The 2001 Veylien Henderson Award of the Society of Toxicology of Canada. Positive and negative transcriptional regulation of cytochromes P450 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Genetic assessment of the effect of red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) as a feed additive on mycotoxin toxicity in laying hens

Toxic fungal species produce hazardous substances known as mycotoxins. Consumption of mycotoxin contaminated feed and food causes a variety of dangerous diseases and can even lead to death of animals and humans, raising global concerns for adverse health effects. To date, several strategies have been developed to counteract with mycotoxin contamination. Red yeast as a novel biological dietary agent is a promising strategy to eliminate mycotoxicity in living organisms. Poultry are most susceptible animals to mycotoxin contamination, as they are fed a mixture of grains and are at higher risk of co-exposure to multiple toxic fungal substances. Therefore, this study investigated the genetic mechanism underlying long-term feeding with red yeast supplementation in interaction with multiple mycotoxins using transcriptome profiling (RNA_Seq) in the liver of laying hens. The results showed a high number of significantly differentially expressed genes in liver of chicken fed with a diet contaminated with mycotoxins, whereas the number of Significantly expressed genes was considerably reduced when the diet was supplemented with red yeast. The expression of genes involved in the phase I (CYP1A1, CYP1A2) and phase II (GSTA2, GSTA3, MGST1) detoxification process was downregulated in animals fed with mycotoxins contaminated diet, indicating suppression of the detoxification mechanisms. However, genes involved in antioxidant defense (GSTO1), apoptosis process (DUSP8), and tumor suppressor (KIAA1324, FBXO47, NME6) were upregulated in mycotoxins-exposed animals, suggesting activation of the antioxidant defense in response to mycotoxicity. Similarly, none of the detoxification genes were upregulated in hens fed with red yeast supplemented diet. However, neither genes involved in antioxidant defense nor tumor suppressor genes were expressed in the animals exposed to the red yeast supplemented feed, suggesting decreases the adsorption of biologically active mycotoxins in the liver of laying hens. We conclude that red yeast can act as a mycotoxin binder to decrease the adsorption of mycotoxins in the liver of laying hens and can be used as an effective strategy in the poultry feed industry to eliminate the adverse effects of mycotoxins for animals and increase food safety for human consumers.

Downregulation of cytochrome P450 2C8 by 3-methylcholanthrene in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

The marked induction of cytochromes P450 such as CYP1A1 caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) is often accompanied by suppression of other hepatic P450s. The molecular mechanisms, functional consequences, and human relevance of P450 downregulation by PAHs are poorly understood. MC suppresses mRNA levels for CYP2C8, an important human P450, in cultured human hepatocytes. To avoid hepatocyte lot-to-lot variability, we assessed CYP2C8 regulation by MC in HepaRG cells, a terminally differentiated human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line that maintains high P450 expression. MC strongly induced CYP1A1 mRNA levels and markedly downregulated CYP2C8 mRNA levels in HepaRG cells. Although MC also suppressed CYP2C8 mRNA levels in the HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, basal CYP2C8 expression was extremely low. HepaRG cells appear to be an appropriate model system for studying the mechanisms and functional consequences of CYP2C8 downregulation by PAHs.

Downregulation of mouse hepatic CYP3A protein by 3-methylcholanthrene does not require cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-dependent induction of cytochromes P450 (P450) such as CYP1A1 by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is well characterized. We reported previously that MC treatment triggers a pronounced downregulation, particularly at the protein level, of mouse hepatic Cyp3a11, a counterpart of the key human drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4. To determine whether this effect of MC requires hepatic microsomal P450 activity, we studied liver Cpr-null (LCN) mice with hepatocyte-specific conditional deletion of the NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene. In vehicle-treated animals, basal levels of CYP3A11 mRNA and CYP3A protein immunoreactivity were elevated by approximately 9-fold in LCN mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice, whereas CYP3A catalytic activity was profoundly compromised in LCN mice. MC treatment caused suppression of CYP3A11 mRNA, CYP3A protein immunoreactivity, and CYP3A catalytic activity in WT mice, and the MC effects at the mRNA and protein levels were maintained in LCN mice. Flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 (Fmo3) induction by MC was suggested previously to occur via an AHR-dependent mechanism requiring conversion of the parent compound to DNA-damaging reactive metabolites; however, hepatic FMO3 mRNA levels were dramatically increased by MC in both WT and LCN mice. MC did not function as a mechanism-based inactivator of CYP3A enzymes in hepatic microsomes prepared from untreated WT mice, under conditions in which 1-aminobenzotriazole caused marked NADPH-dependent loss of total P450 content and CYP3A catalytic activity. These results indicate that MC downregulates mouse hepatic CYP3A protein via a pretranslational mechanism that does not require hepatic microsomal P450-dependent activity.

The role of cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism in the regulation of mouse hepatic growth hormone signaling components and target genes by 3-methylcholanthrene

3-Methylcholanthrene (MC) is a readily metabolized aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist. MC disrupts expression of mouse hepatic growth hormone (GH) signaling components and suppresses cytochrome P450 2D9 (Cyp2d9), a male-specific gene controlled by pulsatile GH via signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b). To determine if these effects of MC depend on hepatic microsomal P450-mediated activity, we examined biologic responses to MC treatment in liver Cpr-null (LCN) mice with hepatocyte-specific conditional deletion of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR). MC caused mild induction of Por and a hepatic inflammatory marker in wild-type mice, whereas MC caused strong induction of AHR target genes, Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, and Cyp1b1 in wild-type and LCN mice. Two mouse hepatic STAT5b target genes, Cyp2d9 and major urinary protein 2 (Mup2), were suppressed by MC in wild-type mice, and the CYP2D9 mRNA response was maintained in LCN mice. In wild-type mice only, MC decreased hepatic GH receptor (GHR) mRNA but increased GHR protein levels. There was an apparent impairment of STAT5 phosphorylation by MC in wild-type and LCN mice, but large interanimal variation prevented achievement of statistical significance. In vehicle-treated mice, basal levels of MUP2 mRNA, GHR mRNA, GHR protein, and the activation status of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and Akt were influenced by hepatic Por genetic status. These results indicate that the effects of MC on hepatic GH signaling components and target genes are complex, involving aspects that are both dependent and independent of hepatic microsomal P450-mediated activity.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependence of dioxin's effects on constitutive mouse hepatic cytochromes P450 and growth hormone signaling components

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has physiological roles in the absence of exposure to exogenous ligands, and mediates adaptive and toxic responses to the environmental pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A readily metabolized AHR agonist, 3-methylcholanthrene, disrupts the expression of mouse hepatic growth hormone (GH) signaling components and suppresses cytochrome P450 2D9 (Cyp2d9), a male-specific gene controlled by pulsatile GH via signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b). Using TCDD as an essentially nonmetabolized AHR agonist, and Ahr (-/-) mice as the preferred model to determine the AHR-dependence of biological responses, we now show that 2 mouse hepatic STAT5b target genes, Cyp2d9, and major urinary protein 2 (Mup2), are suppressed by TCDD in an AHR-dependent manner. TCDD also decreased hepatic mRNA levels for GH receptor, Janus kinase 2, and STAT5a/b with AHR-dependence. Without inducing selected hepatic inflammatory markers, TCDD caused AHR-dependent induction of Cyp1a1 and NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Por) and suppression of Cyp3a11. In vehicle-treated mice, basal mRNA levels for CYP2D9, CYP3A11, POR, serum amyloid protein P, and MUP2 were influenced by Ahr genetic status. We conclude that AHR activation per se leads to dysregulation of hepatic GH signaling components and suppression of some, but not all, STAT5b target genes.

Cytochrome P450 2C11 5'-flanking region and promoter mediate in vivo suppression by 3-methylcholanthrene

Aromatic hydrocarbons such as 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) elicit toxic and adaptive responses through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Aromatic hydrocarbons act via an unknown mechanism to suppress the transcription of CYP2C11, a growth hormone-regulated gene encoding the male-specific rat hepatic cytochrome P450 2C11. We hypothesize that suppression of CYP2C11 by aromatic hydrocarbons is mediated by the gene's promoter and 5'-flank. Using hydrodynamics-based injections to deliver plasmid DNA to the liver of live rats, we studied the MC responsiveness of luciferase constructs containing 10.1, 5.6, and 2.4 kilobases (kb) of the CYP2C11 5'-flank. MC suppressed CYP2C11-luciferase activity of the 10.1- and 5.6-kb constructs to less than 50% of vehicle levels by 24 and 72 h. Luciferase activity of the 2.4-kb CYP2C11 construct was decreased to 63% of vehicle levels 24 h after MC treatment, but no suppression was detected by 72 h. Negative regulatory element(s) responsible for CYP2C11 reporter suppression by MC exist in the proximal 2.4 kb of the 5'-flank; however, additional cis-acting elements located between -5.6 and -2.4 kb mediate persistent reporter suppression. As a positive control for AHR activation, MC dramatically induced the luciferase activity of a Cyp1a1-driven luciferase plasmid under AHR control. Modulation of reporter gene activity by MC was accompanied by induction of endogenous CYP1A1 and suppression of endogenous CYP2C11 mRNA/protein. This is the first demonstration of aromatic hydrocarbon-mediated suppression of a CYP2C11-luciferase construct, and this finding suggests that the 5'-flanking region and promoter mediate down-regulation of this gene in the intact rat.

Evaluation of the rodent Hershberger bioassay: testing of coded chemicals and supplementary molecular-biological and biochemical investigations

Under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) the Hershberger assay is being validated as an in vivo screen for compounds with (anti)androgenic potential. We participated in the final activity, the testing of coded chemicals. Test compounds included trenbolone (TREN; 1.5, 40 mg/kg), testosterone propionate (TP; 0.4 mg/kg), flutamide (FLUT; 3mg/kg), linuron (LIN; 10, 100mg/kg), 1,1-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE; 16, 160 mg/kg), and two negative reference substances, i.e., compounds not considered to affect androgen-sensitive tissue weights (ASTWs) in the Hershberger assay, namely 4-nonylphenol (NP; 160 mg/kg) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP; 10mg/kg); TREN, LIN, p,p'-DDE, NP, and DNP being used under code. Compounds were administered for 10 days by oral intubation or subcutaneous injection (TP). Additional investigations not mandatorily requested by OECD included organ gravimetry of the liver, gene expression analysis in prostate using quantitative RT PCR for prostate specific binding protein polypeptide C3 (PBPC3) and ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) and determination of testosterone metabolizing and phase II conjugating enzymes in the liver. After submission of all study reports to OECD by participants uncoding revealed the following results: (A) When assessing androgenic potential in castrated rats, administration of TREN increased the weights of ventral prostate (VP), seminal vesicles (SV), glans penis, levator ani and bulbocavernosus muscles, and Cowper's glands at the high dose. A similar or stronger (VP, SV) increase of ASTWs was observed for TP; NP and DNP were ineffective. TREN dose-dependently increased gene expression of ODC1 and PBPC3, TP induced expression of these genes even more strongly (almost) to the level of untreated intact animals, whereas NP and DNP were inactive. Liver enzyme activities depending on physiological androgen levels were lower in castrated than in intact rats and could not be restored by androgen treatment. (B) When assessing antiandrogenic potential in TP-supplemented castrated rats, administration of LIN and p,p'-DDE decreased ASTWs only at the high dose. FLUT even more effectively decreased ASTWs, NP and DNP were again without effect. Decreases in androgen-responsive gene expression in the prostate corresponding to the organ weight changes were only observed for p,p'-DDE (high dose) and flutamide (PBPC3 only). p,p'-DDE dose-dependently induced liver weights and most liver enzyme activities including androgen-dependent ones. Our study accurately reproduced ASTW changes obtained in previous studies also under code suggesting that the Hershberger assay is a robust tool to screen for an (anti)androgenic potential. Assessment of ODC1 and PBPC3 gene expression in prostate, however, may only represent a sensitive tool for the detection of an androgenic potential. Finally, p,p'-DDE may affect ASTWs by several mechanisms including enhanced testosterone metabolism.

Decreases in urinary pheromonal activities in male mice after exposure to 3-methylchoranthrene

Many classes of environmental pollutants, which are found at significant levels in the environment, affect the reproductive functions. The gonadal functions of various animals are regulated by pheromones excreted from mating partners. Pheromones in male urine play essential roles in the sexual maturation of female mice. Pheromones are received by sensory neurons in the vomeronasal organ, which innervate to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The effects of a typical aromatic environmental pollutant (3-methylchoranthrene) on excretion of pheromones from male mice were explored based on neuronal Fos responses of the AOB of female mice. On days 1 and 3 after intraperitoneal administration of 3-methylchoranthrene (3-MC), the density of Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) cells in the AOB of female mice after exposure to urine excreted from the administered males was lower than that after exposure to urine from non-administered males. These results suggest that 3-MC blocks chemical communication from male to female mice by reducing pheromonal activities.

Regulation of constitutive mouse hepatic cytochromes P450 and growth hormone signaling components by 3-methylcholanthrene

3-Methylcholanthrene (MC) activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and increases expression of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes such as CYP1A1. MC also decreases expression of CYP2C11, the major hepatic P450 in male rats that is regulated by pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion via a pathway partially dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b). If disruption of this GH signaling pathway is important for MC's ability to suppress CYP2C11 transcription, we hypothesize that MC suppresses other male-specific genes (e.g., mouse Cyp2d9) regulated by pulsatile GH with STAT5b dependence. We examined the time course of MC's effects on hepatic P450s and GH signaling components in male C57BL/6 mice. P450 content, heme content, and NADPH P450 oxidoreductase activity were induced 2.3-, 1.8-, and 1.3-fold, respectively, by MC. MC dramatically induced CYP1A1 mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity. MC caused a 42% decrease in CYP2D9 protein, a 28% decrease in CYP2D9 mRNA, and a 27% decrease in testosterone 16alpha-hydroxylation activity. MC caused a pronounced decrease in CYP3A protein; however, there was no apparent change in testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activity, and changes in mRNA levels for CYP3A forms were relatively small. Expression of GH receptor and major urinary protein 2, a gene regulated by GH with STAT5b dependence, was decreased by MC at the mRNA level. These results show that MC suppresses mouse Cyp2d9, a pulsatile GH- and STAT5b-dependent male-specific gene, via a pretranslational mechanism that may involve disrupted GH signaling. Mouse CYP3A protein levels are dramatically decreased by MC via a mechanism that is not yet understood.

Bioavailability and risk assessment of orally ingested polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a family of toxicants that are ubiquitous in the environment. These contaminants generate considerable interest, because some of them are highly carcinogenic in laboratory animals and have been implicated in breast, lung, and colon cancers in humans. These chemicals commonly enter the human body through inhalation of cigarette smoke or consumption of contaminated food. Of these two pathways, dietary intake of PAHs constitutes a major source of exposure in humans. Although many reviews and books on PAHs have been published, factors affecting the accumulation of PAHs in the diet, their absorption following ingestion, and strategies to assess risk from exposure to these hydrocarbons following ingestion have received much less attention. This review, therefore, focuses on concentrations of PAHs in widely consumed dietary ingredients along with gastrointestinal absorption rates in humans. Metabolism and bioavailability of PAHs in animal models and the processes, which influence the disposition of these chemicals, are discussed. The utilitarian value of structure and metabolism in predicting PAH toxicity and carcinogenesis is also emphasized. Finally, based on intake, disposition, and tumorigenesis data, the exposure risk to PAHs from diet, and contaminated soil is presented. This information is expected to provide a framework for refinements in risk assessment of PAHs from a multimedia exposure perspective.

Transcriptional suppression of cytochrome P450 genes by endogenous and exogenous chemicals

This article is an invited report of a symposium sponsored by the Division for Drug Metabolism of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics held at Experimental Biology 2003 in San Diego, California, April 11-15, 2003. Several members of the cytochrome P450 (P450) superfamily are induced after exposure to a variety of chemical signals, and we have gained considerable mechanistic insight into these processes over the past four decades. In addition, the expression of many P450s is suppressed in response to various endogenous and exogenous chemicals; however, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. The goal of this symposium was to critically examine our current understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in transcriptional suppression of CYP genes by endogenous and exogenous chemicals. Specific examples were drawn from the following chemical categories: polycyclic and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon environmental toxicants, inflammatory mediators, the endogenous sterol dehydroepiandrosterone and peroxisome proliferators, and bile acids. Multiple molecular mechanisms are involved in transcriptional suppression, and these processes often involve rather complex cascades of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins. Mechanistic studies of CYP gene suppression can enhance our understanding of how organisms respond to xenobiotics as well as to perturbations in endogenous chemicals involved in maintaining homeostasis.