Development of resistance to cytotoxicity during aflatoxin carcinogenesis

Aflatoxin B₁⁻Formamidopyrimidine DNA Adducts: Relationships between Structures, Free Energies, and Melting Temperatures

Thermal stabilities of DNA duplexes containing Gua (g), α- (a) or β-anomer of formamidopyrimidine-N7-9-hydroxy-aflatoxin B₁ (b) differ markedly (T_m: a<g<b), but the underlying molecular origin of this experimentally observed phenomenon is yet to be identified and determined. Here, by employing explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations coupled with free-energy calculations using a combined linear-interaction-energy/linear-response-approximation approach, we explain the quantitative differences in Tm in terms of three structural features (bulkiness, order, and compactness) and three energetical contributions (non-polar, electrostatic, and preorganized-electrostatic), and thus advance the current understanding of the relationships between structures, free energies, and thermal stabilities of DNA double helices.

Phenotypic Properties of Preneoplastic Rat Liver Lesions and Applications to Detection of Carcinogens and Tumor Promoters

A variety of cellular lesions arise during liver carcinogenesis by chemicals in rats. The altered focus is a lesion of hepatocytes that occurs early in hepatocarcinogenesis and appears to give rise to both neoplastic nodules and carcinomas. Foci display numerous phenotypic abnormalities which together with nuclear abnormalities indicate that they are truly a new altered population.

Using histochemical markers, the induction of foci can be measured as a quantitative index of hepatocarcinogenicity of genotoxic carcinogens. In addition, determination of the effect of agents on foci previously induced by genotoxic carcinogens can be used to assess the capacity of chemicals to act as liver tumor promoters.

Carcinogenesis, cancer therapy and chemoprevention

Carcinogenesis and cancer therapy are two sides of the same coin, such that the same cytotoxic agent can cause cancer and be used to treat cancer. This review links carcinogenesis, chemoprevention and cancer therapy in one process driven by cytotoxic agents (carcinoagents) that select either for or against cells with oncogenic alterations. By unifying therapy and cancer promotion and by distinguishing nononcogenic and oncogenic mechanisms of resistance, I discuss anticancer- and chemopreventive agent-induced carcinogenesis and tumor progression and, vice versa, carcinogens as anticancer drugs, anticancer drugs as chemopreventive agents and exploiting oncogene-addiction and drug resistance for chemoprevention and cancer therapy.

Oncogenic resistance to growth-limiting conditions

Many carcinogens are mutagens, indicating that mutagenesis is the driving force of carcinogenesis. But what if we turn this prevailing view on its head? I will argue here that carcinogens are cytostatic and/or cytotoxic, and it is not mutation per se, but clonal selection for resistance to these antiproliferative conditions, that leads to cancer. But why aren't all cytotoxins carcinogenic?

The slow induction of resistant hepatocytes during initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis by the nongenotoxic carcinogen clofibrate

This study was designed to explore whether a well-known nongenotoxic liver carcinogen, clofibrate, would induce rare resistant hepatocytes similar to those seen during initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis with many genotoxic carcinogens. Male young adult F344 rats were exposed to a control diet containing 0.5% (w/w) clofibrate for 3, 6, or 10 months. After 1 month on a diet free of clofibrate, the animals were assayed for resistant hepatocytes by a standardized selection procedure using 2-acetylaminofluorene as the inhibitor and partial hepatectomy as a strong stimulus for cell proliferation. No resistant hepatocytes were found in the animals exposed to clofibrate for 3 months or in any of a series of control animals. However, animals on the clofibrate for 6 and 10 months contained resistant hepatocytes that were clonally expanded to produce hepatocyte nodules. These nodules were indistinguishable on gross and microscopic examination from hepatocyte nodules seen in animals in which nodules are induced with one of many different genotoxic carcinogens. Also, like those nodules, the nodules seen in the animals exposed to clofibrate stained positively for glutathione S-transferase 1-1 and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and negatively for ATPase. The evidence from this study indicates that the nongenotoxic carcinogen, clofibrate, induces early cellular changes in the liver that are very similar to those induced by many different genotoxic carcinogens. These changes are manifest as a resistance phenotype in a few scattered hepatocytes that now can be clonally expanded selectively to form hepatocyte nodules. However, the resistant hepatocytes are induced by clofibrate much more slowly. Whether this basic similarity pertains to the later steps in the hepatocarcinogenic process remains to be studied.

A novel aldehyde reductase with activity towards a metabolite of aflatoxin B1 is expressed in rat liver during carcinogenesis and following the administration of an anti-oxidant

In contrast with fractions from control animals, an aldehyde reductase, which catalyses the reduction of aflatoxin B1-dihydrodiol, in the dialdehyde form at physiological pH values, to aflatoxin B1-dialcohol, is expressed in cytosolic fractions prepared from rat livers bearing pre-neoplastic lesions, or following treatment with the anti-oxidant ethoxyquin. This expression parallels the development of resistance to the toxin. Unlike the aflatoxin B1-dihydrodiol, the dialcohol does not undergo binding to protein. This enzyme activity could play a mechanistic role in hepatocarcinogenesis and chemoprotection in the rat. Correlated n.m.r. and m.s. spectra are provided in Supplementary Publication SUP 50171 (3 pages), which has been deposited at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1993) 289, 9.

Is carcinogenesis fundamentally adversarial-confrontational or physiologic-adaptive?

The dominant dogma concerning the essential cellular changes during preneoplasia and precancer considers these as abnormal or foreign that evoke a basic "host-parasite" response. An alternative view of how cancer develops, here briefly outlined, views the early and intermediate cellular changes as essentially physiologic and adaptive. This different concept introduces clonal adaptation as a basic response to many genotoxic carcinogenic stimuli including chemicals, radiations, and some viruses. The evidence in support of this new view of the carcinogenic process is summarized.

The differences in kinetics of rat and human DT diaphorase result in a differential sensitivity of derived cell lines to CB 1954 (5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide)

DT diaphorase (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone), EC 1.6.99.2) isolated from Walker 256 rat carcinoma cells can convert CB 1954 (5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide) to a cytotoxic DNA interstrand cross-linking agent. This is achieved by reduction of the 4-nitro group of CB 1954 to produce the hydroxylamino species, a bioactivation which accounts for the much greater sensitivity of Walker cells to CB 1954 when compared with other cells which are unable to carry out this reduction (Knox et al., Biochem Pharmacol 37: 4661-4669 and 4671-4677, 1988). As predicted from their measured DT diaphorase activities a number of rat hepatoma and hepatocyte cell lines were also shown to be sensitive to CB 1954. However, no CB 1954-sensitive cell lines of human origin were found, although levels of DT diaphorase similar to those in the sensitive rat cells were present in these cells. The human cells were as sensitive as rat cells to the active form of CB 1954 (5-(aziridin-1-yl)-4-hydroxyla mino-2-nitrobenzamide). DT diaphorase, purified to homogeneity from human Hep G2 cells, did metabolize CB 1954 to this 4-hydroxylamino product, but the rate of CB 1954 reduction and thus production of the cytotoxic product, was much lower than that of purified Walker enzyme (ratio of Kcat = 6.4). In addition, CB 1954 could be considered an inhibitor of, rather than a substrate for, the human form of DT diaphorase. The purified rat and human DT diaphorases possessed otherwise similar biochemical and molecular properties. These findings explain the decreased sensitivity towards CB 1954 of human cell lines when compared to rat cell lines.

Multidrug resistance gene family and chemical carcinogens

The data discussed in this review indicate that the coordinated induction of both the mdr gene family and a subfamily of the cytochrome P-450 supergene family provide a unified response of the organism to prevent lethal accumulation of xenobiotics. Consequently, a distinct physiological role for the mdr multigene family now exists. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests the existence of multiple receptors with overlapping substrate specificity that are involved in the induction of both mdr and P-4501A gene families. The increased expression of mdr gene(s) in the early stages of liver carcinogenesis and presumably in other tissues is associated with the development of xenobiotic resistance that is observed in the preneoplastic cell populations. These observations may have important clinical implications and may provide an explanation for resistance to chemotherapy of tumors in organs such as liver and colon that are frequently exposed to both environmental and dietary xenobiotics.

Sensitivity of the cell cycle to TGF beta 1 does not correlate with transformation of a rat liver epithelial cell line

The effects of TGF beta 1 on cell cycle events in a rat liver derived epithelial cell line (BL9) and in two in vitro transformants of this line were studied by flow cytometry. Using either ethidium bromide staining or the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine to evaluate DNA synthesis it was shown that TGF beta 1 prevented the entry of G0/G1 phase BL9 cells into S phase. TGF beta 1 did not exert its inhibitory effect(s) on DNA synthesis by the modulation of early events in the cell cycle. The tumorigenic transformed BL9 cell lines gave contrasting responses to the effects of TGF beta 1. DNA synthesis in a BL9 cell line derived by transfection with an active N-ras oncogene was unaffected by TFG beta 1 and thus appeared refractory to its growth controlling effects. On the other hand cells from a BL9 cell line derived by in vitro transformation with activated aflatoxin B1 retained their sensitivity to the effects of TGF beta 1. Thus the loss of the inhibitory effect of TGF beta 1 on DNA synthesis is not obligatory for the malignant transformation of rat liver epithelial cells.

Protective activity of different hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases against DNA-binding metabolites of aflatoxin B1

To evaluate the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes in induced resistance of hepatocytes to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), we compared DNA protective activities of different hepatic cytosol preparations and purified GSTs from normal rats, rats exposed to different polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and rats with carcinogen-induced hepatocellular neoplasms, with cytosols or purified GSTs from mouse, rainbow trout, and human livers. These comparisons were performed in an in vitro assay for [3H]AFB1-DNA binding after activation by rat liver microsomes. Cytosol and S-hexylglutathione-affinity-purified GST preparations from livers of mice consistently had strong protective activity against AFB1-DNA binding. The majority of this activity was dependent on the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH) but some GSH-independent protection was observed in mouse hepatic cytosol, but not in purified GST preparations. We found that all of the GSH-dependent DNA-protective activity in mouse liver eluted as a single GST isoenzyme by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Preparations of cytosol and purified GSTs from normal rat liver, rainbow trout liver, and human liver had much less AFB1-specific DNA protective activity than GSTs found in mouse liver preparations. Cytosol from rats with carcinogen-generated liver neoplasms and livers induced with 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl had more GST activity toward CDNB than cytosol from normal rat liver. When equivalent units of GST activity (CDNB) were compared, there was little difference observed between the DNA-protective activities of PCB-induced and normal rat liver cytosols, yet cytosol from rat liver neoplasms was more protective. Purified GST-P (7-7), the GST isoenzyme most induced in carcinogen-generated rat liver neoplasms, was not protective when added at protein concentrations found to be protective for total GSTs isolated from these neoplasms. These studies demonstrate that the resistance of mouse liver to AFB1 can be explained primarily by a single constitutive GST isoenzyme (YaYa or 4-4) with a relatively high activity toward DNA-binding metabolites of AFB1. GST isoenzymes with such high specific DNA protective activity against AFB1 metabolites were not evident in human, rat, or rainbow trout liver or in PCB-induced or neoplastic rat liver preparations.

The significance of chemically-induced hepatocellular altered foci in rat liver and application to carcinogen detection

This review describes the pathogenesis and significance of chemically-induced hepatocellular altered foci in rat liver. The measurement of induction of foci can be used for carcinogen detection and the measurement of the modulation of foci by chemicals other than the inducing agent identifies enhancers or inhibitors of liver carcinogenesis.

Selection pressure and altered hepatocellular islands after a single injection of aflatoxin B1

Development of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive focal populations was investigated subsequent to single injections of the hepatocarcinogens aflatoxin B1 (AfB1), dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and diethylnitrosamine (DEN). While DEN proved far more potent at inducing putative initiated hepatocytes, the AfB1 treatment was associated with a very rapid (3 weeks) development of lesions approaching nodular proportions. Autoradiographic investigation revealed selective incorporation of label into GST-P-positive hepatocytes and oval cells at the day 7 time point following AfB1 treatment. Administration of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) subsequent to carcinogen injection was associated with a decrease in the final yield of lesions and increased tritiated thymidine incorporation in perivenular zone 3 background hepatocytes. The results suggest that 'selection pressure', resulting in rapid growth and development of putative preneoplastic lesions, is inherent in a single injection of the mycotoxin and indicate that variations of the present short-term model may be useful for elucidating the mechanisms underlying AfB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Ultrastructural aspects and clinical implications of PFC/non-phagocytic cell interactions

Many in vivo studies showed the accumulation of PFC particles in reticuloendothelial cells of target organs such as spleen, lungs and liver. Surprisingly, an uptake of PFCs particles by liver parenchymal cells as well was described by some authors. In order to clarify whether Kupffer cells and/or liver environmental factors could be involved in particle uptake we exposed cultured rat hepatocytes to Fluosol 43. PFC particles were noted, after a 3-hour incubation, in lysosomes. This result suggests that more attention must be paid to liver toxicity of PFC blood substitutes. Isolated mouse myocytes were exposed as well to Fluosol 43 for 3 hours. Preliminary results confirm the absence of the particle uptake previously noted also in our in vivo studies on rat and guinea pig heart-lung preparation. The possible subsequent absence of cytotoxicity at myocardial level could underline the reliability of using optimized PFCs as components of cardioplegic solutions in open heart surgery.

Conjugation of model substrates or microsomally-activated aflatoxin B1 with reduced glutathione, catalysed by cytosolic glutathione-S-transferases in livers of rats, mice and guinea pigs

Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity has been examined in liver cytosol fractions from guinea pigs, mice, control fed rats or rats with pre-neoplastic nodular liver lesions. The levels of activity in unfractionated cytosols have been assayed using the model substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DCNB) and monobromobimane (mBrB) with reduced glutathione (GSH). The order of activities in the various liver fractions using CDNB as substrate were: mouse greater than pre-neoplastic nodular rat greater than guinea pig greater than control rat and paralleled the capacities of the cytosols to catalyse the formation of aflatoxin B1-GSH from microsomally-activated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and GSH. Quantitative differences between the activities of the cytosols using the three model substrates were observed. In the mouse fractionation of GST activity by isoelectric focusing (I.E.F.) on preparative granular gels showed that the most basic component (isoelectric point pH 9.4) with the highest conjugating activity with respect to microsomally-activated AFB1 did not correspond with the peak of most activity for conjugating CDNB. In the pre-neoplastic nodular rat liver the CDNB conjugating activities of all fractions separated on granular I.E.F. gels, were higher than the corresponding fractions isolated from control rat liver, with particular enhancement of the peak containing the 3:3 isoenzyme. In contrast to control rat liver the 7:7 isoenzyme was detected in pre-neoplastic nodular liver preparations. These isoenzymes (3:3 and 7:7) did not contribute significantly to the enhanced level of AFB1-GSH formation catalysed by cytosol fractions prepared from pre-neoplastic nodular rat liver. The microsomally-activated AFB1-conjugating activity of unfractionated rat liver cytosols was increased to a relatively greater extent than CDNB conjugating activity during the induction of pre-neoplastic nodular liver lesions, and the elevated level of the activated AFB1-conjugating activity was found to be associated with the most basic fraction (isoelectric point pH 9.0). Analytical isoelectric focusing gels using mBrB as substrate demonstrated the presence of a basic GST isoenzyme in the pre-neoplastic nodular rat liver, not detected in preparations from the livers of control rats. The low level of activated AFB1-conjugating activity present in unfractionated guinea-pig cytosol was found to correspond with the fraction containing the peak of CDNB conjugating activity on preparative isoelectric focusing (isoelectric point pH 7.5). The lack of correlation between the conjugation of model substrates and the conjugation of xenobiotics could be of import

Carcinogen-induced mdr overexpression is associated with xenobiotic resistance in rat preneoplastic liver nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas

We have previously reported the isolation of a human breast cancer cell line resistant to doxorubicin (adriamycin; AdrR MCF-7 cells) that has also developed the phenotype of multidrug resistance (MDR). MDR in this cell line is associated with increased expression of mdr (P glycoprotein) gene sequences. The development of MDR in AdrR MCF-7 cells is also associated with changes in the expression of several phase I and phase II drug-detoxifying enzymes. These changes are remarkably similar to those associated with development of xenobiotic resistance in rat hyperplastic liver nodules, a well-studied model system of chemical carcinogenesis. Using an mdr-encoded cDNA sequence isolated from AdrR MCF-7 cells, we have examined the expression of mdr sequences in rat livers under a variety of experimental conditions. The expression of mdr increased 3-fold in regenerating liver. It was also elevated (3- to 12-fold) in several different samples of rat hyperplastic nodules and in four of five hepatomas that developed in this system. This suggests that overexpression of mdr, a gene previously associated with resistance to antineoplastic agents, may also be involved in the development of resistance to xenobiotics in rat hyperplastic nodules. In addition, although the acute administration of 2-acetylaminofluorene induced an 8-fold increase in hepatic mdr-encoded RNA, performance of a partial hepatectomy either before or after administration of 2-acetylaminofluorene resulted in a greater than 80-fold increase in mdr gene expression over that in normal untreated livers. This represents an important in vivo model system in which to study the acute regulation of this drug resistance gene.

Effects of pre-treatment with aflatoxin on a second aflatoxin treatment in guinea pigs

Two-hundred guinea pigs, weighing approximately 500 grams each, were placed in 8 groups, 4 of which received 20 micrograms/kg/day of partially purified aflatoxin for 7 days, followed by a 7 day recovery period. Paired groups then received 0, 20, 35 or 50 micrograms/kg/day of partially purified aflatoxin for 21 days. Animals were sacrificed periodically from all groups and blood was drawn for chemical and immunologic analysis. Weight gains were recorded and histopathologic studies were done on all animals. Pretreatment did not protect guinea pigs from a second exposure, and in fact enhanced mortality and liver toxicity as determined by histopathology. Serum chemistries and immunologic parameters of guinea pigs dosed twice were less conclusive, as neither high nor low doses differed from guinea pigs treated once. Glycocholic acid concentrations were more sensitive than traditional enzymes (aspartate and alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase) for indicating hepatotoxicity.

Cellular events during hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and the question of premalignancy

The cellular, biochemical, and genetic changes that occur in the liver of rats exposed to chemical hepatocarcinogens are reviewed. Multiple new cell types appear in the liver of carcinogen-treated rats including foci, nodules, ducts, oval cells, and atypical hyperplastic areas. The application of phenotypic markers for these cell types suggests that hepatocellular carcinomas may arise from more than one cell type, including a putative liver stem cell that proliferates following carcinogen exposure. Study of DNA, RNA, and proteins produced by hepatocellular carcinomas and putative premalignant cells has so far failed to identify a gene or gene product clearly associated with the malignant or premalignant phenotype. Understanding the cellular lineage from normal cell through putative premalignant cell to cancer is critical to understanding the process of carcinogenesis. Application of new immunological (monoclonal antibody, transplantation) and molecular biological (gene cloning, oncogene identification) approaches to this problem holds promise that the process of hepatocarcinogenesis will be better known in the near future.

Similar biochemical changes associated with multidrug resistance in human breast cancer cells and carcinogen-induced resistance to xenobiotics in rats

MCF7 human breast cancer cells selected for resistance to doxorubicin (adriamycin; DoxR) have developed the phenotype of multidrug resistance. Multidrug resistance in DoxR MCF7 cells (called AdrR MCF7 cell line in previous publications) is associated with biochemical changes similar to those induced by carcinogens in rat hyperplastic liver nodules (HNs) and associated with resistance to xenobiotics in that system. In HNs and DoxR cells, exposure to a single agent results in the selection of cells that are cross-resistant to a wide variety of structurally dissimilar toxic agents. Resistance in both systems is associated with decreases in intracellular accumulation of toxins and changes in phase I (decreased cytochrome P1-450) and phase II (increased glutathione transferase and glucuronyltransferase) drug-metabolizing activities. In HNs and DoxR cells, resistance is associated with the induction of relatively stable levels of an immunologically related anionic glutathione transferase isozyme (EC 2.5.1.18). The finding of similar biochemical changes associated with the development of resistance to various xenobiotics in HNs and to many naturally occurring antineoplastic agents and at least one carcinogen (benzo[a]pyrene) in DoxR MCF7 cells suggests that the mechanisms of resistance in these two models may be similar.

The influence of partial hepatectomy on the biphasic response of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase to aflatoxin B1

We previously observed a biphasic response in rat hepatic gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) feeding [9]. We have extended this observation to examine the effect of partial hepatectomy (PH) on the activity and distribution of GGT at different stages of the feeding regime. In control-fed animals GGT levels were elevated 3-7 days after PH with increased activity in periportal hepatocytes. In animals fed a sub-carcinogenic dose of AFB1 (up to 4 weeks) the effect of PH on GGT activity was similar to that in control animals, but increased activity was mainly due to biliary hyperplasia. There was no obvious difference between animals returned to control diet after PH and those returned to toxic diet. In animals fed 4-15 weeks the percentage increase in GGT activity 1 week after PH correlated with length of time on AFB1 diet before operation, with an increase in number and size of altered foci. These results further support the idea that there is a preliminary toxic response in GGT activity followed by a secondary response more closely related to the carcinogenic process.

Effects of chronic exposure to aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 on the in vivo covalent binding of aflatoxin B1 to hepatic macromolecules

Induction of resistance to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) binding to cellular macromolecules in the rat by chronic exposure to AFB1 and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was investigated. The binding of [14C]AFB1 to liver macromolecules was measured in F-344 rats fed 0.5 ppb or 50 ppb AFM1 or 50 ppb AFB1 for 41 wk. The animals then received an intragastric dose of [14C]AFB1 at 5 micrograms/kg and were sacrificed 6 h later. Hepatic DNA, RNA, and protein were isolated by chloroform-phenol extraction and hydroxylapatite chromatography. In animals preexposed to 50 ppb AFB1, labeled AFB1 binding to DNA, RNA, and protein was decreased by 72%, 74%, and 61%, respectively. Preexposure to AFM1 resulted in a small reduction in binding to nucleic acids. Glutathione transferase activity was increased by 133% in animals fed 50 ppb AFB1, by 48% in those preexposed to 50 ppb AFM1, and remained at control values in rats fed 0.5 ppb AFM1. These results suggest that the induction of detoxification enzymes following chronic exposure to aflatoxin might contribute to the reduction in covalent binding of AFB1 to macromolecules.

Specific G1-S phase cell cycle block by beryllium as demonstrated by cytofluorometric analysis

Inhibition of cell division by beryllium (Be2+) has been examined in synchronized cultures of a liver-derived cell line (BL9L cells) using cytofluorometric cell cycle analysis. Results show that a selective dose-related block of the G1-pre-S transition is produced, with other periods of the cell cycle appearing relatively insensitive.

Establishment of two rat hepatoma cell strains produced by a carcinogen initiation, phenobarbital promotion protocol

Two Fischer 344 rat hepatoma cell strains, JM1 and JM2, have been isolated from a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Primary tumor formation was induced in a two-thirds partially hepatectomized rat by a single low dose (70 mg/kg of diethylnitrosamine followed by chronic phenobarbital administration (0.1 g/100 ml drinking water). The primary tumors were passed three times by subcutaneous implantation of tumor fragments into the inguinal region of syngeneic recipients. The fourth pass was by injection of tumor cells directly into the livers of recipient rats. Several weeks later, the tumor-containing rat livers were subjected to collagenase perfusion. Two cell lines emerged from tissue culture of the cells isolated by perfusion. Each cell line was cloned by serial dilution. Cells JM1 and JM2 were tumorigenic when injected into syngeneic rats. The tumors, which arose from injected cell strains, exhibited several characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma. Morphology was examined by light and electron microscopy. Histochemical studies of JM1 and JM2 cells grown in vitro and in vivo were done. The levels of tyrosine aminotransferase and three microsomal enzymes of importance to drug and carcinogen metabolism were investigated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cell strains derived from an initiation promotion protocol in rats.

Modulation of functional activities in cultured rat hepatocytes

Rat hepatocytes isolated by enzymatic dissociation of the liver must attach in order to survive for more than a few hours. In conventional culture conditions, they rapidly lose their highly differentiated functions, e.g. adult isozymic forms, enzyme response to specific hormones and cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities. Incompletely differentiated cells such as perinatal and regenerating hepatocytes, can transiently exhibit a more differentiated state. Therefore, regulation of hepatic functions, particularly enzyme activities cannot be studied for more than a few days. Hepatocyte survival rate and maintenance of specific functions are dependent on nutrient composition of the medium as well as the substrate. Complex matrices, particularly that derived from the connective liver biomatrix, appear to have an important favorable effect. However, regardless of culture conditions specific functions cannot be quantitatively maintained for more than several days. Recent observations strongly suggest that such a problem may be overcome by mimicking in vivo specific cell-cell interactions. Thus when co-cultured with a liver epithelial cell line, probably derived from biliary ductular cells, adult hepatocytes remain able to synthesize high levels of albumin and to conjugate drugs. In these conditions, the cells secrete an abundant heterogeneous extracellular material. The co-cultures can be maintained in a serum-free medium and specific liver functions can be altered experimentally. Such a model could be appropriate for studying long-term induction and modulation of liver enzyme activities under defined experimental conditions.

Preliminary studies on the inhibitory effect of novel Pd(II) complexes of vitamin B6 on cell divisions

Two novel complexes of Pd(II) involving vitamin B6 compounds have been synthesized. They are compatible with the compositions Pd(P.H.)2 C2(P = pyridoxol) and Pd(PL.H)2 C2(PL = pyridoxal). The complexes inhibited the growth as well as the biosynthesis of RNA, DNA, and protein of E. coli B-766. Photoacoustic spectral (PAS) measurements showed that the complexes bound to DNA of the bacteria and were present only in the kidney of treated mice. The complexes inhibited the incorporation of 3H-thymidine as well as 14C-leucine in the DNA and protein, respectively, of liver cell cultures (BL8L). The inhibition of cell division of Walker-S-cells and human lymphocytes by the complexes was highly significant.

Effect of microsomally activated AFB1 on GGT activity in 3 rat liver cell lines

Three cell lines derived from adult rat liver have been used to study changes in levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a possible marker for premalignant transformation in liver in vivo. None of the cell lines was able to metabolize aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and treatment with AFB1 alone did not influence GGT activity. However, treatment with microsomally activated AFB1 increased the level of activity in a cell line (BL8L) derived from normal liver with very low levels of GGT, by as much as 10-fold, and 5-fold in a cell line (ARL) also isolated from normal rat liver, but which had subsequently undergone spontaneous transformation. Microsomes from rats pretreated with phenobarbitone were compared with those from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated animals. AFB1 activated by the former produced larger increases in GGT activity, but in no case did the enzyme levels approach that in a cell line (JBI) derived from a hepatoma in the liver of an AFB1-fed rat. Treatment of JBI cells with microsomally activated AFB1 produced no further increase in activity. Histochemical staining indicated an uneven distribution of enzyme in all cell populations, both before and after treatment. This cell-culture system is useful for further studies on the role of GGT in carcinogenesis.

Resistance to the cytocidal effects of adriamycin is an early phenotypic change induced during hepatocarcinogenesis

Resistance to the cytocidal action of Adriamycin (ADR) was induced in rat hepatocytes by incorporation of the carcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) into the rat diet. Using a quantitative assay in primary monolayer culture, it was demonstrated that resistance to ADR is an early phenotypic change that is induced during chemical carcinogenesis in the rat, and appears to be stable.

Dianthins, ribosome-damaging proteins with anti-viral properties from Dianthus caryophyllus L. (carnation)

1. Dianthin 30 and dianthin 32, two proteins isolated from the leaves of Diathus caryophyllus (carnation), were purified to homogeneity by chromatography on CM-cellulose. 2. The mol.wt. of dianthin 30 is 29 500 and that of dianthin 32 is 31 700. Both dianthins are glycoproteins containing mannose. 3. Dianthins inhibit protein synthesis in a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes, with an ID50 (concentration giving 50% inhibition) of 9.15 ng/ml (dianthin 30) and 3.6 ng/ml (dianthin 32). They act by damaging ribosomes in a less-than-equimolar ratio. Protein synthesis by intact cells is partially inhibited by dianthins at a concentration of 100 microgram/ml. 4. Dianthins mixed with tobacco-mosaic virus strongly decrease the number of local lesions on leaves of Nicotiana glutinosa.

Inhibition of protein synthesis by a toxic lectin from Viscum album L. (mistletoe)

1. The haemagglutinating and toxic lectin from Viscum album L. (mistletoe) inhibits protein synthesis in a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes, with an ID50 (concentration giving 50% inhibition) of 2.6 microgram/ml. This effect is enhanced (ID50 0.21 microgram/ml) if the lectin is reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol. 2. The lectin inhibits protein synthesis also in BL8L cells in culture. Inhibition occurs after a lag time of 3 h. The ID50 is 7 ng/ml, and increases after reduction of the lectin. 3. This and the gross lesions observed in rats poisoned with V. album lectin indicate this is a toxin very similar to ricin.

Antimitotic activity of dehydroretronecine, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolite, and some analogous compounds, in a rat liver parenchymal cell line

The actions of 13 pyrrolic alcohols with similar chemical properties have been tested on cultured liver cells. Two, dehydroretronecine and dehydrosupinidine, were putative metabolites of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids; the remainder were synthetic. All were either mono- or bi-functional alkylating agents. Groups of cells were exposed to the compounds and were later stimulated to divide by changing the medium, then fixed, stained, and the proportions of cells in mitosis counted and compared with those in similarly treated control cells. Eleven compounds partially or completely inhibited cell division at concentrations of 10(-4) M or less. Bifunctional compounds, including dehydroretronecine and 2,3-bis-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpyrrole, had the highest antimitotic activity coupled with lowest cytotoxicity. The least chemically reactive compound, 3-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpyrrole, was neither antimitotic nor cytotoxic, whereas the monofunctional alkylating agents with highest reactivity, such as 3-hydroxymethyl-1,2-dimethylpyrrole, were the most toxic to the cells. The mitotic block occurred at a post-synthetic stage of the cell cycle, and affected cells could grow to a giant size.

Hepatocyte suspensions and cultures as tools in experimental carcinogenesis

Isolation of preneoplastic cell populations would greatly facilitate analysis of the development of liver carcinogenesis. Suspensions of intact single cells can be prepared in an almost quantitative yield by two-step perfusion of the isolated liver. In the first step the liver is perfused with a Ca2+-free buffer (or with EGTA) in order to irreversibly cleave the desmosomes; in the second step perfusion with Ca2+-activated collagenase dissolves the collagenous extracellular matrix. The resulting single-cell suspension will be a mixture of intact normal and preneoplastic hepatocytes, other liver cell types (mostly Kupffer and endothelial cells), damaged cells, and subcellular debris. Intact hepatocytes can be purified--e.g., by differential centrifugation--but separation of preneoplastic from normal cells has not yet been achieved. Density gradient separation or selection in culture on the basis of the unique properties of preneoplastic hepatocytes (e.g., drug resistance) may prove useful. The use of hepatocyte cultures and liver-derived epithelial cell lines as test systems and models for chemical carcinogenesis in vitro is briefly reviewed.