Trace metal uptake in liver cells. 1. Influence of albumin in the medium on the uptake of copper by hepatoma cells

Serum-free culture of rat keratinocytes

Procedures for the serum-free culture of rat keratinocytes have been established. Basal cells prepared from epidermis of newborn rat were stored in liquid nitrogen and used for primary culture. Among the available media, MCDB 153, developed originally for human keratinocyte (HK) culture, was the best for the development of serum-free formulation. To grow rat keratinocytes, bovine serum albumin was arbitrarily substituted for the macromolecule supplements needed for HK culture, i.e. fetal bovine serum protein or bovine pituitary extract. Qualitative and quantitative adjustment of supplements was thereafter made to support rapid cell growth. Satisfactory cell growth was achieved in the optimized medium of MCDB 153 supplemented with growth factors and amino acids: insulin (10 µg/ml), hydrocortisone (0.1 µg/ml), epidermal growth factor (25 ng/ml), calcium chloride (0.2 mM), histidine (0.23 mM), isoleucine (0.05 mM), tryptophane (0.015 mM), threonine (1.25 mM), tyrosine (0.031 mM), alanine (4.08 mM), and albumin (2 mg/ml). This optimized culture system was superior to the original HK culture condition for rapid growth of rat keratinocytes. Under our condition, cells grew as a monolayer, becoming confluent, but without stratification, and were passaged 2 to 3 times without any changes in morphology. The serum-free formulation allows us to control more accurately the concentrations of biomolecules in the medium including lipids and hormones, and therefore will be suitable for the study focusing on lipid metabolism or hormonal regulation of rat keratinocytes.

Comparative effects of essential and nonessential metals on preimplantation mouse embryo development in vitro

It is well recognized that deficiencies of essential trace elements during early development can result in structural abnormalities and/or embryonic death. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the concept that small excesses of essential metals can also have negative effects on the developing embryo. We hypothesized that, with respect to toxicity, metals with similar physico-chemical properties would act by similar mechanisms to influence the preimplantation embryo. In the current study we investigated the influence of four essential (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn), and eight nonessential (Cr, Hg, Pb, V, Al, Ag, Cd, As) metals on mouse preimplantation embryonic development. Two cell stage mouse embryos were cultured for 72 h in media containing varying metal concentrations (0.05 - 200 microM). Embryo cell differentiation and proliferation were respectively assessed by scoring for blastocyst formation and final embryo cell number. Both nonessential and essential metals were embryotoxic at relatively low concentrations. However, in contrast to our expectations, at similar molar concentrations, redox active essential metals were less toxic than non-redox active nonessential metals. These data suggest that direct metal binding to critical membrane sites and/or intracellular ligands, including protein and nucleic acids, may trigger abnormal development and death prior to metal-associated oxidative damage.

Effects of copper on rat hepatoma HTC cells and primary cultured rat hepatocytes

Cellular responses to copper, applied in concentrations varying from 0.5 to 200 microM Cu2+, were investigated in two different cell types: rat hepatoma cells (HTC) and primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Accumulation of 64Cu, copper (AAS) levels, cellular viability parameters (cell growth and proliferation, LDH leakage, total cell protein, K+ uptake, and ATP levels), and cell toxicity parameters (metallothionein (MT), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were examined over 24 hr incubation periods. Accumulation of radiolabeled copper (applied copper concentrations: 15-200 microM Cu2+) showed a four-fold increase in HTC cells (0.88-3.45 nmol Cu/mg cell protein) and a three-fold increase in hepatocytes (4.94-14.66 nmol Cu/mg cell protein), although quantitative uptake in HTC cells was five times lower. Most of the copper accumulated in the hepatoma cells and hepatocytes was found predominantly in the particulate fraction (i.e., cell membranes and organelles), while only a small quantity was present in the soluble fraction (cell cytosol). Metallothionein concentrations in HTC cells were increased from 43 pmol/mg cell protein (0.5 microM Cu2+ application) up to 223 pmol/mg cell protein (200 microM Cu2+ application), whereas MT in rat hepatocytes were elevated from 139 pmol/mg cell protein to 546 pmol/mg cell protein over the same range of administered Cu2+. Metallothionein synthesis rendered both cell types well equipped to deal with increasing intracellular copper levels. In hepatocytes however, MT synthesis resulted in decreasing non-MT-associated copper levels in the cytosol for Cu administrations up to 100 microM. Above that point however, MT failed to stay in line with increasing cytosolic Cu levels, resulting in cytotoxic effects shown by changes in cell viability and GSH/SOD levels. In HTC cells MT synthesis suppressed the free Cu levels in the cytosol to below 0.1 nmol Cu/mg cell protein over the total range of copper concentrations applied. The results presented indicate that hepatoma HTC cells are more capable of dealing with high accumulated Cu levels than the better established rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, it is clear that comparison of these two cell types regarding their ability to respond on (sub)toxic Cu should be discussed with full consideration for the copper applications involved.

Copper and zinc toxicity in two rat hepatoma cell lines varying in differentiation

1. The differentiation status of cells is considered to represent an important factor in determining the effects of toxic components. 2. Two rat hepatoma cell lines, MH1C1 and HTC, were used to study differences in the sensitivity to two toxic metals: copper and zinc. 3. The differentiation of the cell lines was characterized using light microscopy, growth pattern, gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity and albumin production as parameters. 4. The MH1C1 cell line was described to be more differentiated. 5. Albumin production in the MH1C1 cells was significantly higher than in the HTC cells whereas the GGT activity was only slightly different. 6. Toxicity of Cu and Zn was compared. Zn appeared to be more toxic to the cells than Cu, when leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and potassium were measured, whereas both metals were equally toxic when expressed as DNA remaining after 24 hr. 7. The MH1C1 cell line appeared to be more sensitive to Cu and Zn than the HTC. 8. The two metals appeared to have different targets in the cell; Cu may affect the nucleus and Zn the cell membrane.

Influence of ascorbic acid supplementation on copper metabolism in rats

An attempt was made to unravel further the mechanism by which high dietary concentrations of ascorbic acid influence copper metabolism. The addition of ascorbic acid to the diet of rats caused about a twofold increase in plasma ascorbate concentrations and reduced group mean plasma and tissue concentrations of Cu. The effect of 10 g ascorbic acid/kg diet was greater than that of 1 g/kg. Ascorbic acid feeding reduced blood haemoglobin concentrations and packed cell volume values. Dietary ascorbic acid caused a significant decrease in apparent Cu absorption from the intestine. Ascorbate, intravenously administered together with 64Cu, caused an increase in 64Cu in the liver. Ascorbate, at concentrations occurring in plasma after ascorbic acid feeding, promoted the uptake of 64Cu by isolated hepatocytes. Thus, ascorbate stimulated the efficiency of hepatic uptake of Cu. Ascorbate, intravenously administered together with 64Cu, stimulated accumulation of 64Cu in bile of rats with a bile duct cannula. In rats fed on ascorbic acid, intravenously administered 64Cu was recovered in bile at increased rates. Dietary ascorbic acid enhanced the recovery of intraperitoneally administered 64Cu in faeces. The ascorbate-induced stimulation of biliary 64Cu excretion may reflect an increased hepatic uptake of 64Cu and be caused by an increased specific activity of Cu in liver pools. It is suggested that dietary ascorbic acid reduces tissue Cu concentrations primarily by interfering with intestinal Cu absorption. Ascorbate increases the efficiency of hepatic uptake of Cu, but this effect may not be causatively related with the reduced tissue Cu concentrations after ascorbic acid feeding.

Stable superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic ternary human serum albumin-Cu(II)(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)2/Cu(II)2(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)4 complexes in tissue distribution of the binary complex

Copper(II)2(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)4 [Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4] has been found to have antiinflammatory, antiulcer, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, analgesic, and radiation protection and recovery activities. It has also been found to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. Because of these activities it was of interest to understand how this compound is transported in the body to affected tissues. Evidence supporting the suggested formation of ternary human serum albumin (HSA)-Cu(II)(3,5-DIPS)2 or Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 complexes was obtained using ultraviolet spectrophotometry, dialysis, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry or atomic emission spectroscopy. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic activity was also determined using the xanthine/xanthine oxidase/cytochrome c system. Ultraviolet spectra of aqueous solution mixtures of Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 in equilibrium with 2Cu(II)(3,5-DIPS)2 and HSA as well as aqueous solutions of solid Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 obtained by stirring the solid with an aqueous solution of HSA showed no obvious change in absorbance to indicate ternary complex formation. However, comparison of ultraviolet spectra taken before and after dialysis supports the suggested bonding of Cu(II)(3,5-DIPS)2 or Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 to HSA. Comparison of copper concentrations before and after dialysis also supports the suggested bonding of Cu(II)(3,5-DIPS)2 or Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 to HSA. Based upon these data it is plausible that Cu(II)(3,5-DIPS)2 or Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 form stable ternary complexes with HSA. These stable ternary complexes were also found to have SOD-mimetic activity.

Further characterization of the process of in vitro uptake of radiolabeled copper by the rat brain

We have previously demonstrated that hypothalmic slices obtained from adult male rats accumulate 67Cu by two ligand-dependent, saturable processes: a high and low affinity process. To further establish the generality of these uptake processes, we defined the ligand requirements and the saturation kinetics of 67Cu uptake by tissue slices obtained from the newborn hypothalamus (HT); adult male hypothalamus, hippocampus, cortex, median eminence, and caudate nucleus; hypothalamus and hippocampus of castrated (14 days) males and of pregnant (19 days) and ovariectomized (14 days) females. It was found that ionic 67Cu2+ was poorly taken up by newborn HT and adult caudate, complexation with His enhanced 67Cu uptake 3-4-fold, and complexation with albumin inhibited 67Cu uptake. These ligand requirements are identical to those we have previously shown for the adult HT. When 67Cu uptake was evaluated under conditions optimal for the high or the low affinity process, for each process the dose response curves generated from these various tissues were very similar. In addition, we assessed the uptake of both components of the CuHis2 complex by incubating tissues with 67Cu3 H-His2 and found that the tissue ratio of 67Cu:3H was a sigmoidal function of the concentration of the Cu complex such that at greater than 5 microM, the ratio was about 3-fold greater than the medium ratio; indicating preferential uptake of 67Cu relative to 3H-His. The changes in isotope ratios were observed in newborn HT and adult HT, as well as caudate. These similarities in the ligand requirements and saturation kinetics of 67Cu uptake establish the generality of these two processes of in vitro uptake of copper in the rat brain.

Uptake of 67copper complexed to 3H-histidine by brain hypothalamic slices: evidence that dissociation of the complex is not the only factor determining 67copper uptake

It was previously shown that complexation of 67Cu with His facilitates 67Cu uptake by hypothalamic slices and that His, in a concentration that is 1000-fold greater than Cu(His)2, inhibits 67Cu uptake (D. E. Hartter and A. Barnea, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 799-805 (1988)). We addressed the question: Does dissociation of the Cu(His)2 complex occur during the process of Cu2+ uptake and if so, is dissociation the only factor determining uptake? Rat hypothalamic slices were incubated with 67Cu(3H-His)2 and the kinetic profiles of 67Cu and 3H-His uptake were evaluated. 67Cu uptake was linear for up to 60 min, Vo vs S [0.1-160 microM Cu(His)2] was sigmoidal, Lineweaver-Burk plot was non-linear, Scatchard plot was bell-shaped, and Hill plot had multiple slopes. In contrast, 3H-His uptake was linear for up to 30 min, Vo vs S was biphasic, Lineweaver-Burk plot was linear, Scatchard plot was biphasic, and Hill plot had a single slope. Keeping [67Cu] constant and increasing [3H-His] resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of 67Cu uptake which was not accompanied by an inhibition of 3H-His uptake. Substituting His in the complex with Phe or Lys resulted in a marked shift to the right in Vo vs S for 67Cu uptake and at S less than 40 microM, only His facilitated 67Cu uptake relative to ionic 67Cu2+. However, Vo vs S for 3H-His, 3H-Phe, and 3H-Lys uptake were superimposeable, indicating comparable dissociation of the complexes. In summary, we demonstrate that, although complexation of Cu2+ is essential for 67Cu uptake by hypothalamic tissue, 67Cu and 3H-His are taken up by distinct processes, which implies dissociation of the complex at the level of the membrane. Moreover, even though dissociation occurs, it is not the only factor that determines Cu2+ uptake by the hypothalamic tissue. It is suggested that the physicochemical properties of the Cu complex is an important factor determining Cu uptake by brain tissue.

Copper transport from ceruloplasmin: characterization of the cellular uptake mechanism

Copper uptake from 67Cu-labeled ceruloplasmin (67CuCp) was studied in K-562 cells, a human erythroleukemic cell line. 67CuCp was prepared by an ascorbate-catalyzed exchange of recrystallized ceruloplasmin with 67CuCl2. The labeled protein was treated with Chelex-100 and gel filtration to ensure that 67Cu was tightly bound to the structure. 67CuCp bound specifically to the K-562 cells at 4 degrees C. The binding was linear with protein in the range of 200-800 nM and in the presence of 3% albumin. In this concentration range, 67CuCl2 showed no binding that could be interpreted as specific; 80-90% of the cell-bound 67Cu was removed by washing the cells with acid buffer. When binding was attempted at 37 degrees C, a significant fraction of the 67Cu resisted acid washing and with time accumulated in the cells. Fractionating the cytosolic components on Percoll gradients located the 67Cu in buoyant fractions of densities 1.030-1.05, with a peak at 1.035. Repeating the experiment with 125I-labeled ceruloplasmin failed to localize any 125I label in Percoll fractions; very little 125I was detected in the cytosol. Double-labeled 67Cu-125I-ceruloplasmin confirmed that copper and not the protein moiety of ceruloplasmin was taken up by the cells. The uptake reaction was inhibited by 1 mM bathocuproine sulfonate and by 1 mM sodium iproniazid. Ascorbate (100 microM) strongly stimulated uptake. These studies provide evidence that K-562 cells are able to extract copper atoms from ceruloplasmin and transport the copper to the cytosol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cultured skin fibroblasts: useful for diagnosis of Wilson's disease?

The copper content of and radiocopper uptake in fibroblast cultures were studied to evaluate their usefulness for the diagnosis of Wilson's disease. We used methods closely related to those described in the literature, and applied these to cell lines of six patients with Wilson's disease and 12 controls. The results were: (1) The copper content of the cytosol of skin fibroblasts derived from patients with Wilson's disease was lower than that of controls when the cells were grown in a medium with a low copper concentration (0.7 mumolL-1); increased copper concentration (157 mumol L-1 in the medium failed to demonstrate any difference between normal fibroblasts and those derived from patients with Wilson's disease. (2) Radiocopper uptake studies did not differentiate between normal fibroblasts and fibroblasts from patients with Wilson's disease. We conclude that the cytosolic copper content of fibroblasts grown in a low copper medium is a potential diagnostic tool in Wilson's disease. At present not all controls can be distinguished from the Wilson cells; ways must be sought, therefore, of improving the technique.

Histochemical and ultrastructural study of copper-binding protein in hepatocellular carcinoma

Orcein-positive hepatocellular material (OPHM), found in 18 of 44 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), was compared histochemically and ultrastructurally with similar granular materials in other liver diseases. OPHM was not found in 15 control livers, 45 metastatic liver cancers or ten cholangiocellular carcinomas. OPHM in HCC was stained with orcein when the tissue sections were preoxidized. In addition, it was positively stained with rhodanine and rubeanic acid for copper. These findings were identical to the OPHM in Wilson's disease, in primary biliary cirrhosis and in neonatal livers. Seven of 12 resected HCC revealed cytoplasmic dense bodies ultrastructurally in which an x-ray microanalyzer demonstrated copper. OPHM in HCC, a granular accumulation, was concluded to be rich in copper-protein complex, and might correspond to dense bodies derived from lysosome ultrastructurally. The pathogenesis and biologic significance of this copper overload in a number of HCC are also discussed.

Spectral and kinetic studies on the binding of trithiomolybdate to bovine and canine serum albumin in vitro: the interaction with copper

Spectral studies showed that copper and trithiomolybdate participated in a three-way interaction with bovine and canine serum albumin. The interaction with the proteins was affected by increased pH and ionic strength. Kinetic studies of binding equilibria indicated that [35S] trithiomolybdate bound to both albumins at a single site. The affinity of the site, but not the capacity of the protein, was increased by copper. It was concluded that the site was distinct from the N-terminal copper (and nickel) binding site, which is present on BSA but absent from CSA. Whether or not the N-terminal site has a role in copper transport is discussed. Reversible thiomolybdate-copper-protein interactions of this type may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of Mo-induced syndromes, since as the normal binding patterns are perturbed the interprotein equilibria are altered and the copper distribution patterns are modified.

Of mice and men, metals and mutations

Several mutations affecting the transport of copper and zinc in humans and in mice have been discovered over the last 15 years, joining the long known disturbance of copper transport in Wilson's disease. Menkes' disease (classical and mild variant forms) and X linked Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (type IX, X linked cutis laxa) have features in common with one another and with the brindled (Mobr) and blotchy (Moblo) mouse mutants, respectively. There may be one allelic series of mutants in each species or two loci may be involved in each. The toxic milk mutant (tx) in the mouse may be homologous to Wilson's disease in man. The defect of intestinal absorption of zinc in acrodermatitis enteropathica has no homologue yet in the mouse. However, the lethal milk (lm) mutant in the mouse may be homologous to a condition of zinc deficiency described in a few breastfed, low birth weight infants. Many more genetic defects of transport of copper and of zinc may await discovery. Conversely, these mutants are valuable in elucidating the normal processes of copper and zinc transport.

Trace element uptake in liver cells. 2. Effect of different proteins in the medium on the uptake of copper and zinc by hepatoma cells

Cultured rat hepatoma cells (HTC-cells) were used to study the uptake of copper and zinc from a minimal salt-glucose medium, supplemented with albumin from different species or with ovalbumin. Competitive equilibrium dialysis showed that at low molar ratios of metal/protein (less than 1) the affinity for copper of human and bovine albumin was about equal, but that of dog albumin or ovalbumin was much lower. Only a small difference in affinity for zinc could be detected between human albumin and ovalbumin. Supplementing the medium with the different proteins the rate of copper uptake in the cell at a given molar Cu/protein ratio increased as follows: human albumin congruent to bovine albumin less than dog albumin less than ovalbumin. When the molar Cu/protein ratio was increased, a discontinuity was seen with all three albumin species at a ratio of about 1. In contrast, the zinc uptake mimics that of Cu/ovalbumin, and no discontinuity was observed using different molar Zn/protein ratios. These results indicate that the rate of copper and zinc uptake depends strongly on its affinity for the protein: a low affinity leads to a high uptake. The results suggest further that at physiologic concentrations zinc is taken up by a mechanism different from that for copper.