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Chen ST, Ran F, Shi WW, Liu CK, Wang PC, Luo HN, Yang ZM. Tryptophan in the mouse diet is essential for embryo implantation and decidualization. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1356914. [PMID: 38752181 PMCID: PMC11094255 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1356914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Nutritional deficiency occurs frequently during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tryptophan (Trp), an essential amino acid which is critical for protein synthesis, serves as the precursor for serotonin, melatonin, and kynurenine (Kyn). The imbalance between serotonin and kynurenine pathways in Trp metabolism is closely related to inflammation and depression. This study assessed the effects of Trp deficiency on mouse early pregnancy. Methods Embryo implantation and decidualization were analyzed after female mice had been fed diets containing 0.2% Trp (for the control group), 0.062% Trp (for the low Trp group) and 0% Trp (for the Trp-free group) for two months. The uteri of the mice were collected on days 4, 5, and 8 of pregnancy for further analysis. Results On day 8 of pregnancy, the number of implantation sites were found to be similar between the control and the low Trp groups. However, no implantation sites were detected in the Trp-free group. On day 5 of pregnancy, plane polarity- and decidualization-related molecules showed abnormal expression pattern in the Trp-free group. On day 4 of pregnancy, there was no significant difference in uterine receptivity molecules between the low-Trp group and the control group, but uterine receptivity was abnormal in the Trp-free group. At implantation sites of the Trp-free group, IDO and AHR levels were markedly elevated. This potentially increased levels of Kyn, 2-hydroxy estradiol, and 4-hydroxy estradiol to affect decidualization. Conclusions Trp-free diet may impair decidualization via the IDO-KYN-AHR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ting Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Feng Ran
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wen-Wen Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Kan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng-Chao Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Hui-Na Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeng-Ming Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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2
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Serra L, Estienne A, Caria G, Ramé C, Jolivet C, Froger C, Henriot A, Amalric L, Guérif F, Froment P, Dupont J. In vitro exposure to triazoles used as fungicides impairs human granulosa cells steroidogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 104:104295. [PMID: 37852555 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Triazoles are the main components of fungicides used in conventional agriculture. Some data suggests that they may be endocrine disruptors. Here, we found five triazoles, prothioconazole, metconazole, difenoconazole, tetraconazole, and cyproconazole, in soil or water from the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. We then studied their effects from 0.001 µM to 1000 µM for 48 h on the steroidogenesis and cytotoxicity of ovarian cells from patients in this region and the human granulosa line KGN. In addition, the expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) nuclear receptor in KGN cells was studied. Overall, all triazoles reduced the secretion of progesterone, estradiol, or both at doses that were non-cytotoxic but higher than those found in the environment. This was mainly associated, depending on the triazole, with a decrease in the expression of CYP51, STAR, CYP11A1, CYP19A1, or HSD3B proteins, or a combination thereof, in hGCs and KGN cells and an increase in AHR in KGN cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïse Serra
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Anthony Estienne
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Giovanni Caria
- INRAE, Laboratoire d'Analyses des Sols, 273, rue de Cambrai, 62000 Arras, France
| | - Christelle Ramé
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Claire Froger
- INRAE Orléans - US 1106, Unité INFOSOL, Orléans, France
| | - Abel Henriot
- Division Laboratoires, BRGM, 3 Avenue Claude Guillemin, 45060 Orleans Cedex 2, France
| | - Laurence Amalric
- Division Laboratoires, BRGM, 3 Avenue Claude Guillemin, 45060 Orleans Cedex 2, France
| | - Fabrice Guérif
- Service de Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU de Tours, F-37044 Tours, France
| | - Pascal Froment
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Joëlle Dupont
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
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3
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Dong F, Murray IA, Annalora A, Coslo D, Desai D, Gowda K, Yang J, Wang D, Koo I, Hao F, Amin SG, Patterson AD, Marcus C, Perdew GH. Complex chemical signals dictate Ah receptor activation through the gut-lung axis. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23010. [PMID: 37272852 PMCID: PMC10264151 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300703r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates intestinal barrier homeostasis. Many AHR ligands are also CYP1A1/1B1 substrates, which can result in rapid clearance within the intestinal tract, limiting systemic exposure and subsequent AHR activation. This led us to the hypothesis that there are dietary substrates of CYP1A1/1B1 that functionally increase the half-life of potent AHR ligands. We examined the potential of urolithin A (UroA), a gut bacterial metabolite of ellagitannins, as a CYP1A1/1B1 substrate to enhance AHR activity in vivo. UroA is a competitive substrate for CYP1A1/1B1 in an in vitro competition assay. A broccoli-containing diet promotes the gastric formation of the potent hydrophobic AHR ligand and CYP1A1/1B1 substrate, 5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (ICZ). In mice, dietary exposure to UroA in a 10% broccoli diet led to a coordinated increase in duodenal, cardiac, and pulmonary AHR activity, but no increase in activity in the liver. Thus, CYP1A1 dietary competitive substrates can lead to enhanced systemic AHR ligand distribution from the gut, likely through the lymphatic system, increasing AHR activation in key barrier tissues. Finally, this report will lead to a reassessment of the dynamics of distribution of other hydrophobic chemicals present in the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangcong Dong
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Iain A. Murray
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Andrew Annalora
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Denise Coslo
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033 USA
| | - Krishne Gowda
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033 USA
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Materials Research Institute, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Dingbowen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Materials Research Institute, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Imhoi Koo
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Fuhua Hao
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Shantu G. Amin
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033 USA
| | - Andrew D. Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Craig Marcus
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Gary H. Perdew
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Swigonska S, Nynca A, Molcan T, Jablonska M, Ciereszko RE. Knock-down of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) affects the lncRNA-mediated response of porcine granulosa cells (AVG-16 cell line) to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 255:107277. [PMID: 37315452 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we found that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) - the most toxic dioxin - affected multiple cellular processes in AhR-knocked-down granulosa cells, including the expression of genes and the abundance of proteins. Such alterations may imply the involvement of noncoding RNAs in the remodeling of intracellular regulatory tracks. The aims of the current study were to examine the effects of TCDD on the expression of lncRNAs in AhR-knocked-down granulosa cells of pigs and to indicate potential target genes for differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs). In the current study, the abundance of AhR protein in porcine granulosa cells was reduced by 98.9% at 24 h after AhR targeted siRNA transfection. Fifty-seven DELs were identified in the AhR-deficient cells treated with TCDD mostly after 3 h (3 h: 56, 12 h: 0, 24 h: 2) after the dioxin treatment. This number was 2.5 times higher than that of intact TCDD-treated granulosa cells. The high number of DELs identified in the early stages of the TCDD action may be associated with a rapid defensive response of cells to harmful actions of this persistent environmental pollutant. In contrast to intact TCDD-treated granulosa cells, AhR-deficient cells were characterized by a broader representation of DELs enriched in GO terms related to the immune response and regulation of transcription and cell cycle. The obtained results support the notion that TCDD may act in an AhR-independent manner. They increase our knowledge on the intracellular mechanism of TCDD action and may in the future contribute to better coping with detrimental consequences of human and animal exposure to TCDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Swigonska
- Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawochenskiego 5, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Anna Nynca
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Molcan
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Monika Jablonska
- Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Food Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Renata E Ciereszko
- Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawochenskiego 5, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland; Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
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5
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Elson DJ, Kolluri SK. Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and AhR as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040526. [PMID: 37106727 PMCID: PMC10135996 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulating a wide range of biological responses. A diverse array of xenobiotics and endogenous small molecules bind to the receptor and drive unique phenotypic responses. Due in part to its role in mediating toxic responses to environmental pollutants, AhR activation has not been traditionally viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the expression and activation of AhR can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, and many clinically approved drugs transcriptionally activate AhR. Identification of novel select modulators of AhR-regulated transcription that promote tumor suppression is an active area of investigation. The development of AhR-targeted anticancer agents requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor suppression. Here, we summarized the tumor-suppressive mechanisms regulated by AhR with an emphasis on the endogenous functions of the receptor in opposing carcinogenesis. In multiple different cancer models, the deletion of AhR promotes increased tumorigenesis, but a precise understanding of the molecular cues and the genetic targets of AhR involved in this process is lacking. The intent of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting AhR-dependent tumor suppression and distill insights for development of AhR-targeted cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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6
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Patil NY, Friedman JE, Joshi AD. Role of Hepatic Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. RECEPTORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 2:1-15. [PMID: 37284280 PMCID: PMC10240927 DOI: 10.3390/receptors2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous nuclear receptors including farnesoid X receptor, liver X receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, pregnane X receptor, hepatic nuclear factors have been extensively studied within the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Following the first description of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in the 1970s and decades of research which unveiled its role in toxicity and pathophysiological processes, the functional significance of AhR in NAFLD has not been completely decoded. Recently, multiple research groups have utilized a plethora of in vitro and in vivo models that mimic NAFLD pathology to investigate the functional significance of AhR in fatty liver disease. This review provides a comprehensive account of studies describing both the beneficial and possible detrimental role of AhR in NAFLD. A plausible reconciliation for the paradox indicating AhR as a 'double-edged sword' in NAFLD is discussed. Finally, understanding AhR ligands and their signaling in NAFLD will facilitate us to probe AhR as a potential drug target to design innovative therapeutics against NAFLD in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Y. Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Jacob E. Friedman
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Aditya D. Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
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7
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Dong F, Murray IA, Annalora A, Coslo D, Desai D, Gowda K, Yang J, Wang D, Koo I, Hao F, Amin SG, Patterson AD, Marcus C, Perdew GH. Complex chemical signals dictate Ah receptor activation through the gut-lung axis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.22.529529. [PMID: 36865156 PMCID: PMC9980078 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.22.529529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates intestinal barrier homeostasis. Many AHR ligands are also CYP1A1/1B1 substrates, which can result in the rapid clearance within the intestinal tract, limiting AHR activation. This led us to the hypothesis that there are dietary substrates of CYP1A1/1B1 that increase the half-life of potent AHR ligands. We examined the potential of urolithin A (UroA) as a CYP1A1/1B1 substrate to enhance AHR activity in vivo. UroA is a competitive substrate for CYP1A1/1B1 in an in vitro competition assay. A broccoli-containing diet promotes the gastric formation of the potent hydrophobic AHR ligand and CYP1A1/1B1 substrate, 5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (ICZ). Dietary exposure to UroA in a broccoli diet led to a coordinated increase in duodenal, cardiac, and pulmonary AHR activity, but no increase in activity in liver. Thus, CYP1A1 dietary competitive substrates can lead to intestinal "escape", likely through the lymphatic system, increasing AHR activation in key barrier tissues.
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8
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Stimulated Interleukin-4-Induced-1 (IL4I1) Promotes Human Decidualization via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043163. [PMID: 36834576 PMCID: PMC9959871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is necessary for the successful establishment of early pregnancy in rodents and humans. Disturbed decidualization results in recurrent implantation failure, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and preeclampsia. Tryptophan (Trp), one of the essential amino acids in humans, has a positive effect on mammalian pregnancy. Interleukin 4-induced gene 1 (IL4I1) is a recently identified enzyme that can metabolize L-Trp to activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Although IDO1-catalyzed kynurenine (Kyn) from Trp has been shown to enhance human in vitro decidualization via activating AHR, whether IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites of Trp are involved in human decidualization is still unknown. In our study, human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates IL4I1 expression and secretion from human endometrial epithelial cells through ornithine decarboxylase-induced putrescine production. Either IL4I1-catalyzed indole-3-pyruvic acid (I3P) or its metabolite indole-3-aldehyde (I3A) from Trp is able to induce human in vitro decidualization by activating AHR. As a target gene of AHR, Epiregulin induced by I3P and I3A promotes human in vitro decidualization. Our study indicates that IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites from Trp can enhance human in vitro decidualization through AHR-Epiregulin pathway.
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9
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Therachiyil L, Hussein OJ, Uddin S, Korashy HM. Regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in cancer and cancer stem cells of gynecological malignancies: An update on signaling pathways. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1186-1202. [PMID: 36252938 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Gynecological malignancies are a female type of cancers that affects the reproductive system. Cancer metastasis or recurrence mediated by cellular invasiveness occurs at advanced stages of cancer progression. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) enrichment in tumors leads to chemoresistance, which results in cancer mortality. Exposure to environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is associated with an increased the risk of CSC enrichment in gynecological cancers. One of the important pathways that mediates the metabolism and bioactivation of these environmental chemicals is the transcription factor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The present review explores the molecular mechanisms regulating the crosstalk and interaction of the AhR with cancer-related signaling pathways, such as apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune checkpoints, and G-protein-coupled receptors in several gynecological malignancies such as ovarian, uterine, endometrial, and cervical cancers. The review also discusses the potential of targeting the AhR pathway as a novel chemotherapy for gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubna Therachiyil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Ola J Hussein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Hesham M Korashy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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10
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Phillips JL, Buermeyer AB, Nguyen BD, Loehr C, Kolluri SK. Loss of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor increases tumorigenesis in p53-deficient mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 454:116191. [PMID: 35926564 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates cell fate via activation of a diverse set of genes. There are conflicting reports describing the role of AhR in cancer. AhR-knockout mice do not develop tumors spontaneously, yet the AhR can act as a tumor suppressor in certain contexts. Loss of tumor suppression by p53 is common in human cancer. To investigate AhR function in the absence of p53, we generated mice lacking both AhR and p53. Mice deficient for AhR and p53 had shortened lifespan, increased tumorigenesis, and an altered tumor spectrum relative to control mice lacking only p53. In addition, knockout of both AhR and p53 resulted in reduced embryonic survival and neonatal fitness. We also examined the consequences of loss of AhR in p53-heterozygous mice and observed a significantly reduced lifespan and enhanced tumor burden. These findings reveal an important role for the AhR as a tumor suppressor in the absence of p53 signaling and support the development of anti-cancer therapeutics that would promote the tumor suppressive actions of the AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Phillips
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America
| | - Andrew B Buermeyer
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 897331, United States of America; The Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Bach D Nguyen
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America
| | - Christiane Loehr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 897331, United States of America; The Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America; The Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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11
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Toutounchi NS, Braber S, Land BV, Thijssen S, Garssen J, Folkerts G, Hogenkamp A. Deoxynivalenol exposure during pregnancy has adverse effects on placental structure and immunity in mice model. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:109-118. [PMID: 35840118 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON), a highly prevalent food contaminant, is known to induce reproductive and immunotoxicity in humans upon exposure. The present study focused on the consequences of exposure to DON during pregnancy for placental barrier and immune function, as well as fetal survival. Female mice received diets contaminated with DON (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg of diet), starting immediately after mating until the end of the experiment. On day 17 of pregnancy the animals were killed, and maternal and fetal samples were collected for further analysis. Feeding on DON-contaminated diets decreased fetal survival, and DON was detected at significant levels in the fetus. Placentae from DON-exposed mice revealed a reduction in expression of junctional proteins, ZO-1, E-cadherin and claudins, upregulation of AHR mRNA expressions, and increase in IFN-ꝩ, IL-6 and IL-4 production. In conclusion, results of this study demonstrate harmful effects of DON on the course of pregnancy and fetal survival, which might be due to immunological changes in maternal immune organs and placenta. Altogether, these data underline the importance of the quality of maternal diet during pregnancy as they clearly demonstrate the potential harmful effects of a commonly present food-contaminant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negisa Seyed Toutounchi
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia Braber
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Belinda Van't Land
- Department of Immunology, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Suzan Thijssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Immunology, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gert Folkerts
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hogenkamp
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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12
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Haque N, Tischkau SA. Sexual Dimorphism in Adipose-Hypothalamic Crosstalk and the Contribution of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor to Regulate Energy Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147679. [PMID: 35887027 PMCID: PMC9322714 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are fundamental sex differences in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of energy balance that account for this asymmetry will assist in developing sex-specific therapies for sexually dimorphic diseases such as obesity. Multiple organs, including the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, play vital roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis, which are regulated differently in males and females. Various neuronal populations, particularly within the hypothalamus, such as arcuate nucleus (ARC), can sense nutrient content of the body by the help of peripheral hormones such leptin, derived from adipocytes, to regulate energy homeostasis. This review summarizes how adipose tissue crosstalk with homeostatic network control systems in the brain, which includes energy regulatory regions and the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, contribute to energy regulation in a sex-specific manner. Moreover, development of obesity is contingent upon diet and environmental factors. Substances from diet and environmental contaminants can exert insidious effects on energy metabolism, acting peripherally through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Developmental AhR activation can impart permanent alterations of neuronal development that can manifest a number of sex-specific physiological changes, which sometimes become evident only in adulthood. AhR is currently being investigated as a potential target for treating obesity. The consensus is that impaired function of the receptor protects from obesity in mice. AhR also modulates sex steroid receptors, and hence, one of the objectives of this review is to explain why investigating sex differences while examining this receptor is crucial. Overall, this review summarizes sex differences in the regulation of energy homeostasis imparted by the adipose–hypothalamic axis and examines how this axis can be affected by xenobiotics that signal through AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmul Haque
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA;
| | - Shelley A. Tischkau
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA;
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
- Correspondence:
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Rusni S, Sassa M, Takagi T, Kinoshita M, Takehana Y, Inoue K. Establishment of cytochrome P450 1a gene-knockout Javanese medaka, Oryzias javanicus, which distinguishes toxicity modes of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pyrene and phenanthrene. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 178:113578. [PMID: 35344733 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 1a (Cyp1a) is an important enzyme for metabolism of organic pollutants. To understand its reaction to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we knocked out this gene in a marine model fish, Javanese medaka, Oryzias javanicus, using the CRISPR/Cas 9 system. A homozygous mutant (KO) strain with a four-base deletion was established using an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based genotyping technique. Subsequently, KO, heterozygous mutant (HT), and wild-type (WT) fish were exposed to model pollutants, pyrene and phenanthrene, and survivorship and swimming behavior were analyzed. Compared to WT, KO fish were more sensitive to pyrene, suggesting that Cyp1a transforms pyrene into less toxic metabolites. Conversely, WT fish were sensitive to phenanthrene, suggesting that metabolites transformed by Cyp1a are more toxic than the original compound. HT fish showed intermediate results. Thus, comparative use of KO and WT fish can distinguish modes of pollutant toxicity, providing a deeper understanding of fish catabolism of environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhaila Rusni
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan; Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan.
| | - Mieko Sassa
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan.
| | - Toshiyuki Takagi
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan.
| | | | - Yusuke Takehana
- Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan.
| | - Koji Inoue
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan; Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan.
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The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR): A Novel Therapeutic Target for Pulmonary Diseases? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031516. [PMID: 35163440 PMCID: PMC8836075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that is well-known for regulating xenobiotic metabolism. Studies in knockout and transgenic mice indicate that the AHR plays a vital role in the development of liver and regulation of reproductive, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and immune homeostasis. In this focused review on lung diseases associated with acute injury and alveolar development, we reviewed and summarized the current literature on the mechanistic role(s) and therapeutic potential of the AHR in acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Pre-clinical studies indicate that endogenous AHR activation is necessary to protect neonatal and adult lungs against hyperoxia- and cigarette smoke-induced injury. Our goal is to provide insight into the high translational potential of the AHR in the meaningful management of infants and adults with these lung disorders that lack curative therapies.
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Priya K, Setty M, Babu UV, Pai KSR. Implications of environmental toxicants on ovarian follicles: how it can adversely affect the female fertility? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:67925-67939. [PMID: 34628616 PMCID: PMC8718383 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16489-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The pool of primordial follicles formed in the ovaries during early development determines the span and quality of fertility in the reproductive life of a woman. As exposure to occupational and environmental toxicants (ETs) has become inevitable, consequences on female fertility need to be established. This review focuses on the ETs, especially well-studied prototypes of the classes endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), heavy metals, agrochemicals, cigarette smoke, certain chemicals used in plastic, cosmetic and sanitary product industries etc that adversely affect the female fertility. Many in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies have indicated that these ETs have the potential to affect folliculogenesis and cause reduced fertility in women. Here, we emphasize on four main conditions: polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, multioocytic follicles and meiotic defects including aneuploidies which can be precipitated by ETs. These are considered main causes for reduced female fertility by directly altering the follicular recruitment, development and oocytic meiosis. Although substantial experimental evidence is drawn with respect to the detrimental effects, it is clear that establishing the role of one ET as a risk factor in a single condition is difficult as multiple conditions have common risk factors. Therefore, it is important to consider this as a matter of public and wildlife health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerthi Priya
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Manjunath Setty
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Uddagiri Venkanna Babu
- Phytochemistry Department, R & D Centre, The Himalaya Drug Company, Makali, Tumkur Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, 562162, India
| | - Karkala Sreedhara Ranganath Pai
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Vazquez-Rivera E, Rojas B, Parrott JC, Shen AL, Xing Y, Carney PR, Bradfield CA. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a model PAS sensor. Toxicol Rep 2021; 9:1-11. [PMID: 34950569 PMCID: PMC8671103 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins containing PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) domains are commonly associated with environmental adaptation in a variety of organisms. The PAS domain is found in proteins throughout Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya and often binds small-molecules, supports protein-protein interactions, and transduces input signals to mediate an adaptive physiological response. Signaling events mediated by PAS sensors can occur through induced phosphorelays or genomic events that are often dependent upon PAS domain interactions. In this perspective, we briefly discuss the diversity of PAS domain containing proteins, with particular emphasis on the prototype member, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This ligand-activated transcription factor acts as a sensor of the chemical environment in humans and many chordates. We conclude with the idea that since mammalian PAS proteins often act through PAS-PAS dimers, undocumented interactions of this type may link biological processes that we currently think of as independent. To support this idea, we present a framework to guide future experiments aimed at fully elucidating the spectrum of PAS-PAS interactions with an eye towards understanding how they might influence environmental sensing in human and wildlife populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Vazquez-Rivera
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Brenda Rojas
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Jessica C. Parrott
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Anna L. Shen
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Yongna Xing
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Patrick R. Carney
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Christopher A. Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States
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The aryl hydrocarbon receptor promotes differentiation during mouse preimplantational embryo development. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2351-2363. [PMID: 34478649 PMCID: PMC8452532 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian embryogenesis is a complex process controlled by transcription factors that regulate the balance between pluripotency and differentiation. Transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) regulates OCT4/POU5F1 and NANOG, both essential controllers of pluripotency, stemness and early embryo development. Molecular mechanisms controlling OCT4/POU5F1 and NANOG during embryogenesis remain unidentified. We show that AhR regulates pluripotency factors and maintains the metabolic activity required for proper embryo differentiation. AhR-lacking embryos (AhR−/−) showed a pluripotent phenotype characterized by a delayed expression of trophectoderm differentiation markers. Accordingly, central pluripotency factors OCT4/POU5F1 and NANOG were overexpressed in AhR−/− embryos at initial developmental stages. An altered intracellular localization of these factors was observed in the absence of AhR and, importantly, Oct4 had an opposite expression pattern with respect to AhR from the two-cell stage to blastocyst, suggesting a negative regulation of OCT4/POU5F by AhR. We propose that AhR is a regulator of pluripotency and differentiation in early mouse embryogenesis. AhR regulates pluripotency factors OCT4 and NANOG during early embryo differentiation AhR lacking embryos (AhR−/−) show a pluripotent phenotype Pluripotent phenotype of AhR−/− embryos show enhanced glycolytic metabolism
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Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that is a member of the PER-ARNT-SIM superfamily of environmental sensors. This receptor has been a molecule of interest for many years in the field of toxicology, as it was originally discovered to mediate the toxic effects of certain environmental pollutants like benzo(a)pyrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. While all animals express this protein, there is naturally occurring variability in receptor size and responsiveness to ligand. This naturally occurring variation, particularly in mice, has been an essential tool in the discovery and early characterization of the AHR. Genetic models including congenic mice and induced mutations at the Ahr locus have proven invaluable in further understanding the role of the AHR in adaptive metabolism and TCDD-induced toxicity. The creation and examination of Ahr null mice revealed an important physiological role for the AHR in vascular and hepatic development and mediation of the immune system. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview to many of the AHR models that have aided in the understanding of AHR biology thus far. We describe the naturally occurring polymorphisms, congenic models, induced mutations at the Ahr locus and at the binding partner Ah Receptor Nuclear Translocator and chaperone, Ah receptor associated 9 loci in mice, with a brief description of naturally occurring and induced mutations in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Wilson
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christopher A Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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19
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Chapkin RS, Davidson LA, Park H, Jin UH, Fan YY, Cheng Y, Hensel ME, Landrock KK, Allred C, Menon R, Klemashevich C, Jayaraman A, Safe S. Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in Mediating the Effects of Coffee in the Colon. Mol Nutr Food Res 2021; 65:e2100539. [PMID: 34406707 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202100539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE This study investigates the mechanism of action and functional effects of coffee extracts in colonic cells, on intestinal stem cell growth, and inhibition of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced intestinal barrier damage in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Aqueous coffee extracts induced Ah receptor (AhR) -responsive CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and UGT1A1 gene expression in colon-derived Caco2 and YAMC cells. Tissue-specific AhR knockout (AhRf/f x Lgr5-GFP-CreERT2 x Villin-Cre), wild-type (Lgr5-CreERT2 x Villin-Cre) mice are sources of stem cell enriched organoids and both coffee extracts and norharman, an AhR-active component of these extracts inhibited stem cell growth. Coffee extracts also inhibit DSS-induced damage to intestinal barrier function and DSS-induced mucosal inflammatory genes such as IL-6 and TGF-β1 in wild-type (AhR+/+ ) but not AhR-/- mice. In contrast, coffee does not exhibit protective effects in intestinal-specific AhR knockout mice. Coffee extracts also enhanced overall formation of AhR-active microbial metabolites. CONCLUSIONS In colon-derived cells and in the mouse intestine, coffee induced several AhR-dependent responses including gene expression, inhibition of intestinal stem cell-enriched organoid growth, and inhibition of DSS-induced intestinal barrier damage. We conclude that the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee in the intestine are due, in part, to activation of AhR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Chapkin
- Departments of Nutrition and Biochemistry & Biophysics Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Laurie A Davidson
- Departments of Nutrition and Biochemistry & Biophysics Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Hyejin Park
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Un-Ho Jin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Yang-Yi Fan
- Departments of Nutrition and Biochemistry & Biophysics Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Yating Cheng
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Martha E Hensel
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kerstin K Landrock
- Departments of Nutrition and Biochemistry & Biophysics Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Clinton Allred
- Departments of Nutrition and Biochemistry & Biophysics Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Rani Menon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Cory Klemashevich
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Developmental and lifelong dioxin exposure induces measurable changes in cardiac structure and function in adulthood. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10378. [PMID: 34001975 PMCID: PMC8129097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89825-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital abnormality. A precise etiology for CHD remains elusive, but likely results from interactions between genetic and environmental factors during development, when the heart adapts to physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Further, it has become clearer that early exposure to toxins that do not result in overt CHD may be associated with adverse cardiac outcomes that are not manifested until later life. Previously, interference with endogenous developmental functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), either by gene ablation or by in utero exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent AHR ligand, was shown to cause structural, molecular and functional cardiac abnormalities and altered heart physiology in mouse embryos. Here, we show that continuous exposure to TCDD from fertilization throughout adulthood caused male mice to underperform at exercise tolerance tests compared to their control and female counterparts, confirming previous observations of a sexually dimorphic phenotype. Renin-angiotensin stimulation by angiotensin II (Ang II) caused measurable increases in blood pressure and left ventricle mass, along with decreased end diastolic volume and preserved ejection fraction. Interestingly, TCDD exposure caused measurable reductions in the myocardial hypertrophic effects of Ang II, suggesting that endogenous AHR signaling present in adulthood may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertrophy. Overall, the findings reported in this pilot study highlight the complex systems underlying TCDD exposure in the development of cardiac dysfunction in later life.
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Mony V, Nirmal RM, Parvathi V, Parvathy RL, Varun BR, Jayanthi P. Evaluation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa using western blot. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021; 25:68-73. [PMID: 34349414 PMCID: PMC8272475 DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_287_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that acts as a binding site for toxic chemicals, particularly the dioxin group of chemicals. Elevated levels of AHR have been observed in various human cancers, including lung carcinomas, hepatic carcinomas and in mammary tumors. However, the expression of AHR in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients who are tobacco users are less explored. Aims and Objectives The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare AHR levels in OSSC patients and in normals using Western blot technique in an attempt to explore the possible role of AHR in oral carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods The study sample consisted of ten oral squamous cell carcinoma cases which were diagnosed clinically and confirmed histopathologically as OSCC and four samples of the normal oral mucosa. AHR protein expression was evaluated using Western blot technique and chemiluminescence detection kit. The densitometry was performed on a Microtek scan maker MSP flatbed scanner and quantified using Image J software. Mean AHR protein levels were calculated and compared between OSCC and normal oral mucosa using Student's t-test. Results The mean AHR protein level in OSCC samples (n = 10) was 2878.90 ± 1231.27 and 975.75 ± 227.27 in the normal oral mucosa (n = 4). The OSCC samples showed significantly higher levels of AHR protein compared to the normal oral mucosa (P = 0.008). Conclusion The study showed a significantly higher expression of AHR in oral squamous cell carcinoma samples when compared to the normal oral mucosa, suggesting a possible role of AHR in the initiation, promotion and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Mony
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - R Madhavan Nirmal
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Parvathi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R L Parvathy
- Department of Pharmacology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - B R Varun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - P Jayanthi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, India
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Esteban J, Sánchez-Pérez I, Hamscher G, Miettinen HM, Korkalainen M, Viluksela M, Pohjanvirta R, Håkansson H. Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in overall retinoid metabolism: Response comparisons to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure between wild-type and AHR knockout mice. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 101:33-49. [PMID: 33607186 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Young adult wild-type and aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout (AHRKO) mice of both sexes and the C57BL/6J background were exposed to 10 weekly oral doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; total dose of 200 μg/kg bw) to further characterize the observed impacts of AHR as well as TCDD on the retinoid system. Unexposed AHRKO mice harboured heavier kidneys, lighter livers and lower serum all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and retinol (REOH) concentrations than wild-type mice. Results from the present study also point to a role for the murine AHR in the control of circulating REOH and ATRA concentrations. In wild-type mice, TCDD elevated liver weight and reduced thymus weight, and drastically reduced the hepatic concentrations of 9-cis-4-oxo-13,14-dihydro-retinoic acid (CORA) and retinyl palmitate (REPA). In female wild-type mice, TCDD increased the hepatic concentration of ATRA as well as the renal and circulating REOH concentrations. Renal CORA concentrations were substantially diminished in wild-type male mice exclusively following TCDD-exposure, with a similar tendency in serum. In contrast, TCDD did not affect any of these toxicity or retinoid system parameters in AHRKO mice. Finally, a distinct sex difference occurred in kidney concentrations of all the analysed retinoid forms. Together, these results strengthen the evidence of a mandatory role of AHR in TCDD-induced retinoid disruption, and suggest that the previously reported accumulation of several retinoid forms in the liver of AHRKO mice is a line-specific phenomenon. Our data further support participation of AHR in the control of liver and kidney development in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Esteban
- Instituto De Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández De Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Ismael Sánchez-Pérez
- Instituto De Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández De Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Gerd Hamscher
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Hanna M Miettinen
- School of Pharmacy (Toxicology) and Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Merja Korkalainen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Insitute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Matti Viluksela
- School of Pharmacy (Toxicology) and Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Insitute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Raimo Pohjanvirta
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Mustialankatu 1, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Helen Håkansson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Marinić M, Mika K, Chigurupati S, Lynch VJ. Evolutionary transcriptomics implicates HAND2 in the origins of implantation and regulation of gestation length. eLife 2021; 10:61257. [PMID: 33522483 PMCID: PMC7943190 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental origins and evolutionary histories of cell types, tissues, and organs contribute to the ways in which their dysfunction produces disease. In mammals, the nature, development and evolution of maternal-fetal interactions likely influence diseases of pregnancy. Here we show genes that evolved expression at the maternal-fetal interface in Eutherian mammals play essential roles in the evolution of pregnancy and are associated with immunological disorders and preterm birth. Among these genes is HAND2, a transcription factor that suppresses estrogen signaling, a Eutherian innovation allowing blastocyst implantation. We found dynamic HAND2 expression in the decidua throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, gradually decreasing to a low at term. HAND2 regulates a distinct set of genes in endometrial stromal fibroblasts including IL15, a cytokine also exhibiting dynamic expression throughout the menstrual cycle and gestation, promoting migration of natural killer cells and extravillous cytotrophoblasts. We demonstrate that HAND2 promoter loops to an enhancer containing SNPs implicated in birth weight and gestation length regulation. Collectively, these data connect HAND2 expression at the maternal-fetal interface with evolution of implantation and gestational regulation, and preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Marinić
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Katelyn Mika
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | | | - Vincent J Lynch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, United States
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Diminished Ovarian Reserve Chemotherapy-Induced Mouse Model: A Tool for the Preclinical Assessment of New Therapies for Ovarian Damage. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:1609-1619. [PMID: 32430713 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00191-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) are primary factors leading to infertility. However, there is a lack of appropriate animal models of DOR usable for assessing new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether chemotherapy treatment in mice could reproduce features similar of that observed in women with DOR. Twenty-one Nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) female mice were allocated to 3 groups (n = 7/group): control, single dose of vehicle (Dimethyl Sulfoxide [DMSO]); DOR, single reduced chemotherapy dose; and POI, single standard chemotherapy dose. After 21 days, mice underwent ovarian hyperstimulation and mating. Part of the animals were harvested to analyze ovarian reserve, ovulation and fertilization rates, and morphology, apoptosis, and vascularization of the ovarian stroma. The remaining mice underwent multiple matings to assess pregnancy rates and litter sizes. The DOR and POI mice showed an impaired estrous cyclicity and a decrease in ovarian mass, number of follicles, Metaphase II (MII) oocytes, and embryos as well as in ovarian stroma vascularization. Mice in both models showed also an increase in the percentage of morphologically abnormal follicles, stromal degeneration, and apoptosis. Similar to that observed in DOR and POI patients, these impairments were less severe in DOR than in POI mice. None of the POI females were able to achieve a pregnancy. Meanwhile, DOR females achieved several consecutive pregnancies, although litter size was decreased when compared to controls. In conclusion, a mouse model which displayed most of the ovarian characteristics and fertility outcomes of women with DOR has been established using a single dose of chemotherapy.
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de Gannes M, Ko CI, Zhang X, Biesiada J, Niu L, Koch SE, Medvedovic M, Rubinstein J, Puga A. Dioxin Disrupts Dynamic DNA Methylation Patterns in Genes That Govern Cardiomyocyte Maturation. Toxicol Sci 2020; 178:325-337. [PMID: 33017471 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD), the leading birth defect worldwide, has a largely unknown etiology, likely to result from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors during heart development, at a time when the heart adapts to diverse physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Crucial among these is the regulation of cardiomyocyte development and postnatal maturation, governed by dynamic changes in DNA methylation. Previous work from our laboratory has shown that exposure to the environmental toxicant tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) disrupts several molecular networks responsible for heart development and function. To test the hypothesis that the disruption caused by TCDD in the heart results from changes in DNA methylation and gene expression patterns of cardiomyocytes, we established a stable mouse embryonic stem cell line expressing a puromycin resistance selectable marker under control of the cardiomyocyte-specific Nkx2-5 promoter. Differentiation of these cells in the presence of puromycin induces the expression of a large suite of cardiomyocyte-specific markers. To assess the consequences of TCDD treatment on gene expression and DNA methylation in these cardiomyocytes, we subjected them to transcriptome and methylome analyses in the presence of TCDD. Unlike control cardiomyocytes maintained in vehicle, the TCDD-treated cardiomyocytes showed extensive gene expression changes, with a significant correlation between differential RNA expression and DNA methylation in 111 genes, many of which are key elements of pathways that regulate cardiovascular development and function. Our findings provide an important clue toward the elucidation of the complex interactions between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms after developmental TCDD exposure that may contribute to CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew de Gannes
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Chia-I Ko
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Jacek Biesiada
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Liang Niu
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Sheryl E Koch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Jack Rubinstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
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Li Y, Zhou C, Lei W, Wang K, Zheng J. Roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in endothelial angiogenic responses†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:927-937. [PMID: 32716482 PMCID: PMC7731988 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor, which can be activated by a plethora of structure-diverse ligands. Historically, AhR is known for its involvements in regulation of metabolism of xenobiotics. However, normal physiological roles of AhR have been defined in other essential biological processes, including vascular growth and function, reproduction, and immunoresponses. In contrast, aberrant expression and activation of the AhR signaling pathway occur in a variety of human diseases, many of which (e.g., preeclampsia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension) could be associated with endothelial dysfunction. Indeed, emerging evidence has shown that either exogenous or endogenous AhR ligands can induce endothelial dysfunction in either an AhR-dependent or AhR-independent manner, possibly reliant on the blood vessel origin (artery and vein) of endothelial cells. Given that the AhR signaling pathway has broad impacts on endothelial and cardiovascular function, AhR ligands, AhR, and their downstream genes could be considered novel therapeutic targets for those endothelial-related diseases. This review will discuss the current knowledge of AhR's mediation on endothelial function and potential mechanisms underlying these actions with a focus on placental endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Chi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Wei Lei
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
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27
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Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) Ligands as Selective AHR Modulators (SAhRMs). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186654. [PMID: 32932962 PMCID: PMC7555580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was first identified as the intracellular protein that bound and mediated the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Subsequent studies show that the AhR plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology, and there is increasing evidence that the AhR is an important drug target. The AhR binds structurally diverse compounds, including pharmaceuticals, phytochemicals and endogenous biochemicals, some of which may serve as endogenous ligands. Classification of DLCs and non-DLCs based on their persistence (metabolism), toxicities, binding to wild-type/mutant AhR and structural similarities have been reported. This review provides data suggesting that ligands for the AhR are selective AhR modulators (SAhRMs) that exhibit tissue/cell-specific AhR agonist and antagonist activities, and that their functional diversity is similar to selective receptor modulators that target steroid hormone and other nuclear receptors.
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El-Dairi R, Huuskonen P, Pasanen M, Rysä J. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist β-naphthoflavone regulated gene networks in human primary trophoblasts. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:370-379. [PMID: 32858204 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is highly expressed in placenta. AhR belongs to a class of transcriptional regulators that control many developmental and physiological events (e.g. xenobiotic metabolism). Our study describes AhR regulated transcriptional responses in human primary trophoblast by using the AhR agonist, β-naphthoflavone (BNF). Human primary trophoblast cells were isolated from full term placenta after delivery. The trophoblasts were exposed to 25 μM of AhR agonist, BNF, for 72 hours. Gene expression profiling was conducted with Illumina HT-12 expression beadchips. Expression of selected genes was confirmed with RT-qPCR. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to predict functional pathways and upstream regulators of differentially expressed genes in order to identify regulatory networks associated with AhR. In response to BNF exposure, 64 genes were upregulated, and 257 genes were downregulated compared to control trophoblasts (±1.5-fold, p < 0.05). BNF regulated genes included placental hormones and genes implicated in immune- and inflammatory responses in addition to their well-known effects on xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense. In conclusion, these results show that BNF has wide-ranging effects on placental gene expression beyond xenobiotic metabolism e.g. disruption of inflammatory processes and hormones in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami El-Dairi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Pasi Huuskonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Markku Pasanen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Jaana Rysä
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
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Avilla MN, Malecki KMC, Hahn ME, Wilson RH, Bradfield CA. The Ah Receptor: Adaptive Metabolism, Ligand Diversity, and the Xenokine Model. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:860-879. [PMID: 32259433 PMCID: PMC7175458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Ah receptor (AHR) has been studied for almost five decades. Yet, we still have many important questions about its role in normal physiology and development. Moreover, we still do not fully understand how this protein mediates the adverse effects of a variety of environmental pollutants, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins ("dioxins"), and many polyhalogenated biphenyls. To provide a platform for future research, we provide the historical underpinnings of our current state of knowledge about AHR signal transduction, identify a few areas of needed research, and then develop concepts such as adaptive metabolism, ligand structural diversity, and the importance of proligands in receptor activation. We finish with a discussion of the cognate physiological role of the AHR, our perspective on why this receptor is so highly conserved, and how we might think about its cognate ligands in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mele N. Avilla
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
| | - Kristen M. C. Malecki
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology
Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543-1050, United States
| | - Rachel H. Wilson
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
| | - Christopher A. Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
Center, Department of Population Health
Sciences, University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2379, United States
- McArdle
Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-227, United States
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Dou H, Duan Y, Zhang X, Yu Q, Di Q, Song Y, Li P, Gong Y. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) regulates adipocyte differentiation by assembling CRL4B ubiquitin ligase to target PPARγ for proteasomal degradation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18504-18515. [PMID: 31653699 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is the central regulator of adipogenesis, and its dysregulation is linked to obesity and metabolic diseases. Identification of the factors that regulate PPARγ expression and activity is therefore crucial for combating obesity. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with a known role in xenobiotic detoxification. Recent studies have suggested that AhR also plays essential roles in energy metabolism. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. We previously reported that experiments with adipocyte-specific Cullin 4b (Cul4b)-knockout mice showed that CUL4B suppresses adipogenesis by targeting PPARγ. Here, using immunoprecipitation, ubiquitination, real-time PCR, and GST-pulldown assays, we report that AhR functions as the substrate receptor in CUL4B-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL4B) complex and is required for recruiting PPARγ. AhR overexpression reduced PPARγ stability and suppressed adipocyte differentiation, and AhR knockdown stimulated adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, we found that two lysine sites on residues 268 and 293 in PPARγ are targeted for CRL4B-mediated ubiquitination, indicating cross-talk between acetylation and ubiquitination. Our findings establish a critical role of AhR in regulating PPARγ stability and suggest that the AhR-PPARγ interaction may represent a potential therapeutic target for managing metabolic diseases arising from PPARγ dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Dou
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yuyao Duan
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Qian Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Qian Di
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yu Song
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Peishan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yaoqin Gong
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
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Matvere A, Teino I, Varik I, Kuuse S, Tiido T, Kristjuhan A, Maimets T. FSH/LH-Dependent Upregulation of Ahr in Murine Granulosa Cells Is Controlled by PKA Signaling and Involves Epigenetic Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20123068. [PMID: 31234584 PMCID: PMC6627912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20123068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a ligand-activated transcription factor primarily known for its toxicological functions. Recent studies have established its importance in many physiological processes including female reproduction, although there is limited data about the precise mechanisms how Ahr itself is regulated during ovarian follicle maturation. This study describes the expression of Ahr in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) of immature mice in a gonadotropin-dependent manner. We show that Ahr upregulation in vivo requires both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) activities. FSH alone increased Ahr mRNA, but had no effect on Ahr protein level, implicating a possible LH-dependent post-transcriptional regulation. Also, the increase in Ahr protein is specific to large antral follicles in induced follicle maturation. We show that Ahr expression in GCs of mid-phase follicular maturation is downregulated by protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and activation of Ahr promoter is regulated by chromatin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Matvere
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Indrek Teino
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Inge Varik
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Sulev Kuuse
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Tarmo Tiido
- Clinical Research Centre, National Centre of Translational and Clinical Research, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Arnold Kristjuhan
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Toivo Maimets
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.
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32
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Mohammadi-Bardbori A, Omidi M, Arabnezhad MR. Impact of CH223191-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction on Its Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonistic and Antagonistic Activities. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:691-697. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Mohammadi-Bardbori
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Omidi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Arabnezhad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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33
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Buigues A, Marchante M, Herraiz S, Pellicer A. Diminished Ovarian Reserve Chemotherapy-Induced Mouse Model: A Tool for the Preclinical Assessment of New Therapies for Ovarian Damage. Reprod Sci 2019:1933719119831784. [PMID: 30791852 DOI: 10.1177/1933719119831784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) are primary factors leading to infertility. However, there is a lack of appropriate animal models of DOR usable for assessing new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether chemotherapy treatment in mice could reproduce features similar of that observed in women with DOR. Twenty-one Nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) female mice were allocated to 3 groups (n = 7/group): control, single dose of vehicle (Dimethyl Sulfoxide [DMSO]); DOR, single reduced chemotherapy dose; and POI, single standard chemotherapy dose. After 21 days, mice underwent ovarian hyperstimulation and mating. Part of the animals were harvested to analyze ovarian reserve, ovulation and fertilization rates, and morphology, apoptosis, and vascularization of the ovarian stroma. The remaining mice underwent multiple matings to assess pregnancy rates and litter sizes. The DOR and POI mice showed an impaired estrous cyclicity and a decrease in ovarian mass, number of follicles, Metaphase II (MII) oocytes, and embryos as well as in ovarian stroma vascularization. Mice in both models showed also an increase in the percentage of morphologically abnormal follicles, stromal degeneration, and apoptosis. Similar to that observed in DOR and POI patients, these impairments were less severe in DOR than in POI mice. None of the POI females were able to achieve a pregnancy. Meanwhile, DOR females achieved several consecutive pregnancies, although litter size was decreased when compared to controls. In conclusion, a mouse model which displayed most of the ovarian characteristics and fertility outcomes of women with DOR has been established using a single dose of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Buigues
- 1 IVI Foundation, Valencia Spain
- 2 Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria Marchante
- 1 IVI Foundation, Valencia Spain
- 2 Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sonia Herraiz
- 1 IVI Foundation, Valencia Spain
- 3 Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IIS La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- 4 IVI-RMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- 1 IVI Foundation, Valencia Spain
- 3 Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IIS La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- 5 IVI-RMA Rome, Rome, Italy
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Expression, Localization, and Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Human Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123762. [PMID: 30486367 PMCID: PMC6321474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is an organ between the blood of the mother and the fetus, which is essential for fetal development. It also plays a role as a selective barrier against environmental pollutants that may bypass epithelial barriers and reach the placenta, with implications for the outcome of pregnancy. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is one of the most important environmental-sensor transcription factors and mediates the metabolism of a wide variety of xenobiotics. Nevertheless, the identification of dietary and endogenous ligands of AhR suggest that it may also fulfil physiological functions with which pollutants may interfere. Placental AhR expression and activity is largely unknown. We established the cartography of AhR expression at transcript and protein levels, its cellular distribution, and its transcriptional activity toward the expression of its main target genes. We studied the profile of AhR expression and activity during different pregnancy periods, during trophoblasts differentiation in vitro, and in a trophoblast cell line. Using diverse methods, such as cell fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy, we found a constitutive nuclear localization of AhR in every placental model, in the absence of any voluntarily-added exogenous activator. Our data suggest an intrinsic activation of AhR due to the presence of endogenous placental ligands.
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Safe S, Han H, Goldsby J, Mohankumar K, Chapkin RS. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Ligands as Selective AhR Modulators: Genomic Studies. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2018; 11-12:10-20. [PMID: 31453421 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binds structurally diverse ligands that vary from the environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-B-dioxin (TCDD) to AhR- active pharmaceuticals and health-promoting phytochemicals. There are remarkable differences in the toxicity of TCDD and related halogenated aromatics (HAs) vs. health promoting AhR ligands, and genomic analysis shows that even among the toxic HAs, there are differences in their regulation of genes and pathways. Thus, like ligands for other receptors, AhR ligands are selective AhR modulators (SAhRMs) which exhibit variable tissue-, organ- and species-specific genomic and functional activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology
| | - Huajun Han
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Department of Nutrition & Food Science
- Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer Goldsby
- Department of Nutrition & Food Science
- Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Robert S Chapkin
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Department of Nutrition & Food Science
- Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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36
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Nakajima R, Miyagaki T, Morimura S, Fukasawa T, Oka T, Yoshizaki A, Sugaya M, Sato S. Exacerbated Immune Complex-Mediated Vascular Injury in Mice with Heterozygous Deficiency of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor through Upregulation of Fcγ Receptor III Expression on Macrophages. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:2195-2204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.03.1520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Rannug A, Rannug U. The tryptophan derivative 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, FICZ, a dynamic mediator of endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, balances cell growth and differentiation. Crit Rev Toxicol 2018; 48:555-574. [PMID: 30226107 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2018.1493086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is not essential to survival, but does act as a key regulator of many normal physiological events. The role of this receptor in toxicological processes has been studied extensively, primarily employing the high-affinity ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). However, regulation of physiological responses by endogenous AHR ligands remains to be elucidated. Here, we review developments in this field, with a focus on 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), the endogenous ligand with the highest affinity to the receptor reported to date. The binding of FICZ to different isoforms of the AHR seems to be evolutionarily well conserved and there is a feedback loop that controls AHR activity through metabolic degradation of FICZ via the highly inducible cytochrome P450 1A1. Several investigations provide strong evidence that FICZ plays a critical role in normal physiological processes and can ameliorate immune diseases with remarkable efficiency. Low levels of FICZ are pro-inflammatory, providing resistance to pathogenic bacteria, stimulating the anti-tumor functions, and promoting the differentiation of cancer cells by repressing genes in cancer stem cells. In contrast, at high concentrations FICZ behaves in a manner similar to TCDD, exhibiting toxicity toward fish and bird embryos, immune suppression, and activation of cancer progression. The findings are indicative of a dual role for endogenously activated AHR in barrier tissues, aiding clearance of infections and suppressing immunity to terminate a vicious cycle that might otherwise lead to disease. There is not much support for the AHR ligand-specific immune responses proposed, the differences between FICZ and TCDD in this context appear to be explained by the rapid metabolism of FICZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Rannug
- a Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Ulf Rannug
- b Department of Molecular Biosciences , The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University , Stockholm , Sweden
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Larigot L, Juricek L, Dairou J, Coumoul X. AhR signaling pathways and regulatory functions. BIOCHIMIE OPEN 2018; 7:1-9. [PMID: 30003042 PMCID: PMC6039966 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopen.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Animals and humans are exposed each day to a multitude of chemicals in the air, water and food. They have developed a battery of enzymes and transporters that facilitate the biotransformation and elimination of these compounds. Moreover, a majority of these enzymes and transporters are inducible due to the activation of xenobiotic receptors which act as transcription factors for the regulation of their target genes (such as xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, see below §4 for the AhR). These receptors include several members of the nuclear/steroid receptor family (CAR for Constitutive Androstane Receptor, PXR for Pregnane X Receptor) but also the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor or AhR, a member of the bHLH-PAS family (basic Helix-Loop-Helix - Period/ARNT/Single minded). In addition to the regulation of xenobiotic metabolism, numerous alternative functions have been characterized for the AhR since its discovery. These alternative functions will be described in this review along with its endogenous functions as revealed by experiments performed on knock-out animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Larigot
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Ludmila Juricek
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Julien Dairou
- CNRS 8601, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France
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Ding T, Lambert LA, Aronoff DM, Osteen KG, Bruner-Tran KL. Sex-Dependent Influence of Developmental Toxicant Exposure on Group B Streptococcus-Mediated Preterm Birth in a Murine Model. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:662-673. [PMID: 29153057 DOI: 10.1177/1933719117741378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Infectious agents are a significant risk factor for preterm birth (PTB); however, the simple presence of bacteria is not sufficient to induce PTB in most women. Human and animal data suggest that environmental toxicant exposures may act in concert with other risk factors to promote PTB. Supporting this "second hit" hypothesis, we previously demonstrated exposure of fetal mice (F1 animals) to the environmental endocrine disruptor 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) leads to an increased risk of spontaneous and infection-mediated PTB in adult animals. Surprisingly, adult F1males also confer an enhanced risk of PTB to their control partners. Herein, we used a recently established model of ascending group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection to explore the impact of a maternal versus paternal developmental TCDD exposure on infection-mediated PTB in adulthood. Group B Streptococcus is an important contributor to PTB in women and can have serious adverse effects on their infants. Our studies revealed that although gestation length was reduced in control mating pairs exposed to low-dose GBS, dams were able to clear the infection and bacterial transmission to pups was minimal. In contrast, exposure of pregnant F1females to the same GBS inoculum resulted in 100% maternal and fetal mortality. Maternal health and gestation length were not impacted in control females mated to F1males and exposed to GBS; however, neonatal survival was reduced compared to controls. Our data revealed a sex-dependent impact of parental TCDD exposure on placental expression of Toll-like receptor 2 and glycogen production, which may be responsible for the differential impact on fetal and maternal outcomes in response to GBS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbing Ding
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lauren A Lambert
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David M Aronoff
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kevin G Osteen
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,3 Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,4 VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kaylon L Bruner-Tran
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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40
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Rico-Leo EM, Moreno-Marín N, González-Rico FJ, Barrasa E, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Martín-Muñoz P, Sánchez-Guardado LO, Llano E, Alvarez-Barrientos A, Infante-Campos A, Catalina-Fernández I, Hidalgo-Sánchez M, de Rooij DG, Pendás AM, Peña FJ, Merino JM, Fernández-Salguero PM. piRNA-associated proteins and retrotransposons are differentially expressed in murine testis and ovary of aryl hydrocarbon receptor deficient mice. Open Biol 2017; 6:rsob.160186. [PMID: 28003471 PMCID: PMC5204120 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) contributes to mice reproduction and fertility. However, the mechanisms involved remain mostly unknown. Retrotransposon silencing by Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) is essential for germ cell maturation and, remarkably, AhR has been identified as a regulator of murine B1-SINE retrotransposons. Here, using littermate AhR+/+ and AhR−/− mice, we report that AhR regulates the general course of spermatogenesis and oogenesis by a mechanism likely to be associated with piRNA-associated proteins, piRNAs and retrotransposons. piRNA-associated proteins MVH and Miwi are upregulated in leptotene to pachytene spermatocytes with a more precocious timing in AhR−/− than in AhR+/+ testes. piRNAs and transcripts from B1-SINE, LINE-1 and IAP retrotransposons increased at these meiotic stages in AhR-null testes. Moreover, B1-SINE transcripts colocalize with MVH and Miwi in leptonema and pachynema spermatocytes. Unexpectedly, AhR−/− males have increased sperm counts, higher sperm functionality and enhanced fertility than AhR+/+ mice. In contrast, piRNA-associated proteins and B1-SINE and IAP-derived transcripts are reduced in adult AhR−/− ovaries. Accordingly, AhR-null female mice have lower numbers of follicles when compared with AhR+/+ mice. Thus, AhR deficiency differentially affects testis and ovary development possibly by a process involving piRNA-associated proteins, piRNAs and transposable elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Rico-Leo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Nuria Moreno-Marín
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Francisco J González-Rico
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Eva Barrasa
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratorio de Reproducción y Espermatología Equina, Hospital Veterinario, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Patricia Martín-Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Reproducción y Espermatología Equina, Hospital Veterinario, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Luis O Sánchez-Guardado
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Elena Llano
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Matías Hidalgo-Sánchez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Dirk G de Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pendás
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Fernando J Peña
- Laboratorio de Reproducción y Espermatología Equina, Hospital Veterinario, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Jaime M Merino
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Pedro M Fernández-Salguero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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Li Y, Wang K, Zou QY, Jiang YZ, Zhou C, Zheng J. ITE Suppresses Angiogenic Responses in Human Artery and Vein Endothelial Cells: Differential Roles of AhR. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 74:181-188. [PMID: 28986273 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor is involved in regulation of many essential biological processes including vascular development and angiogenesis. 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE) is an AhR ligand, which regulates immune responses and cancer cell growth. However, the roles of the ITE/AhR pathway in mediating placental angiogenesis remains elusive. Here, we determined if ITE affected placental angiogenic responses via AhR in human umbilical vein (HUVECs) and artery endothelial (HUAECs) cells in vitro. We observed that ITE dose- and time-dependently inhibited proliferation and viability of HUAECs and HUVECs, whereas it inhibited migration of HUAECs, but not HUVECs. While AhR siRNA significantly suppressed AhR protein expression in HUVECs and HUAECs, it attenuated the ITE-inhibited angiogenic responses of HUAECs, but not HUVECs. Collectively, ITE suppressed angiogenic responses of HUAECs and HUVECs, dependent and independent of AhR, respectively. These data suggest that ITE may regulate placental angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, United States
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, United States
| | - Qing-Yun Zou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, United States
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, United States
| | - Chi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, United States
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, United States; Cardiovascular Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, Guangdong, China.
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42
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Fan H, Su X, Yang B, Zhao A. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and unexplained miscarriage. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2017; 43:1029-1036. [PMID: 28503784 DOI: 10.1111/jog.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to carry out a preliminary investigation of the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in decidua and villus and the relationship between AhR and unexplained miscarriage. METHODS The expression of AhR mRNA and protein from decidua and villus were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry in 34 patients with unexplained miscarriage (miscarriage group) and 38 women with normal early pregnancy (control group). RESULTS The AhR mRNA and protein expression was increased significantly in the villus in both groups compared with decidua (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). In decidua, AhR mRNA and protein expression in the miscarriage group was increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). In villus, AhR mRNA and protein expression in the miscarriage group was increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). AhR is expressed mostly in the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblasts in villus, and also in the cytoplasm of decidual cells. CONCLUSIONS AhR was expressed more in the villus than in the decidua, and the upregulation of AhR mRNA and protein expression is associated with the pathogenesis of unexplained miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binlie Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Aimin Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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43
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Abstract
Recent evidence from embryonic stem cells suggests that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a central role in the regulation of pluripotency, a short-lived property of cells in the early blastula inner cell mass (ICM). Four key observations support this conclusion. The first is the temporal association between upregulation of AHR expression and the onset of cell differentiation, which argues for the AHR as a determinant of cell fate decisions. The second is the repression of the pluripotency factors OCT4 and NANOG by the AHR, which depresses their function and contributes to the cell's exit from pluripotency. The third is the temporal association between changes in global DNA methylation and stage-dependent AHR expression, which parallel each other during embryonic development, suggesting that AHR helps configure a repressive chromatin structure that controls differentiation. The fourth is the incidence of early developmental aberrations that take place in Ahr-null mice and cause the disruption of their embryonic program, which is likely to be a consequence of the loss of pluripotency of the Ahr-/- ICM cells. In this short review, we will focus on the modulation of pluripotency as a novel function of the AHR, and on the potentially detrimental developmental outcomes that may result from exposure to environmental toxicants. This line of enquiry brings us to the tantalizing conclusion that by activating mechanisms that modulate pluripotency, AHR regulates embryonic development. The likelihood that exposure to environmental AHR ligands might disrupt developmental processes is a reasonable corollary to this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-I Ko
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics University of Cincinnati College of Medicine 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, USA
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics University of Cincinnati College of Medicine 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, USA
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Angeles-Floriano T, Roa-Espitia AL, Baltiérrez-Hoyos R, Cordero-Martínez J, Elizondo G, Hernández-González EO. Absence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor alters CDC42 expression and prevents actin polymerization during capacitation. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 83:1015-1026. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Angeles-Floriano
- Departamento de Biología Celular; CINVESTAV-IPN; Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508; CP 07360; México DF México
| | - Ana L. Roa-Espitia
- Departamento de Biología Celular; CINVESTAV-IPN; Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508; CP 07360; México DF México
| | - Rafael Baltiérrez-Hoyos
- Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía; Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca; Oaxaca; Cátedras CONACYT
| | - Joaquin Cordero-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Celular; CINVESTAV-IPN; Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508; CP 07360; México DF México
| | - Guillermo Elizondo
- Departamento de Biología Celular; CINVESTAV-IPN; Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508; CP 07360; México DF México
| | - Enrique O. Hernández-González
- Departamento de Biología Celular; CINVESTAV-IPN; Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508; CP 07360; México DF México
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45
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Novikov O, Wang Z, Stanford EA, Parks AJ, Ramirez-Cardenas A, Landesman E, Laklouk I, Sarita-Reyes C, Gusenleitner D, Li A, Monti S, Manteiga S, Lee K, Sherr DH. An Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Amplification Loop That Enforces Cell Migration in ER-/PR-/Her2- Human Breast Cancer Cells. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 90:674-688. [PMID: 27573671 PMCID: PMC5074452 DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.105361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endogenous ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays an important role in numerous biologic processes. As the known number of AHR-mediated processes grows, so too does the importance of determining what endogenous AHR ligands are produced, how their production is regulated, and what biologic consequences ensue. Consequently, our studies were designed primarily to determine whether ER−/PR−/Her2− breast cancer cells have the potential to produce endogenous AHR ligands and, if so, how production of these ligands is controlled. We postulated that: 1) malignant cells produce tryptophan-derived AHR ligand(s) through the kynurenine pathway; 2) these metabolites have the potential to drive AHR-dependent breast cancer migration; 3) the AHR controls expression of a rate-limiting kynurenine pathway enzyme(s) in a closed amplification loop; and 4) environmental AHR ligands mimic the effects of endogenous ligands. Data presented in this work indicate that primary human breast cancers, and their metastases, express high levels of AHR and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO); representative ER−/PR−/Her2− cell lines express TDO and produce sufficient intracellular kynurenine and xanthurenic acid concentrations to chronically activate the AHR. TDO overexpression, or excess kynurenine or xanthurenic acid, accelerates migration in an AHR-dependent fashion. Environmental AHR ligands 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo[p]dioxin and benzo[a]pyrene mimic this effect. AHR knockdown or inhibition significantly reduces TDO2 expression. These studies identify, for the first time, a positive amplification loop in which AHR-dependent TDO2 expression contributes to endogenous AHR ligand production. The net biologic effect of AHR activation by endogenous ligands, which can be mimicked by environmental ligands, is an increase in tumor cell migration, a measure of tumor aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Novikov
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Zhongyan Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Elizabeth A Stanford
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Ashley J Parks
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Alejandra Ramirez-Cardenas
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Esther Landesman
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Israa Laklouk
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Carmen Sarita-Reyes
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Daniel Gusenleitner
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Amy Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Stefano Monti
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Sara Manteiga
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - Kyongbum Lee
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
| | - David H Sherr
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., Z.W., E.A.S., A.J.P., A.R.-C., D.H.S.); Boston University Molecular and Translational Medicine Program, Boston, Massachusetts (O.N., E.A.S.); Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (D.G., A.L., S.Mo.); Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (E.L., I.L., C.S.-R.); and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (S.Ma., K.L.)
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Ko CI, Fan Y, de Gannes M, Wang Q, Xia Y, Puga A. Repression of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Is Required to Maintain Mitotic Progression and Prevent Loss of Pluripotency of Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2016; 34:2825-2839. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.2456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-I Ko
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio USA
| | - Yunxia Fan
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio USA
| | - Matthew de Gannes
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio USA
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio USA
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio USA
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio USA
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Genome Editing of the CYP1A1 Locus in iPSCs as a Platform to Map AHR Expression throughout Human Development. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:2574152. [PMID: 27148368 PMCID: PMC4842384 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2574152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that increases the expression of detoxifying enzymes upon ligand stimulation. Recent studies now suggest that novel endogenous roles of the AHR exist throughout development. In an effort to create an optimized model system for the study of AHR signaling in several cellular lineages, we have employed a CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing strategy in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to incorporate a reporter cassette at the transcription start site of one of its canonical targets, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1). This cell line faithfully reports on CYP1A1 expression, with luciferase levels as its functional readout, when treated with an endogenous AHR ligand (FICZ) at escalating doses. iPSC-derived fibroblast-like cells respond to acute exposure to environmental and endogenous AHR ligands, and iPSC-derived hepatocytes increase CYP1A1 in a similar manner to primary hepatocytes. This cell line is an important innovation that can be used to map AHR activity in discrete cellular subsets throughout developmental ontogeny. As further endogenous ligands are proposed, this line can be used to screen for safety and efficacy and can report on the ability of small molecules to regulate critical cellular processes by modulating the activity of the AHR.
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Wada T, Sunaga H, Miyata K, Shirasaki H, Uchiyama Y, Shimba S. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Plays Protective Roles against High Fat Diet (HFD)-induced Hepatic Steatosis and the Subsequent Lipotoxicity via Direct Transcriptional Regulation of Socs3 Gene Expression. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:7004-16. [PMID: 26865635 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.693655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor regulating the expression of genes involved in xenobiotic response. Recent studies have suggested that AhR plays essential roles not only in xenobiotic detoxification but also energy metabolism. Thus, in this study, we studied the roles of AhR in lipid metabolism. Under high fat diet (HFD) challenge, liver-specific AhR knock-out (AhR LKO) mice exhibited severe steatosis, inflammation, and injury in the liver. Gene expression analysis and biochemical study revealed thatde novolipogenesis activity was significantly increased in AhR LKO mice. In contrast, induction of suppressor of cytokine signal 3 (Socs3) expression by HFD was attenuated in the livers of AhR LKO mice. Rescue of theSocs3gene in the liver of AhR LKO mice cancelled the HFD-induced hepatic lipotoxicities. Promoter analysis established Socs3 as novel transcriptional target of AhR. These results indicated that AhR plays a protective role against HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and the subsequent lipotoxicity effects, such as inflammation, and that the mechanism of protection involves the direct transcriptional regulation ofSocs3expression by AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taira Wada
- From the Department of Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sunaga
- From the Department of Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555, Japan
| | - Kazuki Miyata
- From the Department of Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555, Japan
| | - Haruno Shirasaki
- From the Department of Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555, Japan
| | - Yuki Uchiyama
- From the Department of Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeki Shimba
- From the Department of Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555, Japan
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49
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Barć J, Gregoraszczuk EL. Halowax 1051 affects steroidogenesis by down-regulation of aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors and up-regulation of androgen receptor in porcine ovarian follicles. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 144:467-474. [PMID: 26386772 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are thought to interact with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and to have enzyme-inducing properties comparable to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, therefore activation of steroid hormone receptors in endocrine tissues is also possible. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of PCNs mixture, Halowax 1051 on gene and protein expression of receptors: estradiol (ERα/β), androgen (AR) and AHRGene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR after 6 h of exposition and protein expression by Western blot after 24 h. Levels of sex steroids: androstenedione (A4), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) were measured by enzyme immunoassays. Results of the data show down-regulation of AHR gene expression after 6 h in parallel with an inhibition in AHR protein expression at doses 10 pg-10 ng/mL, down-regulation of ER at all doses used, and up-regulation of AR gene expression at doses 1 and 10 ng/mL without affecting their protein expression. To indicate the involvement of AHR, ERs and AR in the impact of PCNs on steroidogenesis, we used their specific blockers. Blocker of AHR reversed the inhibitory effect of Halowax 1051 on A4 secretion, and strengthened its effect on T secretion. Blockers of both ER and AR had no effect on Halowax 1051 action on steroids secretion. The results of this study suggest that AHR is involved in the effect of PCNs on steroidogenesis in the ovary. Additionally, we propose that cross-talk between AHR-ER and AHR-AR receptors mediates the effects of Halowax 1051 on ovarian follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Barć
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Ewa Lucja Gregoraszczuk
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
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Keratinocyte Growth Factor Regulation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Dig Dis Sci 2016; 61:444-52. [PMID: 26514676 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) stimulates normal growth, development and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. Cyclin D1 promotes the cell cycle by inhibiting retinoblastoma protein (RB1). The activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has an important influence on the development of tumors through its interactions with the cell cycle. AIM The aim of the present study was to explore a new role for AhR in KGF-induced colon cancer cell growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS Real-time PCR, western blot or immunofluorescence analysis were used to detect the expression of KGF, AhR, cyclin D1 and CYP1A1. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the localization of AhR. MTT assay and flow cytometric analyses were performed to measure cell viability and the cell cycle. RESULTS Real-time PCR analysis revealed that KGF, AhR, and CYP1A1 mRNAs were overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissues. Meanwhile, overexpression of AhR was primarily observed in epithelial cells. In in vitro assay, KGF promoted colon cancer cell growth, as well as up-regulated and activated AhR. At the same time, AhR-knockdown colon cancer cells were less responsive to KGF. Western blot analysis, real-time PCR, or immunofluorescence data indicated that cyclin D1 expression was up-regulated by KGF but this up-regulation was compromised when AhR was silenced, and the cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 stage in these cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that KGF, AhR, and CYP1A1 are overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissues. Moreover, we reveal a new mechanism by which KGF promotes cell proliferation through the AhR-cyclin D1 pathway in colon cancer cells.
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