Impact of Simulated Rotating Shift Work on Mammary Tumor Development in the p53R270H©/+WAPCre Mouse Model for Breast Cancer

Epidemiological studies associate night shift work with increased breast cancer risk. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. To better understand these mechanisms, animal models that mimic the human situation of different aspects of shift work are needed. In this study, we used "timed sleep restriction" (TSR) cages to simulate clockwise and counterclockwise rotating shift work schedules and investigated predicted sleep patterns and mammary tumor development in breast tumor-prone female p53R270H©/+WAPCre mice. We show that TSR cages are effective in disturbing normal activity and estimated sleep patterns. Although circadian rhythms were not shifted, we observed effects of the rotating schedules on sleep timing and sleep duration. Sleep loss during a simulated shift was partly compensated after the shift and also partly during the free days. No effects were observed on body weight gain and latency time of breast cancer development. In summary, our study shows that the TSR cages can be used to model shift work in mice and affect patterns of activity and sleep. The effect of disturbing sleep patterns on carcinogenesis needs to be further investigated.

Corrigendum: The use of progeroid DNA repair-deficient mice for assessing anti-aging compounds, illustrating the benefits of nicotinamide riboside

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.1005322.].

The use of progeroid DNA repair-deficient mice for assessing anti-aging compounds, illustrating the benefits of nicotinamide riboside

Despite efficient repair, DNA damage inevitably accumulates with time affecting proper cell function and viability, thereby driving systemic aging. Interventions that either prevent DNA damage or enhance DNA repair are thus likely to extend health- and lifespan across species. However, effective genome-protecting compounds are largely lacking. Here, we use Ercc1 ^Δ/- and Xpg ^-/- DNA repair-deficient mutants as two bona fide accelerated aging mouse models to test propitious anti-aging pharmaceutical interventions. Ercc1 ^Δ/- and Xpg ^-/- mice show shortened lifespan with accelerated aging across numerous organs and tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that a well-established anti-aging intervention, dietary restriction, reduced DNA damage, and dramatically improved healthspan, strongly extended lifespan, and delayed all aging pathology investigated. Here, we further utilize the short lifespan and early onset of signs of neurological degeneration in Ercc1 ^Δ/- and Xpg ^-/- mice to test compounds that influence nutrient sensing (metformin, acarbose, resveratrol), inflammation (aspirin, ibuprofen), mitochondrial processes (idebenone, sodium nitrate, dichloroacetate), glucose homeostasis (trehalose, GlcNAc) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) metabolism. While some of the compounds have shown anti-aging features in WT animals, most of them failed to significantly alter lifespan or features of neurodegeneration of our mice. The two NAD⁺ precursors; nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinic acid (NA), did however induce benefits, consistent with the role of NAD⁺ in facilitating DNA damage repair. Together, our results illustrate the applicability of short-lived repair mutants for systematic screening of anti-aging interventions capable of reducing DNA damage accumulation.

The transcriptomic response to irinotecan in colon carcinoma bearing mice preconditioned by fasting

Background

Irinotecan use is limited due to severe toxicity. Preconditioning by fasting (PBF) protects against side effects of irinotecan while preserving its antitumor activity. The mechanisms underlying the effects of PBF still need to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the transcriptional responses of PBF on irinotecan in both tumor and healthy liver tissue.

Experimental approach

Male BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with C26 colon carcinoma cells. Twelve days after tumor inoculation, two groups were fasted for three days and two groups were allowed food ad libitum (AL). Subsequently, both groups received one dose of irinotecan. Twelve hours after administration mice were sacrificed and blood, tumor and liver tissue were harvested. Blood samples were analyzed to determine liver, kidney and bone marrow function, tissues were used for transcriptome analyses.

Key results

The AL irinotecan group showed worsened organ function and decreased leukocyte numbers. These effects were abated in PBF animals. PBF led to an altered transcriptional response in the liver of irinotecan-treated mice, including decreased cellular injury and increased stress resistance. Hepatic metabolism of irinotecan was also significantly changed due to PBF. The transcriptional response of tumor tissue observed after PBF was hardly affected compared to AL fed animals.

Conclusions

Transcriptional changes after PBF to irinotecan treatment showed an improved protective stress response in healthy liver but not in tumor tissue, including changes in irinotecan metabolism. These data help to unravel the mechanisms underlying the effects of fasting on irinotecan and help to improve outcome of chemotherapeutic treatment in cancer patients.

Immunization with Small Amyloid-β-derived Cyclopeptide Conjugates Diminishes Amyloid-β-Induced Neurodegeneration in Mice

Background: Soluble oligomeric (misfolded) species of amyloid-β (Aβ) are the main mediators of toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These oligomers subsequently form aggregates of insoluble fibrils that precipitate as extracellular and perivascular plaques in the brain. Active immunization against Aβ is a promising disease modifying strategy. However, eliciting an immune response against Aβ in general may interfere with its biological function and was shown to cause unwanted side-effects. Therefore, we have developed a novel experimental vaccine based on conformational neo-epitopes that are exposed in the misfolded oligomeric Aβ, inducing a specific antibody response.

Objective: Here we investigate the protective effects of the experimental vaccine against oligomeric Aβ_1-42-induced neuronal fiber loss in vivo.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were immunized or mock-immunized. Antibody responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Next, mice received a stereotactic injection of oligomeric Aβ_1-42 into the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) on one side of the brain (lesion side), and scrambled Aβ_1-42 peptide in the contralateral NBM (control side). The densities of choline acetyltransferase-stained cholinergic fibers origination from the NBM were measured in the parietal neocortex postmortem. The percentage of fiber loss in the lesion side was determined relative to the control side of the brain.

Results: Immunized responders (79%) showed 23% less cholinergic fiber loss (p = 0.01) relative to mock-immunized mice. Moreover, fiber loss in immunized responders correlated negatively with the measured antibody responses (R² = 0.29, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: These results may provide a lead towards a (prophylactic) vaccine to prevent or at least attenuate (early onset) AD symptoms.

Short-Term Preoperative Calorie and Protein Restriction Is Feasible in Healthy Kidney Donors and Morbidly Obese Patients Scheduled for Surgery

Introduction. Surgery-induced oxidative stress increases the risk of perioperative complications and delay in postoperative recovery. In mice, short-term preoperative dietary and protein restriction protect against oxidative stress. We investigated the feasibility of a calorie- and protein-restricted diet in two patient populations. Methods. In this pilot study, 30 live kidney donors and 38 morbidly obese patients awaiting surgery were randomized into three groups: a restricted diet group, who received a synthetic liquid diet with 30% fewer calories and 80% less protein for five consecutive days; a group who received a synthetic diet containing the daily energy requirements (DER); and a control group. Feasibility was assessed using self-reported discomfort, body weight changes, and metabolic parameters in blood samples. Results. Twenty patients (71%) complied with the restricted and 13 (65%) with the DER-diet. In total, 68% of the patients reported minor discomfort that resolved after normal eating resumed. The mean weight loss on the restricted diet was significantly greater (2.4 kg) than in the control group (0 kg, p = 0.002), but not in the DER-diet (1.5 kg). The restricted diet significantly reduced levels of serum urea and plasma prealbumin (PAB) and retinol binding protein (RBP). Conclusions. A short-term preoperative calorie- and protein-restricted diet is feasible in kidney donors and morbidly obese patients. Compliance is high and can be objectively measured via changes in urea, PAB, and RBP levels. These results demonstrate that this diet can be used to study the effects of dietary restriction on surgery-induced oxidative stress in a clinical setting.

The Relationship Between Shift Work and Metabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies

CONTEXT

Although the metabolic health effects of shift work have been extensively studied, a systematic synthesis of the available research is lacking. This review aimed to systematically summarize the available evidence of longitudinal studies linking shift work with metabolic risk factors.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic literature search was performed in 2015. Studies were included if (1) they had a longitudinal design; (2) shift work was studied as the exposure; and (3) the outcome involved a metabolic risk factor, including anthropometric, blood glucose, blood lipid, or blood pressure measures.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Eligible studies were assessed for their methodologic quality in 2015. A best-evidence synthesis was used to draw conclusions per outcome. Thirty-nine articles describing 22 studies were included. Strong evidence was found for a relation between shift work and increased body weight/BMI, risk for overweight, and impaired glucose tolerance. For the remaining outcomes, there was insufficient evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Shift work seems to be associated with body weight gain, risk for overweight, and impaired glucose tolerance. Overall, lack of high-methodologic quality studies and inconsistency in findings led to insufficient evidence in assessing the relation between shift work and other metabolic risk factors. To strengthen the evidence, more high-quality longitudinal studies that provide more information on the shift work schedule (e.g., frequency of night shifts, duration in years) are needed. Further, research to the (mediating) role of lifestyle behaviors in the health effects of shift work is recommended, as this may offer potential for preventive strategies.

Chronically Alternating Light Cycles Increase Breast Cancer Risk in Mice

Although epidemiological studies in shift workers and flight attendants have associated chronic circadian rhythm disturbance (CRD) with increased breast cancer risk, causal evidence for this association is lacking. Several scenarios have been proposed to contribute to the shift work-cancer connection: (1) internal desynchronization, (2) light at night (resulting in melatonin suppression), (3) sleep disruption, (4) lifestyle disturbances, and (5) decreased vitamin D levels due to lack of sunlight. The confounders inherent in human field studies are less problematic in animal studies, which are therefore a good approach to assess the causal relation between circadian disturbance and cancer. However, the experimental conditions of many of these animal studies were far from the reality of human shift workers. For example, some involved xenografts (addressing tumor growth rather than cancer initiation and/or progression), chemically induced tumor models, or continuous bright light exposure, which can lead to suppression of circadian rhythmicity. Here, we have exposed breast cancer-prone p53(R270H/+)WAPCre conditional mutant mice (in a FVB genetic background) to chronic CRD by subjecting them to a weekly alternating light-dark (LD) cycle throughout their life. Animals exposed to the weekly LD inversions showed a decrease in tumor suppression. In addition, these animals showed an increase in body weight. Importantly, this study provides the first experimental proof that CRD increases breast cancer development. Finally, our data suggest internal desynchronization and sleep disturbance as mechanisms linking shift work with cancer development and obesity.

TP53 and lacZ mutagenesis induced by 3-nitrobenzanthrone in Xpa-deficient human TP53 knock-in mouse embryo fibroblasts

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a highly mutagenic compound and possible human carcinogen found in diesel exhaust. 3-NBA forms bulky DNA adducts following metabolic activation and induces predominantly G:CT:A transversions in a variety of experimental systems. Here we investigated the influence of nucleotide excision repair (NER) on 3-NBA-induced mutagenesis of the human tumour suppressor gene TP53 and the reporter gene lacZ. To this end we utilised Xpa -knockout (Xpa-Null) human TP53 knock-in (Hupki) embryo fibroblasts (HUFs). As Xpa is essential for NER of bulky DNA adducts, we hypothesized that DNA adducts induced by 3-NBA would persist in the genomes of Xpa-Null cells and lead to an increased frequency of mutation. The HUF immortalisation assay was used to select for cells harbouring TP53 mutations following mutagen exposure. We found that Xpa-Null Hupki mice and HUFs were more sensitive to 3-NBA treatment than their wild-type (Xpa-WT) counterparts. However, following 3-NBA treatment and immortalisation, a similar frequency of TP53-mutant clones arose from Xpa-WT and Xpa-Null HUF cultures. In cells from both Xpa genotypes G:CT:A transversion was the predominant TP53 mutation type and mutations exhibited bias towards the non-transcribed strand. Thirty-two percent of 3-NBA-induced TP53 mutations occurred at CpG sites, all of which are hotspots for mutation in smokers' lung cancer (codons 157, 158, 175, 245, 248, 273, 282). We also examined 3-NBA-induced mutagenesis of an integrated lacZ reporter gene in HUFs, where we again observed a similar mutant frequency in Xpa-WT and Xpa-Null cells. Our findings suggest that 3-NBA-DNA adducts may evade removal by global genomic NER; the persistence of 3-NBA adducts in DNA may be an important factor in its mutagenicity.

Diurnal Variation of Hormonal and Lipid Biomarkers in a Molecular Epidemiology-Like Setting

Introduction

Many molecular epidemiology studies focusing on high prevalent diseases, such as metabolic disorders and cancer, investigate metabolic and hormonal markers. In general, sampling for these markers can occur at any time-point during the day or after an overnight fast. However, environmental factors, such as light exposure and food intake might affect the levels of these markers, since they provide input for the internal time-keeping system. When diurnal variation is larger than the inter-individual variation, time of day should be taken into account. Importantly, heterogeneity in diurnal variation and disturbance of circadian rhythms among a study population might increasingly occur as a result of our increasing 24/7 economy and related variation in exposure to environmental factors (such as light and food).

Aim

The aim of the present study was to determine whether a set of often used biomarkers shows diurnal variation in a setting resembling large molecular epidemiology studies, i.e., non-fasted and limited control possibilities for other environmental influences.

Results

We show that markers for which diurnal variation is not an issue are adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol and high-density lipoprotein. For all other tested markers diurnal variation was observed in at least one gender (cholesterol, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, free fatty acids, low-density lipoprotein, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, triglycerides, total triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone) or could not reliably be detected (human growth hormone).

Discussion

Thus, studies investigating these markers should take diurnal variation into account, for which we provide some options. Furthermore, our study indicates the need for investigating diurnal variation (in literature or experimentally) before setting up studies measuring markers in routine and controlled settings, especially since time-of-day likely matters for many more markers than the ones investigated in the present study.

Biomarkers for circadian rhythm disruption independent of time of day

Frequent shift work causes disruption of the circadian rhythm and might on the long-term result in increased health risk. Current biomarkers evaluating the presence of circadian rhythm disturbance (CRD), including melatonin, cortisol and body temperature, require 24-hr (“around the clock”) measurements, which is tedious. Therefore, these markers are not eligible to be used in large-scale (human) studies. The aim of the present study was to identify universal biomarkers for CRD independent of time of day using a transcriptomics approach. Female FVB mice were exposed to six shifts in a clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) CRD protocol and sacrificed at baseline and after 1 shift, 6 shifts, 5 days recovery and 14 days recovery, respectively. At six time-points during the day, livers were collected for mRNA microarray analysis. Using a classification approach, we identified a set of biomarkers able to classify samples into either CRD or non-disrupted based on the hepatic gene expression. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed genes 14 days after the last shift compared to baseline for both CRD protocols. Non-circadian genes differentially expressed upon both CW and CCW protocol were considered useful, universal markers for CRD. One candidate marker i.e. CD36 was evaluated in serum samples of the CRD animals versus controls. These biomarkers might be useful to measure CRD and can be used later on for monitoring the effectiveness of intervention strategies aiming to prevent or minimize chronic adverse health effects.

TP53 mutations induced by BPDE in Xpa-WT and Xpa-Null human TP53 knock-in (Hupki) mouse embryo fibroblasts

Somatic mutations in the tumour suppressor gene TP53 occur in more than 50% of human tumours; in some instances exposure to environmental carcinogens can be linked to characteristic mutational signatures. The Hupki (human TP53 knock-in) mouse embryo fibroblast (HUF) immortalization assay (HIMA) is a useful model for studying the impact of environmental carcinogens on TP53 mutagenesis. In an effort to increase the frequency of TP53-mutated clones achievable in the HIMA, we generated nucleotide excision repair (NER)-deficient HUFs by crossing the Hupki mouse with an Xpa-knockout (Xpa-Null) mouse. We hypothesized that carcinogen-induced DNA adducts would persist in the TP53 sequence of Xpa-Null HUFs leading to an increased propensity for mismatched base pairing and mutation during replication of adducted DNA. We found that Xpa-Null Hupki mice, and HUFs derived from them, were more sensitive to the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) than their wild-type (Xpa-WT) counterparts. Following treatment with the reactive metabolite of BaP, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), Xpa-WT and Xpa-Null HUF cultures were subjected to the HIMA. A significant increase in TP53 mutations on the transcribed strand was detected in Xpa-Null HUFs compared to Xpa-WT HUFs, but the TP53-mutant frequency overall was not significantly different between the two genotypes. BPDE induced mutations primarily at G:C base pairs, with approximately half occurring at CpG sites, and the predominant mutation type was G:C>T:A in both Xpa-WT and Xpa-Null cells. Further, several of the TP53 mutation hotspots identified in smokers' lung cancer were mutated by BPDE in HUFs (codons 157, 158, 245, 248, 249, 273). Therefore, the pattern and spectrum of BPDE-induced TP53 mutations in the HIMA are consistent with TP53 mutations detected in lung tumours of smokers. While Xpa-Null HUFs exhibited increased sensitivity to BPDE-induced damage on the transcribed strand, NER-deficiency did not enhance TP53 mutagenesis resulting from damage on the non-transcribed strand in this model.

Mammary gland tumor promotion by chronic administration of IGF1 and the insulin analogue AspB10 in the p53R270H/⁺WAPCre mouse model

INTRODUCTION

Insulin analogues are structurally modified molecules with altered pharmaco-kinetic and -dynamic properties compared to regular human insulin used by diabetic patients. While these compounds are tested for undesired mitogenic effects, an epidemiological discussion is ongoing regarding an association between insulin analogue therapy and increased cancer incidence, including breast cancer. Standard in vivo rodent carcinogenesis assays do not pick up this possible increased carcinogenic potential.

METHODS

Here we studied the role of insulin analogues in breast cancer development. For this we used the human relevant mammary gland specific p53R270H/⁺WAPCre mouse model. Animals received life long repeated treatment with four different insulin (-like) molecules: normal insulin, insulin glargine, insulin X10 (AspB10) or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1).

RESULTS

Insulin-like molecules with strong mitogenic signaling, insulin X10 and IGF1, significantly decreased the time for tumor development. Yet, insulin glargine and normal insulin, did not significantly decrease the latency time for (mammary gland) tumor development. The majority of tumors had an epithelial to mesenchymal transition phenotype (EMT), irrespective of treatment condition. Enhanced extracellular signaling related kinase (Erk) or serine/threonine kinase (Akt) mitogenic signaling was in particular present in tumors from the insulin X10 and IGF1 treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that insulin-like molecules with enhanced mitogenic signaling increase the risk of breast cancer development. Moreover, the use of a tissue specific cancer model, like the p53R270H/⁺WAPCre mouse model, is relevant to assess the intrinsic pro-carcinogenic potential of mitogenic and non-mitogenic biologicals such as insulin analogues.

Effects of benzo[a]pyrene on mouse germ cells: heritable DNA mutation, testicular cell hypomethylation and their interaction with nucleotide excision repair

Benzo[a]pyrene induces heritable mutations in male germ cells.

Preoperative fasting protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in aged and overweight mice

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable during kidney transplantation leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. We previously reported that preoperative fasting in young-lean male mice protects against IRI. Since patients are generally of older age with morbidities possibly leading to a different response to fasting, we investigated the effects of preoperative fasting on renal IRI in aged-overweight male and female mice. Male and female F1-FVB/C57BL6-hybrid mice, average age 73 weeks weighing 47.2 grams, were randomized to preoperative ad libitum feeding or 3 days fasting, followed by renal IRI. Body weight, kidney function and survival of the animals were monitored until day 28 postoperatively. Kidney histopathology was scored for all animals and gene expression profiles after fasting were analyzed in kidneys of young and aged male mice. Preoperative fasting significantly improved survival after renal IRI in both sexes compared with normal fed mice. Fasted groups had a better kidney function shown by lower serum urea levels after renal IRI. Histopathology showed less acute tubular necrosis and more regeneration in kidneys from fasted mice. A mRNA analysis indicated the involvement of metabolic processes including fatty acid oxidation and retinol metabolism, and the NRF2-mediated stress response. Similar to young-lean, healthy male mice, preoperative fasting protects against renal IRI in aged-overweight mice of both genders. These findings suggest a general protective response of fasting against renal IRI regardless of age, gender, body weight and genetic background. Therefore, fasting could be a non-invasive intervention inducing increased oxidative stress resistance in older and overweight patients as well.

Aging on a different scale--chronological versus pathology-related aging

In the next decades the elderly population will increase dramatically, demanding appropriate solutions in health care and aging research focusing on healthy aging to prevent high burdens and costs in health care. For this, research targeting tissue-specific and individual aging is paramount to make the necessary progression in aging research. In a recently published study we have attempted to make a step interpreting aging data on chronological as well as pathological scale. For this, we sampled five major tissues at regular time intervals during the entire C57BL/6J murine lifespan from a controlled in vivo aging study, measured the whole transcriptome and incorporated temporal as well as physical health aspects into the analyses. In total, we used 18 different age-related pathological parameters and transcriptomic profiles of liver, kidney, spleen, lung and brain and created a database that can now be used for a broad systems biology approach. In our study, we focused on the dynamics of biological processes during chronological aging and the comparison between chronological and pathology-related aging.

A day and night difference in the response of the hepatic transcriptome to cyclophosphamide treatment

Application of omics-based technologies is a widely used approach in research aiming to improve testing strategies for human health risk assessment. In most of these studies, however, temporal variations in gene expression caused by the circadian clock are a commonly neglected pitfall. In the present study, we investigated the impact of the circadian clock on the response of the hepatic transcriptome after exposure of mice to the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide (CP). Analysis of the data without considering clock progression revealed common responses in terms of regulated pathways between light and dark phase exposure, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, and a general immune response. The overall response, however, was stronger in mice exposed during the day. Use of time-matched controls, thereby eliminating non-CP-responsive circadian clock-controlled genes, showed that this difference in response was actually even more pronounced: CP-related responses were only identified in mice exposed during the day. Only minor differences were found in acute toxicity pathways, namely lymphocyte counts and kidney weights, indicating that gene expression is subject to time of day effects. This study is the first to highlight the impact of the circadian clock on the identification of toxic responses by omics approaches.

Human TP53 polymorphism (rs1042522) modelled in mouse does not affect glucose metabolism and body composition

Variation in TP53 has been associated with cancer. The pro-allele of a TP53 polymorphism in codon 72 (rs1042522) has been associated with longevity. Recently, we showed that the same allele might be involved in preservation of glucose metabolism, body composition and blood pressure during ageing. Here, we assessed glucose tolerance and body composition in mice carrying the human polymorphism. Our data do not support the previous findings in humans, suggesting that this polymorphism does not play a major role in development of glucose metabolism and body composition during ageing. Alternatively, the mouse model may not be suitable to validate these rs1042522-associated traits up to the age tested.

In vivo murine hepatic microRNA and mRNA expression signatures predicting the (non-)genotoxic carcinogenic potential of chemicals

There is a high need to improve the assessment of, especially non-genotoxic, carcinogenic features of chemicals. We therefore explored a toxicogenomics-based approach using genome-wide microRNA and mRNA expression profiles upon short-term exposure in mice. For this, wild-type mice were exposed for seven days to three different classes of chemicals, i.e., four genotoxic carcinogens (GTXC), seven non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTXC), and five toxic non-carcinogens. Hepatic expression patterns of mRNA and microRNA transcripts were determined after exposure and used to assess the discriminative power of the in vivo transcriptome for GTXC and NGTXC. A final classifier set, discriminative for GTXC and NGTXC, was generated from the transcriptomic data using a tiered approach. This appeared to be a valid approach, since the predictive power of the final classifier set in three different classifier algorithms was very high for the original training set of chemicals. Subsequent validation in an additional set of chemicals revealed that the predictive power for GTXC remained high, in contrast to NGTXC, which appeared to be more troublesome. Our study demonstrated that the in vivo microRNA-ome has less discriminative power to correctly identify (non-)genotoxic carcinogen classes. The results generally indicate that single mRNA transcripts do have the potential to be applied in risk assessment, but that additional (genomic) strategies are necessary to correctly predict the non-genotoxic carcinogenic potential of a chemical.

Life spanning murine gene expression profiles in relation to chronological and pathological aging in multiple organs

Aging and age-related pathology is a result of a still incompletely understood intricate web of molecular and cellular processes. We present a C57BL/6J female mice in vivo aging study of five organs (liver, kidney, spleen, lung, and brain), in which we compare genome-wide gene expression profiles during chronological aging with pathological changes throughout the entire murine life span (13, 26, 52, 78, 104, and 130 weeks). Relating gene expression changes to chronological aging revealed many differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and altered gene sets (AGSs) were found in most organs, indicative of intraorgan generic aging processes. However, only ≤ 1% of these DEGs are found in all organs. For each organ, at least one of 18 tested pathological parameters showed a good age-predictive value, albeit with much inter- and intraindividual (organ) variation. Relating gene expression changes to pathology-related aging revealed correlated genes and gene sets, which made it possible to characterize the difference between biological and chronological aging. In liver, kidney, and brain, a limited number of overlapping pathology-related AGSs were found. Immune responses appeared to be common, yet the changes were specific in most organs. Furthermore, changes were observed in energy homeostasis, reactive oxygen species, cell cycle, cell motility, and DNA damage. Comparison of chronological and pathology-related AGSs revealed substantial overlap and interesting differences. For example, the presence of immune processes in liver pathology-related AGSs that were not detected in chronological aging. The many cellular processes that are only found employing aging-related pathology could provide important new insights into the progress of aging.

Slow accumulation of mutations in Xpc-/- mice upon induction of oxidative stress

XPC is one of the key DNA damage recognition proteins in the global genome repair route of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Previously, we demonstrated that NER-deficient mouse models Xpa(-/-) and Xpc(-/-) exhibit a divergent spontaneous tumor spectrum and proposed that XPC might be functionally involved in the defense against oxidative DNA damage. Others have mechanistically dissected several functionalities of XPC to oxidative DNA damage sensitivity using in vitro studies. XPC has been linked to regulation of base excision repair (BER) activity, redox homeostasis and recruitment of ATM and ATR to damage sites, thereby possibly regulating cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis. XPC has additionally been implicated in recognition of bulky (e.g. cyclopurines) and non-bulky DNA damage (8-oxodG). However, the ultimate contribution of the XPC functionality in vivo in the oxidative DNA damage response and subsequent mutagenesis process remains unclear. Our study indicates that Xpc(-/-) mice, in contrary to Xpa(-/-) and wild type mice, have an increased mutational load upon induction of oxidative stress and that mutations arise in a slowly accumulative fashion. The effect of non-functional XPC in vivo upon oxidative stress exposure appears to have implications in mutagenesis, which can contribute to the carcinogenesis process. The levels and rate of mutagenesis upon oxidative stress correlate with previous findings that lung tumors in Xpc(-/-) mice overall arise late in the lifespan and that the incidence of internal tumors in XP-C patients is relatively low in comparison to skin cancer incidence.

High preservation of CpG cytosine methylation patterns at imprinted gene loci in liver and brain of aged mice

A gradual loss of the correct patterning of 5-methyl cytosine marks in gene promoter regions has been implicated in aging and age-related diseases, most notably cancer. While a number of studies have examined DNA methylation in aging, there is no consensus on the magnitude of the effects, particularly at imprinted loci. Imprinted genes are likely candidate to undergo age-related changes because of their demonstrated plasticity in utero, for example, in response to environmental cues. Here we quantitatively analyzed a total of 100 individual CpG sites in promoter regions of 11 imprinted and non-imprinted genes in liver and cerebral cortex of young and old mice using mass spectrometry. The results indicate a remarkably high preservation of methylation marks during the aging process in both organs. To test if increased genotoxic stress associated with premature aging would destabilize DNA methylation we analyzed two DNA repair defective mouse models showing a host of premature aging symptoms in liver and brain. However, also in these animals, at the end of their life span, we found a similarly high preservation of DNA methylation marks. We conclude that patterns of DNA methylation in gene promoters of imprinted genes are surprisingly stable over time in normal, postmitotic tissues and that the multiple documented changes with age are likely to involve exceptions to this pattern, possibly associated with specific cellular responses to age-related changes other than genotoxic stress.

Oxidative DNA damage and nucleotide excision repair

SIGNIFICANCE

Oxidative DNA damage is repaired by multiple, overlapping DNA repair pathways. Accumulating evidence supports the hypothesis that nucleotide excision repair (NER), besides base excision repair (BER), is also involved in neutralizing oxidative DNA damage.

RECENT ADVANCES

NER includes two distinct sub-pathways: transcription-coupled NER (TC-NER) and global genome repair (GG-NER). The CSA and CSB proteins initiate the onset of TC-NER. Recent findings show that not only CSB, but also CSA is involved in the repair of oxidative DNA lesions, in the nucleus as well as in mitochondria. The XPG protein is also of importance for the removal of oxidative DNA lesions, as it may enhance the initial step of BER. Substantial evidence exists that support a role for XPC in NER and BER. XPC deficiency not only results in decreased repair of oxidative lesions, but has also been linked to disturbed redox homeostasis.

CRITICAL ISSUES

The role of NER proteins in the regulation of the cellular response to oxidative (mitochondrial and nuclear) DNA damage may be the underlying mechanism of the pathology of accelerated aging in Cockayne syndrome patients, a driving force for internal cancer development in XP-A and XP-C patients, and a contributor to the mixed exhibited phenotypes of XP-G patients.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Accumulating evidence indicates that DNA repair factors can be involved in multiple DNA repair pathways. However, the distinct detailed mechanism and consequences of these additional functions remain to be elucidated and can possibly shine a light on clinically related issues.

Proliferating primary hepatocytes from the pUR288 lacZ plasmid mouse are valuable tools for genotoxicity assessment in vitro

Safety assessments of substances with regard to genotoxicity are generally based on a combination of in vitro and in vivo tests. These tests are performed according to a (tiered) test strategy whereby a positive result in vitro usually triggers further testing in vivo. A low specificity and high frequency of irrelevant positive results associated with most in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays necessitates the design and validation of suitable alternatives. As such, we examined the feasibility of culturing primary hepatocytes from the pUR288 lacZ reporter mouse, and moreover, using established cultures to reliably assess genotoxic activity in vitro. Initial studies characterizing the metabolic capacity of proliferating lacZ primary hepatocytes indicated that these cells retained at least some activities important for xenobiotic metabolism: cytochrome P450 1A1 enzyme activities were markedly increased in the hepatocytes after exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, and also UDP-glucuronosyl transferase and glutathione-S-transferase activities, both Phase II enzymes, were detected. Increasing levels of phosphorylated p53 at residue serine 389 after ultraviolet treatment indicated a properly functioning p53, one of the criteria for an effective new test system. Four genotoxic substances with different mechanisms of genotoxicity, i.e., benzo[a]pyrene, bleomycin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide, were tested in the lacZ rescue assay. For etoposide and cyclophosphamide, the induction of mutant colonies was rather low. Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene and bleomycin, however, yielded a clear concentration-dependent induction of the lacZ mutant frequency. Based on our preliminary observations, proliferating lacZ primary hepatocytes are a promising new tool for the assessment of genotoxic hazard.

Delayed neuromotor recovery and increased memory acquisition dysfunction following experimental brain trauma in mice lacking the DNA repair gene XPA

OBJECT

This study investigates the outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice lacking the essential DNA repair gene xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA). As damage to DNA has been implicated in neuronal cell death in various models, the authors sought to elucidate whether the absence of an essential DNA repair factor would affect the outcome of TBI in an experimental setting.

METHODS

Thirty-seven adult mice of either wild-type (n = 18) or XPA-deficient ("knock-out" [n = 19]) genotype were subjected to controlled cortical impact experimental brain trauma, which produced a focal brain injury. Sham-injured mice of both genotypes were used as controls (9 in each group). The mice were subjected to neurobehavoral tests evaluating learning/acquisition (Morris water maze) and motor dysfunction (Rotarod and composite neuroscore test), pre- and postinjury up to 4 weeks. The mice were killed after 1 or 4 weeks, and cortical lesion volume, as well as hippocampal and thalamic cell loss, was evaluated. Hippocampal staining with doublecortin antibody was used to evaluate neurogenesis after the insult.

RESULTS

Brain-injured XPA(-/-) mice exhibited delayed recovery from impairment in neurological motor function, as well as pronounced cognitive dysfunction in a spatial learning task (Morris water maze), compared with injured XPA(+/+) mice (p < 0.05). No differences in cortical lesion volume, hippocampal damage, or thalamic cell loss were detected between XPA(+/+) and XPA(-/-) mice after brain injury. Also, no difference in the number of cells stained with doublecortin in the hippocampus was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' results suggest that lack of the DNA repair factor XPA may delay neurobehavioral recovery after TBI, although they do not support the notion that this DNA repair deficiency results in increased cell or tissue death in the posttraumatic brain.

Analysis of osteoarthritis in a mouse model of the progeroid human DNA repair syndrome trichothiodystrophy

The increasing average age in developed societies is paralleled by an increase in the prevalence of many age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA), which is characterized by deformation of the joint due to cartilage damage and increased turnover of subchondral bone. Consequently, deficiency in DNA repair, often associated with premature aging, may lead to increased pathology of these two tissues. To examine this possibility, we analyzed the bone and cartilage phenotype of male and female knee joints derived from 52- to 104-week-old WT C57Bl/6 and trichothiodystrophy (TTD) mice, who carry a defect in the nucleotide excision repair pathway and display many features of premature aging. Using micro-CT, we found bone loss in all groups of 104-week-old compared to 52-week-old mice. Cartilage damage was mild to moderate in all mice. Surprisingly, female TTD mice had less cartilage damage, proteoglycan depletion, and osteophytosis compared to WT controls. OA severity in males did not significantly differ between genotypes, although TTD males had less osteophytosis. These results indicate that in premature aging TTD mice age-related changes in cartilage were not more severe compared to WT mice, in striking contrast with bone and many other tissues. This segmental aging character may be explained by a difference in vasculature and thereby oxygen load in cartilage and bone. Alternatively, a difference in impact of an anti-aging response, previously found to be triggered by accumulation of DNA damage, might help explain why female mice were protected from cartilage damage. These findings underline the exceptional segmental nature of progeroid conditions and provide an explanation for pro- and anti-aging features occurring in the same individual.

Can carcinogenic potency be predicted from in vivo genotoxicity data?: a meta-analysis of historical data

Genotoxicity is generally a parameter used for hazard identification, however, the applicability of using in vivo genotoxicity tests for hazard characterization has never been thoroughly investigated in a quantitative manner. Genotoxicity assays could be useful for the determination of cancer potency parameters given that genotoxicty tests measure mutations and/or chromosomal aberrations which are strongly associated with carcinogenesis. A detailed literature survey was performed in search for dose-response data in various in vivo genotoxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The benchmark dose (BMD) approach was applied using the dose-response modeling program PROAST. Dose-response data were available from 18 compounds in the micronucleus assay (MN), the in vivo transgenic rodent mutation assay (TG) and the comet assay, and their BMD(10) values were compared to the BMD(10) from carcinogenicity studies in mice. Of the 18 compounds, 15 had acceptable dose-response data from the MN and the TG, but only 4 from the comet assay. A major limitation in our analysis was the lack of proper dose-response studies using the recommended protocols. Nevertheless, our findings are promising because even with these suboptimal studies, a positive correlation was observed when the lowest BMD(10) from the genotoxicity tests (MN and TG) was compared to the tissue-matched carcinogenicity BMD(10) . It is evident that more compounds need to be analyzed with proper dose-response schemes to further validate our initial findings. Experimental designs of genotoxicity assays need to shift from focusing only on hazard identification where positive and negative results are reported, to a more quantitative, dose-response assessment.

Deregulation of cancer-related pathways in primary hepatocytes derived from DNA repair-deficient Xpa-/-p53+/- mice upon exposure to benzo[a]pyrene

The current method to predict carcinogenicity of chemicals or drugs is the chronic 2-year rodent bioassay, which has disadvantages in duration, animal use, and specificity. An attractive alternative is the DNA repair-deficient Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mouse model that is sensitive to both genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens. A next step in alternative carcinogenicity testing is the development of reliable in vitro systems. We investigated the use of primary hepatocytes, isolated from wild-type (WT) and Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice, in combination with transcriptome analyses for their usefulness to predict carcinogenic features of compounds. As a proof of principle, we studied the response of hepatocytes to the genotoxic carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Upon treatment, both WT and Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) hepatocytes appeared to be metabolically active. However, Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) hepatocytes were more sensitive than WT hepatocytes to B[a]P treatment in terms of cell survival. In B[a]P-treated WT hepatocytes, DNA repair and cell cycle control genes were transcriptionally activated. Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) hepatocytes were more responsive to B[a]P exposure, resulting in the downregulation of cancer-related pathways. Deregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling seems to play an essential role in this and might be the underlying reason for the increased susceptibility of Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice toward carcinogens. Our conclusion is that primary hepatocytes combined with transcriptomics are promising to identify the carcinogenic features of chemicals. Furthermore, these cells seem suitable to gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms of the increased sensitivity of Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice toward both genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens.

Broad segmental progeroid changes in short-lived Ercc1(-/Δ7) mice

Genome maintenance is considered a prime longevity assurance mechanism as apparent from many progeroid human syndromes that are caused by genome maintenance defects. The ERCC1 protein is involved in three genome maintenance systems: nucleotide excision repair, interstrand cross-link repair, and homologous recombination. Here we describe in-life and post-mortem observations for a hypomorphic Ercc1 variant, Ercc1(-/Δ7), which is hemizygous for a single truncated Ercc1 allele, encoding a protein lacking the last seven amino acids. Ercc1(-/Δ7) mice were much smaller and median life span was markedly reduced compared to wild-type siblings: 20 and 118 weeks, respectively. Multiple signs and symptoms of aging were found to occur at an accelerated rate in the Ercc1(-/Δ7) mice as compared to wild-type controls, including a decline in weight of both whole body and various organs, numerous histopathological lesions, and immune parameters. Together they define a segmental progeroid phenotype of the Ercc1(-/Δ7) mouse model.

Evaluation of benzo(a)pyrene-induced gene mutations in male germ cells

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mutagenic in somatic cells, whereas it remains unclear whether PAHs induce mutations in male germ cells, subsequently increasing health risks in offspring. Although results from the classical specific locus test are negative or inconclusive, recent studies with environmentally exposed animals suggest that PAHs are mutagenic in sperm cells. Therefore, we studied whether benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) was able to induce gene mutations in testis and sperm cells of wild-type (Wt) and Xpc(-/-) mice containing the pUR288 lacZ reporter gene. Mice were exposed to B[a]P (13 mg/kg body weight, three times per week) during 1, 4, or 6 weeks and sacrificed 6 weeks after the final exposure to obtain mutations in sperm derived from B[a]P-exposed spermatogonial stem cells. The lacZ gene mutation assay was used to assess mutant frequencies in spleen, testis, and mature sperm, and (32)P-postlabeling was used for the detection of DNA adducts in testis. Successful exposure was confirmed by a dose-related higher mutant frequency in spleen of Xpc(-/-) mice as compared with Wt mice. Mutant frequencies were also increased in all ethyl nitrosourea-exposed samples, which were used as positive control. Although B[a]P-related DNA adducts were detected in testis, mutant frequencies were not increased. On the other hand, B[a]P increased mutant frequencies in sperm of Wt mice, but not in Xpc(-/-) mice, after 6 weeks exposure. Therefore, we conclude that B[a]P can induce gene mutations in spermatogonial cells of mice, but it remains to be elucidated whether these mutations can be transmitted to offspring.

Mouse models for the p53 R72P polymorphism mimic human phenotypes

The p53 tumor suppressor gene contains a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that results in either an arginine or proline at position 72 of the p53 protein. This polymorphism affects the apoptotic activity of p53 but the mechanistic basis and physiologic relevance of this phenotypic difference remain unclear. Here, we describe the development of mouse models for the p53 R72P SNP using two different approaches. In both sets of models, the human or humanized p53 proteins are functional as evidenced by the transcriptional induction of p53 target genes in response to DNA damage and the suppression of early lymphomagenesis. Consistent with in vitro studies, mice expressing the 72R variant protein (p53R) have a greater apoptotic response to several stimuli compared with mice expressing the p53P variant. Molecular studies suggest that both transcriptional and nontranscriptional mechanisms may contribute to the differential abilities of the p53 variants to induce apoptosis. Despite a difference in the acute response to UV radiation, no difference in the tumorigenic response to chronic UV exposure was observed between the polymorphic mouse models. These findings suggest that under at least some conditions, the modulation of apoptosis by the R72P polymorphism does not affect the process of carcinogenesis.

Benzo(a)pyrene induces similar gene expression changes in testis of DNA repair proficient and deficient mice

BACKGROUND

Benzo [a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure induces DNA adducts at all stages of spermatogenesis and in testis, and removal of these lesions is less efficient in nucleotide excision repair deficient Xpc-/- mice than in wild type mice. In this study, we investigated by using microarray technology whether compromised DNA repair in Xpc-/- mice may lead to a transcriptional reaction of the testis to cope with increased levels of B[a]P induced DNA damage.

RESULTS

Two-Way ANOVA revealed only 4 genes differentially expressed between wild type and Xpc-/- mice, and 984 genes between testes of B[a]P treated and untreated mice irrespective of the mouse genotype. However, the level in which these B[a]P regulated genes are expressed differs between Wt and Xpc-/- mice (p = 0.000000141), and were predominantly involved in the regulation of cell cycle, translation, chromatin structure and spermatogenesis, indicating a general stress response. In addition, analysis of cell cycle phase dependent gene expression revealed that expression of genes involved in G1-S and G2-M phase arrest was increased after B[a]P exposure in both genotypes. A slightly higher induction of average gene expression was observed at the G2-M checkpoint in Xpc-/- mice, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.086). Other processes that were expected to have changed by exposure, like apoptosis and DNA repair, were not found to be modulated at the level of gene expression.

CONCLUSION

Gene expression in testis of untreated Xpc-/- and wild type mice were very similar, with only 4 genes differentially expressed. Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene affected the expression of genes that are involved in cell cycle regulation in both genotypes, indicating that the presence of unrepaired DNA damage in testis blocks cell proliferation to protect DNA integrity in both DNA repair proficient and deficient animals.

Abstract 1875: Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins induce rapid repair of DNA damage via nucleotide excision repair genes in preventing UV-induced immunosuppression

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced immunosuppression has been implicated in the development of skin cancers, including melanoma and non-melanoma. UV-induced DNA damage, predominantly the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), has been recognized as an important molecular trigger for the initiation of UVB-induced immunosuppression and skin carcinogenesis. We have shown earlier that administration of dietary grape (Vitis vinifera) seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) supplemented with AIN76A control diet inhibit photocarcinogenesis in mice; however, the molecular mechanism of chemopreventive effects of GSPs are not clearly understood. To investigate the possible mechanism of action of GSPs we used genetically modified human cells and animal model. We observed that administration of dietary GSPs (0.2 and 0.5%, w/w) with supplementation of AIN76A control diet inhibited (52-65%, P&lt;0.001) UV-induced suppression of contact hypersensitivity response to a contact sensitizer, 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene, in a contact hypersensitivity mouse (C3H/HeN) model. Dietary GSPs repaired UV-induced DNA damage (CPD-positive cells) faster in the skin of mice as demonstrated by reduced number of CPD-positive cells (59%, p&lt;0.001), and reduced the migration of CPD-positive cells from the skin to draining lymph nodes compared to non-GSPs-fed control mice, which was associated with the elevated levels of nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes. GSPs did not prevent UV-induced immunosuppression in NER-deficient mice but significantly prevented in NER-proficient mice (p&lt;0.001) concomitantly repaired UV-induced DNA damage in NER-proficient mice (p&lt;0.01) but did not repair in NER-deficient mice as indicated by immunohistochemical analysis of CPD-positive cells. Further, southwestern dot-blot analysis revealed that GSPs repaired UV-induced CPDs in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA)-proficient cells obtained from healthy person but did not repair in XPA-deficient cells obtained from the patients suffering from xeroderma pigmentosum disease, indicating that NER mechanism is involved in DNA repair. Together, these data identify a novel mechanism by which dietary GSPs prevent UV-induced immunosuppression which is mediated through rapid repair of damaged DNA, and that these effects lead to the prevention of UV radiation-induced skin tumors in mice.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1875.

DNA adduct kinetics in reproductive tissues of DNA repair proficient and deficient male mice after oral exposure to benzo(a)pyrene

Benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) can induce somatic mutations, whereas its potential to induce germ cell mutations is unclear. There is circumstantial evidence that paternal exposure to B[a]P can result in germ cell mutations. Since DNA adducts are thought to be a prerequisite for B[a]P induced mutations, we studied DNA adduct kinetics by (32)P-postlabeling in sperm, testes and lung tissues of male mice after a single exposure to B[a]P (13 mg/kg bw, by gavage). To investigate DNA adduct formation at different stages of spermatogenesis, mice were sacrificed at Day 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 32, and 42 after exposure. In addition, DNA repair deficient (Xpc(-/-)) mice were used to study the contribution of nucleotide excision repair in DNA damage removal. DNA adducts were detectable with highest levels in lung followed by sperm and testis. Maximum adduct levels in the lung and testis were observed at Day 1 after exposure, while adduct levels in sperm reached maximum levels at approximately 1 week after exposure. Lung tissue and testis of Xpc(-/-) mice contained significantly higher DNA adduct levels compared to wild type (Wt) mice over the entire 42 day observation period (P < 0.05). Differences in adduct half-life between Xpc(-/-) and Wt mice were only observed in testis. In sperm, DNA adduct levels were significantly higher in Xpc(-/-) mice than in Wt mice only at Day 42 after exposure (P = 0.01). These results indicate that spermatogonia and testes are susceptible for the induction of DNA damage and rely on nucleotide excision repair for maintaining their genetic integrity.

Green tea polyphenols prevent UV-induced immunosuppression by rapid repair of DNA damage and enhancement of nucleotide excision repair genes

UV radiation-induced immunosuppression has been implicated in the development of skin cancers. Green tea polyphenols (GTP) in drinking water prevent photocarcinogenesis in the skin of mice. We studied whether GTPs in drinking water (0.1-0.5%, w/v) prevent UV-induced immunosuppression and (if so) potential mechanisms of this effect in mice. GTPs (0.2% and 0.5%, w/v) reduced UV-induced suppression of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in response to a contact sensitizer in local (58-62% reductions; P < 0.001) and systemic (51-55% reductions; P < 0.005) models of CHS. Compared with untreated mice, GTP-treated mice (0.2%, w/v) had a reduced number of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer-positive (CPD(+)) cells (59%; P < 0.001) in the skin, showing faster repair of UV-induced DNA damage, and had a reduced (2-fold) migration of CPD(+) cells from the skin to draining lymph nodes, which was associated with elevated levels of nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes. GTPs did not prevent UV-induced immunosuppression in NER-deficient mice but significantly prevented it in NER-proficient mice (P < 0.001); immunohistochemical analysis of CPD(+) cells indicated that GTPs reduced the numbers of UV-induced CPD(+) cells in NER-proficient mice (P < 0.001) but not in NER-deficient mice. Southwestern dot-blot analysis revealed that GTPs repaired UV-induced CPDs in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA)-proficient cells of a healthy person but did not in XPA-deficient cells obtained from XPA patients, indicating that a NER mechanism is involved in DNA repair. This study is the first to show a novel NER mechanism by which drinking GTPs prevents UV-induced immunosuppression and that inhibiting UV-induced immunosuppression may underlie the chemopreventive activity of GTPs against photocarcinogenesis.

Proteins of nucleotide and base excision repair pathways interact in mitochondria to protect from loss of subcutaneous fat, a hallmark of aging

Defects in the DNA repair mechanism nucleotide excision repair (NER) may lead to tumors in xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) or to premature aging with loss of subcutaneous fat in Cockayne syndrome (CS). Mutations of mitochondrial (mt)DNA play a role in aging, but a link between the NER-associated CS proteins and base excision repair (BER)-associated proteins in mitochondrial aging remains enigmatic. We show functional increase of CSA and CSB inside mt and complex formation with mtDNA, mt human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (mtOGG)-1, and mt single-stranded DNA binding protein (mtSSBP)-1 upon oxidative stress. MtDNA mutations are highly increased in cells from CS patients and in subcutaneous fat of aged Csb(m/m) and Csa(-/-) mice. Thus, the NER-proteins CSA and CSB localize to mt and directly interact with BER-associated human mitochondrial 8-oxoguanine glycosylase-1 to protect from aging- and stress-induced mtDNA mutations and apoptosis-mediated loss of subcutaneous fat, a hallmark of aging found in animal models, human progeroid syndromes like CS and in normal human aging.

Comparison of clastogen-induced gene expression profiles in wild-type and DNA repair-deficient Rad54/Rad54B cells

Background

Previously we found that Rad54/Rad54B cells are more sensitive towards mitomycin C (MMC) as compared to wild-type (WT) cells. This difference in sensitivity was absent upon exposure to other clastogens like bleomycin (BLM) and γ-radiation. In order to get further insight into possible underlying mechanisms, gene expression changes in WT and Rad54/Rad54B MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts) after exposure to the clastogens MMC and BLM were investigated. Exposures of these cells to mutagens (N-ac-AAF and ENU) and vehicle were taken as controls.

Results

Most exposures resulted in an induction of DNA damage signaling and apoptosis genes and a reduced expression of cell division genes in cells of both genotypes. As expected, responses to N-ac-AAF were very similar in both genotypes. ENU exposure did not lead to significant gene expression changes in cells of both genotypes, presumably due to its short half-life. Gene expression responses to clastogens, however, showed a genotype-dependent effect for BLM and MMC. MMC treated Rad54/Rad54B MEFs showed no induction of p53-signaling, DNA damage response and apoptosis as seen for all the other treatments.

Conclusion

These data support our finding that different types of clastogens exist and that responses to these types depend on the DNA repair status of the cells.

Gene expression profiling of Bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (TBTO)-induced immunotoxicity in mice and rats

Bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (TBTO) is one of the organotin compounds that have been used as biocides and occur as persistent environmental pollutants. Human exposure to these compounds occurs through consumption of meat and fish products in which they accumulate. The most sensitive endpoint of TBTO exposure is immunotoxicity. TBTO causes thymus atrophy and thereby interferes with T-lymphocyte-mediated immune responses. Tributyltin compounds have been found to adversely affect a wide range of cellular components and processes in many species, organ systems, and cell types. Both inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis have been observed in thymocytes. We conducted microarray experiments in mice and rats in order to investigate if the immunosuppressive actions of TBTO could be detected by gene expression profiling, and if so, to elucidate the mechanisms of action. Gene expression changes that were detected in mouse thymuses after exposure to a maximum tolerable dose of TBTO correlated to previously observed effects. Most notably, reduction of expression of cell surface determinants and T-cell receptor chains, suppression of cell proliferation, and a possible involvement of nuclear receptors in interference with lipid metabolism by TBTO were observed. The TBTO-induced thymus involution may therefore primarily be caused by inhibition of thymocyte proliferation. In contrast, in rats only limited effects of a lower dose of TBTO were found at the gene expression level in the thymus, even though thymus involution was observed. Here, most gene expression regulation by TBTO was detected in the liver. These preliminary results indicate that gene expression analysis is able to reveal effects of TBTO and to gain insight into its molecular mechanism of action. It may even be a suitable tool to investigate immunotoxicology in general. However, dose and inter-species differences are apparently clearly reflected in the gene expression profiles.

Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases UV-induced Cox-2 expression and inflammation, enhances DNA repair, and decreases mutagenesis in hairless mice

UV-irradiated skin and UV-induced tumors overexpress the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and Cox-2 inhibition reduces photocarcinogenesis. To evaluate photoprotective effects of Polypodium leucotomos extract (PL), hairless Xpc(+/-) mice were fed for 10 days with PL (300 mg/kg) or vehicle then UV-irradiated, once. By 24 hours, UV-induced Cox-2 levels were increased in vehicle-fed and PL-fed mice, whereas by 48 and 72 hours, Cox-2 levels were four- to fivefold lower in PL-fed mice (P < 0.05). p53 expression/activity was increased in PL-fed versus vehicle-fed then UV-irradiated mice. UV-induced inflammation was decreased in PL-fed mice, as shown by approximately 60% decrease (P < 0.001) in neutrophil infiltration at 24 hours, and macrophages by approximately 50% (<0.02) at 24 and 48 hours. By 72 hours, 54 +/- 5% cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers remained in vehicle-fed versus 31 +/- 5% in PL-fed skin (P < 0.003). The number of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-positive cells were decreased before UV irradiation by approximately 36% (P < 0.01), suggesting that PL reduces constitutive oxidative DNA damage. By 6 and 24 hours, the number of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-positive cells were approximately 59% (P < 0.01) and approximately 79% (P < 0.03) lower in PL-fed versus vehicle-fed mice. Finally, UV-induced mutations in PL-fed-mice were decreased by approximately 25% when assessed 2 weeks after the single UV exposure. These data demonstrate that PL extract supplementation affords the following photoprotective effects: p53 activation and reduction of acute inflammation via Cox-2 enzyme inhibition, increased cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer removal, and reduction of oxidative DNA damage.

lacZ mouse embryonic fibroblasts detect both clastogens and mutagens

The clastogenic effects of MMC and BLM and the mutagenic effects of B[a]P, N-ac-AAF and ENU were studied in mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from wild-type (WT) and Rad54/Rad54B-deficient mice. Clastogens as well as mutagens showed a statistically significant induction of mutations in the lacZ reporter gene both in a WT and Rad54/Rad54B-deficient genetic background. Rad54/Rad54B MEFs appeared equally sensitive to the clastogens compared to WT MEFs, except for MMC. The type of mutations induced by the different compounds was investigated further by hybridizing the mutant colonies with total mouse DNA. An obvious increased number of mouse DNA positive clones was observed after BLM and MMC exposure, indicating that after these treatments genome rearrangements/translocations had occurred. In this hybridization assay, Rad54/Rad54B MEFs did not show more rearrangements/translocations than WT MEFs. As expected, the mutagens used showed no increase in chromosomal rearrangements or transloctions in MEFs derived from both genotypes. These results show that WT MEFs carrying the lacZ reporter gene on a plasmid are capable to detect both clastogenic as well as mutagenic effects of compounds in vitro. Deletion of the Rad54 and Rad54B genes did not further enhance the sensitivity of MEFs towards clastogens.

DNA repair-deficient Xpa/p53 knockout mice are sensitive to the non-genotoxic carcinogen cyclosporine A: escape of initiated cells from immunosurveillance?

The DNA repair-deficient Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) (Xpa/p53) mouse is a potent model for carcinogenicity testing, representing increased sensitivity toward genotoxic but surprisingly also toward true human non-genotoxic carcinogens. The mechanism of this increased sensitivity in Xpa/p53 mice toward non-genotoxic carcinogens is still unknown. Here, we investigated the mechanism of the human non-genotoxic carcinogen cyclosporine A (CsA) in the Xpa/p53 mouse model. Xpa/p53 mice exposed to CsA for 39 weeks showed a significantly increased lymphoma incidence as compared with untreated Xpa/p53 mice and CsA-treated wild-type (WT) mice. We excluded concealed genotoxicity of CsA in Xpa/p53 mice by mutant frequency analyses. As a next step, we used a genetic approach: immunodeficient DNA-PKcs mice, defective in the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase, were crossed with Xpa and Xpa/p53 mice. Xpa/p53 mice had an increased lymphoma incidence with shorter latency times as compared with DNA-PKcs-deficient WT and Xpa mice. Surprisingly, also six of 15 DNA-PKcs/Xpa/p53 females had developed an adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland. Tumor responses in CsA-treated and DNA-PKcs-deficient Xpa/p53 mice were comparable as both genotypes developed mainly splenic lymphomas enriched in B lymphocytes. From our present studies, we hypothesize that levels of initiated precancerous cells are elevated in Xpa/p53 mice. These cells are insufficiently eliminated due to either suppression of the immune system by CsA or through immune-related DNA-PKcs deficiency. Based on the current studies and those conducted previously, we conclude that the Xpa/p53 model is an excellent adjunct to the current chronic rodent bioassay.

Lung inflammation and thrombogenic responses in a time course study of Csb mice exposed to ozone

Ozone is a well-known oxidant air pollutant, inhalation of which can result in oxidative stress, and lead to pulmonary inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time-course events after a single ozone exposure in transcription-coupled repair defective Csb and wild type mice. Mice were exposed for 3 h to 2 ppm ozone and biological parameters related to oxidative stress and inflammation were examined in the lungs at 0, 4, 9, 24 and 48 h after exposure. In addition the procoagulant and thrombomodulin activities were explored by a combination of assays for tissue factor and thrombin generation. This study revealed a significant biological response to ozone, for both Csb and wild type mice. The onset of inflammation in Csb mice, as indicated by an increase in interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and total cell influx, occurred earlier compared with those seen in wild type mice. On the other hand, Csb mice showed a delayed antioxidant reaction compared with wild type mice. Both genotypes developed a procoagulant reaction characterized by a stably increased tissue factor activity and a progressive increase in thrombin generation after 2 days. These experiments have shown that ozone, a well-known toxic substance from the environment, induces not only inflammation, but also procoagulant reactions in the lungs of mice. These results have implications for understanding the systemic effects induced by oxidant air pollutants.