Metabolism of xenobiotics in hepatocyte nodules

Proteomic analysis of laser capture microdissected focal lesions in a rat model of progenitor marker-positive hepatocellular carcinoma

We have shown previously that rapamycin, the canonical inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1, markedly inhibits the growth of focal lesions in the resistant hepatocyte (Solt-Farber) model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the rat. In the present study, we characterized the proteome of persistent, pre-neoplastic focal lesions in this model. One group was administered rapamycin by subcutaneous pellet for 3 weeks following partial hepatectomy and euthanized 4 weeks after the cessation of rapamycin. A second group received placebo pellets. Results were compared to unmanipulated control animals and to animals that underwent an incomplete Solt-Farber protocol to activate hepatic progenitor cells. Regions of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue were obtained by laser capture microdissection (LCM). Proteomic analysis yielded 11,070 unique peptides representing 2,227 proteins. Quantitation of the peptides showed increased abundance of known HCC markers (e.g., glutathione S-transferase-P, epoxide hydrolase, 6 others) and potential markers (e.g., aflatoxin aldehyde reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 10 others) in foci from placebo-treated and rapamycin-treated rats. Peptides derived from cytochrome P450 enzymes were generally reduced. Comparisons of the rapamycin samples to normal liver and to the progenitor cell model indicated that rapamycin attenuated a loss of differentiation relative to placebo. We conclude that early administration of rapamycin in the Solt-Farber model not only inhibits the growth of pre-neoplastic foci but also attenuates the loss of differentiated function. In addition, we have demonstrated that the combination of LCM and mass spectrometry-based proteomics is an effective approach to characterize focal liver lesions.

Necrosis, and then stress induced necrosis-like cell death, but not apoptosis, should be the preferred cell death mode for chemotherapy: clearance of a few misconceptions

Cell death overarches carcinogenesis and is a center of cancer researches, especially therapy studies. There have been many nomenclatures on cell death, but only three cell death modes are genuine, i.e. apoptosis, necrosis and stress-induced cell death (SICD). Like apoptosis, SICD is programmed. Like necrosis, SICD is a pathological event and may trigger regeneration and scar formation. Therefore, SICD has subtypes of stress-induced apoptosis-like cell death (SIaLCD) and stress-induced necrosis-like cell death (SInLCD). Whereas apoptosis removes redundant but healthy cells, SICD removes useful but ill or damaged cells. Many studies on cell death involve cancer tissues that resemble parasites in the host patients, which is a complicated system as it involves immune clearance of the alien cancer cells by the host. Cancer resembles an evolutionarily lower-level organism having a weaker apoptosis potential and poorer DNA repair mechanisms. Hence, targeting apoptosis for cancer therapy, i.e. killing via SIaLCD, will be less efficacious and more toxic. On the other hand, necrosis of cancer cells releases cellular debris and components to stimulate immune function, thus counteracting therapy-caused immune suppression and making necrosis better than SIaLCD for chemo drug development.

The other side of the coin: the tumor-suppressive aspect of oncogenes and the oncogenic aspect of tumor-suppressive genes, such as those along the CCND-CDK4/6-RB axis

Although cancer-regulatory genes are dichotomized to oncogenes and tumor-suppressor gene s, in reality they can be oncogenic in one situation but tumor-suppressive in another. This dual-function nature, which sometimes hampers our understanding of tumor biology, has several manifestations: (1) Most canonically defined genes have multiple mRNAs, regulatory RNAs, protein isoforms, and posttranslational modifications; (2) Genes may interact at different levels, such as by forming chimeric RNAs or by forming different protein complexes; (3) Increased levels of tumor-suppressive genes in normal cells drive proliferation of cancer progenitor cells in the same organ or tissue by imposing compensatory proliferation pressure, which presents the dual-function nature as a cell-cell interaction. All these manifestations of dual functions can find examples in the genes along the CCND-CDK4/6-RB axis. The dual-function nature also underlies the heterogeneity of cancer cells. Gene-targeting chemotherapies, including that targets CDK4, are effective to some cancer cells but in the meantime may promote growth or progression of some others in the same patient. Redefining "gene" by considering each mRNA, regulatory RNA, protein isoform, and posttranslational modification from the same genomic locus as a "gene" may help in better understanding tumor biology and better selecting targets for different sub-populations of cancer cells in individual patients for personalized therapy.

Adventures in hepatocarcinogenesis

Neoplasia is a heritably altered, relatively autonomous growth of tissue. Hepatocarcinogenesis, the pathogenesis of neoplasia in liver, as modeled in the rat exhibits three distinct, quantifiable stages: initiation, promotion, and progression. Simple mutations and/or epigenetic alterations may result in the irreversible stage of initiation. The stage of promotion results from selective enhancement of cell replication and selective inhibition of cellular apoptosis of initiated cells dependent on the genetic and/or epigenetic alterations of the latter. The irreversible stage of progression results from initial karyotypic alterations that evolve into greater degrees of genomic instability. The initial genomic alteration in the transition from promotion to progression may involve primarily epigenetic mechanisms driven by epigenetic and genetic alterations fixed during the stage of promotion.

Ah receptor: Dioxin-mediated toxic responses as hints to deregulated physiologic functions

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and member of the bHLH/PAS (basic Helix-Loop-Helix/Per-Arnt-Sim) family of chemosensors and developmental regulators. It represents a multifunctional molecular switch regulating endo- and xenobiotic metabolism as well as cell proliferation and differentiation. Physiologic functions of the AhR are beginning to be understood, including functions in vascular development, and in detoxification of endo- and xenobiotics. The AhR is also recognized as the culprit for most toxic responses observed after exposure to dioxins and related compounds such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The non-metabolizable AhR agonist TCDD has to be distinguished from the myriad of metabolizable agonists present as dietary contaminants and plant constituents as well as endogenous toxins. The hypothesis is emerging that the diverse tissue-specific, TCDD-mediated toxicities are due to sustained and inappropriate AhR activation leading to deregulated physiologic functions. In support of this hypothesis recent observations in the context of some TCDD-mediated toxic responses are discussed, such as chloracne, cleft palate, thymus involution and in particular carcinogenesis. Major open questions are addressed, such as ligand-independent AhR activation by phosphorylation and the large differences in species-dependent susceptibility to toxic responses. Though important issues remain unresolved, the commentary is intended to stimulate efforts to understand dioxin-mediated toxic responses with emphasis on carcinogenesis in comparison with AhR-mediated physiologic functions.

Hepatic processing determines dual activity of α-tocopheryl succinate: a novel paradigm for a shift in biological activity due to pro-vitamin-to-vitamin conversion

Redox-silent vitamin E analogues, represented by alpha-tocopheryl succinate, are potent anti-cancer drugs with potential secondary bioactivity due to their processing in vivo. Here we verified the hypothesis that hepatic processing of these agents determines the secondary effect. Mice were repeatedly injected with alpha-tocopheryl succinate, and their systemic and hepatic vein blood was assessed for alpha-tocopheryl succinate and its hydrolysis product, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). While levels of alpha-tocopherol doubled compared to control mice and alpha-tocopheryl succinate accumulated in the systemic blood, no alpha-tocopheryl succinate was detected in blood draining the liver. We conclude that hepatic processing endows compounds like alpha-tocopheryl succinate with a secondary, anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory activity due to converting it to the redox-active alpha-tocopherol. Our finding epitomises a novel, general paradigm, according to which a drug can be converted in the liver into a product that has a different beneficial bioactivity.

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

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

Expression of the liver-enriched transcription factors C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta, HNF-1, and HNF-4 in preneoplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma in rat liver

The expression patterns of the liver-enriched transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) alpha and beta and hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1 and HNF-4 were studied in liver nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas from male rats treated according to the resistant hepatocyte (RH) model. C/EBP alpha expression was lower at the transcriptional, mRNA, and protein levels in persistent nodules than in the respective surrounding livers. Expression was further decreased in the tumors. Transcriptional downregulation of C/EBP alpha gene expression was observed already in very early nodules, isolated 3 wk after partial hepatectomy in the RH model. However, no detectable changes were observed in preneoplastic nodules in the transcription or in steady-state mRNA levels of C/EBP beta, HNF-1, and HNF-4. A slight decrease in C/EBP beta protein and a more pronounced attenuation of HNF-1 and HNF-4 levels was observed in nodules, being 67%, 37%, and 46% of the levels in the corresponding surrounding livers, respectively. In conclusion, differential regulation of several transcription factors that are associated with the maintenance of the differentiated state of the hepatocytes was observed in preneoplastic and neoplastic liver lesions. This could have an impact on the regulation of a wide array of genes during liver carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the attenuation of C/EBP alpha expression, regarded as a negative growth regulator, could contribute to the proliferative advantage of nodules during liver carcinogenesis.

Genetic toxicity of 2-acetylaminofluorene, 2-aminofluorene and some of their metabolites and model metabolites

2-Acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene are among the most intensively studied of all chemical mutagens and carcinogens. Fundamental research findings concerning the metabolism of 2-acetylaminofluorene to electrophilic derivatives, the interaction of these derivatives with DNA, and the carcinogenic and mutagenic responses that are associated with the resulting DNA damage have formed the foundation upon which much of genetic toxicity testing is based. The parent compounds and their proximate and ultimate mutagenic and carcinogenic derivatives have been evaluated in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic assays for mutagenesis and DNA damage. The reactive derivatives are active in virtually all systems, while 2-acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene are active in most systems that provide adequate metabolic activation. Knowledge of the structures of the DNA adducts formed by 2-acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene, the effects of the adducts on DNA conformation and synthesis, adduct distribution in tissues, cells and DNA, and adduct repair have been used to develop hypotheses to understand the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of these compounds. Molecular analysis of mutations produced in cell-free, bacterial, in vitro mammalian, and intact animal systems have recently been used to extend these hypotheses.

Detoxication of base propenals and other alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde products of radical reactions and lipid peroxidation by human glutathione transferases

Radiation and chemical reactions that give rise to free radicals cause the formation of highly cytotoxic base propenals, degradation products of DNA. Human glutathione transferases (GSTs; RX:glutathione R-transferase, EC 2.5.1.18) of classes Alpha, Mu, and Pi were shown to promote the conjugation of glutathione with base propenals and related alkenes. GST P1-1 was particularly active in catalyzing the reactions with the propenal derivatives, and adenine propenal was the substrate giving the highest activity. The catalytic efficiency of GST P1-1 with adenine propenal (kcat/Km = 7.7 x 10(5) M-1.s-1) is the highest so far reported with any substrate for this enzyme. In general, GST A1-1 and GST M1-1, in contrast to GST P1-1, were more active with 4-hydroxyalkenals (products of lipid peroxidation) than with base propenals. The adduct resulting from the Michael addition of glutathione to the alkene function of one of the base propenals (adenine propenal) was identified by mass spectrometry. At the cellular level, GST P1-1 was shown to provide protection against alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes. GST P1-1 added to the culture medium of HeLa cells augmented the protective effect of glutathione against the toxicity of adenine propenal and thymine propenal. No protective effect of the enzyme was observed in the presence of the competitive inhibitor S-hexylglutathione. GST P1-1 introduced into Hep G2 cells by electroporation was similarly found to increase their resistance to acrolein. The results show that glutathione transferases may play an important role in cellular detoxication of electrophilic alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds produced by radical reactions, lipid peroxidation, ionizing radiation, and drug metabolism.

Glutathione S-transferases: gene structure and regulation of expression

The current knowledge about the structure of GST genes and the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of their expression are reviewed. Information derived from the study of rat and mouse GST Alpha-class, Ya genes, and a rat GST Pi-class gene seems to indicate that a single cis-regulatory element, composed of two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites in the 5'-flanking region of these GST genes, is responsible for their basal and xenobiotic-inducible activity. The identification of Fos/Jun (AP-1) complex as the trans-acting factor that binds to this element and mediates the basal and inducible expression of GST genes offers a basis for an understanding of the molecular processes involved in GST regulation. The induction of expression of Fos and Jun transcriptional regulatory proteins by a variety of extracellular stimuli is known to mediate the activation of target genes via the AP-1 binding sites. The modulation of the AP-1 activity may account for the changes induced by growth factors, hormones, chemical carcinogens, transforming oncogenes, and cellular stress-inducing agents in the pattern of GST expression. Recent observations implying reactive oxygen as the transduction signal that mediates activation of c-fos and c-jun genes are presently considered to provide an explanation for the induction of GST gene expression by chemical agents of diverse structure. The possibility that these agents may all induce conditions of oxidative stress by various pathways to activate expression of GST genes that are regulated by the AP-1 complex is discussed.

High expression of cytochrome P450 2a-5 (coumarin 7-hydroxylase) in mouse hepatomas

A high level of Cyp2a-5 was found in spontaneous and transplanted mouse hepatomas compared with normal liver. Increased expression of Cyp2a-5 was associated with an increase in coumarin 7-hydroxylation, a marker activity of Cyp2a-5, and the corresponding mRNA, suggesting that regulation of Cyp2a-5 in hepatomas is pretranslational. In contrast, the total P450 content and arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and amidopyrene demethylase activities decreased. Pyrazole, a strong inducer of Cyp2a-5 in normal mouse livers, also increases this isozyme in hepatomas. A parallel increase in the corresponding mRNA suggests that pyrazole, like the formation of hepatomas, affects the regulation of Cyp2a-5 pretranslationally.

Membrane biochemistry and chemical hepatocarcinogenesis

Biochemical membrane alterations appearing during the process of chemical carcinogenesis are described. Emphasis is put on membrane composition, structure, and biogenesis. In this presentation the knowledge gained from experimental studies of liver and skin in the process of cancer development is acknowledged. Important biochemical changes have been reported in lipid composition, fatty acid saturation, constitutional enzyme expression, receptor turnover and oligomerization. Functional consequences of the altered membrane structure is discussed within the concepts of regulation of cell proliferation, regulation of membrane receptor expression, redox control, signal transduction, drug metabolism, and multidrug resistance. Data from malignant tumours and normal tissue are addressed to evaluate the importance of the alterations for the process and for the eventual malignant transformation.

Heterogeneous alterations of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in mouse hepatic foci

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) was studied immunohistochemically in hepatic foci and nodules of N-nitrosomorpholine-treated mice. Serial sections were stained for glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). It was found that a high percentage of G6Pase-negative liver foci and nodules were also UDPGT-negative (34%). In addition, G6Pase-negative foci without altered UDPGT phenotype (30%) and UDPGT-negative foci without altered G6Pase phenotype (8%) were detected. G6Pase-positive foci were also present (24%). Interestingly, most G6Pase-positive foci were UDPGT-positive (16%). Some G6Pase-positive lesions without altered UDPGT phenotype were also found (8%). The major phenotype observed in rat hepatocarcinogenesis models (UDPGT-positive/G6Pase-negative foci) was not detectable in the mouse model. These results demonstrate heterogeneous alterations of UDPGTs in mouse hepatic foci. They furthermore suggest marked differences between the mouse and the rat in the regulation of UDPGTs in similarly induced rat hepatic foci.

Profile of drug metabolizing enzymes in the nuclear and microsomal fractions from rat liver nodules and normal liver

The activities of UDP-glucuronyl transferase, DT-diaphorase, epoxide hydrolase, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase were measured in the nuclear and microsomal fractions from normal rat liver and rat liver nodules. Nodules were produced by intermittent feeding of Wistar rats with a standard diet supplemented with 0.05% (w/w) 2-acetylaminofluorene. The nuclear and microsomal fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation. The activities of UDP-glucuronyl transferase, DT-diaphorase, epoxide hydrolase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were significantly increased in the nuclear and microsomal fractions obtained from nodules as compared with normal liver. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was decreased in the microsomal fraction from the pathological tissue but not in the nuclear fraction. NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was similar in nodular and normal liver tissue. The nuclear/microsomal ratio for phase I reactions in xenobiotic metabolism was increased over normal more than two fold. Thus the nuclear and microsomal systems for drug metabolism are both changed in liver nodules. The relative enhancement of nuclear activating reactions is remarkable in the light of the increased risk for malignant transformation exhibited by nodular cells.

Species differences of glucuronidation and sulfation in relation to hepatocarcinogenesis

The role of glucuronidation and sulfation in the control of proximal and ultimate carcinogens is briefly reviewed. In accordance with the adopted practice of tumor risk assessment, data from two rodent species (rat, mouse) and man have been compared. Sulfate esters have been established as ultimate carcinogens in 2-acetylaminofluorene, safrole and estragole induced hepatocarcinogenesis. In interspecies comparisons the tumor incidence paralleled sulfotransferase activity (Miller and Miller 1981). Glucuronides are often stable transport forms of carcinogens and in this way determine their organ specificity, for example in 2-naphthylamine-induced bladder carcinogenesis and in colon carcinogenesis produced by 2',3-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl. In contrast to sulfotransferase activity certain UDP-glucuronyltransferase activities are differentially inducible by xenobiotics. A 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible phenol-glucuronyltransferase (GT1), present in rat, mouse and man, appears to be part of an adaptive program to detoxify aromatic hydrocarbons. After initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis permanent alterations of these enzymes occur; GT1 is markedly increased whereas sulfotransferase is decreased. Together with changes of other drug metabolizing enzymes these alterations often lead to toxin-resistance of initiated hepatocytes. This phenomenon may facilitate selective growth of initiated hepatocytes and may enhance the probability of multiple hits in their genome.