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Snyder M, Wang Z, Lara B, Fimbres J, Pichardo T, Mazzilli S, Khan MM, Duggineni VK, Monti S, Sherr DH. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Controls IFNγ-Induced Immune Checkpoints PD-L1 and IDO via the JAK/STAT Pathway in Lung Adenocarcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.12.607602. [PMID: 39185148 PMCID: PMC11343147 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.607602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
While immunotherapy has shown efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients, many respond only partially or not at all. One limitation in improving outcomes is the lack of a complete understanding of immune checkpoint regulation. Here, we investigated a possible link between an environmental chemical receptor implicated in lung cancer and immune regulation, (the aryl hydrocarbon receptor/AhR), a known but counterintuitive mediator of immunosuppression (IFNγ), and regulation of two immune checkpoints (PD-L1 and IDO). AhR gene-edited LUAD cell lines, a syngeneic LUAD mouse model, bulk- and scRNA sequencing of LUADs and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were used to map out a signaling pathway leading from IFNγ through the AhR to JAK/STAT, PD-L1, IDO, and tumor-mediated immunosuppression. The data demonstrate that: 1) IFNγ activation of the JAK/STAT pathway leading to PD-L1 and IDO1 upregulation is mediated by the AhR in murine and human LUAD cells, 2) AhR-driven IDO1 induction results in the production of Kynurenine (Kyn), an AhR ligand, which likely mediates an AhR→IDO1→Kyn→AhR amplification loop, 3) transplantation of AhR-knockout LUAD cells results in long-term tumor immunity in most recipients. 4) The 23% of AhR-knockout tumors that do grow do so at a much slower pace than controls and exhibit higher densities of CD8+ T cells expressing markers of immunocompetence, increased activity, and increased cell-cell communication. The data definitively link the AhR to IFNγ-induced JAK/STAT pathway and immune checkpoint-mediated immunosuppression and support the targeting of the AhR in the context of LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Snyder
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Zhongyan Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Brian Lara
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Jocelyn Fimbres
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | | | | | - Mohammed Muzamil Khan
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Vinay K. Duggineni
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Stefano Monti
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - David H. Sherr
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
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2
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Wang Z, Fu Y, Seno A, Bi Z, Pawar AS, Ji H, Almutairy BS, Qiu Y, Zhang W, Thakur C, Chen F. Tumor suppressive activity of AHR in environmental arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 480:116747. [PMID: 37935250 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116747] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a highly conserved pleiotropic transcription factor that senses environmental pollutants, microbial products, and endogenous ligands. The transcriptional targets of AHR include phase I and phase II detoxification enzymes, as well as numerous signaling molecules that affect a wide spectrum of biological and biochemical processes in a manner of cellular context-dependent. In this review, we systematically assess the latest discoveries of AHR in carcinogenesis with an emphasis on its tumor suppressor-like property that represses the expression of genes in oncogenic signaling pathways. Additionally, we outline recent progress in our studies on the interaction among AHR, TGFb and NRF2 in cellular responses to arsenic and malignant transformation. Our findings indicate that AHR antagonized TGFb and NRF2, suggesting that AHR could serve as a potential tumor suppressor in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. Notably, while AHR can exhibit both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive properties in cancer development and the generation of the cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), the tumor suppressor-like effect of AHR warrants further extensive exploration for the prevention and clinical treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Wang
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
| | - Yao Fu
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Akimasa Seno
- R&D Center, Katayama Chemicals Ind., Co. Ltd, Ina, Minoh, Osaka 562-0015, Japan
| | - Zhuoyue Bi
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Aashna S Pawar
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Haoyan Ji
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Bandar Saeed Almutairy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yiran Qiu
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Wenxuan Zhang
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Chitra Thakur
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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Marvanová S, Pěnčíková K, Pálková L, Ciganek M, Petráš J, Lněničková A, Vondráček J, Machala M. Benzo[b]naphtho[d]thiophenes and naphthylbenzo[b]thiophenes: Their aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activities and environmental presence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:162924. [PMID: 36933742 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocyclic compounds (PASHs) belong among ubiquitous environmental pollutants; however, their toxic effects remain poorly understood. Here, we studied the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activity of dibenzothiophene, benzo[b]naphtho[d]thiophenes, and naphthylbenzo[b]thiophenes, as well as their presence in two types of environmental matrices: river sediments collected from both rural and urban areas, and in airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) sampled in cities with different levels and sources of pollution. Benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene, benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene, 2,2-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene, and 2,1-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene were newly identified as efficient AhR agonists in both rat and human AhR-based reporter gene assays, with 2,2-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene being the most potent compound identified in both species. Benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]thiophene and 3,2-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene elicited AhR-mediated activity only in the rat liver cell model, while dibenzothiophene and 3,1-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene were inactive in either cell type. Independently of their ability to activate the AhR, benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]thiophene, 2,1-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene, 3,1-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene, and 3,2-naphthylbenzo[b]thiophene inhibited gap junctional intercellular communication in a model of rat liver epithelial cells. Benzo[b]naphtho[d]thiophenes were dominant PASHs present in both PM2.5 and sediment samples, with benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene being the most abundant one, followed by benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene. The levels of naphthylbenzo[b]thiophenes were mostly low or below detection limit. Benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene and benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene were identified as the most significant contributors to the AhR-mediated activity in the environmental samples evaluated in this study. Both induced nuclear translocation of the AhR, and they induced CYP1A1 expression in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that their AhR-mediated activity may depend on the rate of their intracellular metabolism. In conclusion, some PASHs could be significant contributors to the overall AhR-mediated toxicity of complex environmental samples suggesting that more attention should be paid to the potential health impacts of this group of environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soňa Marvanová
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Pěnčíková
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pálková
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Ciganek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 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
| | - Anna Lněničková
- 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
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic.
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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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5
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Elson DJ, Kolluri SK. Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and AhR as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:526. [PMID: 37106727 PMCID: PMC10135996 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulating a wide range of biological responses. A diverse array of xenobiotics and endogenous small molecules bind to the receptor and drive unique phenotypic responses. Due in part to its role in mediating toxic responses to environmental pollutants, AhR activation has not been traditionally viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the expression and activation of AhR can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, and many clinically approved drugs transcriptionally activate AhR. Identification of novel select modulators of AhR-regulated transcription that promote tumor suppression is an active area of investigation. The development of AhR-targeted anticancer agents requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor suppression. Here, we summarized the tumor-suppressive mechanisms regulated by AhR with an emphasis on the endogenous functions of the receptor in opposing carcinogenesis. In multiple different cancer models, the deletion of AhR promotes increased tumorigenesis, but a precise understanding of the molecular cues and the genetic targets of AhR involved in this process is lacking. The intent of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting AhR-dependent tumor suppression and distill insights for development of AhR-targeted cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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6
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Sondermann NC, Faßbender S, Hartung F, Hätälä AM, Rolfes KM, Vogel CFA, Haarmann-Stemmann T. Functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) beyond the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 208:115371. [PMID: 36528068 PMCID: PMC9884176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor regulating adaptive and maladaptive responses toward exogenous and endogenous signals. Research from various biomedical disciplines has provided compelling evidence that the AHR is critically involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and disorders, including autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases, endocrine disruption, premature aging and cancer. Accordingly, AHR is considered an attractive target for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic measures. However, the ligand-based targeting of AHR is considerably complicated by the fact that the receptor does not always follow the beaten track, i.e. the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Instead, AHR might team up with other transcription factors and signaling molecules to shape gene expression patterns and associated physiological or pathophysiological functions in a ligand-, cell- and micromilieu-dependent manner. Herein, we provide an overview about some of the most important non-canonical functions of AHR, including crosstalk with major signaling pathways involved in controlling cell fate and function, immune responses, adaptation to low oxygen levels and oxidative stress, ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Further research on these diverse and exciting yet often ambivalent facets of AHR biology is urgently needed in order to exploit the full potential of AHR modulation for disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Sondermann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sonja Faßbender
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frederick Hartung
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna M Hätälä
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina M Rolfes
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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From Nucleus to Organs: Insights of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314919. [PMID: 36499247 PMCID: PMC9738205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a markedly established regulator of a plethora of cellular and molecular processes. Its initial role in the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds has been partially overshadowed by its involvement in homeostatic and organ physiology processes. In fact, the discovery of its ability to bind specific target regulatory sequences has allowed for the understanding of how AHR modulates such processes. Thereby, AHR presents functions in transcriptional regulation, chromatin architecture modifications and participation in different key signaling pathways. Interestingly, such fields of influence end up affecting organ and tissue homeostasis, including regenerative response both to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Therefore, from classical spheres such as canonical transcriptional regulation in embryonic development, cell migration, differentiation or tumor progression to modern approaches in epigenetics, senescence, immune system or microbiome, this review covers all aspects derived from the balance between regulation/deregulation of AHR and its physio-pathological consequences.
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Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is improved in the absence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15446. [PMID: 36104446 PMCID: PMC9474532 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19733-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is among the few organs having the ability to self-regenerate in response to a severe damage compromising its functionality. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a transcription factor relevant for the detoxification of xenobiotics but also largely important for liver development and homeostasis. Hence, liver cell differentiation is developmentally modulated by Ahr through the controlled expression of pluripotency and stemness-inducing genes. Here, 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) was used as a clinically relevant approach to induce liver regeneration in Ahr-expressing (Ahr+/+) and Ahr-null (Ahr−/−) mice. Ahr expression and activity were early induced after 2/3 PH to be gradually downmodulated latter during regeneration. Ahr−/− mice triggered liver regeneration much faster than AhR+/+ animals, although both reached full regeneration at the latest times. At initial stages after PHx, earlier regenerating Ahr−/− livers had upregulation of cell proliferation markers and increased activation of signalling pathways related to stemness such as Hippo-YAP and Wnt/β-catenin, concomitantly with the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFa, IL6 and p65. These phenotypes, together with the improved metabolic adaptation of Ahr−/− mice after PHx and their induced sustained cell proliferation, could likely result from the expansion of undifferentiated stem cells residing in the liver expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and NANOG. We propose that Ahr needs to be induced early during regeneration to fine-tune liver regrowth to physiological values. Since Ahr deficiency did not result in liver overgrowth, its transient pharmacological inhibition could serve to improve liver regeneration in hepatectomized and transplanted patients and in those exposed to damaging liver toxins and carcinogens.
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