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Grunz EA, Anderson H, Ernst RM, Price S, Good D, Vieira-Potter V, Parrish AR. Lead Decreases Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7) Expression and Increases Renal Cell Carcinoma Growth in a Sex-Divergent Manner. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6139. [PMID: 38892327 PMCID: PMC11172964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116139] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Both tissue and blood lead levels are elevated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. These studies assessed the impact of the subchronic lead challenge on the progression of RCC in vitro and in vivo. Lead challenge of Renca cells with 0.5 μM lead acetate for 10 consecutive passages decreased E-cadherin expression and cell aggregation. Proliferation, colony formation, and wound healing were increased. When lead-challenged cells were injected into mice, tumor size at day 21 was increased; interestingly, this increase was seen in male but not female mice. When mice were challenged with 32 ppm lead in drinking water for 20 weeks prior to tumor cell injection, there was an increase in tumor size in male, but not female, mice at day 21. To investigate the mechanism underlying the sex differences, the expression of sex hormone receptors in Renca cells was examined. Control Renca cells expressed estrogen receptor (ER) alpha but not ER beta or androgen receptor (AR), as assessed by qPCR, and the expression of ERα was increased in tumors in both sexes. In tumor samples harvested from lead-challenged cells, both ERα and AR were detected by qPCR, yet there was a significant decrease in AR seen in lead-challenged tumor cells from male mice only. This was paralleled by a plate-based array demonstrating the same sex difference in BMP-7 gene expression, which was also significantly decreased in tumors harvested from male but not female mice; this finding was validated by immunohistochemistry. A similar expression pattern was seen in tumors harvested from the mice challenged with lead in the drinking water. These data suggest that lead promotes RCC progression in a sex-dependent via a mechanism that may involve sex-divergent changes in BMP-7 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Grunz
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Haley Anderson
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Rebecka M. Ernst
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Spencer Price
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - D’Artanyan Good
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Victoria Vieira-Potter
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Alan R. Parrish
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
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Dutta S, Gorain B, Choudhury H, Roychoudhury S, Sengupta P. Environmental and occupational exposure of metals and female reproductive health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:62067-62092. [PMID: 34558053 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16581-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Untainted environment promotes health, but the last few decades experienced steep upsurge in environmental contaminants posing detrimental physiological impact. The responsible factors mainly include the exponential growth of human population, havoc rise in industrialization, poorly planned urbanization, and slapdash environment management. Environmental degradation can increase the likelihood of human exposure to heavy metals, resulting in health consequences such as reproductive problems. As a result, research into metal-induced causes of reproductive impairment at the genetic, epigenetic, and biochemical levels must be strengthened further. These metals impact upon the female reproduction at all strata of its regulation and functions, be it development, maturation, or endocrine functions, and are linked to an increase in the causes of infertility in women. Chronic exposures to the heavy metals may lead to breast cancer, endometriosis, endometrial cancer, menstrual disorders, and spontaneous abortions, as well as pre-term deliveries, stillbirths. For example, endometriosis, endometrial cancer, and spontaneous abortions are all caused by the metalloestrogen cadmium (Cd); lead (Pb) levels over a certain threshold can cause spontaneous abortion and have a teratogenic impact; toxic amounts of mercury (Hg) have an influence on the menstrual cycle, which can lead to infertility. Impact of environmental exposure to heavy metals on female fertility is therefore a well-known fact. Thus, the underlying mechanisms must be explained and periodically updated, given the growing evidence on the influence of increasing environmental heavy metal load on female fertility. The purpose of this review is to give a concise overview of how heavy metal affects female reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulagna Dutta
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Malaysia
| | - Bapi Gorain
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Hira Choudhury
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Malaysia.
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Gade M, Comfort N, Re DB. Sex-specific neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants: Epidemiological, experimental evidence and candidate mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111558. [PMID: 34224706 PMCID: PMC8478794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The heavy metals lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are known to exert severe adverse impacts on the nervous system even at low concentrations. In contrast, the heavy metal manganese (Mn) is first and foremost an essential nutrient, but it becomes neurotoxic at high levels. Neurotoxic metals also include the less prevalent metalloid arsenic (As) which is found in excessive concentrations in drinking water and food sources in many regions of the world. Males and females often differ in how they respond to environmental exposures and adverse effects on their nervous systems are no exception. Here, we review the different types of sex-specific neurotoxic effects, such as cognitive and motor impairments, that have been attributed to Pb, Hg, Mn, Cd, and As exposure throughout the life course in epidemiological as well as in experimental toxicological studies. We also discuss differential vulnerability to these metals such as distinctions in behaviors and occupations across the sexes. Finally, we explore the different mechanisms hypothesized to account for sex-based differential susceptibility including hormonal, genetic, metabolic, anatomical, neurochemical, and epigenetic perturbations. An understanding of the sex-specific effects of environmental heavy metal neurotoxicity can aid in the development of more efficient systematic approaches in risk assessment and better exposure mitigation strategies with regard to sex-linked susceptibilities and vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meethila Gade
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Comfort
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diane B Re
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; NIEHS Center of Northern Manhattan, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Motor Neuron Center for Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Sapmaz-Metin M, Topcu-Tarladacalisir Y, Kurt-Omurlu I, Karaoz Weller B, Unsal-Atan S. A morphological study of uterine alterations in mice due to exposure to cadmium. Biotech Histochem 2017; 92:264-273. [PMID: 28426261 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2017.1305500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the morphologic and molecular effects of exposure to cadmium (Cd) for 30 and 60 days on the uteri of mice. We assessed uterine morphometric measurements, eosinophilia, mast cell numbers, endometrial apoptosis, proliferation and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) immunoreactivity. We examined vaginal smears that reflected the hormonal alterations in the female reproductive tract. Because the female reproductive tract exhibits different morphology at each stage of the estrous cycle, we sacrificed all animals at estrus to make appropriate comparisons. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to 200 ppm Cd in their drinking water for either 30 or 60 days. Cd exposure caused significant decreases in endometrial thickness and number of glands in estrus phase uteri. The endometrial eosinophilia in the groups exposed to Cd also decreased compared to controls. Cd exposure increased the number of mast cells. Luminal and glandular epithelia were examined using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and by immunostaining proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and estrogen receptor α (ERα). Compared to controls, the apoptotic index increased with time in both Cd exposed groups, while the proliferation index decreased. ERα immunoreactivity was decreased in both Cd exposed groups compared to controls; the decrease was most apparent in the 30 day Cd group. We found that 60 day Cd exposure increased apoptosis in the endometrium, which may affect the receptivity of the uterus for implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sapmaz-Metin
- a Department of Histology and Embryology , Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University , Edirne
| | - Y Topcu-Tarladacalisir
- a Department of Histology and Embryology , Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University , Edirne
| | - I Kurt-Omurlu
- b Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine , Adnan Menderes University , Aydın
| | - B Karaoz Weller
- c Independent Researcher, Nursing, Stuttgart , Stuttgart University , Germany
| | - S Unsal-Atan
- d Faculty of Nursing , Ege University , Izmir , Turkey
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Rzymski P, Rzymski P, Tomczyk K, Niedzielski P, Jakubowski K, Poniedziałek B, Opala T. Metal status in human endometrium: relation to cigarette smoking and histological lesions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 132:328-33. [PMID: 24834829 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Human endometrium is a thick, blood vessel-rich, glandular tissue which undergoes cyclic changes and is potentially sensitive to the various endogenous and exogenous compounds supplied via the hematogenous route. As recently indicated, several metals including Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni represent an emerging class of potential metalloestrogens and can be implicated in alterations of the female reproductive system including endometriosis and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the content of five metals: Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in 25 samples of human endometrium collected from Polish females undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic curettage of the uterine cavity. The overall mean metal concentration (analyzed using microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry MIP-OES) decreased in the following order: Cr>Pb>Zn>Ni>Cd. For the first time it was demonstrated that cigarette smoking significantly increases the endometrial content of Cd and Pb. Concentration of these metals was also positively correlated with years of smoking and the number of smoked cigarettes. Tissue samples with recognized histologic lesions (simple hyperplasia, polyposis and atrophy) were characterized by a 2-fold higher Cd level. No relation between the age of the women and metal content was found. Our study shows that human endometrium can be a potential target of metal accumulation within the human body. Quantitative analyses of endometrial metal content could serve as an additional indicator of potential impairments of the menstrual cycle and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Paweł Rzymski
- Department of Mother׳s and Child׳s Health, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tomczyk
- Department of Mother׳s and Child׳s Health, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Przemysław Niedzielski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Karol Jakubowski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Barbara Poniedziałek
- Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Opala
- Department of Mother׳s and Child׳s Health, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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