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Congues F, Wang P, Lee J, Lin D, Shahid A, Xie J, Huang Y. Targeting aryl hydrocarbon receptor to prevent cancer in barrier organs. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116156. [PMID: 38518996 PMCID: PMC11144369 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The skin, lung, and gut are important barrier organs that control how the body reacts to environmental stressors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, air pollutants, dietary components, and microorganisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis of barrier organs. AhR was initially discovered as a receptor for environmental chemical carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Activation of AhR pathways by PAHs leads to increased DNA damage and mutations which ultimately lead to carcinogenesis. Ongoing evidence reveals an ever-expanding role of AhR. Recently, AhR has been linked to immune systems by the interaction with the development of natural killer (NK) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, as well as the production of immunosuppressive cytokines. However, the role of AhR in carcinogenesis is not as straightforward as we initially thought. Although AhR activation has been shown to promote carcinogenesis in some studies, others suggest that it may act as a tumor suppressor. In this review, we aim to explore the role of AhR in the development of cancer that originates from barrier organs. We also examined the preclinical efficacy data of AhR agonists and antagonists on carcinogenesis to determine whether AhR modulation can be a viable option for cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francoise Congues
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; Department of Stomatology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Joshua Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Daphne Lin
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Ayaz Shahid
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA.
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Kim DK, Lee CY, Han YJ, Park SY, Han H, Na K, Kim MH, Yang SM, Baek S, Kim Y, Hwang JY, Lee S, Kang SS, Hong MH, Lim SM, Lee JB, Kim JH, Cho BC, Pyo KH. Exploring aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression and distribution in the tumor microenvironment, with a focus on immune cells, in various solid cancer types. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330228. [PMID: 38680496 PMCID: PMC11045933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that performs various functions upon ligand activation. Several studies have explored the role of AhR expression in tumor progression and immune surveillance. Nevertheless, investigations on the distribution of AhR expression, specifically in cancer or immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), remain limited. Examining the AhR expression and distribution in the TME is crucial for gaining insights into the mechanism of action of AhR-targeting anticancer agents and their potential as biomarkers. Methods Here, we used multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) and image cytometry to investigate the AhR expression and distribution in 513 patient samples, of which 292 are patients with one of five solid cancer types. Additionally, we analyzed the nuclear and cytosolic distribution of AhR expression. Results Our findings reveal that AhR expression was primarily localized in cancer cells, followed by stromal T cells and macrophages. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between the nuclear and cytosolic expression of AhR, indicating that the expression of AhR as a biomarker is independent of its localization. Interestingly, the expression patterns of AhR were categorized into three clusters based on the cancer type, with high AhR expression levels being found in regulatory T cells (Tregs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Discussion These findings are anticipated to serve as pivotal evidence for the design of clinical trials and the analysis of the anticancer mechanisms of AhR-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Kwon Kim
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chai Young Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Han
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Park
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heekyung Han
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangmin Na
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hyun Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Min Yang
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujeong Baek
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngtaek Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Yeon Hwang
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-san Kang
- Jeuk Institute for Cancer Research, Jeuk Co. Ltd., Gumi, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei New Il Han Institute for Integrative Lung Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei New Il Han Institute for Integrative Lung Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Research Support, Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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3
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Koual M, Coumoul X. Comment on "Application of the Key Characteristics Framework to Identify Potential Breast Carcinogens Using Publicly Available in Vivo, in Vitro, and in Silico Data". ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:48004. [PMID: 38656820 PMCID: PMC11042527 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Koual
- Department of Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery, Georges-Pompidou European Hospital, Paris, France
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Zhao H, Fang L, Chen Y, Ni J, Chen X, Pan F. Independent and combined associations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and sleep disorders among adults in the U.S. adult population. J Affect Disord 2024; 350:319-327. [PMID: 38220115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are prevalent organic pollutants in the environment; however, limited research has been conducted to explore their potential effects on sleep disorders. This study aims to investigate the relationship between single and mixed PAHs exposures and sleep disorders. METHODS This study analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 to 2016, involving 7730 adult participants. To examine the relationship between PAHs exposure and sleep disorders, we employed survey-weighted multivariate logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models to evaluate single PAHs exposure. Additionally, we employed three mixed-exposure models to examine the relationship between combined PAHs exposure and sleep disorders. RESULTS After adjusting for covariates, our analyses revealed positive associations between several urinary PAHs metabolites (1-hydroxynaphthalene (1-NAP), 2-NAP, 3-hydroxyfluorene (3-FLU), 2-FLU, and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-PYR)) and sleep disturbance. Consistency across various analytical methods underscores a discernible positive correlation between simultaneous exposure to PAHs and sleep disorders. This association is predominantly influenced by the presence of NAP and FLU. Remarkably, a positive relationship between combined PAHs exposure and sleep disorders emerged within the younger and middle-aged demographic but did not manifest within the elderly population. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our study provides new epidemiological evidence suggesting that both single and mixed PAHs exposures may increase the risk of sleep disorders. Further prospective investigations are necessary to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Jianping Ni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Xuyang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Faming Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
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Chatterjee P, Banerjee S. Unveiling the mechanistic role of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in environmentally induced Breast cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 218:115866. [PMID: 37863327 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115866] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a crucial cytosolic evolutionary conserved ligand-activated transcription factor and a pleiotropic signal transducer. The biosensor activity of the AhR is attributed to the promiscuity of its ligand-binding domain. Evidence suggests exposure to environmental toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons activates the AhR signaling pathway. The constitutive activation of the receptor signaling system leads to multiple health adversities and enhances the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer (BC). This review evaluates several mechanisms that integrate the tumor-inducing property of such environmental contaminants with the AhR pathway assisting in BC tumorigenesis, progress and metastasis. Intriguingly, immune evasion is identified as a prominent hallmark in BC. Several emerging pieces of evidence have identified AhR as a potent immunosuppressive effector in several cancers. Through AhR signaling pathways, some tumors can avoid immune detection. Thus the relevance of AhR in the immunomodulation of breast tumors and its putative mode of action in the breast tumor microenvironment are discussed in this review. Additionally, the work also explores BC stemness and its associated inflammation in response to several environmental cues. The review elucidates the context-dependent ambiguous behavior of AhR either as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor with respect to its ligand. Conclusively, this holistic piece of literature attempts to potentiate AhR as a promising pharmacological target in BC and updates on the therapeutic manipulation of its various exogenous and endogenous ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prarthana Chatterjee
- School of BioSciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore- 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Satarupa Banerjee
- School of BioSciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore- 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Pacheco JHL, Elizondo G. Interplay between Estrogen, Kynurenine, and AHR Pathways: An immunosuppressive axis with therapeutic potential for breast cancer treatment. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115804. [PMID: 37716620 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide. Estrogen exposure via endogenous and exogenous sources during a lifetime, together with environmental exposure to estrogenic compounds, represent the most significant risk factor for breast cancer development. As breast tumors establish, multiple pathways are deregulated. Among them is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathway. AHR, a ligand-activated transcription factor associated with the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and estrogens, is overexpressed in breast cancer. Furthermore, AHR and estrogen receptor (ER) cross-talk pathways have been observed. Additionally, the Tryptophan (Trp) catabolizing enzymes indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) are overexpressed in breast cancer. IDO/TDO catalyzes the formation of Kynurenine (KYN) and other tryptophan-derived metabolites, which are ligands of AHR. Once KYN activates AHR, it stimulates the expression of the IDO enzyme, increases the level of KYN, and activates non-canonical pathways to control inflammation and immunosuppression in breast tumors. The interplay between E2, AHR, and IDO/TDO/KYN pathways and their impact on the immune system represents an immunosuppressive axis on breast cancer. The potential modulation of the immunosuppressive E2-AHR-IDO/TDO/KYN axis has aroused great expectations in oncotherapy. The present article will review the mechanisms implicated in generating the immunosuppressive axis E2-AHR-IDO/TDO/KYN in breast cancer and the current state of knowledge as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermo Elizondo
- Departamento de Biología Celular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, C.P. 07360 Ciudad de México, México.
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León-Letelier RA, Dou R, Vykoukal J, Sater AHA, Ostrin E, Hanash S, Fahrmann JF. The kynurenine pathway presents multi-faceted metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1256769. [PMID: 37876966 PMCID: PMC10591110 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1256769] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) and associated catabolites play key roles in promoting tumor progression and modulating the host anti-tumor immune response. To date, considerable focus has been on the role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and its catabolite, kynurenine (Kyn). However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that downstream KP enzymes and their associated metabolite products can also elicit tumor-microenvironment immune suppression. These advancements in our understanding of the tumor promotive role of the KP have led to the conception of novel therapeutic strategies to target the KP pathway for anti-cancer effects and reversal of immune escape. This review aims to 1) highlight the known biological functions of key enzymes in the KP, and 2) provide a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging therapies aimed at targeting discrete enzymes in the KP for anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A. León-Letelier
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rongzhang Dou
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jody Vykoukal
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ali Hussein Abdel Sater
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Edwin Ostrin
- Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samir Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Johannes F. Fahrmann
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Diedrich JD, Gonzalez-Pons R, Medeiros HCD, Ensink E, Liby KT, Wellberg EA, Lunt SY, Bernard JJ. Adipocyte-derived kynurenine stimulates malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115763. [PMID: 37625554 PMCID: PMC10587895 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115763] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Anti-hormone therapies are not efficacious for reducing the incidence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks both estrogen and progesterone receptors. While the etiology of this aggressive breast cancer subtype is unclear, visceral obesity is a strong risk factor for both pre- and post-menopausal cases. The mechanism by which excessive deposition of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) promotes the malignant transformation of hormone receptor-negative mammary epithelial cells is currently unknown. We developed a novel in vitro system of malignant transformation in which non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A) grow in soft agar when cultured with factors released from VAT. These cells, which acquire the capacity for 3D growth, show elevated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) protein and AhR target genes, suggesting that AhR activity may drive malignant transformation by VAT. AhR is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that generates biological responses to exogenous carcinogens and to the endogenous tryptophan pathway metabolite, kynurenine. The serum kynurenine to tryptophan ratio has been shown to be elevated in patients with obesity. Herein, we demonstrate that AhR inhibitors or knockdown of AhR in MCF-10A cells prevents VAT-induced malignant transformation. Specifically, VAT-induced transformation is inhibited by Kyn-101, an inhibitor for the endogenous ligand binding site of AhR. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrates that adipocytes metabolize tryptophan and release kynurenine, which is taken up by MCF-10A cells and activates the AhR to induce CYP1B1 and promote malignant transformation. This novel hormone receptor-independent mechanism of malignant transformation suggests targeting AhR for TNBC prevention in the context of visceral adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Diedrich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Romina Gonzalez-Pons
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Hyllana C D Medeiros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Elliot Ensink
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Karen T Liby
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wellberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Sophia Y Lunt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Jamie J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA; Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA.
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Holme JA, Vondráček J, Machala M, Lagadic-Gossmann D, Vogel CFA, Le Ferrec E, Sparfel L, Øvrevik J. Lung cancer associated with combustion particles and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - The roles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115801. [PMID: 37696458 PMCID: PMC10543654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is the leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking, contributing to 20% of all lung cancer deaths. Increased risk associated with living near trafficked roads, occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, indoor coal combustion and cigarette smoking, suggest that combustion components in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), may be central drivers of lung cancer. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) and increase PAH metabolism, formation of reactive metabolites, oxidative stress, DNA damage and mutagenesis. Lung cancer tissues from smokers and workers exposed to high combustion PM levels contain mutagenic signatures derived from PAHs. However, recent findings suggest that ambient air PM2.5 exposure primarily induces lung cancer development through tumor promotion of cells harboring naturally acquired oncogenic mutations, thus lacking typical PAH-induced mutations. On this background, we discuss the role of AhR and PAHs in lung cancer development caused by air pollution focusing on the tumor promoting properties including metabolism, immune system, cell proliferation and survival, tumor microenvironment, cell-to-cell communication, tumor growth and metastasis. We suggest that the dichotomy in lung cancer patterns observed between smoking and outdoor air PM2.5 represent the two ends of a dose-response continuum of combustion PM exposure, where tumor promotion in the peripheral lung appears to be the driving factor at the relatively low-dose exposures from ambient air PM2.5, whereas genotoxicity in the central airways becomes increasingly more important at the higher combustion PM levels encountered through smoking and occupational exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørn A Holme
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eric Le Ferrec
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Lydie Sparfel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Johan Øvrevik
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway.
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Kado SY, Bein K, Castaneda AR, Pouraryan AA, Garrity N, Ishihara Y, Rossi A, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Sweeney CA, Vogel CFA. Regulation of IDO2 by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:1433. [PMID: 37408267 PMCID: PMC10216785 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) is a tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme and a homolog of IDO1 with a distinct expression pattern compared with IDO1. In dendritic cells (DCs), IDO activity and the resulting changes in tryptophan level regulate T-cell differentiation and promote immune tolerance. Recent studies indicate that IDO2 exerts an additional, non-enzymatic function and pro-inflammatory activity, which may play an important role in diseases such as autoimmunity and cancer. Here, we investigated the impact of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by endogenous compounds and environmental pollutants on the expression of IDO2. Treatment with AhR ligands induced IDO2 in MCF-7 wildtype cells but not in CRISPR-cas9 AhR-knockout MCF-7 cells. Promoter analysis with IDO2 reporter constructs revealed that the AhR-dependent induction of IDO2 involves a short-tandem repeat containing four core sequences of a xenobiotic response element (XRE) upstream of the start site of the human ido2 gene. The analysis of breast cancer datasets revealed that IDO2 expression increased in breast cancer compared with normal samples. Our findings suggest that the AhR-mediated expression of IDO2 in breast cancer could contribute to a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Y. Kado
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (S.Y.K.); (K.B.); (A.R.C.); (A.A.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Keith Bein
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (S.Y.K.); (K.B.); (A.R.C.); (A.A.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Alejandro R. Castaneda
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (S.Y.K.); (K.B.); (A.R.C.); (A.A.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Arshia A. Pouraryan
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (S.Y.K.); (K.B.); (A.R.C.); (A.A.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Nicole Garrity
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (S.Y.K.); (K.B.); (A.R.C.); (A.A.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan;
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.R.); (T.H.-S.)
| | - Thomas Haarmann-Stemmann
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.R.); (T.H.-S.)
| | - Colleen A. Sweeney
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Christoph F. A. Vogel
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (S.Y.K.); (K.B.); (A.R.C.); (A.A.P.); (N.G.)
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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