A1 and 2C19 are less active.

NADPH- and NADH-dependent metabolism of and DNA adduct formation by benzo[a]pyrene catalyzed with rat hepatic microsomes and cytochrome P450 1A1

ABSTRACT

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen that covalently binds to DNA after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Here we investigated the efficiencies of rat hepatic microsomes and rat recombinant CYP1A1 expressed with its reductase, NADPH:CYP oxidoreductase (POR), NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase, epoxide hydrolase and/or cytochrome b5 in Supersomes™ to metabolize this carcinogen. We also studied the effectiveness of coenzymes of two of the microsomal reductases, NADPH as a coenzyme of POR, and NADH as a coenzyme of NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase, to mediate BaP metabolism in these systems. Up to eight BaP metabolites and two DNA adducts were generated by the systems, both in the presence of NADPH and NADH. Among BaP metabolites, BaP-9,10-dihydrodiol, BaP-4,5-dihydrodiol, BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, BaP-1,6-dione, BaP-3,6-dione, BaP-9-ol, BaP-3-ol, and a metabolite of unknown structure were formed by hepatic microsomes and rat CYP1A1. One of two DNA adducts formed by examined enzymatic systems (rat hepatic microsomes and rat CYP1A1) was characterized to be 10-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (dG-N2-BPDE), while another adduct has similar chromatographic properties on polyethylaneimine-cellulose thin layer chromatography to a guanine adduct derived from reaction with 9-hydroxy-BaP-4,5-oxide. In the presence of either of the reductase cofactors tested, NADPH or NADH, cytochrome b5 stimulated CYP1A1-mediated formation of both BaP-DNA adducts. The results demonstrate that NADH can act as a sole electron donor for both the first and the second reduction of CYP1A1 during its reaction cycle catalyzing oxidation of BaP, and suggest that the NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase as the NADH-dependent reductase might substitute POR in this enzymatic system.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Genetic polymorphisms in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 and 1A7 and the risk for benign Warthin's tumors of the parotid gland

BACKGROUND

Warthin's tumors of the parotid gland are associated with smoking, whereas pleomorphic adenomas are not. Genetic polymorphisms in biotransformation enzymes, involved in detoxification of toxins and carcinogens in cigarette smoke, might modify the corresponding enzyme activity and influence detoxifying capacity. We hypothesize that these genetic polymorphisms may influence the individual risk for Warthin's tumor, but not for pleomorphic adenomas.

METHODS

Blood from 146 patients with benign parotid gland tumors and 437 controls were investigated for polymorphisms in several biotransformation enzymes. Based on these polymorphisms, patients and controls were divided according to predicted enzyme activity (low, intermediate, and high).

RESULTS

Prevalence of predicted intermediate and high activity UGT1A7 and UGT1A6 genotypes was significantly higher in the patients with Warthin's tumors, but not in patients with pleomorphic adenomas, compared with healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Predicted intermediate and high activity UGT1A7 and UGT1A6 genotypes are associated with an increased risk for Warthin's tumor. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E717-E723, 2016.

Cytochrome b5 and epoxide hydrolase contribute to benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation catalyzed by cytochrome P450 1A1 under low NADPH:P450 oxidoreductase conditions

In previous studies we had administered benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) to genetically engineered mice (HRN) which do not express NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) in hepatocytes and observed higher DNA adduct levels in livers of these mice than in wild-type mice. To elucidate the reason for this unexpected finding we have used two different settings for in vitro incubations; hepatic microsomes from control and BaP-pretreated HRN mice and reconstituted systems with cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), POR, cytochrome b5, and epoxide hydrolase (mEH) in different ratios. In microsomes from BaP-pretreated mice, in which Cyp1a1 was induced, higher levels of BaP metabolites were formed, mainly of BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol. At a low POR:CYP1A1 ratio of 0.05:1 in the reconstituted system, the amounts of BaP diones and BaP-9-ol formed were essentially the same as at an equimolar ratio, but formation of BaP-3-ol was ∼ 1.6-fold higher. Only after addition of mEH were BaP dihydrodiols found. Two BaP-DNA adducts were formed in the presence of mEH, but only one when CYP1A1 and POR were present alone. At a ratio of POR:CYP1A1 of 0.05:1, addition of cytochrome b5 increased CYP1A1-mediated BaP oxidation to most of its metabolites indicating that cytochrome b5 participates in the electron transfer from NADPH to CYP1A1 required for enzyme activity of this CYP. BaP-9-ol was formed even by CYP1A1 reconstituted with cytochrome b5 without POR. Our results suggest that in livers of HRN mice Cyp1a1, cytochrome b5 and mEH can effectively activate BaP to DNA binding species, even in the presence of very low amounts of POR.

The relationship between DNA adduct formation by benzo[a]pyrene and expression of its activation enzyme cytochrome P450 1A1 in rat

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen requiring metabolic activation prior to reaction with DNA. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 is the most important hepatic and intestinal enzyme in both BaP activation and detoxification. CYP1A2 is also capable of oxidizing BaP, but to a lesser extent. The induction of CYP1A1/2 by BaP and/or β-naphthoflavone in liver and small intestine of rats was investigated. Both BaP and β-naphthoflavone induced CYP1A expression and increased enzyme activities in both organs. Moreover, the induction of CYP1A enzyme activities resulted in an increase in formation of BaP-DNA adducts detected by (32)P-postlabeling in rat liver and in the distal part of small intestine in vivo. The increases in CYP1A enzyme activity were also associated with bioactivation of BaP and elevated BaP-DNA adduct levels in ex vivo incubations of microsomes of both organs with DNA and BaP. These findings indicate a stimulating effect of both compounds on BaP-induced carcinogenesis.

LncRNA-DQ786227-mediated cell malignant transformation induced by benzo(a)pyrene

It has recently been found that the new class of transcripts, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are pervasively transcribed in the genome. LncRNAs are a large family of non-coding RNAs and regulate many protein-coding genes. Growing evidence indicates that lncRNAs may play an important functional role in cancer biology. Emerging data have shown that lncRNAs are closely related to the occurrence and development of lung cancer. However, the function and mechanism of lncRNAs in lung cancer remain elusive. Here, we investigated the role of a novel lncRNA in transformed human bronchial epithelial cells induced by benzo(a)pyrene. After establishing the transformed cell model using the BEAS-2B cell line in vitro, we found that expression of lncRNA-DQ786227 was high and changed during the transformation of BEAS-2B cells. Silencing of lncRNA-DQ786227 expression in malignant transformed BEAS-2B cells led to inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation, and increased apoptosis. LncRNA-DQ786227 dramatically promoted the ability of BEAS-2B-T cells to form colonies in vitro and develop tumors in nude mice. These findings revealed that lncRNA-DQ786227 acts as an oncogene in malignantly transformed BEAS-2B cells induced by benzo(a)pyrene. The identification of lncRNA could provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis.

Identification of stable benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione-DNA adducts in human lung cells

Metabolic activation of the proximate carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol (B[a]P-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol) by aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) leads to B[a]P-7,8-dione that is both electrophilic and redox-active. B[a]P-7,8-dione generates reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative DNA damage in human lung cells. However, information on the formation of stable B[a]P-7,8-dione-DNA adducts in these cells is lacking. We studied stable DNA adduct formation of B[a]P-7,8-dione in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, human bronchoalveolar H358 cells, and immortalized human bronchial epithelial HBEC-KT cells. After treatment with 2 μM B[a]P-7,8-dione, the cellular DNA was extracted from the cell pellets subjected to enzyme hydrolysis and subsequent analysis by LC-MS/MS. Several stable DNA adducts of B[a]P-7,8-dione were only detected in A549 and HBEC-KT cells. In A549 cells, the structures of stable B[a]P-7,8-dione-DNA adducts were identified as hydrated-B[a]P-7,8-dione-N²-2′-deoxyguanosine and hydrated-B[a]P-7,8-dione-N1-2′-deoxyguanosine. In HBEC-KT cells, the structures of stable B[a]P-7,8-dione-DNA adducts were identified as hydrated-B[a]P-7,8-dione-2′-deoxyadenosine, hydrated-B[a]P-7,8-dione-N1- or N3-2′-deoxyadenosine, and B[a]P-7,8-dione-N1- or N3-2′-deoxyadenosine. In each case, adduct structures were characterized by MSⁿ spectra. Adduct structures were also compared to those synthesized from reactions of B[a]P-7,8-dione with either deoxyribonucleosides or salmon testis DNA in vitro but were found to be different.

Black soybean seed coat polyphenols prevent B(a)P-induced DNA damage through modulating drug-metabolizing enzymes in HepG2 cells and ICR mice

Black soybean seed coat is a rich source of polyphenols that have been reported to have various physiological functions. The present study investigated the potential protective effects of polyphenolic extracts from black soybean seed coat on DNA damage in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and ICR mice. The results from micronucleus (MN) assay revealed that black soybean seed coat extract (BE) at concentrations up to 25μg/mL was non-genotoxic. It is noteworthy that BE (at 4.85μg/mL) and its main components, procyanidins (PCs) and cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G), at 10μM significantly reduced the genotoxic effect induced by benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P]. To obtain insights into the underlying mechanism, we investigated BE and its main components on drug-metabolizing enzyme expression. The results of this study demonstrate that BE and its main components, PCs and C3G, down-regulated B(a)P-induced cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) expression by inhibiting the transformation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Moreover, they increased expression of detoxifying defense enzymes, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) via increasing the binding of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 to antioxidant response elements. Collectively, we found that PCs and C3G, which are the main active compounds of BE, down-regulated CYP1A1 and up-regulated GST expression to protect B(a)P-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells and ICR mice effectively.

The role of base excision repair genes OGG1, APN1 and APN2 in benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione induced p53 mutagenesis

Lung cancer is primarily caused by exposure to tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke contains numerous carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The most common PAH studied is benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). B[a]P is metabolically activated through multiple routes, one of which is catalyzed by aldo-keto reductase (AKR) to B[a]P-7,8-dione (BPQ). BPQ undergoes a futile redox cycle in the presence of NADPH to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, in turn, damages DNA. Studies with a yeast p53 mutagenesis system found that the generation of ROS by PAH o-quinones may contribute to lung carcinogenesis because of similarities between the patterns (types of mutations) and spectra (location of mutations) and those seen in lung cancer. The patterns were dominated by G to T transversions, and the spectra in the experimental system have mutations at lung cancer hotspots. To address repair mechanisms that are responsible for BPQ induced damage we observed the effect of mutating two DNA repair genes OGG1 and APE1 (APN1 in yeast) and tested them in a yeast reporter system for p53 mutagenesis. There was an increase in both the mutant frequency and the number of G:C/T:A transversions in p53 treated with BPQ in ogg1 yeast but not in apn1 yeast. Knocking out APN2 increased mutagenesis in the apn1 cells. In addition, we did not find a strand bias on p53 treated with BPQ in ogg1 yeast. These studies suggest that Ogg1 is involved in repairing the oxidative damage caused by BPQ, Apn1 and Apn2 have redundant functions and that the stand bias seen in lung cancer may not be due to impaired repair of oxidative lesions.

Metabolically competent human skin models: activation and genotoxicity of benzo[a]pyrene

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is metabolized into a complex pattern of BP derivatives, among which the ultimate carcinogen (+)-anti-BP-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) is formed to certain extents. Skin is frequently in contact with PAHs and data on the metabolic capacity of skin tissue toward these compounds are inconclusive. We compared BP metabolism in excised human skin, commercially available in vitro 3D skin models and primary 2D skin cell cultures, and analyzed the metabolically catalyzed occurrence of seven different BP follow-up products by means of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All models investigated were competent to metabolize BP, and the metabolic profiles generated by ex vivo human skin and skin models were remarkably similar. Furthermore, the genotoxicity of BP and its derivatives was monitored in these models via comet assays. In a full-thickness skin, equivalent BP-mediated genotoxic stress was generated via keratinocytes. Cultured primary keratinocytes revealed a level of genotoxicity comparable with that of direct exposure to 50–100nM of BPDE. Our data demonstrate that the metabolic capacity of human skin ex vivo, as well as organotypic human 3D skin models toward BP, is sufficient to cause significant genotoxic stress and thus cutaneous bioactivation may potentially contribute to mutations that ultimately lead to skin cancer.

Phenanthrene metabolism in smokers: use of a two-step diagnostic plot approach to identify subjects with extensive metabolic activation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cigarette smoke are among the most likely causes of lung cancer. PAHs require metabolic activation to initiate the carcinogenic process. Phenanthrene (Phe), a noncarcinogenic PAH, was used as a surrogate of benzo[α]pyrene and related PAHs to study the metabolic activation of PAHs in smokers. A dose of 10 μg of deuterated Phe ([D₁₀]Phe) was administered to 25 healthy smokers in a crossover design, either as an oral solution or by smoking cigarettes containing [D₁₀]Phe. Phe was deuterated to avoid interference from environmental Phe. Intensive blood and urine sampling was performed to quantitate the formation of deuterated r-1,t-2,3,c-4-tetrahydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene ([D₁₀]PheT), a biomarker of the diol epoxide metabolic activation pathway. In both the oral and smoking arms approximately 6% of the dose was metabolically converted to diol epoxides, with a large intersubject variability in the formation of [D₁₀]PheT observed. Two diagnostic plots were developed to identify subjects with large systemic exposure and significant lung contribution to metabolic activation. The combination of the two plots led to the identification of subjects with substantial local exposure. These subjects produced, in one single pass of [D₁₀]Phe through the lung, a [D₁₀]PheT exposure equivalent to the systemic exposure of a typical subject and may be an indicator of lung cancer susceptibility. Polymorphisms in PAH-metabolizing genes of the 25 subjects were also investigated. The integration of phenotyping and genotyping results indicated that GSTM1-null subjects produced approximately 2-fold more [D₁₀]PheT than did GSTM1-positive subjects.

Synthesis of 13C4-labelled oxidized metabolites of the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are implicated in causing lung cancer. BaP is a component of tobacco smoke that is transformed enzymatically to active forms that interact with DNA. We reported previously development of a sensitive stable isotope dilution LC/MS method for analysis of BaP metabolites. We now report efficient syntheses of 13C4-BaP and the complete set of its 13C4-labelled oxidized metabolites needed as internal standards They include the metabolites not involved in carcinogenesis (Group A) and the metabolites implicated in initiation of cancer (Group B). The synthetic approach is novel, entailing use of Pd-catalyzed Suzuki, Sonogashira, and Hartwig cross-coupling reactions combined with PtCl2-catalyzed cyclization of acetylenic compounds. This synthetic method requires fewer steps, employs milder conditions, and product isolation is simpler than conventional methods of PAH synthesis. The syntheses of 13C4-BaP and 13C4-BaP-8-ol each require only four steps, and the 13C-atoms are all introduced in a single step. 13C4-BaP-8-ol serves as the synthetic precursor of all the oxidized metabolites of 13C-BaP implicated in initiation of cancer. The isotopic purities of the synthetic 13C4-BaP metabolites were estimated to be ≥99.9%.

Benzo(a)pyrene induces p73 mRNA expression and necrosis in human lung adenocarcinoma H1299 cells

p53 can mediate DNA damage-induced apoptosis in various cell lines treated with Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). However, the potential role of p73, one of the p53 family members, in BaP-induced apoptotic cell death remains to be determined. In this study, normal fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) and human lung adenocarcinoma cells (H1299, p53-null) were treated with BaP at concentrations of 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 μM for 4 and 12 h. The oxidative stress status, extent of DNA damage, expression of p53, p73, mdm2, bcl-2, and bax at the mRNA and protein levels, and the percentages of apoptosis and/or necrosis were assessed. In the two BaP-treated cell lines, we observed increased malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity at 4 h after the treatment; furthermore, at the time points of 4 and 12 h, we observed extremely high levels of DNA damage. In addition, at 4 h after the treatment, BaP had induced necrosis in MRC-5 and H1299 cells, but it had inhibited apoptosis in MRC-5 cells (P < 0.01 for all). Furthermore, in BaP-treated H1299 cells, only the p73 mRNA level was up-regulated. The results suggested that BaP-induced DNA damage could trigger a shift from apoptotic cell death toward necrotic cell death and that necrotic cell death is independent of p53 and p73 in these cell lines. Future studies are needed to investigate the time course of changes in the type of BaP-induced cell death in more cell lines.

Metabolism of xenobiotics of human environments

Xenobiotics have been defined as chemicals to which an organism is exposed that are extrinsic to the normal metabolism of that organism. Without metabolism, many xenobiotics would reach toxic concentrations. Most metabolic activity inside the cell requires energy, cofactors, and enzymes in order to occur. Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes can be divided into phase I, phase II, and transporter enzymes. Lipophilic xenobiotics are often first metabolized by phase I enzymes, which function to make xenobiotics more polar and provide sites for conjugation reactions. Phase II enzymes are conjugating enzymes and can directly interact with xenobiotics but more commonly interact with metabolites produced by phase I enzymes. Through both passive and active transport, these more polar metabolites are eliminated. Most xenobiotics are cleared through multiple enzymes and pathways. The relationship between chemical concentrations, enzyme affinity and quantity, and cofactor availability often determine which metabolic reactions dominate in a given individual.

Phototoxicity and environmental transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-light-induced reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of mutagenic and tumorigenic environmental contaminants. Although the mechanisms by which PAHs induce cancer in experimental animals have been extensively studied and the metabolic activation pathways have been determined, the environmental fate of PAHs and the phototoxicity exerted by PAHs, as well as their photoreaction products formed in the environment, have received much less attention. In this review, the formation of oxygenated PAHs, PAH quinones, nitro-PAHs, and halogenated PAHs from photoreaction of environmental PAHs are addressed. Upon light irradiation, PAHs and all PAH photoreaction products can absorb light energy to reach photo-excited states, which react with molecular oxygen, medium, and coexisting chemicals to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other reactive intermediates, such as oxygenated PAHs and free radicals. These intermediates, including ROS, induce lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage including DNA strand breakage, oxidation to 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, and DNA-adducts. Since these toxicological endpoints are associated with age-related diseases, including cancer, environmental PAHs concomitantly exposed to sunlight may potentially promote human skin damage, leading to ageing and skin cancers. Thus, we suggest that (i) in addition to the widely recognized metabolic pathways, more attention must be paid to photoreaction as an important activation pathway for PAHs, (ii) risk assessment of environmental PAHs should take into consideration the complex photochemical reactions leading to mixtures of products that are also phototoxic; and (iii) the study of structure-toxicity relationships should be expanded to cover the complex photoreactions and extrinsic factors that affect phototoxicity endpoints.

Multidrug resistance protein (MRP) 4 attenuates benzo[a]pyrene-mediated DNA-adduct formation in human bronchoalveolar H358 cells

Multi-drug resistance protein (MRP) 4, an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, has broad substrate specificity. It facilitates the transport of bile salt conjugates, conjugated steroids, nucleoside analogs, eicosanoids, and cardiovascular drugs. Recent studies in liver carcinoma cells and hepatocytes showed that MRP4 expression is regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The AhR has particular importance in the lung and is most commonly associated with the up-regulation of cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to reactive intermediates. Treatment of H358, human bronchoalveolar, cells with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or (-)-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydro-7,8-diol (B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol), the proximate carcinogen of B[a]P, revealed that MRP4 expression was increased compared to control. This suggested that MRP4 expression might contribute to the paradoxical decrease in (+)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene-2'-deoxyguanosine ((+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-dGuo) DNA-adducts observed in TCDD-treated H358 cells. We have now found that decreased MRP4 expression induced by a short hairpin RNA (shRNA), or chemical inhibition with probenecid, increased (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-dGuo formation in cells treated with (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol, but not the ultimate carcinogen (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE. Thus, up-regulation of MRP4 increased cellular efflux of (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol, which attenuated DNA-adduct formation. This is the first report identifying a specific MRP efflux transporter that decreases DNA damage arising from an environmental carcinogen.

Aldo-keto reductases protect lung adenocarcinoma cells from the acute toxicity of B[a]P-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol

Tobacco smoke exposure stimulates the expression of genes that are likely to be involved in the metabolism of its combustion products such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Four of the smoke induced genes are aldo-keto reductases (AKR), enzymes that metabolically activate PAH to PAH o-quinones. Alternatively, PAHs are metabolized to (±)-anti-diol epoxides, such as (±)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide ((±)-anti-BPDE)), by the combined action of P4501A1/1B1 and epoxide hydrolase. (±)-anti-BPDE forms DNA adducts directly, while PAH o-quinones cause DNA damage by oxidative stress through a futile redox cycle. To address the role of AKRs in PAH cytotoxicity, we compared the cytotoxicity of PAH metabolites and the effects of overexpressing AKR1A1 in lung cells. (±)-anti-BPDE and B[a]P-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol, an intermediate in (±)-anti-BPDE metabolism, are toxic to A549 cells at concentrations with an IC(50) of ∼2 μM. In contrast, the PAH o-quinone B[a]P-7,8-dione was about 10-fold less toxic to A549 cells with an IC(50) > 20 μM. Similar differences in cytoxicity were observed with two other PAH o-quinones (benz[a]anthracene-3,4-dione and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-dione) compared with their respective diol-epoxide counterparts (BA-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide and DMBA-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide). In addition, both anti-BPDE and B[a]P-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol induced p53 expression ∼6 h post-treatment at concentrations as low as 1 μM consistent with extensive DNA damage. B[a]P-7,8-dione treatment did not induce p53 but generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 cells and induced the expression of oxidative response genes in H358 cells. We also observed that overexpression of AKR1A1 in H358 cells, which otherwise have low levels of AKR expression, protected cells 2-10-fold from the toxic effects of B[a]P-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol. These data suggest that overexpression of AKRs may protect lung cancer cells from the acute toxic effects of PAH.

Quantitation of benzo[a]pyrene metabolic profiles in human bronchoalveolar (H358) cells by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are carcinogenic in multiple organs and species. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a representative PAH and has been studied extensively for its carcinogenicity and toxicity. B[a]P itself is chemically inert and requires metabolic activation to exhibit its toxicity and carcinogenicity. Three major metabolic pathways have been well documented. The signature metabolites generated from the radical cation (peroxidase or monooxygenase mediated) pathway are B[a]P-1,6-dione and B[a]P-3,6-dione, the signature metabolite generated from the diol-epoxide (P450 mediated) pathway is B[a]P-r-7,t-8,t-9,c-10-tetrahydrotetrol (B[a]P-tetrol-1), and the signature metabolite generated from the o-quinone (aldo-keto reductase mediated) pathway is B[a]P-7,8-dione. The contributions of these different metabolic pathways to cancer initiation and the exploitation of this information for cancer prevention are still under debate. With the availability of a library of [(13)C(4)]-labeled B[a]P metabolite internal standards, we developed a sensitive stable isotope dilution atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry method to address this issue by quantitating B[a]P metabolites from each metabolic pathway in human lung cells. This analytical method represents a 500-fold increased sensitivity compared with that of a method using HPLC-radiometric detection. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was determined to be 6 fmol on column for 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3-OH-B[a]P), the generally accepted biomarker for B[a]P exposure. This high level of sensitivity and robustness of the method was demonstrated in a study of B[a]P metabolic profiles in human bronchoalveolar H358 cells induced or uninduced with the AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD). All the signature metabolites were detected and successfully quantitated. Our results suggest that all three metabolic pathways contribute equally in the overall metabolism of B[a]P in H358 cells with or without TCDD induction. The sensitivity of the method should permit the identification of cell-type differences in B[a]P activation and detoxication and could also be used for biomonitoring human exposure to PAH.

Comparative evaluation of different cell lysis and extraction methods for studying benzo(a)pyrene metabolism in HT-29 colon cancer cell cultures

Lysis and extraction of cells are essential sample processing steps for investigations pertaining to metabolism of xenobiotics in cell culture studies. Of particular importance to these procedures are maintaining high lysis efficiency and analyte integrity as they influence the qualitative and quantitative distribution of drug and toxicant metabolites in the intra- and extracellular milieus. In this study we have compared the efficiency of different procedures viz. homogenization, sonication, bead beating, and molecular grinding resin treatment for disruption of HT-29 colon cells exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound and a suspected colon carcinogen. Also, we have evaluated the efficiency of various procedures for extracting BaP parent compound/metabolites from colon cells and culture media prior to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analyses. The extraction procedures include solid phase extraction, solid-supported liquid- liquid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and homogeneous liquid- liquid extraction. Our findings showed that bead-beating in combination with detergent treatment of cell pellet coupled with liquid-liquid extraction yielded greater concentrations of BaP metabolites compared to the other methods employed. Our method optimization strategy revealed that disruption of HT-29 colon cells by a combination of mechanical and chemical lysis followed by liquid-liquid extraction is efficient and robust enough for analyzing BaP metabolites from cell culture studies.

Regulation of benzo[a]pyrene-mediated DNA- and glutathione-adduct formation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in human lung cells

Environmental carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), require metabolic activation to DNA-reactive metabolites in order to exert their tumorigenic effects. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a prototypic PAH, is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A1/1B1 and epoxide hydrolase to (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydro-7,8-diol (B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol). B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol then undergoes further P4501A1/1B1-mediated metabolism to the ultimate carcinogen, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-B[a]P (B[a]PDE), which forms DNA-adducts primarily with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) to form (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N(2)-dGuo (B[a]PDE-dGuo) in DNA. Pretreatment of cells with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is known to induce P4501A1/1B1 mRNA expression through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. This causes increased B[a]PDE-dGuo formation in liver cells. In contrast, TCDD induction of H358 lung cells surprisingly caused a decrease in (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-mediated (+)-B[a]PDE-dGuo adduct formation when compared with the non-TCDD-induced cells. Furthermore, treatment of the TCDD-induced cells with (±)-B[a]PDE also resulted in decreased (+)-B[a]PDE-dGuo adduct formation when compared with the non-TCDD-induced cells. These data suggested that it was a detoxification pathway that had been up-regulated rather than an activation pathway that had been down-regulated. LC-MS was used to analyze B[a]PDE-dGuo and B[a]PDE-GSH-adducts in H358 lung and HepG2 liver cells. There was a significant increase in the (-)-B[a]PDE-GSH-adduct with high enantiomeric excess after treatment of the TCDD-induced H358 cells with (±)-B[a]PDE when compared with the noninduced cells. This could explain why increased activation of (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol through TCDD up-regulation of P4501A1/1B1 did not lead to increased (+)-B[a]PDE-dGuo adducts in the H358 lung cells. In addition, TCDD did not induce B[a]PDE-GSH-adduct formation in HepG2 liver cells. (±)-B[a]PDE-GSH-adducts were formed at much lower levels in both TCDD-induced and noninduced HepG2 cells when compared with (-)-B[a]PDE-GSH-adducts in the H358 lung cells. Therefore, our study has revealed that there is a subtle balance between activation and detoxification of B[a]P in lung-derived compared with liver-derived cells and that this determines how much DNA damage occurs.

Evidence for the bioactivation of 4-nonylphenol to quinone methide and ortho-benzoquinone metabolites in human liver microsomes

4-Nonylphenol (4-NP) is a well-known toxic environmental contaminant. The major objective of the present study was to identify reactive metabolites of 4-NP. Following incubations of 4-NP with NADPH- and GSH-supplemented human liver microsomes, 6 GSH conjugates, along with 19 oxidized metabolites, were detected by UPLC/Q-TOF mass spectrometry utilizing the mass defect filter method. Several authentic key metabolite standards were chemically synthesized for structural identification. Three GSH conjugates were found to derive from quinone methide intermediates, and the other three resulted from ortho-benzoquinone intermediates. Conjugation of the quinone methides with GSH produced benzylic-orientated GSH conjugates by 1,6-addition, while the reaction of the ortho-benzoquinone intermediates offered aromatic-orientated GSH conjugates. The conversion of 4-NP to the quinone methides and ortho-hydroquinones required cytochromes P450, specifically CYPs1A2, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4, while the oxidation of ortho-benzohydroquinones to the corresponding benzoquinones was apparently independent of microsomal enzymes. The ortho-benzoquinone derived from 4-NP was isomerized to the corresponding hydroxyquinone methide, and the former dominated the latter at a rate of approximately 20:1. The findings of the quinone methide and benzoquinone metabolites intensified the concern on the impact of 4-NP exposure on human health.