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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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2
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Sadeghi A, Khazaeel K, Tabandeh MR, Nejaddehbashi F, Givi ME. Prenatal exposure to crude oil vapor reduces differentiation potential of rat fetal mesenchymal stem cells by regulating ERK1/2 and PI3K signaling pathways: Protective effect of quercetin. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108440. [PMID: 37467934 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108440] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
It has been indicated that crude oil vapor (COV) induces tissue damage by several molecular mechanisms. Quercetin (QT) as an important component of food with antioxidant properties has a protective role against cell toxicity caused by many pollutants. However, data related to the adverse effects of crude oil vapor (COV) on stem cell fate and differentiation and the role of quercetin (QT) in protecting stem cells against the toxicity caused by these pollutants is very limited. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of QT against the adverse effects of COV on fetal mesenchymal stem cells (fMSCs) differentiation. Twenty-four pregnant Wistar rats were categorized into 4 groups including the control, COV, COV+QT, and QT. Rats were exposed to COV from gestational day (GD) 0-15 and received QT by gavage. The fMSCs were isolated from fetuses, and cell proliferation, differentiation potential, expression of osteogenesis and adipogenesis-related genes, and phosphorylation of PI3K and ERK1/2 signaling proteins were evaluated. The results showed that COV reduced the proliferation and differentiation of fMSCs through the activation of PI3K and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Also, COV significantly decreased the expression of osteonectin, ALP, BMP-6, Runx-2, PPARγ, and CREBBP genes in differentiated cells. QT treatment increased the proliferation and differentiation of fMSCs in COV-exposed rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to COV impaired fMSCs differentiation and QT reduced the adverse effects of COV by regulating ERK1/2 and PI3K signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Sadeghi
- Department of Basic Science, Division of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Kaveh Khazaeel
- Department of Basic Science, Division of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran; Stem Cells and Transgenic Technology Research Center (STTRC), Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Tabandeh
- Stem Cells and Transgenic Technology Research Center (STTRC), Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Nejaddehbashi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Ezzati Givi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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3
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Grishanova AY, Klyushova LS, Perepechaeva ML. AhR and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways and Their Interplay. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:3848-3876. [PMID: 37232717 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45050248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
As evolutionarily conserved signaling cascades, AhR and Wnt signaling pathways play a critical role in the control over numerous vital embryonic and somatic processes. AhR performs many endogenous functions by integrating its signaling pathway into organ homeostasis and into the maintenance of crucial cellular functions and biological processes. The Wnt signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and many other phenomena, and this regulation is important for embryonic development and the dynamic balance of adult tissues. AhR and Wnt are the main signaling pathways participating in the control of cell fate and function. They occupy a central position in a variety of processes linked with development and various pathological conditions. Given the importance of these two signaling cascades, it would be interesting to elucidate the biological implications of their interaction. Functional connections between AhR and Wnt signals take place in cases of crosstalk or interplay, about which quite a lot of information has been accumulated in recent years. This review is focused on recent studies about the mutual interactions of key mediators of AhR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and on the assessment of the complexity of the crosstalk between the AhR signaling cascade and the canonical Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alevtina Y Grishanova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
| | - Lyubov S Klyushova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
| | - Maria L Perepechaeva
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
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Zhou X, Chakraborty D, Murray IA, Coslo D, Kehs Z, Vijay A, Ton C, Desai D, Amin SG, Patterson AD, Perdew GH. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation Coordinates Mouse Small Intestinal Epithelial Cell Programming. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100012. [PMID: 37039146 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2022.100012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In the face of mechanical, chemical, microbial, and immunologic pressure, intestinal homeostasis is maintained through balanced cellular turnover, proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal. Here, we present evidence supporting the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the adaptive reprogramming of small intestinal gene expression, leading to altered proliferation, lineage commitment, and remodeling of the cellular repertoire that comprises the intestinal epithelium to promote intestinal resilience. Ahr gene/protein expression and transcriptional activity exhibit marked proximalHI to distalLO and cryptHI to villiLO gradients. Genetic ablation of Ahr impairs commitment/differentiation of the secretory Paneth and goblet cell lineages and associated mucin production, restricts expression of secretory/enterocyte differentiation markers, and increases crypt-associated proliferation and villi-associated enterocyte luminal exfoliation. Ahr-/- mice display a decrease in intestinal barrier function. Ahr+/+ mice that maintain a diet devoid of AHR ligands intestinally phenocopy Ahr-/- mice. In contrast, Ahr+/+ mice exposed to AHR ligands reverse these phenotypes. Ligand-induced AHR transcriptional activity positively correlates with gene expression (Math1, Klf4, Tff3) associated with differentiation of the goblet cell secretory lineage. Math1 was identified as a direct target gene of AHR, a transcription factor critical to the development of goblet cells. These data suggest that dietary cues, relayed through the transcriptional activity of AHR, can reshape the cellular repertoire of the gastrointestinal tract.
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Perez-Castro L, Garcia R, Venkateswaran N, Barnes S, Conacci-Sorrell M. Tryptophan and its metabolites in normal physiology and cancer etiology. FEBS J 2023; 290:7-27. [PMID: 34687129 PMCID: PMC9883803 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Within the growing field of amino acid metabolism, tryptophan (Trp) catabolism is an area of increasing interest. Trp is essential for protein synthesis, and its metabolism gives rise to biologically active catabolites including serotonin and numerous metabolites in the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. In normal tissues, the production of Trp metabolites is directly regulated by the tissue-specific expression of Trp-metabolizing enzymes. Alterations of these enzymes in cancers can shift the balance and lead to an increased production of specific byproducts that can function as oncometabolites. For example, increased expression of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, which converts Trp into Kyn, leads to an increase in Kyn levels in numerous cancers. Kyn functions as an oncometabolite in cancer cells by promoting the activity of the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which regulates progrowth genes. Moreover, Kyn also inhibits T-cell activity and thus allows cancer cells to evade clearance by the immune system. Therefore, targeting the Kyn pathway has become a therapeutic focus as a novel means to abrogate tumor growth and immune resistance. This review summarizes the biological role and regulation of Trp metabolism and its catabolites with an emphasis on tumor cell growth and immune evasion and outlines areas for future research focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizbeth Perez-Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roy Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Niranjan Venkateswaran
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Spencer Barnes
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Yagishita Y, Joshi T, Kensler TW, Wakabayashi N. Transcriptional Regulation of Math1 by Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: Effect on Math1 + Progenitor Cells in Mouse Small Intestine. Mol Cell Biol 2023; 43:43-63. [PMID: 36720468 PMCID: PMC9937019 DOI: 10.1080/10985549.2022.2160610] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The physiological roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in the small intestine have been revealed as immunomodulatory and barrier functions. However, its contributions to cell fate regulation are incompletely understood. The Notch-activated signaling cascade is a central component of intestinal cell fate determinations. The lateral inhibitory mechanism governed by Notch directs cell fates toward distinct cell lineages (i.e., absorptive and secretory cell lineages) through its downstream effector, mouse atonal homolog 1 (MATH1). An investigation employing cell lines and intestinal crypt cells revealed that AhR regulates Math1 expression in a xenobiotic response element (XRE)-dependent manner. The AhR-Math1 axis was further addressed using intestinal organoids, where AhR-Math1 and HES1-Math1 axes appeared to coexist within the underlying Math1 transcriptional machinery. When the HES1-Math1 axis was pharmacologically suppressed, β-naphthoflavone-mediated AhR activation increased the number of goblet and Math1+ progenitor cells in the organoids. The same pharmacological dissection of the AhR-Math1 axis was applied in vivo, demonstrating an enhanced number of Math1+ progenitor cells in the small intestine following AhR activation. We report here that AhR-Math1 is a direct transcriptional axis with effects on Math1+ progenitor cells in the small intestine, highlighting a novel molecular basis for fine-tuning Notch-mediated cell fate regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Yagishita
- Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tanvi Joshi
- Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas W. Kensler
- Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nobunao Wakabayashi
- Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Selvam P, Cheng CM, Dahms HU, Ponnusamy VK, Sun YY. AhR Mediated Activation of Pro-Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells Modulate the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110642. [PMID: 36355934 PMCID: PMC9696907 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease caused by progressive deterioration of lung tissue, is generated by several factors including genetic and environmental ones. In response to long-term exposure to environmental stimuli, aberrant tissue repair and epithelial cell-to- mesenchymal cell transition (EMT) trigger the subsequent progression of pulmonary fibrotic diseases. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that is activated by ligands providing lung dysfunction when activated by environmental toxins, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our previous study demonstrated that AhR mediates α-SMA expression by directly binding to the α-SMA (fibroblast differentiation marker) promoter, suggesting the role of AhR in mediating fibrogenic progression. Here we follow the hypothesis that macrophage infiltrated microenvironments may trigger inflammation and subsequent fibrosis. We studied the expression of cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells by AhR activation through an ELISA assay. To investigate molecular events, migration, western blotting and zymography assays were carried out. We found that AhR agonists such as TCDD, IP and FICZ, promote the migration and induce inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2. These cytokines arbitrate EMT marker expression such as E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin in pulmonary epithelial cells. Expression of proteins of MMPs in mouse macrophages was determined by zymography, showing the caseinolytic activity of MMP-1 and the gelatinolytic action of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, the present study showed that AhR activated macrophages create an inflammatory microenvironment which favours the fibrotic progression of pulmonary epithelial cells. Such production of inflammatory factors was accomplished by affecting the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, thereby creating a microenvironment which enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to fibrosis of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padhmavathi Selvam
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Hans-Uwe Dahms
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yo Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
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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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Schonfeld M, Averilla J, Gunewardena S, Weinman SA, Tikhanovich I. Alcohol-associated fibrosis in females is mediated by female-specific activation of lysine demethylases KDM5B and KDM5C. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2042-2057. [PMID: 35468265 PMCID: PMC9315128 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease is a major cause of alcohol-related mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying disease progression are not fully understood. Recently we found that liver molecular pathways are altered by alcohol consumption differently in males and females. We were able to associate these sex-specific pathways with two upstream regulators: H3K4-specific demethylase enzymes KDM5B and KDM5C. Mice were fed the Lieber-DeCarli alcohol liquid diet for 3 weeks or a combination of a high-fat diet with alcohol in water for 16 weeks (western diet alcohol model [WDA] model). To assess the role of histone demethylases, mice were treated with AAV-shControl, AAV-shKdm5b, and/or AAV-shKdm5c and/or AAV-shAhR vectors. Gene expression and epigenetic changes after Kdm5b/5c knockdown were assessed by RNA-sequencing and H3K4me3 chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. We found that less than 5% of genes affected by Kdm5b/Kdm5c knockdown were common between males and females. In females, Kdm5b/Kdm5c knockdown prevented fibrosis development in mice fed the WDA alcohol diet for 16 weeks and decreased fibrosis-associated gene expression in mice fed the Lieber-DeCarli alcohol liquid diet. In contrast, fibrosis was not affected by Kdm5b/Kdm5c knockdown in males. We found that KDM5B and KDM5C promote fibrosis in females through down-regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway components in hepatic stellate cells. Kdm5b/Kdm5c knockdown resulted in an up-regulation of Ahr, Arnt, and Aip in female but not in male mice, thus preventing fibrosis development. Ahr knockdown in combination with Kdm5b/Kdm5c knockdown restored profibrotic gene expression. Conclusion: KDM5 demethylases contribute to differences between males and females in the alcohol response in the liver. The KDM5/AhR axis is a female-specific mechanism of fibrosis development in alcohol-fed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schonfeld
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansasUSA
| | - Janice Averilla
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansasUSA
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansasUSA
| | - Steven A. Weinman
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansasUSA
- Liver CenterUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansasUSA
- Kansas City VA Medical CenterKansas CityMissouriUSA
| | - Irina Tikhanovich
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityKansasUSA
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Guarnieri T. Hypothesis: Emerging Roles for Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Orchestrating CoV-2-Related Inflammation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040648. [PMID: 35203299 PMCID: PMC8869960 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogenic agent of Coronavirus-Induced Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a multi-organ syndrome which primarily targets the respiratory system. In this review, considering the large amount of data pointing out the role of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in the inflammatory response and in the modulation of innate and adaptive immunity, we describe some mechanisms that strongly suggest its involvement in the management of COVID-19′s inflammatory framework. It regulates both the expression of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) and its stabilizing partner, the Broad neutral Amino acid Transporter 1 (B0AT1). It induces Indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO-1), the enzyme which, starting from Tryptophan (Trp), produces Kynurenine (Kyn, Beta-Anthraniloyl-L-Alanine). The accumulation of Kyn and the depletion of Trp arrest T cell growth and induce apoptosis, setting up an immune-tolerant condition, whereas AhR and interferon type I (IFN-I) build a mutual inhibitory loop that also involves NF-kB and limits the innate response. AhR/Kyn binding boosts the production of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), thus reinforcing the inflammatory state and counteracting the IDO-dependent immune tolerance in the later stage of COVID-19. Taken together, these data depict a framework where sufficient clues suggest the possible participation of AhR in the management of COVID-19 inflammation, thus indicating an additional therapeutic target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Guarnieri
- Cell Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Interuniversity Consortium “Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi” (INBB–Biostructures and Biosystems National Institute), 00136 Rome, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research in Life Sciences and Technologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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11
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Ghaffarian-Bahraman A, Arabnezhad MR, Keshavarzi M, Davani-Davari D, Jamshidzadeh A, Mohammadi-Bardbori A. Influence of cellular redox environment on aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands induced melanogenesis. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 79:105282. [PMID: 34856342 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105282] [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: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many environmental pollutants, natural compounds, as well as endogenous chemicals exert their biological/toxicological effects by reacting with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Previous evidence shed new light on the role of AhR in skin physiology by regulating melanin production. In this study, we investigated the effect of oxidative imbalance induced by AhR ligands on the melanogenesis process in B16 murine melanoma cells. Exposure to 6-formylindolo[3,2-b] carbazole (FICZ) or benzo-α-pyrene (BαP) led to enhanced expression of CTNNB1, MITF, and TYR genes following increased tyrosinase enzyme activity and melanin content in an AhR-dependent manner. Analysis of the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) / oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio revealed that treatment with AhR ligands is associated with oxidative stress which can be ameliorated with NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI). On the other hand, NAC and DPI enhanced melanogenesis induced by AhR ligands by reducing the level of ROS. We have shown for the first time that a cellular redox status is a critical event during AhR ligand-induced melanogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ghaffarian-Bahraman
- Occupational Environment Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Arabnezhad
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Majid Keshavarzi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Dorna Davani-Davari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran
| | - Akram Jamshidzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran
| | - Afshin Mohammadi-Bardbori
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran.
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Han H, Safe S, Jayaraman A, Chapkin RS. Diet-Host-Microbiota Interactions Shape Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand Production to Modulate Intestinal Homeostasis. Annu Rev Nutr 2021; 41:455-478. [PMID: 34633858 PMCID: PMC8667662 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-043020-090050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor that binds structurally diverse ligands and senses cues from environmental toxicants and physiologically relevant dietary/microbiota-derived ligands. The AhR is an ancient conserved protein and is widely expressed across different tissues in vertebrates and invertebrates. AhR signaling mediates a wide range of cellular functions in a ligand-, cell type-, species-, and context-specific manner. Dysregulation of AhR signaling is linked to many developmental defects and chronic diseases. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of AhR signaling in mediating bidirectional host-microbiome interactions. We also consider evidence showing the potential for the dietary/microbial enhancement ofhealth-promoting AhR ligands to improve clinical pathway management in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases and colon tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajun Han
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases and Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Robert S Chapkin
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases and Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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13
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Bai Y, Zhu P, Zhou K, Zhang SG. Effect of the acid suppressor omeprazole on the proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1187. [PMID: 34475977 PMCID: PMC8406681 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10621] [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: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor type with one of the highest mortality rates worldwide. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which has been investigated in recent years, has been confirmed to be associated with the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer. AHR has a variety of different ligands, which regulate its activity following binding. The widely known acid inhibitor omeprazole (OME) also affects AHR and its downstream proteins (such as the cytochrome P450 family) by non-ligand binding; however, the mechanisms have remained to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of OME in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), whether the mechanism proceeds via the AHR pathway and how OME regulates AHR to affect the occurrence and development of esophageal carcinoma. The AHR-selective regulator OME was used to treat the ESCC cell lines TE1 and KYSE150. Western blot analysis was used to verify the effect of OME on AHR and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein expression levels, while Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, wound-healing and Transwell assays were used to determine the proliferation, migration and invasion of the ESCCs, respectively, following treatment with OME. In addition, flow cytometry was used to investigate the cell cycle distribution of the ESCCs following incubation with OME. AHR was highly expressed in the ESCCs and following treatment with OME, the protein expression levels of AHR and PCNA were downregulated. The CCK-8 assay indicated that the proliferation of the ESCCs was also reduced following treatment with OME. Furthermore, flow cytometry revealed a notable block of the cells in G1/G0 phase, while the results of the wound-healing and Transwell assays respectively suggested that cell migration and invasion were reduced. In conclusion, OME inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells and blocked the cell cycle via the AHR pathway, which may provide a therapeutic effect on esophageal squamous cell cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Peiyao Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Guang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
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14
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Krkoška M, Svobodová J, Kabátková M, Zapletal O, Hyršlová Vaculová A, Nekvindová J, Vondráček J. Deregulation of signaling pathways controlling cell survival and proliferation in cancer cells alters induction of cytochrome P450 family 1 enzymes. Toxicology 2021; 461:152897. [PMID: 34403729 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 family 1 (CYP1) enzymes contribute both to metabolism of xenobiotics and to the control of endogenous levels of ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Their activities, similar to other CYPs, can be altered in tumor tissues. Here, we examined a possible role of proliferative/survival pathways signaling, which is often deregulated in tumor cells, and possible links with p300 histone acetyltransferase (a transcriptional co-activator) in the control of CYP1 expression, focusing particularly on CYP1A1. Using cell models derived from human liver, we observed that the induction of CYP1A1 expression, as well as other CYP1 enzymes, was reduced in exponentially growing cells, as compared with their non-dividing counterparts. The siRNA-mediated inhibition of proliferation/pro-survival signaling pathway effectors (such as β-catenin and/or Hippo pathway effectors YAP/TAZ) increased the AhR ligand-induced CYP1A1 mRNA levels in liver HepaRG cells, and/or in colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells. The activation of proliferative Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCT-116 cells reduced both the induction of CYP1 enzymes and the binding of p300 to the promoter of CYP1A1 or CYP1B1 genes. These results seem to indicate that aberrant proliferative signaling in tumor cells could suppress induction of CYP1A1 (or other CYP1 enzymes) via competition for p300 binding. This mechanism could be involved in modulation of the metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous substrates of CYP1A1 (and other CYP1 enzymes), with possible further consequences for alterations of the AhR signaling in tumor cells, or additional functional roles of CYP1 enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Krkoška
- 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, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Svobodová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Kabátková
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Zapletal
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Hyršlová Vaculová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Nekvindová
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
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15
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Fernández-Aceñero MJ, Barderas R, Peláez García A, Martínez-Useros J, Díez-Valladares L, Pérez-Aguirre, Ortega Medina L, de la Serna Esteban S, García-Botella S, Díaz Del Arco C, Galindo C. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) significantly influences prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Ann Diagn Pathol 2021; 53:151742. [PMID: 33975263 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2021.151742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) in one of AHR ligands. The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic influence of AIP in pancreatic carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective case series with immunohistochemical analysis of AIP. We have estimated a multivariate Cox's model for the outcome (progression free and overall survival). RESULTS 204 patients were included in the study. As expected prognosis was poor and 67.8% died of disease. As for AIP 9.8% of the cases showed nuclear staining of the epithelial tumor cells and 59.4% a cytoplasmic one. Stroma was stained in 53.1% of the cases. Univariate survival analysis revealed a significantly worse prognosis of patients with cytoplasmic AIP expression (stroma and epithelium), but nuclear expression was associated to a better prognosis. In the multivariate analysis stromal AIP expression was an independent prognosticator of progression free survival, together with pT stage, histological grade and history of diabetes. DISCUSSION AIP Is a conserved cochaperone protein binding to many proteins. AIP has been proposed as a potential tumor suppressor gene. To date, no study has analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of AIP in pancreatic carcinoma. Our results indicate that both epithelial and stromal cytoplasmic expression of AIP is associated to bad prognosis, while nuclear translocation seems to improve prognosis. CONCLUSION Although we must deepen into the complex signaling pathways underlying this potential association, our results open a way to inhibiting AHR as a potential target against pancreatic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Fernández-Aceñero
- Departments of Surgical Pathology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, UFIEC, Chronic Disease Programme, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - R Barderas
- Departments of Surgical Pathology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, UFIEC, Chronic Disease Programme, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Peláez García
- Molecular Pathology and Therapeutic Targets Group, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Martínez-Useros
- Oncology Translational Research Unit, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Madrid, Spain
| | - L Díez-Valladares
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pérez-Aguirre
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Ortega Medina
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - S García-Botella
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Díaz Del Arco
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Galindo
- Medical College, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Saito N, Kanno Y, Yamashita N, Degawa M, Yoshinari K, Nemoto K. The Differential Selectivity of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) Agonists towards AHR-Dependent Suppression of Mammosphere Formation and Gene Transcription in Human Breast Cancer Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2021; 44:571-578. [PMID: 33790107 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b20-00961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We had previously reported that treatment with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist β-naphthoflavone (βNF) suppressed mammosphere formation derived from cancer stem cells in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (Cancer Lett., 317, 2012, Zhao et al.). Here, using several AHR agonists, we have investigated the association of this suppression with the classical ability to induce AHR-mediated gene transcription in the xenobiotic response element (XRE). The mammosphere formation assays were performed using wild-type and AHR-knockout MCF-7 cells in the presence of AHR agonists including 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), indirubin, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and kynurenine (KYN), followed by the XRE-reporter gene assays of the agonists. We showed that treatments with 3MC, BaP, and DMBA strongly suppressed mammosphere formation of the stem cells in an AHR-dependent manner, while other agonists showed weaker suppression. In reporter gene assays, the strength or duration of AHR/XRE-mediated gene transcription was found to be dependent on the agonist. Although strong transcriptional activation was observed with 3MC, FICZ, indirubin, I3C, IAA, or KYN after 6 h of treatment, only weak activation was seen with BaP or DMBA. While transcriptional activation was sustained or increased at 24 h with 3MC, BaP, or DMBA, appreciable reduction was observed with the other agonists. In conclusions, the results demonstrated that the suppressive effects of AHR agonists on mammosphere formation do not necessarily correlate with their abilities to induce AHR-mediated gene transcription. Hence, different AHR functions may be differentially induced in an agonist-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Saito
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University
| | - Yuichiro Kanno
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University.,Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka
| | - Naoya Yamashita
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
| | - Masakuni Degawa
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University.,Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka
| | - Kouichi Yoshinari
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka
| | - Kiyomitsu Nemoto
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University
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17
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Wisniewski PJ, Nagarkatti M, Nagarkatti PS. Regulation of Intestinal Stem Cell Stemness by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Its Ligands. Front Immunol 2021; 12:638725. [PMID: 33777031 PMCID: PMC7988095 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.638725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of intestinal homeostasis requires the integration of immunological and molecular processes together with environmental, diet, metabolic and microbial cues. Key to this homeostasis is the proper functioning of epithelial cells originating from intestinal stem cells (ISCs). While local factors and numerous molecular pathways govern the ISC niche, the conduit through which these processes work in concordance is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, whose role in immunoregulation is critical at barrier surfaces. In this review, we discuss how AhR signaling is emerging as one of the critical regulators of molecular pathways involved in epithelial cell renewal. In addition, we examine the putative contribution of specific AhR ligands to ISC stemness and epithelial cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Wisniewski
- Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Prakash S Nagarkatti
- Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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18
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Han H, Davidson LA, Hensel M, Yoon G, Landrock K, Allred C, Jayaraman A, Ivanov I, Safe SH, Chapkin RS. Loss of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Promotes Colon Tumorigenesis in ApcS580/+; KrasG12D/+ Mice. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:771-783. [PMID: 33495399 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The mutational genetic landscape of colorectal cancer has been extensively characterized; however, the ability of "cooperation response genes" to modulate the function of cancer "driver" genes remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, in modulating oncogenic cues in the colon. We show that intestinal epithelial cell-targeted AhR knockout (KO) promotes the expansion and clonogenic capacity of colonic stem/progenitor cells harboring ApcS580/+; KrasG12D/+ mutations by upregulating Wnt signaling. The loss of AhR in the gut epithelium increased cell proliferation, reduced mouse survival rate, and promoted cecum and colon tumorigenesis in mice. Mechanistically, the antagonism of Wnt signaling induced by Lgr5 haploinsufficiency attenuated the effects of AhR KO on cecum and colon tumorigenesis. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings reveal that AhR signaling plays a protective role in genetically induced colon tumorigenesis at least by suppressing Wnt signaling and provides rationale for the AhR as a therapeutic target for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajun Han
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Laurie A Davidson
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Martha Hensel
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Grace Yoon
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kerstin Landrock
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Clinton Allred
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen H Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Robert S Chapkin
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. .,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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19
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AhR and Cancer: From Gene Profiling to Targeted Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020752. [PMID: 33451095 PMCID: PMC7828536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that has been shown to be an essential regulator of a broad spectrum of biological activities required for maintaining the body’s vital functions. AhR also plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Its role in cancer is complex, encompassing both pro- and anti-tumorigenic activities. Its level of expression and activity are specific to each tumor and patient, increasing the difficulty of understanding the activating or inhibiting roles of AhR ligands. We explored the role of AhR in tumor cell lines and patients using genomic data sets and discuss the extent to which AhR can be considered as a therapeutic target.
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20
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Han H, Jayaraman A, Safe S, Chapkin RS. Targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in stem cells to improve the use of food as medicine. CURRENT STEM CELL REPORTS 2021; 6:109-118. [PMID: 34395177 DOI: 10.1007/s40778-020-00184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of review Intestinal stem cells, the most rapidly proliferating adult stem cells, are exquisitely sensitive to extrinsic dietary factors. Uncontrolled regulation of intestinal stem cells is closely linked to colon tumorigenesis. This review focuses on how dietary and microbial derived cues regulate intestinal stem cell functionality and colon tumorigenesis in mouse models by targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Recent findings AhR, a ligand activated transcription factor, can integrate environmental, dietary and microbial cues to modulate intestinal stem cell proliferation, differentiation and their microenvironment, affecting colon cancer risk. Modulation of AhR activity is associated with many chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases where AhR expression is protective. Summary AhR signaling controls the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells, influences local niche factors, and plays a protective role in colon tumorigenesis. Mounting evidence suggests that extrinsic nutritional/dietary cues which modulate AhR signaling may be a promising approach to colon cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajun Han
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
| | - Robert S Chapkin
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843
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21
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Li Y, Wang J, Zhong S, Li J, Du W. Overexpression of G3BP1 facilitates the progression of colon cancer by activating β‑catenin signaling. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:4403-4411. [PMID: 33000280 PMCID: PMC7533501 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH3 domain-binding protein 1 (G3BP1) has been reported to be of importance in the occurrence and development of colon cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in G3BP1-mediated colon cancer progression. The expression of G3BP1 in colon tissues and cells was detected via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Gain-of-function assays were performed in colon cancer RKO cells, which have a relatively low expression of G3BP1, while loss-of-function assays were performed in SW620 colon cancer cells, which have a relatively high expression of G3BP1. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry and tumor-bearing mice assays, respectively. The results demonstrated that G3BP1 expression was significantly upregulated in colon cancer tissues and cells compared with healthy colon tissues and cells. It was found that high expression of G3BP1 was closely associated with the poor prognosis and advanced clinical process in patients with colon cancer. Overexpression of G3BP1 in RKO cells enhanced their proliferative ability and decreased their apoptosis tendency, while knockdown of G3BP1 inhibited SW620 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. In addition, G3BP1 interacted with β-catenin and upregulated its expression and nuclear accumulation. It was identified that β-catenin knockdown abolished the effects of G3BP1 on the enhancement of cell proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo, as well as the inhibition of cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that G3BP1 promoted the progression of colon cancer by activating β-catenin signaling, which provided novel evidence for the role of G3BP1 in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhi Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Sen Zhong
- Infectious Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Jun Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Weiliang Du
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
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