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Congues F, Wang P, Lee J, Lin D, Shahid A, Xie J, Huang Y. Targeting aryl hydrocarbon receptor to prevent cancer in barrier organs. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116156. [PMID: 38518996 PMCID: PMC11144369 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The skin, lung, and gut are important barrier organs that control how the body reacts to environmental stressors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, air pollutants, dietary components, and microorganisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis of barrier organs. AhR was initially discovered as a receptor for environmental chemical carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Activation of AhR pathways by PAHs leads to increased DNA damage and mutations which ultimately lead to carcinogenesis. Ongoing evidence reveals an ever-expanding role of AhR. Recently, AhR has been linked to immune systems by the interaction with the development of natural killer (NK) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, as well as the production of immunosuppressive cytokines. However, the role of AhR in carcinogenesis is not as straightforward as we initially thought. Although AhR activation has been shown to promote carcinogenesis in some studies, others suggest that it may act as a tumor suppressor. In this review, we aim to explore the role of AhR in the development of cancer that originates from barrier organs. We also examined the preclinical efficacy data of AhR agonists and antagonists on carcinogenesis to determine whether AhR modulation can be a viable option for cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francoise Congues
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; Department of Stomatology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Joshua Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Daphne Lin
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Ayaz Shahid
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA.
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Kim DK, Lee CY, Han YJ, Park SY, Han H, Na K, Kim MH, Yang SM, Baek S, Kim Y, Hwang JY, Lee S, Kang SS, Hong MH, Lim SM, Lee JB, Kim JH, Cho BC, Pyo KH. Exploring aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression and distribution in the tumor microenvironment, with a focus on immune cells, in various solid cancer types. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330228. [PMID: 38680496 PMCID: PMC11045933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that performs various functions upon ligand activation. Several studies have explored the role of AhR expression in tumor progression and immune surveillance. Nevertheless, investigations on the distribution of AhR expression, specifically in cancer or immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), remain limited. Examining the AhR expression and distribution in the TME is crucial for gaining insights into the mechanism of action of AhR-targeting anticancer agents and their potential as biomarkers. Methods Here, we used multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) and image cytometry to investigate the AhR expression and distribution in 513 patient samples, of which 292 are patients with one of five solid cancer types. Additionally, we analyzed the nuclear and cytosolic distribution of AhR expression. Results Our findings reveal that AhR expression was primarily localized in cancer cells, followed by stromal T cells and macrophages. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between the nuclear and cytosolic expression of AhR, indicating that the expression of AhR as a biomarker is independent of its localization. Interestingly, the expression patterns of AhR were categorized into three clusters based on the cancer type, with high AhR expression levels being found in regulatory T cells (Tregs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Discussion These findings are anticipated to serve as pivotal evidence for the design of clinical trials and the analysis of the anticancer mechanisms of AhR-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Kwon Kim
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chai Young Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Han
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Park
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heekyung Han
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangmin Na
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hyun Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Min Yang
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujeong Baek
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngtaek Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Yeon Hwang
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-san Kang
- Jeuk Institute for Cancer Research, Jeuk Co. Ltd., Gumi, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei New Il Han Institute for Integrative Lung Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei New Il Han Institute for Integrative Lung Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Research Support, Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Cocchi S, Gambarotti M, Gamberi G, Magagnoli G, Maioli M, Stevanin M, Samperi F, Righi A, Benini S. The utility of FISH analysis in the diagnosis of BCOR-rearranged sarcomas. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 255:155209. [PMID: 38422910 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A BCL6 corepressor (BCOR) gene alteration is a genetic signature of rare subsets of sarcomas. The identification of this alteration has recently contributed to the definition of new entities in the current WHO (2020) classification of soft tissue and bone tumours. We retrospectively examined cases of BCOR-rearranged sarcoma (BRS) to assess the reliability of the BCOR FISH analysis using an IVD (in vitro diagnostic) probe. METHODS We investigated and compared the molecular diagnostic strategies and features by collecting 17 data from patients with a BCOR gene rearrangement detected using quantitative-Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRTPCR), Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS We describe fourteen BCOR::CCNB3 sarcomas, one spindle cell sarcoma with a novel BCOR::MAML1 fusion, one spindle cell sarcoma with a novel BCOR::AHR fusion, and one ossifying fibromyxoid tumour with a BCOR::ZC3H7B fusion. FISH analysis of all, except one, BCOR::CCNB3 sarcoma, showed a FISH break-apart pattern with mild signal separation. The MAML1::BCOR sarcoma showed large-space split signals, while in the two patients with AHR::BCOR and ZC3H7B::BCOR fusions, no BCOR rearrangement was observed using FISH. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that BCOR FISH analysis using an IVD probe, may be useful to detect the presence of a BCOR rearrangement, including both translocations and inversions; however, negative results, in some cases, can occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Cocchi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Gambarotti
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gamberi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Magagnoli
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Margherita Maioli
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Stevanin
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Samperi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Righi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Benini
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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Griffith BD, Frankel TL. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: Impact on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Modulation as a Potential Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:472. [PMID: 38339226 PMCID: PMC10854841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ubiquitous nuclear receptor with a broad range of functions, both in tumor cells and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Activation of AhR has been shown to have a carcinogenic effect in a variety of organs, through induction of cellular proliferation and migration, promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and inhibition of apoptosis, among other functions. However, the impact on immune cell function is more complicated, with both pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles identified. Although targeting AhR in cancer has shown significant promise in pre-clinical studies, there has been limited efficacy in phase III clinical trials to date. With the contrasting roles of AhR activation on immune cell polarization, understanding the impact of AhR activation on the tumor immune microenvironment is necessary to guide therapies targeting the AhR. This review article summarizes the state of knowledge of AhR activation on the TME, limitations of current findings, and the potential for modulation of the AhR as a cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Malla A, Gupta S, Sur R. Glycolytic enzymes in non-glycolytic web: functional analysis of the key players. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-023-01213-5. [PMID: 38196050 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
To survive in the tumour microenvironment, cancer cells undergo rapid metabolic reprograming and adaptability. One of the key characteristics of cancer is increased glycolytic selectivity and decreased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Apart from ATP synthesis, glycolysis is also responsible for NADH regeneration and macromolecular biosynthesis, such as amino acid biosynthesis and nucleotide biosynthesis. This allows cancer cells to survive and proliferate even in low-nutrient and oxygen conditions, making glycolytic enzymes a promising target for various anti-cancer agents. Oncogenic activation is also caused by the uncontrolled production and activity of glycolytic enzymes. Nevertheless, in addition to conventional glycolytic processes, some glycolytic enzymes are involved in non-canonical functions such as transcriptional regulation, autophagy, epigenetic changes, inflammation, various signaling cascades, redox regulation, oxidative stress, obesity and fatty acid metabolism, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, and hypoxia. The mechanisms underlying the non-canonical glycolytic enzyme activities are still not comprehensive. This review summarizes the current findings on the mechanisms fundamental to the non-glycolytic actions of glycolytic enzymes and their intermediates in maintaining the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avirup Malla
- Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Suvroma Gupta
- Department of Aquaculture Management, Khejuri college, West Bengal, Baratala, India.
| | - Runa Sur
- Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
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Khan DMIO, Karmaus PWF, Bach A, Crawford RB, Kaminski NE. An in vitro model of human hematopoiesis identifies a regulatory role for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6253-6265. [PMID: 37477592 PMCID: PMC10589788 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro models to study simultaneous development of different human immune cells and hematopoietic lineages are lacking. We identified and characterized, using single-cell methods, an in vitro stromal cell-free culture system of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) differentiation that allows concurrent development of multiple immune cell lineages. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor influencing many biological processes in diverse cell types. Using this in vitro model, we found that AHR activation by the highly specific AHR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, drives differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ HSPCs toward monocytes and granulocytes with a significant decrease in lymphoid and megakaryocyte lineage specification that may lead to reduced immune competence. To our knowledge, we also discovered for the first time, using single-cell modalities, that AHR activation decreased the expression of BCL11A and IRF8 in progenitor cells, which are critical genes involved in hematopoietic lineage specification processes at both transcriptomic and protein levels. Our in vitro model of hematopoiesis, coupled with single-cell tools, therefore allows for a better understanding of the role played by AHR in modulating hematopoietic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Isha Olive Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Peer W. F. Karmaus
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC
| | - Anthony Bach
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Robert B. Crawford
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Norbert E. Kaminski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
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Al-Adl M, El-Said A, El-Sebaie A, Refaat S, Youssef MM. Association of CYP1A1 T3801C (rs4646903) variant with the susceptibility and progression of B-chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL) in the Egyptian population. Gene 2023; 883:147673. [PMID: 37506988 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The frequency of hematological malignancies is increasing universally, and over the last few decades, a significant increase in the incidence of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) has been observed. Many studies have revealed the involvement of genetic predisposition along with environmental exposure to genotoxic xenobiotics in the leukemogenesis process of B-CLL. CYP1A1 is a vital member of the cytochromes P450 (CYPs) superfamily, which is involved in pro-carcinogens activation into reactive intermediates during phase I xenobiotic biotransformation. AIM This study aimed to determine the possible role of the CYP1A1*2A (T3801C, rs4646903) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) as a risk factor for developing B-CLL, as well as the impact of this SNP on the disease progression and the clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was conducted on 100 patients newly diagnosed with B-CLL, and 100 healthy individuals with matched ages and sex, served as the control group. CYP1A1 (T3801C) genotyping of all patient and control samples was performed using the PCR-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) method. In addition, serum levels of both IL-6 and TNF-α were estimated by the ELISA technique. RESULTS Higher frequencies of the heterozygous carrier (TC) and homozygous variant (CC) genotypes of the CYP1A1 (T3801C) variant were observed in B-CLL patients compared to the controls (P < 0.001 for both). The frequencies of the CYP1A1 (T3801C) variant indicated a significant elevated risk of B-CLL under various genetic models, including allelic (OR = 8.8, P < 0.001) and dominant (OR = 9.3, P < 0.001) models. In addition, the median IL-6 level was significantly higher in patients with (TC) and (CC) genotypes than in patients with (TT) genotype (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Also, the median TNF-α level was significantly higher in patients with (TC) and (CC) genotypes than in patients with (TT) genotype (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION Our results showed that the CYP1A1*2A (T3801C, rs4646903) SNP increases the susceptibility to B-CLL incidence and is associated with poor disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menna Al-Adl
- Division of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Afaf El-Said
- Genetics Department, Mansoura Children's Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ahmed El-Sebaie
- Hematology Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Sherif Refaat
- Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Center Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Magdy M Youssef
- Division of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Vázquez-Gómez G, Petráš J, Dvořák Z, Vondráček J. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) play both distinct and common roles in the regulation of colon homeostasis and intestinal carcinogenesis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115797. [PMID: 37696457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Both aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) belong among key regulators of xenobiotic metabolism in the intestinal tissue. AhR in particular is activated by a wide range of environmental and dietary carcinogens. The data accumulated over the last two decades suggest that both of these transcriptional regulators play a much wider role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis, and that both transcription factors may affect processes linked with intestinal tumorigenesis. Intestinal epithelium is continuously exposed to a wide range of AhR, PXR and dual AhR/PXR ligands formed by intestinal microbiota or originating from diet. Current evidence suggests that specific ligands of both AhR and PXR can protect intestinal epithelium against inflammation and assist in the maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity. AhR, and to a lesser extent also PXR, have been shown to play a protective role against inflammation-induced colon cancer, or, in mouse models employing overactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In contrast, other evidence suggests that both receptors may contribute to modulation of transformed colon cell behavior, with a potential to promote cancer progression and/or chemoresistance. The review focuses on both overlapping and separate roles of the two receptors in these processes, and on possible implications of their activity within the context of intestinal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Vázquez-Gómez
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Petráš
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Dvořák
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Alluli A, Rijnbout St James W, Eidelman DH, Baglole CJ. Dynamic relationship between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and long noncoding RNA balances cellular and toxicological responses. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115745. [PMID: 37597813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a cytosolic transcription factor activated by endogenous ligands and xenobiotic chemicals. Once the AhR is activated, it translocates to the nucleus, dimerizes with the AhR nuclear translator (ARNT) and binds to xenobiotic response elements (XRE) to promote gene transcription, notably the cytochrome P450 CYP1A1. The AhR not only mediates the toxic effects of environmental chemicals, but also has numerous putative physiological functions. This dichotomy in AhR biology may be related to reciprocal regulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). lncRNA are defined as transcripts more than 200 nucleotides in length that do not encode a protein but are implicated in many physiological processes such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. lncRNA are also linked to disease pathogenesis, particularly the development of cancer. Recent studies have revealed that AhR activation by environmental chemicals affects the expression and function of lncRNA. In this article, we provide an overview of AhR signaling pathways activated by diverse ligands and highlight key differences in the putative biological versus toxicological response of AhR activation. We also detail the functions of lncRNA and provide current data on their regulation by the AhR. Finally, we outline how overlap in function between AhR and lncRNA may be one way in which AhR can be both a regulator of endogenous functions but also a mediator of toxicological responses to environmental chemicals. Overall, more research is still needed to fully understand the dynamic interplay between the AhR and lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aeshah Alluli
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada
| | - Willem Rijnbout St James
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada
| | - David H Eidelman
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Baglole
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Canada.
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Holme JA, Vondráček J, Machala M, Lagadic-Gossmann D, Vogel CFA, Le Ferrec E, Sparfel L, Øvrevik J. Lung cancer associated with combustion particles and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - The roles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115801. [PMID: 37696458 PMCID: PMC10543654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is the leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking, contributing to 20% of all lung cancer deaths. Increased risk associated with living near trafficked roads, occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, indoor coal combustion and cigarette smoking, suggest that combustion components in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), may be central drivers of lung cancer. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) and increase PAH metabolism, formation of reactive metabolites, oxidative stress, DNA damage and mutagenesis. Lung cancer tissues from smokers and workers exposed to high combustion PM levels contain mutagenic signatures derived from PAHs. However, recent findings suggest that ambient air PM2.5 exposure primarily induces lung cancer development through tumor promotion of cells harboring naturally acquired oncogenic mutations, thus lacking typical PAH-induced mutations. On this background, we discuss the role of AhR and PAHs in lung cancer development caused by air pollution focusing on the tumor promoting properties including metabolism, immune system, cell proliferation and survival, tumor microenvironment, cell-to-cell communication, tumor growth and metastasis. We suggest that the dichotomy in lung cancer patterns observed between smoking and outdoor air PM2.5 represent the two ends of a dose-response continuum of combustion PM exposure, where tumor promotion in the peripheral lung appears to be the driving factor at the relatively low-dose exposures from ambient air PM2.5, whereas genotoxicity in the central airways becomes increasingly more important at the higher combustion PM levels encountered through smoking and occupational exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørn A Holme
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eric Le Ferrec
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Lydie Sparfel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Johan Øvrevik
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway.
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11
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Mandal A, Biswas N, Alam MN. Implications of xenobiotic-response element(s) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor in health and diseases. Hum Cell 2023; 36:1638-1655. [PMID: 37329424 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00931-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The effect of air pollution on public health is severely detrimental. In humans; the physiological response against pollutants is mainly elicited via the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). It acts as a prime sensor of xenobiotic chemicals, also functioning as a transcription factor regulating a variety of gene expressions. Along with AhR, another pivotal element of the pollution stress pathway is Xenobiotic Response Elements (XREs). XRE, as studied are some conserved sequences in the DNA, responsible for the physiological response against pollutants. XRE is present at the upstream of the inducible target genes of AhR and it regulates the function of the AhR. XRE(s) are highly conserved in species as it has only eight specific sequences found so far in humans, mice, and rats. Inhalation of toxicants like dioxins, gaseous industrial effluents, and smoke from burning fuel and tobacco leads to predominant damage to the lungs. However, scientists are exploring the involvement of AhR in chronic diseases for example chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also other lethal diseases like lung cancer. In this review, we summarise what is known at this time about the roles played by the XRE and AhR in our molecular systems that have a defined control in the normal maintenance of homeostasis as well as dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avijit Mandal
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Nabendu Biswas
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Md Nur Alam
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, 700073, India.
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12
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Varlı M, Ngo MT, Kim SM, Taş İ, Zhou R, Gamage CD, Pulat S, Park SY, Sesal NC, Hur JS, Kang KB, Kim H. A fatty acid-rich fraction of an endolichenic fungus Phoma sp. suppresses immune checkpoint markers via AhR/ARNT and ESR1. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19185. [PMID: 37662726 PMCID: PMC10474435 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rates worldwide. The disease is caused by environmental pollutants, smoking, and many other factors. Recent treatments include immunotherapeutics, which have shown some success; however, the search for new therapeutics is ongoing. Endolichenic fungi produce a whale of a lot of secondary metabolites, the therapeutic effects of which are being evaluated. Here, we used a crude extract and subfractions of the endolichenic fungus, Phoma sp. (EL006848), isolated from the Pseudevernia furfuracea. It was identified the fatty acid components, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, exist in subfractions E1 and E2. In addition, EL006848 and its fatty acids fractions suppressed benzo[a]pyrene (an AhR ligand)- induced expression of PD-L1 to inhibit the activity of multiple immune checkpoints. E2 subfraction, which had a higher fatty acid content than E1, downregulated expression of AhR/ARNT and several human transcription factors related to ESR1. Moreover, E2 showed a strong inhibitory effect on STAT3 expression and mild effect on NF-kB activity. These results suggest that fatty acids extracted from an endolichenic fungus can exert strong immunotherapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mücahit Varlı
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Men Thi Ngo
- College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, 100 Cheongpa-ro 47 gil, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Min Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - İsa Taş
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Rui Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Chathurika D.B. Gamage
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Sultan Pulat
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Yeon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Nüzhet Cenk Sesal
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jae-Seoun Hur
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo Bin Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, 100 Cheongpa-ro 47 gil, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Hangun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Sunchon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
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13
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Wang LT, Liu KY, Wang SN, Lin MH, Liao YM, Lin PC, Huang SK, Hsu SH, Chiou SS. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-kynurenine axis promotes oncogenic activity in BCP-ALL. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:1471-1487. [PMID: 35687267 PMCID: PMC10425300 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-022-09734-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), the most common childhood cancer, originates from lymphoid precursor cells in bone marrow committed to the B-cell lineage. Environmental factors and genetic abnormalities disturb the normal maturation of these precursor cells, promoting the formation of leukemia cells and suppressing normal hematopoiesis. The underlying mechanisms of progression are unclear, but BCP-ALL incidence seems to be increasing in parallel with the adoption of modern lifestyles. This study hypothesized that air pollution and haze are risk factors for BCP-ALL progression. The current study revealed that indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP), a major component of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air, promotes oncogenic activities (proliferation, transformation, and disease relapse) in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IP treatment activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDOs) axis, thereby enhancing tryptophan metabolism and kynurenine (KYN) level and consequent promoting the KYN-AHR feedback loop. IP treatment decreased the time to disease relapse and increased the BCP-ALL cell count in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Additionally, in 50 clinical BCP-ALL samples, AHR and IDO were co-expressed in a disease-specific manner at mRNA and protein levels, while their mRNA levels showed a significant correlation with disease-free survival duration. These results indicated that PAH/IP exposure promotes BCP-ALL disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ting Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kwei-Yan Liu
- Department of Respirology & Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shen-Nien Wang
- Division of General and Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Mei Liao
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chin Lin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shau-Ku Huang
- Department of Respirology & Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shih-Hsien Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
| | - Shyh-Shin Chiou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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14
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Zárate LV, Miret NV, Nicola Candia AJ, Zappia CD, Pontillo CA, Chiappini FA, Monczor F, Candolfi M, Randi AS. Breast cancer progression and kynurenine pathway enzymes are induced by hexachlorobenzene exposure in a Her2-positive model. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 177:113822. [PMID: 37169060 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among women worldwide. Given the evidence that pesticides play an important role in breast cancer, interest has grown in pesticide impact on disease progression. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, promotes triple-negative breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) inhibits cancer motility, while G protein-coupled ER (GPER) modulates the neoplastic transformation. Tryptophan is metabolized through the kynurenine pathway by indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), with kynurenine signaling activation often predicting worse prognosis in cancer. In this context, we examined the HCB (0.005; 0.05; 0.5 and 5 μM) effect on LM3 cells, a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer model. Results show that HCB increases IDO and TDO mRNA levels and promotes cell viability, proliferation and migration through the AhR pathway. Moreover, HCB boosts mammosphere formation, vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and reduces IL-10 levels. For some parameters, U-shaped or inverted U-shaped dose-response curves are shown. HCB alters ER levels, reducing ERβ while increasing GPER. These results demonstrate that exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of HCB up-regulates the kynurenine pathway and dysregulates ERβ and GPER levels, collaborating in HER2-positive breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena V Zárate
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminants Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, Piso 5, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Noelia V Miret
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminants Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, Piso 5, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Físico-Matemática, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, 1er Subsuelo, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Alejandro J Nicola Candia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Laboratorio de Inmunoterapia Antitumoral, Paraguay 2155, Piso 10, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - C Daniel Zappia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (UBA-CONICET), Laboratorio de Farmacología de Receptors, Junín 954, Planta Baja, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Carolina A Pontillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminants Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, Piso 5, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Florencia A Chiappini
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminants Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, Piso 5, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Federico Monczor
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (UBA-CONICET), Laboratorio de Farmacología de Receptors, Junín 954, Planta Baja, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marianela Candolfi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Laboratorio de Inmunoterapia Antitumoral, Paraguay 2155, Piso 10, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Andrea S Randi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminants Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, Piso 5, (CP 1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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15
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Nemeikaitė-Čėnienė A, Haberkant P, Kučiauskas D, Stein F, Čėnas N. Redox Proteomic Profile of Tirapazamine-Resistant Murine Hepatoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076863. [PMID: 37047836 PMCID: PMC10094930 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
3-Amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (tirapazamine, TPZ) and other heteroaromatic N-oxides (ArN→O) exhibit tumoricidal, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal activities. Their action is attributed to the enzymatic single-electron reduction to free radicals that initiate the prooxidant processes. In order to clarify the mechanisms of aerobic mammalian cytotoxicity of ArN→O, we derived a TPZ-resistant subline of murine hepatoma MH22a cells (resistance index, 5.64). The quantitative proteomic of wild-type and TPZ-resistant cells revealed 5818 proteins, of which 237 were up- and 184 down-regulated. The expression of the antioxidant enzymes aldehyde- and alcohol dehydrogenases, carbonyl reductases, catalase, and glutathione reductase was increased 1.6-5.2 times, whereas the changes in the expression of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, thioredoxin reductase, and peroxiredoxins were less pronounced. The expression of xenobiotics conjugating glutathione-S-transferases was increased by 1.6-2.6 times. On the other hand, the expression of NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase was responsible for the single-electron reduction in TPZ and for the 2.1-fold decrease. These data support the fact that the main mechanism of action of TPZ under aerobic conditions is oxidative stress. The unchanged expression of intranuclear antioxidant proteins peroxiredoxin, glutaredoxin, and glutathione peroxidase, and a modest increase in the expression of DNA damage repair proteins, tend to support non-site-specific but not intranuclear oxidative stress as a main factor of TPZ aerobic cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aušra Nemeikaitė-Čėnienė
- State Research Institute Center for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių St. 5, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Per Haberkant
- Proteomics Core Facility EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dalius Kučiauskas
- Department of Xenobiotics Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry of Vilnius University, Saulėtekio 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Frank Stein
- Proteomics Core Facility EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Narimantas Čėnas
- Department of Xenobiotics Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry of Vilnius University, Saulėtekio 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
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16
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Fu Y, Bi Z, Ji H, Elangbam M, Zhang Q, Qiu Y, Zhang W, Thakur C, Chen F. Disruption of the tumor suppressor-like activity of aryl hydrocarbon receptor by arsenic in epithelial cells and human lung cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:1983-2001. [PMID: 37151890 PMCID: PMC10158013 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.81423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
As the most classic and extensively studied transcription factor in response to environmental toxic chemicals, the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has been implicated in mediating some oncogenic responses also. Limited information is available, however, on whether arsenic, a widely presented environmental carcinogen, can regulate AHR to exert its carcinogenic activity. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-seq), CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, RNA-seq, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), in this report we provided evidence showing that arsenic enforces TGFβ and other oncogenic signaling pathways in bronchial epithelial cells through disrupting the tumor suppressor-like activity of AHR. AHR is normally enriched on a number of oncogenic genes in addition to the known phase I/II enzymes, such as genes in TGFβ and Nrf2 signaling pathways and several known oncogenes. Arsenic treatment substantially reduced the binding of AHR on these genes followed by an increased expression of these genes. CRISPR-Cas9-based knockout of AHR followed by RNA-seq further demonstrated increased expression of the TGFβ signaling and some oncogenic signaling pathway genes in the AHR knockout cells. IHC studies on human tissue samples revealed that normal human lung tissues expressed high level of AHR. In contrast, the AHR expression was diminished in the lung cancer tissues. Accordingly, the data from this study suggest that AHR has tumor suppressor-like activity for human lung cancer, and one of the carcinogenic mechanisms of arsenic is likely mediated by the inhibition of arsenic on the tumor suppressor-like activity of AHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Fu
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Zhuoyue Bi
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Haoyan Ji
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Millie Elangbam
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Yiran Qiu
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Wenxuan Zhang
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Chitra Thakur
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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17
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Patil NY, Friedman JE, Joshi AD. Role of Hepatic Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. RECEPTORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 2:1-15. [PMID: 37284280 PMCID: PMC10240927 DOI: 10.3390/receptors2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous nuclear receptors including farnesoid X receptor, liver X receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, pregnane X receptor, hepatic nuclear factors have been extensively studied within the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Following the first description of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in the 1970s and decades of research which unveiled its role in toxicity and pathophysiological processes, the functional significance of AhR in NAFLD has not been completely decoded. Recently, multiple research groups have utilized a plethora of in vitro and in vivo models that mimic NAFLD pathology to investigate the functional significance of AhR in fatty liver disease. This review provides a comprehensive account of studies describing both the beneficial and possible detrimental role of AhR in NAFLD. A plausible reconciliation for the paradox indicating AhR as a 'double-edged sword' in NAFLD is discussed. Finally, understanding AhR ligands and their signaling in NAFLD will facilitate us to probe AhR as a potential drug target to design innovative therapeutics against NAFLD in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Y. Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Jacob E. Friedman
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Aditya D. Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
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18
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Hu J, Ding Y, Liu W, Liu S. When AHR signaling pathways meet viral infections. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:42. [PMID: 36829212 PMCID: PMC9951170 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01058-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcriptional factor widely expressed among immune, epithelial, endothelial and stromal cells in barrier tissues. It can be activated by small molecules provided by pollutants, microorganisms, food, and metabolism. It has been demonstrated that AHR plays an important role in modulating the response to many microbial pathogens, and the abnormal expression of AHR signaling pathways may disrupt endocrine, cause immunotoxicity, and even lead to the occurrence of cancer. Most humans are infected with at least one known human cancer virus. While the initial infection with these viruses does not cause major disease, the metabolic activity of infected cells changes, thus affecting the activation of oncogenic signaling pathways. In the past few years, lots of studies have shown that viral infections can affect disease progression by regulating the transmission of multiple signaling pathways. This review aims to discuss the potential effects of virus infections on AHR signaling pathways so that we may find a new strategy to minimize the adverse effects of the AHR pathway on diseases. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieke Hu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 1677 Wutaishan Road, Qingdao, 266555, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Special Examination, Qingdao Women & Children Hospital, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Shuzhen Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 1677 Wutaishan Road, Qingdao, 266555, China.
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19
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Shagufta, Ahmad I. Therapeutic significance of molecular hybrids for breast cancer research and treatment. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:218-238. [PMID: 36846377 PMCID: PMC9945856 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00356b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, breast cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death in women. Indeed, over the years, several anti-breast cancer drugs have been developed; however, the complex heterogeneous nature of breast cancer disease reduces the applicability of conventional targeted therapies with the upsurge in side effects and multi-drug resistance. Molecular hybrids generated by a combination of two or more active pharmacophores emerged as a promising approach in recent years for the design and synthesis of anti-breast cancer drugs. The hybrid anti-breast cancer molecules are well known for their several advantages compared to the parent moiety. These hybrid forms of anti-breast cancer molecules demonstrated remarkable effects in blocking different pathways contributing to the pathogenies of breast cancer and improved specificity. In addition, these hybrids are patient compliant with reduced side effects and multi-drug resistance. The literature revealed that molecular hybrids are applied to discover and develop novel hybrids for various complex diseases. This review article highlights the recent progress (∼2018-2022) in developing molecular hybrids, including linked, merged, and fused hybrids, as promising anti-breast cancer agents. Furthermore, their design principles, biological potential, and future perspective are discussed. The provided information will lead to the development of novel anti-breast cancer hybrids with excellent pharmacological profiles in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shagufta
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah United Arab Emirates
| | - Irshad Ahmad
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah United Arab Emirates
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20
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Skóra B, Matuszewska P, Masicz M, Sikora K, Słomczewska M, Sołtysek P, Szychowski KA. Crosstalk between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) as a key factor in the metabolism of silver nanoparticles in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells in vitro. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 458:116339. [PMID: 36473513 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The potential usefulness of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in anticancer therapy has been postulated for many years. However, little is known to date about the exact impact of such NPs on intracellular detoxication pathways. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of AgNPs on the AhR-PPARγ-CYP1A1 pathway in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. The obtained results showed a decrease in the metabolic activity of the SH-SY5Y cells at the 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations with an increase in caspase-3 activity. An increase in the intercellular ROS production was observed at the 1 and 10 μg/mL concentrations. The co-treatment of the AgNP-treated cells with the AhR and PPARγ inhibitors abolished the effect of the tested AgNPs in the SH-SY5Y cells. In turn, the CYP1A1 activity assay showed a decrease in this parameter in the AgNP-treated cells. Moreover, the gene expression analysis demonstrated that AgNPs were able to increase the AhR and CYP1A1 mRNA expression and decrease the PPARγ gene expression after the 6-h treatment. In turn, an increase in the AhR and PPARγ protein expression was observed after 24 h. Summarizing, the study shows for the first time that AgNPs with a 5-nm diameter size are able to exert a cytotoxic effect on SH-SH5Y cells in a ROS-dependent manner affect the AhR-PPARγ-CYP1A1 pathway inter alia by inhibiting the activity of CYP1A1. This is important due to given present research approaches using such NPs as enhancer agents in the modern PPARγ inhibitor-based anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Skóra
- Department of Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland.
| | - Paulina Matuszewska
- Medical Biotechnology Student's Science Group "Helisa", Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Martyna Masicz
- Medical Biotechnology Student's Science Group "Helisa", Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Karolina Sikora
- Medical Biotechnology Student's Science Group "Helisa", Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Magnolia Słomczewska
- Medical Biotechnology Student's Science Group "Helisa", Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Paulina Sołtysek
- Medical Biotechnology Student's Science Group "Helisa", Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Konrad A Szychowski
- Department of Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Medical College, University of Information Technology and Management, St. Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
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21
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Morales-Bárcenas R, Sánchez-Pérez Y, Santibáñez-Andrade M, Chirino YI, Soto-Reyes E, García-Cuellar CM. Airborne particulate matter (PM 10) induces cell invasion through Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Activator Protein 1 (AP-1) pathway deregulation in A549 lung epithelial cells. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:107-119. [PMID: 36309615 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07986-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Particulate matter with an aerodynamic size ≤ 10 μm (PM10) is a risk factor for lung cancer development, mainly because some components are highly toxic. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in PM10, such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which is a well-known genotoxic and carcinogenic compound to humans, capable of activating AP-1 transcription factor family genes through the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR). Because effects of BaP include metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) activation, cell invasion, and other pathways related to carcinogenesis, we aimed to demonstrate that PM10 (10 µg/cm2) exposure induces the activation of AP-1 family members as well as cell invasion in lung epithelial cells, through AhR pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS The role of the AhR gene in cells exposed to PM10 (10 µg/cm2) and BaP (1µM) for 48 h was evaluated using AhR-targeted interference siRNA. Then, the AP-1 family members (c-Jun, Jun B, Jun D, Fos B, C-Fos, and Fra-1), the levels/activity of MMP-9, and cell invasion were analyzed. We found that PM10 increased AhR levels and promoted its nuclear localization in A549 treated cells. Also, PM10 and BaP deregulated the activity of AP-1 family members. Moreover, PM10 upregulated the secretion and activity of MMP-9 through AhR, while BaP had no effect. Finally, we found that cell invasion in A549 cells exposed to PM10 and BaP is modulated by AhR. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that PM10 exposure induces upregulation of the c-Jun, Jun B, and Fra-1 activity, the expression/activity of MMP-9, and the cell invasion in lung epithelial cells, effects mediated through the AhR. Also, the Fos B and C-Fos activity were downregulated. In addition, the effects induced by PM10 exposure were like those induced by BaP, which highlights the potentially toxic effects of the PM10 mixture in lung epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Morales-Bárcenas
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, San Fernando No. 22, Tlalpan, 14080, México, D.F, México
| | - Yesennia Sánchez-Pérez
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, San Fernando No. 22, Tlalpan, 14080, México, D.F, México
| | - Miguel Santibáñez-Andrade
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, San Fernando No. 22, Tlalpan, 14080, México, D.F, México
| | - Yolanda I Chirino
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Los Reyes Iztacala, CP 54090, Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de México, México
| | - Ernesto Soto-Reyes
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Ciudad de México, México
| | - Claudia M García-Cuellar
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, San Fernando No. 22, Tlalpan, 14080, México, D.F, México.
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22
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Veyrenc S, Regnault C, Sroda S, Raveton M, Reynaud S. An amphibian high fat diet model confirms that endocrine disruptors can induce a metabolic syndrome in wild green frogs (Pelophylax spp. complex). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:120009. [PMID: 35998770 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A pre-diabetes syndrome induced by endocrine disruptors (ED) was recently demonstrated in the model amphibian Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis and was suggested to be a potential cause of amphibian population decline. However, such effects have not been found in wild type frogs exposed to ED and the capacity of amphibians to physiologically develop diabetes under natural conditions has not been confirmed. This study showed that a high fat diet (HFD) model displaying the important characteristics of mammal HFD models including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be developed with green frogs (Pelophylax spp.). Wild green frogs exposed to 10 μg L-1 benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) for 18 h also displayed several characteristics of the pre-diabetes phenotype previously observed in Xenopus including glucose intolerance, gluconeogenesis activation and insulin resistance. The study results confirmed that metabolic disorders induced by ED in wild green frogs are typical of the pre-diabetes phenotype and could serve as a starting point for field studies to determine the role of ED in the decline of amphibian populations. From an environmental perspective, the response of wild green frogs to different ED (10 μg L-1) suggests that a simple glucose-tolerance test could be used on wild anurans to identify bodies of water polluted with metabolic disruptors that could affect species fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Veyrenc
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Christophe Regnault
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Sophie Sroda
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Muriel Raveton
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Stéphane Reynaud
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
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23
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Inhibition of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Expression Disrupts Cell Proliferation and Alters Energy Metabolism and Fatty Acid Synthesis in Colon Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174245. [PMID: 36077780 PMCID: PMC9454859 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells undergo metabolic modifications in order to meet their high energetic demand. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor primarily known as a xenobiotic sensor. However, this receptor seems to have a wide range of physiological roles in many processes including cell proliferation, migration or control of immune responses. AhR is often overexpressed in tumor cells of various tissue origin, and several studies have indicated that AhR may also contribute to regulation of cellular metabolism, including synthesis of fatty acids (FA), one of the major steps in metabolic transition. Potential links between the AhR and the control of tumor cell proliferation and metabolism thus deserve more attention. Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a wide range of physiological roles in cellular processes such as proliferation, migration or control of immune responses. Several studies have also indicated that AhR might contribute to the regulation of energy balance or cellular metabolism. We observed that the AhR is upregulated in tumor epithelial cells derived from colon cancer patients. Using wild-type and the corresponding AhR knockout (AhR KO) variants of human colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT-29, we analyzed possible role(s) of the AhR in cell proliferation and metabolism, with a focus on regulation of the synthesis of fatty acids (FAs). We observed a decreased proliferation rate in the AhR KO cells, which was accompanied with altered cell cycle progression, as well as a decreased ATP production. We also found reduced mRNA levels of key enzymes of the FA biosynthetic pathway in AhR KO colon cancer cells, in particular of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). The loss of AhR was also associated with reduced expression and/or activity of components of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which controls lipid metabolism, and other lipogenic transcriptional regulators, such as sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1). Together, our data indicate that disruption of AhR activity in colon tumor cells may, likely in a cell-specific manner, limit their proliferation, which could be linked with a suppressive effect on their endogenous FA metabolism. More attention should be paid to potential mechanistic links between overexpressed AhR and colon tumor cell metabolism.
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24
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Vlaar JM, Borgman A, Kalkhoven E, Westland D, Besselink N, Shale C, Faltas BM, Priestley P, Kuijk E, Cuppen E. Recurrent exon-deleting activating mutations in AHR act as drivers of urinary tract cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10081. [PMID: 35710704 PMCID: PMC9203531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14256-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate and low survival of advanced stage patients. Few genetic drivers of bladder cancer have thus far been identified. We performed in-depth structural variant analysis on whole-genome sequencing data of 206 metastasized urinary tract cancers. In ~ 10% of the patients, we identified recurrent in-frame deletions of exons 8 and 9 in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene (AHRΔe8-9), which codes for a ligand-activated transcription factor. Pan-cancer analyses show that AHRΔe8-9 is highly specific to urinary tract cancer and mutually exclusive with other bladder cancer drivers. The ligand-binding domain of the AHRΔe8-9 protein is disrupted and we show that this results in ligand-independent AHR-pathway activation. In bladder organoids, AHRΔe8-9 induces a transformed phenotype that is characterized by upregulation of AHR target genes, downregulation of differentiation markers and upregulation of genes associated with stemness and urothelial cancer. Furthermore, AHRΔe8-9 expression results in anchorage independent growth of bladder organoids, indicating tumorigenic potential. DNA-binding deficient AHRΔe8-9 fails to induce transformation, suggesting a role for AHR target genes in the acquisition of the oncogenic phenotype. In conclusion, we show that AHRΔe8-9 is a novel driver of urinary tract cancer and that the AHR pathway could be an interesting therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Vlaar
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anouska Borgman
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Kalkhoven
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Denise Westland
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolle Besselink
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Charles Shale
- Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Hartwig Medical Foundation Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bishoy M Faltas
- Department of Medicine and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter Priestley
- Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Hartwig Medical Foundation Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ewart Kuijk
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Cuppen
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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25
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Identifying Protein Features and Pathways Responsible for Toxicity Using Machine Learning and Tox21: Implications for Predictive Toxicology. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27093021. [PMID: 35566372 PMCID: PMC9099959 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27093021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are exposed to numerous compounds daily, some of which have adverse effects on health. Computational approaches for modeling toxicological data in conjunction with machine learning algorithms have gained popularity over the last few years. Machine learning approaches have been used to predict toxicity-related biological activities using chemical structure descriptors. However, toxicity-related proteomic features have not been fully investigated. In this study, we construct a computational pipeline using machine learning models for predicting the most important protein features responsible for the toxicity of compounds taken from the Tox21 dataset that is implemented within the multiscale Computational Analysis of Novel Drug Opportunities (CANDO) therapeutic discovery platform. Tox21 is a highly imbalanced dataset consisting of twelve in vitro assays, seven from the nuclear receptor (NR) signaling pathway and five from the stress response (SR) pathway, for more than 10,000 compounds. For the machine learning model, we employed a random forest with the combination of Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) and the Edited Nearest Neighbor (ENN) method (SMOTE+ENN), which is a resampling method to balance the activity class distribution. Within the NR and SR pathways, the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (NR-AhR) and the mitochondrial membrane potential (SR-MMP) were two of the top-performing twelve toxicity endpoints with AUCROCs of 0.90 and 0.92, respectively. The top extracted features for evaluating compound toxicity were analyzed for enrichment to highlight the implicated biological pathways and proteins. We validated our enrichment results for the activity of the AhR using a thorough literature search. Our case study showed that the selected enriched pathways and proteins from our computational pipeline are not only correlated with AhR toxicity but also form a cascading upstream/downstream arrangement. Our work elucidates significant relationships between protein and compound interactions computed using CANDO and the associated biological pathways to which the proteins belong for twelve toxicity endpoints. This novel study uses machine learning not only to predict and understand toxicity but also elucidates therapeutic mechanisms at a proteomic level for a variety of toxicity endpoints.
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26
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Xu L, Liu Y, Chen Y, Zhu R, Li S, Zhang S, Zhang J, Xie HQ, Zhao B. Emodin inhibits U87 glioblastoma cells migration by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 234:113357. [PMID: 35272197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated receptor to mediates the biological reactions of many environmental and natural compounds, which is highly expressed in glioblastoma. Although it has been reported that AhR agonist emodin can suppress some kinds of tumors, its inhibitory effect on glioblastoma migration and its relationship with AhR remain unclear. Based on the complexity of tumor pathogenesis and the tissue specificity of AhR, we hope can further understand the effect of emodin on glioblastoma and explore its mechanism. We found that the inhibitory effect of emodin on the migration of U87 glioblastoma cells increased with time, and the cell migration ability was inhibited by about 25% after 36 h exposure. In this process, emodin promoted the expression of the tumor suppressor IL24 by activating the AhR signaling pathway. Reducing the expression of AhR or IL24 by interfering RNA could block or relieve the inhibitory effect of emodin on the U87 cells migration, which indicates the inhibition of emodin on the migration of glioblastoma is mediated by the AhR-IL24 axis. Our data proved the AhR-IL24 signal axis is an important pathway for emodin to inhibit the migration of glioblastoma, and the AhR signaling pathway can be used as a key target to research the regulation effect and its mechanism of compounds on glioblastoma migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangsheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruihong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songyan Zhang
- Engineering Laboratory of Shenzhen Natural Small Molecule Innovative Drugs, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Engineering Laboratory of Shenzhen Natural Small Molecule Innovative Drugs, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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27
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ten Kate CA, de Klein A, de Graaf BM, Doukas M, Koivusalo A, Pakarinen MP, van der Helm R, Brands T, IJsselstijn H, van Bever Y, Wijnen RM, Spaander MC, Brosens E. Intrinsic Cellular Susceptibility to Barrett's Esophagus in Adults Born with Esophageal Atresia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030513. [PMID: 35158780 PMCID: PMC8833471 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We investigated the increased prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus in adults with esophageal atresia. A higher polygenic risk score and disturbances in inflammatory, stress response and oncological pathways upon acid exposure suggest a genetic susceptibility and increased induction of inflammatory processes. Although further research is required to explore this hypothesis, this could be a first-step into selecting patients that are more at risk to develop Barrett’s esophagus and/or esophageal carcinoma. Currently, an endoscopic screening and surveillance program is in practice in our institution for patients born with esophageal atresia, to early detect (pre)malignant lesions. Since recurrent endoscopies can be a burden for the patient, selecting patients by for example genetic susceptibility would allow to only include those at risk in future practice. Abstract The prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) in adults born with esophageal atresia (EA) is four times higher than in the general population and presents at a younger age (34 vs. 60 years). This is (partly) a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux. Given the overlap between genes and pathways involved in foregut and BE development, we hypothesized that EA patients have an intrinsic predisposition to develop BE. Transcriptomes of Esophageal biopsies of EA patients with BE (n = 19, EA/BE); EA patients without BE (n = 44, EA-only) and BE patients without EA (n = 10, BE-only) were compared by RNA expression profiling. Subsequently, we simulated a reflux episode by exposing fibroblasts of 3 EA patients and 3 controls to acidic conditions. Transcriptome responses were compared to the differential expressed transcripts in the biopsies. Predisposing single nucleotide polymorphisms, associated with BE, were slightly increased in EA/BE versus BE-only patients. RNA expression profiling and pathway enrichment analysis revealed differences in retinoic acid metabolism and downstream signaling pathways and inflammatory, stress response and oncological processes. There was a similar effect on retinoic acid signaling and immune response in EA patients upon acid exposure. These results indicate that epithelial tissue homeostasis in EA patients is more prone to acidic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal A. ten Kate
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care Children, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (C.A.t.K.); (H.I.); (R.M.H.W.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
| | - Bianca M. de Graaf
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
| | - Michail Doukas
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Antti Koivusalo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Helsinki, Children’s Hospital, 281, 000290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.K.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Mikko P. Pakarinen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Helsinki, Children’s Hospital, 281, 000290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.K.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Robert van der Helm
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
| | - Tom Brands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
| | - Hanneke IJsselstijn
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care Children, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (C.A.t.K.); (H.I.); (R.M.H.W.)
| | - Yolande van Bever
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
| | - René M.H. Wijnen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care Children, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (C.A.t.K.); (H.I.); (R.M.H.W.)
| | - Manon C.W. Spaander
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.d.K.); (B.M.d.G.); (R.v.d.H.); (T.B.); (Y.v.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-10-70-37643
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28
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Han Z, Gong C, Li J, Guo H, Chen X, Jin Y, Gao S, Tai Z. Immunologically modified enzyme-responsive micelles regulate the tumor microenvironment for cancer immunotherapy. Mater Today Bio 2021; 13:100170. [PMID: 34938989 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade has been proven to have great therapeutic potential and has revolutionized the treatment of tumors. However, various limitations remain, including the low response rate of exhausted T cells and mutual regulation of multiple immunosuppressive cell types that compromise the effect of single-target therapy. Nano-delivery systems can be used to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment in favor of immunotherapy. In this study, we constructed a polypeptide-based micellar system that encapsulates an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inhibitor (CH223191) conjugated to T cell activator anti-CD28. The inhibition of AhR activation downregulates the fraction of immunosuppressive cells and effectively inhibits tumor cell metastasis. In addition, the combination with co-stimulatory antibodies improves T-cell activation and synergistically enhances the antitumor effect of AhR inhibitors. The micellar system developed in this study represents a novel and effective tumor immunotherapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Han
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Chunai Gong
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, PR China
| | - Juanjuan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huanhuan Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xinlu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yangli Jin
- Ningbo Yinzhou No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, 315192, China
| | - Shen Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
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Alanazi FE, As Sobeai HM, Alhazzani K, Al-Dhfyan A, Alshammari MA, Alotaibi M, Al-hosaini K, Korashy HM, Alhoshani A. Metformin attenuates V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway in Melanoma: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies. Saudi Pharm J 2021; 30:138-149. [PMID: 35528855 PMCID: PMC9072704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with a high rate of metastasis to other organs. Recent studies specified the overexpression of V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in melanoma. Metformin shows anti-tumor activities in several cancer types. However, the mechanism is unclear. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of metformin on VISTA via AHR in melanoma cells (CHL-1, B16) and animal models. VISTA and AHR levels were assessed by qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence microscope, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. Here, metformin significantly decreased VISTA and AHR levels in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, metformin inhibited all AHR-regulated genes. VISTA levels were dramatically inhibited by AHR modulations using shRNA and αNF, confirming the central role of AHR in VISTA. Finally, melanoma cells were xenografted in C57BL/6 and nude mice. Metformin significantly reduced the tumor volume and growth rate. Likewise, VISTA and AHR-regulated protein levels were suppressed in both models. These findings demonstrate for the first time that VISTA is suppressed by metformin and identified a new regulatory mechanism through AHR. The data suggest that metformin could be a new potential therapeutic strategy to treat melanoma patients combined with targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Endogenous regulation of the Akt pathway by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in lung fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23189. [PMID: 34848742 PMCID: PMC8632926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor known to mediate toxic responses to dioxin. However, the role of the AhR in the regulation of cellular physiology has only recently been appreciated, including its ability to control cell cycle progression and apoptosis by unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that the AhR enhances the activation of the AKT serine/threonine kinase (Akt) pathway to promote cell survival. Utilizing AhR knock-out (Ahr−/−) and wild-type (Ahr+/+) mouse lung fibroblasts (MLFs), we found that Ahr−/− MLFs have significantly higher basal Akt phosphorylation but that AhR did not affect Akt phosphorylation in MLFs exposed to growth factors or AhR ligands. Basal Akt phosphorylation was dependent on PI3K but was unaffected by changes in intracellular glutathione (GSH) or p85α. There was no significant decrease in cell viability in Ahr−/− MLFs treated with LY294002—a PI3K inhibitor—although LY294002 did attenuate MTT reduction, indicating an affect on mitochondrial function. Using a mass spectrometry (MS)-based approach, we identified several proteins that were differentially phosphorylated in the Ahr−/− MLFs compared to control cells, including proteins involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), focal adhesion, cytoskeleton remodeling and mitochondrial function. In conclusion, Ahr ablation increased basal Akt phosphorylation in MLFs. Our results indicate that AhR may modulate the phosphorylation of a variety of novel proteins not previously identified as AhR targets, findings that help advance our understanding of the endogenous functions of AhR.
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Taddese R, Roelofs R, Draper D, Wu X, Wu S, Swinkels DW, Tjalsma H, Boleij A. Streptococcus gallolyticus Increases Expression and Activity of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Dependent CYP1 Biotransformation Capacity in Colorectal Epithelial Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:740704. [PMID: 34778104 PMCID: PMC8579041 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.740704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus gallolyticus is one of the few intestinal bacteria that has been consistently linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to identify novel S. gallolyticus-induced pathways in colon epithelial cells that could further explain how S. gallolyticus contributes to CRC development. Design and Results Transcription profiling of in vitro cultured CRC cells that were exposed to S. gallolyticus revealed the specific induction of oxidoreductase pathways. Most prominently, CYP1A and ALDH1 genes that encode phase I biotransformation enzymes were responsible for the detoxification or bio-activation of toxic compounds. A common feature is that these enzymes are induced through the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Using the specific inhibitor CH223191, we showed that the induction of CYP1A was dependent on the AhR both in vitro using multiple CRC cell lines as in vivo using wild-type C57bl6 mice colonized with S. gallolyticus. Furthermore, we showed that CYP1 could also be induced by other intestinal bacteria and that a yet unidentified diffusible factor from the S. galloltyicus secretome (SGS) induces CYP1A enzyme activity in an AhR-dependent manner. Importantly, priming CRC cells with SGS increased the DNA damaging effect of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 3-methylcholanthrene. Conclusion This study shows that gut bacteria have the potential to modulate the expression of biotransformation pathways in colonic epithelial cells in an AhR-dependent manner. This offers a novel theory on the contribution of intestinal bacteria to the etiology of CRC by modifying the capacity of intestinal epithelial or (pre-)cancerous cells to (de)toxify dietary components, which could alter intestinal susceptibility to DNA damaging events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahwa Taddese
- Department of Pathology, Nijmegen Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rian Roelofs
- Laboratory Medicine, Nijmegen Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Derk Draper
- Department of Pathology, Nijmegen Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Xinqun Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shaoguang Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dorine W Swinkels
- Laboratory Medicine, Nijmegen Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Harold Tjalsma
- Laboratory Medicine, Nijmegen Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Boleij
- Department of Pathology, Nijmegen Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Titaley IA, Lam MM, Bülow R, Enell A, Wiberg K, Larsson M. Characterization of polycyclic aromatic compounds in historically contaminated soil by targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis combined with in vitro bioassay. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 289:117910. [PMID: 34426193 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soil samples from a contaminated site in Sweden were analyzed to identify the presence of 78 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The target analysis revealed large contributions not only from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but also from alkylated- and oxygenated-PAHs (alkyl- and oxy-PAHs, respectively), and N-heterocyclics (NPACs). PAC profiles indicated primarily pyrogenic sources, although contribution of petrogenic sources was also observed in one sample as indicated by a high ratio of alkylated naphthalene compared to naphthalene. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-activity of the soil extracts was assessed using the H4IIe-pGudluc 1.1 cells bioassay. When compared with the calculated total AhR-activity of the PACs in the target list, 35-97% of the observed bioassay activity could be explained by 62 PACs with relative potency factors (REPs). The samples were further screened using GC coupled with Orbitrap™ high resolution MS (GC-HRMS) to investigate the presence of other PACs that could potentially contribute to the AhR-activity of the extracts. 114 unique candidate compounds were tentatively identified and divided into four groups based on their AhR-activity and environmental occurrence. Twelve substances satisfied all the criteria, and these compounds are suggested to be included in regular screening in future studies, although their identities were not confirmed by standards in this study. High unexplained bio-TEQ fractions in three of the samples may be explained by tentatively identified compounds (n = 35) with high potential of being toxic. This study demonstrates the benefit of combining targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis with bioassay analysis to assess the diversity and effects of PACs at contaminated sites. The applied prioritization strategy revealed a number of tentatively identified compounds, which likely contributed to the overall bioactivity of the soil extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan A Titaley
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Monika M Lam
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Bülow
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anja Enell
- Swedish Geotechnical Institute, SE-581 93, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Larsson
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden
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Iqbal K, Pierce SH, Kozai K, Dhakal P, Scott RL, Roby KF, Vyhlidal CA, Soares MJ. Evaluation of Placentation and the Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway in a Rat Model of Dioxin Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:117001. [PMID: 34747641 PMCID: PMC8574979 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our environment is replete with chemicals that can affect embryonic and extraembryonic development. Dioxins, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are compounds affecting development through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). OBJECTIVES The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of TCDD exposure on pregnancy and placentation and to evaluate roles for AHR and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in TCDD action. METHODS Actions of TCDD were examined in wild-type and genome-edited rat models. Placenta phenotyping was assessed using morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. RESULTS TCDD exposures were shown to result in placental adaptations and at higher doses, pregnancy termination. Deep intrauterine endovascular trophoblast cell invasion was a prominent placentation site adaptation to TCDD. TCDD-mediated placental adaptations were dependent upon maternal AHR signaling but not upon placental or fetal AHR signaling nor the presence of a prominent AHR target, CYP1A1. At the placentation site, TCDD activated AHR signaling within endothelial cells but not trophoblast cells. Immune and trophoblast cell behaviors at the uterine-placental interface were guided by the actions of TCDD on endothelial cells. DISCUSSION We identified an AHR regulatory pathway in rats activated by dioxin affecting uterine and trophoblast cell dynamics and the formation of the hemochorial placenta. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9256.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Stephen H. Pierce
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Keisuke Kozai
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Pramod Dhakal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Katherine F. Roby
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Carrie A. Vyhlidal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovation, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Merchak A, Gaultier A. Microbial metabolites and immune regulation: New targets for major depressive disorder. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 9:100169. [PMID: 34589904 PMCID: PMC8474524 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatments for depression and mood disorders have been singularly targeted at the brain without consideration for the context of the rest of the body. As evidence mounts for a role of autoimmunity and inflammation as risk factors and contributors to mood disorders, attention has shifted to one of the primary immunoregulatory organs in the body--the gut. Gut-brain interactions have been established and correlative links between the microbiome and mood have been examined, but with novel tools and a base of understanding, focus shifts to the mechanisms of these communications. In this review, we examine how the small molecules produced by metabolic processes of bacteria in the gut influence the host immune system. The gaps in knowledge discussed here include the under characterized diversity of small molecules crossing the gut walls, as well as the need to close the logical loop connecting the microbiome to the immune system, and the immune system to behavior and mood. As we move past the dawn of this field, more precise understanding using novel tools and techniques will help move toward a more informed and systematic process for clinically evaluating the efficacy of probiotics and bacterially derived compounds as antidepressants and mood regulators. Metabolism of the gut microbiota results in diverse molecules available to the host. Small molecules influence inflammation which modulates behavior and mood. Novel targets for mood stabilizers may be produced by the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Merchak
- University of Virginia, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, Department of Neuroscience, 409 Lane Road, MR4 Research Building, Room, 5124, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Alban Gaultier
- University of Virginia, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, Department of Neuroscience, 409 Lane Road, MR4 Research Building, Room, 5124, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
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Ferroptosis Meets Cell-Cell Contacts. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092462. [PMID: 34572111 PMCID: PMC8471828 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death characterized by iron dependency and increased lipid peroxidation. Initially assumed to be selectively induced in tumour cells, there is increasing evidence that ferroptosis plays an important role in pathophysiology and numerous cell types and tissues. Deregulated ferroptosis has been linked to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. Along these lines, ferroptosis is a promising pathway to overcoming therapy resistance of cancer cells. It is therefore of utmost importance to understand the cellular signalling pathways and the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis regulation, including context-specific effects mediated by the neighbouring cells through cell–cell contacts. Here, we give an overview on the molecular events and machinery linked to ferroptosis induction and commitment. We further summarize and discuss current knowledge about the role of cell–cell contacts, which differ in ferroptosis regulation between normal somatic cells and cancer cells. We present emerging concepts on the underlying mechanisms, address open questions, and discuss the possible impact of cell–cell contacts on exploiting ferroptosis in cancer therapy.
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Wang K, Zhong H, Li N, Yu N, Wang Y, Chen L, Sun J. Discovery of Novel Anti-Breast-Cancer Inhibitors by Synergistically Antagonizing Microtubule Polymerization and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Expression. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12964-12977. [PMID: 34428056 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A series of unreported dual-receptor inhibitors targeting both the tubulin colchicine site and AhR were designed and synthesized, and their anti-breast-cancer activities were evaluated. Compound 12 showed the strongest activity with an IC50 of 0.9 nM in MCF-7 cell lines. Besides, 12 could significantly inhibit cancer growth in MCF-7 xenograft tumor models with no obvious toxic effects and was more effective than the positive control (combretastatin A-4). With the in-depth study, it was found that 12 could induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells by making arrest in G2/M phase, depolarizing mitochondria and inducing intracellular reactive oxygen generation. This evident anticancer effect and the ability to inhibit cell migration were attributed to the synergistic antagonism of 12 on tubulin and AhR. In general, 12 was worthy of further research as an effective and safe anti-breast-cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hui Zhong
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Nairong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yujin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jianbo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, China
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Ali I, Dreij K, Baker S, Högberg J, Korhonen A, Stenius U. Application of Text Mining in Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures: A Case Study of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:67008. [PMID: 34165340 PMCID: PMC8318069 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer risk assessment of complex exposures, such as exposure to mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is challenging due to the diverse biological activities of these compounds. With the help of text mining (TM), we have developed TM tools-the latest iteration of the Cancer Risk Assessment using Biomedical literature tool (CRAB3) and a Cancer Hallmarks Analytics Tool (CHAT)-that could be useful for automatic literature analyses in cancer risk assessment and research. Although CRAB3 analyses are based on carcinogenic modes of action (MOAs) and cover almost all the key characteristics of carcinogens, CHAT evaluates literature according to the hallmarks of cancer referring to the alterations in cellular behavior that characterize the cancer cell. OBJECTIVES The objective was to evaluate the usefulness of these tools to support cancer risk assessment by performing a case study of 22 European Union and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs and diesel exhaust and a case study of PAH interactions with silica. METHODS We analyzed PubMed literature, comprising 57,498 references concerning priority PAHs and complex PAH mixtures, using CRAB3 and CHAT. RESULTS CRAB3 analyses correctly identified similarities and differences in genotoxic and nongenotoxic MOAs of the 22 priority PAHs and grouped them according to their known carcinogenic potential. CHAT had the same capacity and complemented the CRAB output when comparing, for example, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene. Both CRAB3 and CHAT analyses highlighted potentially interacting mechanisms within and across complex PAH mixtures and mechanisms of possible importance for interactions with silica. CONCLUSION These data suggest that our TM approach can be useful in the hazard identification of PAHs and mixtures including PAHs. The tools can assist in grouping chemicals and identifying similarities and differences in carcinogenic MOAs and their interactions. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6702.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Ali
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristian Dreij
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simon Baker
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Johan Högberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Korhonen
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ulla Stenius
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Versicolorin A enhances the genotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in human liver cells by inducing the transactivation of the Ah-receptor. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 153:112258. [PMID: 33984424 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins that have major adverse effects on human health. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most important aflatoxin and a potent carcinogen once converted into a DNA-reactive form by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450). AFB1 biosynthesis involves the formation of Versicolorin A (VerA) which shares structural similarities with AFB1 and can be found in contaminated commodities, often co-occurring with AFB1. This study investigated and compared the toxicity of VerA and AFB1, alone or in combination, in HepG2 human liver cells. Our results show that both toxins have similar cytotoxic effects and are genotoxic although, unlike AFB1, the main genotoxic mechanism of VerA does not involve the formation of DNA double-strand breaks. Additionally, we show that VerA activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and significantly induce the expression of the CYP450-1A1 (CYP1A1) while AFB1 did not induce AhR-dependent CYP1A1 activation. Combination of VerA with AFB1 resulted in enhanced genotoxic effects, suggesting that AhR-activation by VerA influences AFB1 genotoxicity by promoting its bioactivation by CYP450s to a highly DNA-reactive metabolite. Our results emphasize the need for expanding the toxicological knowledge regarding mycotoxin biosynthetic precursors to identify those who may pose, directly or indirectly, a threat to human health.
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de Homdedeu M, Cruz MJ, Sánchez-Díez S, Gómez-Ollés S, Ojanguren I, Ma D, Muñoz X. Role of diesel exhaust particles in the induction of allergic asthma to low doses of soybean. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110337. [PMID: 33130171 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to environmental pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEP) increases the risk of asthma and asthma exacerbation. However, the exact mechanisms inducing asthma to low doses of allergens remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to analyse the immunomodulatory effect of the inhalation of DEP in a mouse model exposed to non-asthmagenic doses of soybean hull extract (SHE). MATERIAL AND METHODS BALB/c ByJ mice were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Two groups received nasal instillations of saline and the other two groups received 3 mg ml-1 SHE during 5 days per week for 3 weeks. One group in each pair also received 150 μg of DEP in the same instillations 3 days per week. SHE-specific IgE levels, oxidative stress, leukocyte pattern and optical projection tomography (OPT) imaging studies were assessed. RESULTS Inhalation of SHE and/or DEP increased levels of H2O2 in BAL, while coexposure to SHE and DEP increased SHE-specific IgE levels in serum. Inhalation of SHE alone increased eosinophils, B cells, total and resident monocytes and decreased levels of NK cells, while inhalation of DEP increased neutrophils and decreased total monocytes. Regarding dendritic cells (DC), the inhalation of SHE and/or DEP increased the total population, while the inhalation of SHE alone increased Th2-related DCs (CD11b + Ly6C-) and decreased tolerogenic DCs (CD11b-Ly6C-). However, coexposure to SHE and DEP increased oxidative stress-sensitive DCs (CD11b-Ly6C+) and decreased Th1-related DCs (CD11b + Ly6C+). As regards macrophages, inhalation of SHE and DEP decreased total and alveolar populations. DEP deposition in lung tissue did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION Coexposure to DEP activates the asthmatic response to low doses of soy by triggering the immune response and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- M de Homdedeu
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CibeRes), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M J Cruz
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CibeRes), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - S Sánchez-Díez
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CibeRes), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Gómez-Ollés
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CibeRes), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Ojanguren
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CibeRes), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Ma
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Muñoz
- Pulmonology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CibeRes), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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WM Nor WMFSB, Chung I, Said NABM. MicroRNA-548m Suppresses Cell Migration and Invasion by Targeting Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Breast Cancer Cells. Oncol Res 2021; 28:615-629. [PMID: 33109304 PMCID: PMC7962940 DOI: 10.3727/096504020x16037933185170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide, in which the most severe form happens when it metastasizes to other regions of the body. Metastasis is responsible for most treatment failures in advanced breast cancer. Epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a significant role in promoting metastatic processes in breast cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved endogenous short noncoding RNAs that play a role in regulating a broad range of biological processes, including cancer initiation and development, by functioning as tumor promoters or tumor suppressors. Expression of miR-548m has been found in various types of cancers, but the biological function and molecular mechanisms of miR-548m in cancers have not been fully studied. Here we demonstrated the role of miR-548m in modulating EMT in the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Expression data for primary breast cancer obtained from NCBI GEO data sets showed that miR-548m expression was downregulated in breast cancer patients compared with healthy group. We hypothesize that miR-548m acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. Overexpression of miR-548m in both cell lines increased E-cadherin expression and decreased the EMT-associated transcription factors SNAI1, SNAI2, ZEB1, and ZEB2, as well as MMP9 expression. Consequently, migration and invasion capabilities of both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were significantly inhibited in miR-548m-overexpressing cells. Analysis of 1,059 putative target genes of miR-548m revealed common pathways involving both tight junction and the mTOR signaling pathway, which has potential impacts on cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, this study identified aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) as a direct target of miR-548m in breast cancer cells. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel function of miR-548m in reversing the EMT of breast cancer by reducing their migratory and invasive potentials, at least in part via targeting AHR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- WM Farhan Syafiq B. WM Nor
- *Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- †Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ivy Chung
- ‡Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- §University of Malaya Cancer Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Akmarina B. M. Said
- †Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ye G, Gao H, Zhang X, Liu X, Chen J, Liao X, Zhang H, Huang Q. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates benzo[a]pyrene-induced metabolic reprogramming in human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:144130. [PMID: 33288249 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure accelerates the initiation and progression of lung cancer through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling. Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. However, how AHR reprograms metabolism related to the malignant transformation in of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-exposed lung cells remains unclear. After confirming that BaP exposure activated AHR signaling and relevant downstream factors and then promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition, an untargeted metabolomics approach was employed to discover AHR-mediated metabolic reprogramming and potential therapeutic targets in BaP-exposed BEAS-2B cells. We found that 52 metabolites were significantly altered in BaP-exposed BEAS-2B cells and responsive to resveratrol (RSV) intervention. Pathway analysis revealed that 28 and 30 metabolic pathways were significantly altered in response to BaP exposure and RSV intervention, respectively. Notably, levels of most amino acids were significantly decreased, while those of most fatty acids were significantly increased in BaP-exposed BEAS-2B cells, and above changes were abolished by RSV intervention. Besides, levels of amino acids and fatty acids were highly correlated with those of many metabolites and AHR signaling upon BaP exposure and RSV intervention (the absolute values of Pearson correlation coefficients above 0.8). We further discovered a decrease in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) A/G signaling and an increase in fatty acid import by the transporter FATP1 in BaP-exposed BEAS-2B cells. Furthermore, inhibition of AHR signaling by CH-223191 abolished BaP-induced repression of PPARA/G signaling and activation of FATP1 in BEAS-2B cells, demonstrating the regulatory role of AHR signaling in fatty acid accumulation via mediating PPARA/G-FATP1 signaling. These data suggested amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, AHR and PPAR-FATP1 signaling as potential therapeutic targets for intervening BaP-induced toxicity and related diseases. As far as we known, fatty acid accumulation and high correlations of AHR signaling with amino acid and fatty acid metabolism are novel phenomena discovered in BaP-exposed lung epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhu Ye
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Han Gao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jinsheng Chen
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Xu Liao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Qiansheng Huang
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China.
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Tocmo R, Le B, Heun A, van Pijkeren JP, Parkin K, Johnson JJ. Prenylated xanthones from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) activate the AhR and Nrf2 pathways and protect intestinal barrier integrity in HT-29 cells. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 163:102-115. [PMID: 33310139 PMCID: PMC8647718 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Xanthones from the tropical fruit mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) display anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Here, we isolate and identify potential inducers of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways from mangosteen using a bioassay-guided strategy. Mangosteen fruit pericarp extracts were subjected to sequential solvent extractions, followed by chromatography coupled with NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometric analyses for identification and isolation of pure compounds. Isolation of active fractions led to seven prenylated xanthones that were identified and subsequently evaluated for bioactivity. In vitro luciferase reporter cellular assays using H1L6.1c3 (AhR induction) and HepG2-ARE (Nrf2 induction) were used to identify AhR and Nrf2 activators. All seven prenylated xanthones displayed AhR inducing activity, whereas only five xanthones activated Nrf2. Garcinone D (GarD) significantly upregulated AhR/Cyp1a1 and Nrf2/HO-1 protein expression and enhanced zonula occludens-1 and occludin protein levels in HT-29 cells. In addition, GarD inhibited oxidative stress-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by enhancing tight junction (TJ) proteins and inhibition of reactive oxygen species production. Inhibition of AhR by pretreating cells with an AhR antagonist revealed that the AhR pathway is required for the improved epithelial barrier functions of GarD. These results highlight a dual mechanism by GarD that confers protection against intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Restituto Tocmo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois-Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Bryan Le
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Babcock Hall, 1605 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Amber Heun
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Babcock Hall, 1605 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jan Peter van Pijkeren
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Babcock Hall, 1605 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Kirk Parkin
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Babcock Hall, 1605 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jeremy James Johnson
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois-Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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43
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Koual M, Tomkiewicz C, Cano-Sancho G, Antignac JP, Bats AS, Coumoul X. Environmental chemicals, breast cancer progression and drug resistance. Environ Health 2020; 19:117. [PMID: 33203443 PMCID: PMC7672852 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common causes of cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Mortality is associated mainly with the development of metastases. Identification of the mechanisms involved in metastasis formation is, therefore, a major public health issue. Among the proposed risk factors, chemical environment and pollution are increasingly suggested to have an effect on the signaling pathways involved in metastatic tumor cells emergence and progression. The purpose of this article is to summarize current knowledge about the role of environmental chemicals in breast cancer progression, metastasis formation and resistance to chemotherapy. Through a scoping review, we highlight the effects of a wide variety of environmental toxicants, including persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors, on invasion mechanisms and metastatic processes in BC. We identified the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer-stemness (the stem cell-like phenotype in tumors), two mechanisms suspected of playing key roles in the development of metastases and linked to chemoresistance, as potential targets of contaminants. We discuss then the recently described pro-migratory and pro-invasive Ah receptor signaling pathway and conclude that his role in BC progression is still controversial. In conclusion, although several pertinent pathways for the effects of xenobiotics have been identified, the mechanisms of actions for multiple other molecules remain to be established. The integral role of xenobiotics in the exposome in BC needs to be further explored through additional relevant epidemiological studies that can be extended to molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Koual
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 3TS, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Paris, France.
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Céline Tomkiewicz
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 3TS, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Anne-Sophie Bats
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Paris, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM UMR-S1147, Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 3TS, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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Vondráček J, Pěnčíková K, Ciganek M, Pivnička J, Karasová M, Hýžďalová M, Strapáčová S, Pálková L, Neča J, Matthews J, Lom MV, Topinka J, Milcová A, Machala M. Environmental six-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are potent inducers of the AhR-dependent signaling in human cells. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115125. [PMID: 32679438 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The toxicities of many environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in particular those of high-molecular-weight PAHs (with MW higher than 300), remain poorly characterized. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of selected environmentally relevant PAHs with MW 302 (MW302 PAHs) to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), since this represents a major toxic mode of action of PAHs. A large number of the evaluated compounds exhibited strong AhR-mediated activities, in particular in human models. The studied MW302 PAHs also significantly contributed to the overall calculated AhR activities of complex environmental mixtures, including both defined standard reference materials and collected diesel exhaust particles. The high AhR-mediated activities of representative MW302 PAHs, e.g. naphtho[1,2-k]fluoranthene, corresponded with the modulation of expression of relevant AhR target genes in a human lung cell model, or with the AhR-dependent suppression of cell cycle progression/proliferation in estrogen-sensitive cells. This was in a marked contrast with the limited genotoxicity of the same compound(s). Given the substantial levels of the AhR-activating MW302 PAHs in combustion particles, it seems important to continue to investigate the toxic modes of action of this large group of PAHs associated with airborne particulate matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Kateřina Pěnčíková
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Ciganek
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Pivnička
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Karasová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Hýžďalová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Strapáčová
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pálková
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Neča
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jason Matthews
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 9, 0372 Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, M5S 1A8 Toronto, Canada
| | - Michal Vojtíšek Lom
- Center for Sustainable Mobility, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technická 4, 160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Topinka
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Nanotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Milcová
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Nanotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
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Cochard M, Ledoux F, Landkocz Y. Atmospheric fine particulate matter and epithelial mesenchymal transition in pulmonary cells: state of the art and critical review of the in vitro studies. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2020; 23:293-318. [PMID: 32921295 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2020.1816238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with several diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation are well-documented and are considered as the starting point of some of the pathological responses. However, a number of studies also focused on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a biological process involved in fibrotic diseases and cancer progression notably via metastasis induction. Up until now, EMT was widely reported in vivo and in vitro in various cell types but investigations dealing with in vitro studies of PM2.5 induced EMT in pulmonary cells are limited. Further, few investigations combined the necessary endpoints for validation of the EMT state in cells: such as expression of several surface, cytoskeleton or extracellular matrix biomarkers and activation of transcription markers and epigenetic factors. Studies explored various cell types, cultured under differing conditions and exposed for various durations to different doses. Such unharmonized protocols (1) might introduce bias, (2) make difficult comparison of results and (3) preclude reaching a definitive conclusion regarding the ability of airborne PM2.5 to induce EMT in pulmonary cells. Some questions remain, in particular the specific PM2.5 components responsible for EMT triggering. The aim of this review is to examine the available PM2.5 induced EMT in vitro studies on pulmonary cells with special emphasis on the critical parameters considered to carry out future research in this field. This clarification appears necessary for production of reliable and comparable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Cochard
- Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant, UCEIV UR4492, SFR Condorcet FR-CNRS-3417, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO) , Dunkerque, France
| | - Frédéric Ledoux
- Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant, UCEIV UR4492, SFR Condorcet FR-CNRS-3417, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO) , Dunkerque, France
| | - Yann Landkocz
- Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant, UCEIV UR4492, SFR Condorcet FR-CNRS-3417, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO) , Dunkerque, France
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Koh DH, Hwang JH, Park JG, Song WS, Iwata H, Kim EY. The AHR1-ARNT1 dimerization pair is a major regulator of the response to natural ligands, but not to TCDD, in the chicken. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 201:110835. [PMID: 32563159 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) occurs through the binding of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) or natural ligands. In this pathway, the AHR-ARNT (AHR nuclear translocator) heterodimer serves to regulate critical physiological functions, such as immune responses and the metabolism of xenobiotics. Birds have three AHR isoforms (AHR1, AHR1β, and AHR2) and two ARNT isoforms (ARNT1 and ARNT2). However, how AHR and ARNT dimerization pair in birds regulates the AHR signaling pathway in an isoform-specific manner remains unknown. In this study, we initially sought to clarify the major chicken AHR-ARNT (ckAHR-ckARNT) pairs by estimating the mRNA tissue distributions of various ckAHR and ckARNT isoforms. Our results indicated that the ckAHR1-ckARNT1 represented the major dimerization pair in most tissues except the brain. We then measured the transactivation potencies of various ckAHR-ckARNT pairs by natural ligands and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), in in vitro reporter gene assays using COS-7 and LMH cell lines. Our results from the in vitro assays demonstrated that the ckAHR1-ckARNT1 pair was strongly activated by the five natural ligands, namely, 6-formylindolo [3,2-b]carbazole, L-kynurenin, kynurenic acid, indoxyl-3-sulfate, and 1,3,7-tribromodibenzo-p-dioxin, but not by TCDD. In in silico ligand docking simulations with ckAHR1 homology models, all the natural ligands showed a interaction pattern that was distinct from that observed with anthropogenic DLCs, including TCDD. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the ckAHR1-ckARNT1 may be the most important dimerization pair in most tissues for regulating the physiological functions driven by natural ligands, although it was less reactive to TCDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hee Koh
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hee Hwang
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
| | - Jae-Gon Park
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
| | - Woo-Seon Song
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
| | - Hisato Iwata
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Eun-Young Kim
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea; Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
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Xiong J, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Wu B, Fang L, Wang N, Yi H, Chang N, Chen L, Zhang J. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates Jak2/STAT3 signaling for non-small cell lung cancer stem cell maintenance. Exp Cell Res 2020; 396:112288. [PMID: 32941808 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in shaping the invasive cancer phenotype by contributing to tumor initiation, metastasis, relapse, and therapeutic resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand activated transcription factor, which is well known for mediating the toxicity and tumorigenesis of a variety of environmental pollutants, has been extensively recognized as an important mediator in NSCLC development. Here, evidence showed that AhR was overexpressed in NSCLC tissues, and a high AhR protein level was associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype. Knockdown of AhR suppressed cell proliferation, invasion and migration, as well as CSC-like properties, while upregulation and activation of AhR enhanced CSC-like properties and increased stem cell-associated gene expression in NSCLC cells. Elevated and activated AhR leads to phosphorylation of janus kinase 2 (Jak2), as well as its downstream effector, activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), while inhibition of Jak2/STAT3 signaling by pharmacologic approach attenuates the effects of AhR-mediated NSCLC cell stemness, suggesting a role for the Jak2/STAT3 pathway in AhR-regulated NSCLC stemness. In summary, our study uncovers a transcriptional-independent mechanism of AhR through which AhR mediates NSCLC stemness via Jak2/STAT3 signaling pathway, indicating a promising target for the treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xiong
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China; Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hongyu Yi
- Center for Infectious Disease, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ning Chang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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48
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Svobodová J, Procházková J, Kabátková M, Krkoška M, Šmerdová L, Líbalová H, Topinka J, Kléma J, Kozubík A, Machala M, Vondráček J. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Disrupts Control of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in a Human Model of Adult Liver Progenitors. Toxicol Sci 2020; 172:368-384. [PMID: 31536130 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation has been shown to alter proliferation, apoptosis, or differentiation of adult rat liver progenitors. Here, we investigated the impact of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-mediated AhR activation on a human model of bipotent liver progenitors, undifferentiated HepaRG cells. We used both intact undifferentiated HepaRG cells, and the cells with silenced Hippo pathway effectors, yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), which play key role(s) in tissue-specific progenitor cell self-renewal and expansion, such as in liver, cardiac, or respiratory progenitors. TCDD induced cell proliferation in confluent undifferentiated HepaRG cells; however, following YAP, and, in particular, double YAP/TAZ knockdown, TCDD promoted induction of apoptosis. These results suggested that, unlike in mature hepatocytes, or hepatocyte-like cells, activation of the AhR may sensitize undifferentiated HepaRG cells to apoptotic stimuli. Induction of apoptosis in cells with silenced YAP/TAZ was associated with upregulation of death ligand TRAIL, and seemed to involve both extrinsic and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Global gene expression analysis further suggested that TCDD significantly altered expression of constituents and/or transcriptional targets of signaling pathways participating in control of expansion or differentiation of liver progenitors, including EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, or tumor growth factor-β signaling pathways. TCDD significantly upregulated cytosolic proapoptotic protein BMF (Bcl-2 modifying factor) in HepaRG cells, which could be linked with an enhanced sensitivity of TCDD-treated cells to apoptosis. Our results suggest that, in addition to promotion of cell proliferation and alteration of signaling pathways controlling expansion of human adult liver progenitors, AhR ligands may also sensitize human liver progenitor cells to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Svobodová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Procházková
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno 62100, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Kabátková
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Krkoška
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Šmerdová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Líbalová
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Topinka
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kléma
- Department of Computer Science, Czech Technical University, Prague 12135, Czech Republic
| | - Alois Kozubík
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno 62100, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
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Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Connects Inflammation to Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155264. [PMID: 32722276 PMCID: PMC7432832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an evolutionary conserved transcription factor, is a pleiotropic signal transductor. Thanks to its promiscuous ligand binding domain, during the evolution of eukaryotic cells its developmental functions were integrated with biosensor functions. Its activation by a multitude of endogenous and exogenous molecules stimulates its participation in several pathways, some of which are linked to inflammation and breast cancer (BC). Over time, the study of this malignancy has led to the identification of several therapeutic targets in cancer cells. An intense area of study is dedicated to BC phenotypes lacking adequate targets. In this context, due to its high constitutive activation in BC, AhR is currently gaining more and more attention. In this review, I have considered its interactions with: 1. the immune system, whose dysregulation is a renowned cancer hallmark; 2. interleukin 6 (IL6) which is a pivotal inflammatory marker and is closely correlated to breast cancer risk; 3. NF-kB, another evolutionary conserved transcription factor, which plays a key role in immunoregulatory functions, inflammatory response and breast carcinogenesis; 4. kynurenine, a tryptophan-derived ligand that activates and bridges AhR to chronic inflammation and breast carcinogenesis. Overall, the data here presented form an interesting framework where AhR is an interesting connector between inflammation and BC.
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50
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Albumin is a secret factor involved in multidirectional interactions among the serotoninergic, immune and endocrine systems that supervises the mechanism of CYP1A and CYP3A regulation in the liver. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107616. [PMID: 32590025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on albumin, which is involved in multidirectional interactions among the immune, endocrine and serotoninergic systems and supervises the regulation of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms under conditions of both normal liver function and liver insufficiency. Special attention is paid to albumin, thyroid hormones, testosterone and tryptophan hydroxylase in these interactions as well as their potential roles in liver regeneration. The association of these factors with inflammation and the modification of the mechanism of hepatic drug-metabolizing CYP isoform regulation are also presented because changes in the expression of CYP isoforms in the liver may result in subsequent changes to a marker substance used for testing CYP activity, thus providing a simple way to control the liver regeneration process or the dangerous stimulation of hepatocarcinogenesis.
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