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Wang M, Luo N, Gao Y, Li G, An T. Pyrene and its derivatives increase lung adverse effects by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor transcription. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170030. [PMID: 38220008 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose significant threat to environment and human health due to their widespread and potential hazards. However, adverse effects and action mechanisms of PAH derivatives on human health have not been attempted yet. Herein, we chose pyrene and its derivatives (1-hydroxypyrene, 1-nitropyrene, and 1-methylpyrene) to investigate adverse effect mechanism to human lungs using in vitro and in vivo methods. Results showed that pyrene derivatives have higher lung health risks than original pyrene. They can activate AhR, subsequently affecting expression of downstream target genes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. The binding energies of pyrene and its derivatives ranged from -16.07 to -27.25 kcal/mol by molecular dynamics simulations, implying that pyrene and its derivatives acted as agonists of AhR and increased adverse effects on lungs. Specifically, 1-nitropyrene exhibited stabler binding conformation and stronger AhR expression. In addition, sensitivity of pyrene and its derivatives to AhR activation was attributed to type and number of key amino acids in AhR, that is, pyrene (Leu293), 1-nitropyrene (Cys333, Met348, and Val381), 1-hydroxypyrene (Leu293 and Phe287), and 1-methylpyrene (Met348). In summary, we provide a universal approach for understanding action mechanisms of PAH derivatives on human health, and their adverse effects should be taken seriously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Na Luo
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yanpeng Gao
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Giordano D, Facchiano A, Moccia S, Meola AMI, Russo GL, Spagnuolo C. Molecular Docking of Natural Compounds for Potential Inhibition of AhR. Foods 2023; 12:foods12101953. [PMID: 37238771 DOI: 10.3390/foods12101953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a highly conserved environmental sensor, historically known for mediating the toxicity of xenobiotics. It is involved in numerous cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, immunity, inflammation, homeostasis, and metabolism. It exerts a central role in several conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and aging, acting as a transcription factor belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-Sim (bHLH-PAS) protein family. A key step in the canonical AhR activation is AhR-ARNT heterodimerization followed by the binding to the xenobiotic-responsive elements (XREs). The present work aims to investigate the potential AhR inhibitory activity of selected natural compounds. Due to the absence of a complete structure of human AhRs, a model consisting of the bHLH, the PAS A, and the PAS B domains was constructed. Blind and focused docking simulations revealed the presence of further binding pockets, different from the canonical one presented in the PAS B domain, which could be important for AhR inhibition due to the possibility to impede AhR:ARNT heterodimerization, either preventing conformational changes or masking crucial sites necessary for protein-protein interaction. Two of the compounds retrieved from the docking simulations, i.e., β-carotene and ellagic acid, confirmed their capacity of inhibiting benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced AhR activation in in vitro tests on the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, validating the efficacy of the computational approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Giordano
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | - Angelo Facchiano
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | - Stefania Moccia
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | | | - Gian Luigi Russo
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | - Carmela Spagnuolo
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, 83100 Avellino, Italy
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In-depth analysis of the interactions of various aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands from a computational perspective. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 118:108339. [PMID: 36183684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108339] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that acts as a machinery that controls the expression of many genes, including cytochrome P450 CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1. It plays a principal role in numerous biological and toxicological functions, making it a promising target for developing therapeutic agents. Several novel small molecules targeting the AhR signaling pathway are currently under investigation as antitumor agents. Some have already advanced into clinical trials in patients with various tumors. Activation of AhR by diverse chemicals either endogenous or exogenous is initiated by the binding of these ligands to the PAS-B domain, which modulates AhR functions. There is, however, limited information about how various ligands interact with the PAS-B domain for activating or inhibiting the AhR. To better understand the mode of action of AhR agonists/antagonists. The current work proposes a combination of several computational tools to build dynamical models for the PAS-B domain bound to different ligands in mouse and human. Our findings reveal the essential roles of specific PAS-B residues (e.g., S365, V381& Q383), which mediate the AhR ligand-binding process. Our results also explain how these residues regulate the promiscuity of AhR in accommodating various chemicals in its binding PAS-B ligand-binding pocket.
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Chen Z, Xia X, Chen H, Huang H, An X, Sun M, Yao Q, Kim K, Zhang H, Chu M, Chen R, Bhutia YD, Ganapathy V, Kou L. Carbidopa suppresses estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer via AhR-mediated proteasomal degradation of ERα. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:1216-1230. [PMID: 36070108 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) promotes breast cancer, and ER-positive cancer accounts for ~ 80% of breast cancers. This subtype responds positively to hormone/endocrine therapies involving either inhibition of estrogen synthesis or blockade of estrogen action. Carbidopa, a drug used to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of L-DOPA in Parkinson's disease, is an agonist for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Pharmacotherapy in Parkinson's disease decreases the risk for cancers, including breast cancer. The effects of carbidopa on ER-positive breast cancer were evaluated in cell culture and in mouse xenografts. The assays included cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, subcellular localization of AhR, proteasomal degradation, and tumor growth in xenografts. Carbidopa decreased proliferation and migration of ER-positive human breast cancer cells in vitro with no significant effect on ER-negative breast cancer cells. Treatment of ER-positive cells with carbidopa promoted nuclear localization of AhR and expression of AhR target genes; it also decreased cellular levels of ERα via proteasomal degradation in an AhR-dependent manner. In vivo, carbidopa suppressed the growth of ER-positive breast cancer cells in mouse xenografts; this was associated with increased apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation. Carbidopa has therapeutic potential for ER-positive breast cancer either as a single agent or in combination with other standard chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Korea
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xing Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Heyan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huirong Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingsi An
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meng Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kwonseop Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Korea
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Children's Respiration Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Maoping Chu
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China.
- Pediatric Research Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| | - Ruijie Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yangzom D Bhutia
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Longfa Kou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, 325027, Zhejiang, China.
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Pan Z, Liu Q, Xu J, Li W, Lin H. Microplastic contamination in seafood from Dongshan Bay in southeastern China and its health risk implication for human consumption. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119163. [PMID: 35305345 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has been a considerable concern due to its ubiquity in the environment and its potential to harm human health. Unfortunately, the exact levels of MP in various species of seafood species have not been established. It is also unclear whether or not consuming seafood contaminated with MPs directly jeopardizes human health. Here, eight popular species of seafood in Dongshan Bay, China were investigated to determine the presence of MP pollution and its implications on human health. The abundance, color, size, shape, type, surface morphology, danger of the MPs extracted from the seafood were analyzed. Results showed that the average MP abundance in the shellfish and fish was 1.88 ± 1.44 and 1.98 ± 1.98 items individual-1, respectively. The heavy presence of fibers may be attributed to the shellfish and fish's feeding behaviors as well as their habitat and environment. The sizes of MPs found were below 1.0 mm. The main types of MP found in the shellfish were PES and PET, whereas the main types found in the fish were PS and PES. Risk assessment suggested that MPs in the shellfish (risk Level V) posed a greater and more direct threat to human health if the shellfish is eaten whole. The MPs in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of fish (risk Level IV) have a relatively limited effect on human health since GITs are seldom consumed by humans unless the fish is heavily processed (canned or dried). MPs-induced health risk is predicted using a technique called molecular docking. The results of this study not only establish levels of MP pollution in popular seafood species but also help understand the implications of consuming MP-contaminated seafood on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Pan
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China; Fujian Provincial Station for Field Observation and Research of Island and Costal Zone in Zhangzhou, Zhangzhou, 363216, China; Observation and Research Station of Island and Coastal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China.
| | - Qianlong Liu
- College of Ocean and Earth Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jing Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Weiwen Li
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
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Casalegno M, Raos G, Sello G. Identification of viable TCDD access pathways to human AhR PAS-B ligand binding domain. J Mol Graph Model 2021; 105:107886. [PMID: 33706219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.107886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Unintentionally released in the environment as by-products of industrial activities, dioxins, exemplified by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), represent a primary concern for human health. Exposure to these chemicals is known to produce a broad spectrum of adverse effects, including cancer. The main mechanism of action of TCDD in humans involves binding to the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR). Although qualitatively established, TCDD capture by the AhR remains poorly characterized at the molecular level. Starting from a recently developed structural model of the human AhR PAS-B domain, in this work we attempt the identification of viable TCDD access pathways to the human AhR ligand binding domain by means of molecular dynamics. Based on the result of metadynamics simulations, we identify two main regions that may potentially serve as access paths for TCDD. For each path, we characterize the residues closely interacting with TCDD, thereby suggesting a possible mechanism for TCDD capture. Our results are reviewed and discussed in the light of the available information about Human AhR structure and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosè Casalegno
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via L. Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy.
| | - Guido Raos
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via L. Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy.
| | - Guido Sello
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi 19, I-20133, Milano, Italy.
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Pham TH, Lecomte S, Le Guevel R, Lardenois A, Evrard B, Chalmel F, Ferriere F, Balaguer P, Efstathiou T, Pakdel F. Characterization of Glyceollins as Novel Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligands and Their Role in Cell Migration. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041368. [PMID: 32085612 PMCID: PMC7072876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies strongly support the use of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a therapeutic target in breast cancer. Glyceollins, a group of soybean phytoalexins, are known to exert therapeutic effects in chronic human diseases and also in cancer. To investigate the interaction between glyceollin I (GI), glyceollin II (GII) and AhR, a computational docking analysis, luciferase assays, immunofluorescence and transcriptome analyses were performed with different cancer cell lines. The docking experiments predicted that GI and GII can enter into the AhR binding pocket, but their interactions with the amino acids of the binding site differ, in part, from those interacting with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Both GI and GII were able to weakly and partially activate AhR, with GII being more potent. The results from the transcriptome assays showed that approximately 10% of the genes regulated by TCDD were also modified by both GI and GII, which could have either antagonistic or synergistic effects upon TCDD activation. In addition, we report here, on the basis of phenotype, that GI and GII inhibit the migration of triple-negative (ER-, PgR-, HER2NEU-) MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and that they inhibit the expression of genes which code for important regulators of cell migration and invasion in cancer tissues. In conclusion, GI and GII are AhR ligands that should be further investigated to determine their usefulness in cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu Ha Pham
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Sylvain Lecomte
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Remy Le Guevel
- ImPACcell platform (SFR Biosit), Univ Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France;
| | - Aurélie Lardenois
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Bertrand Evrard
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Frédéric Chalmel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
| | - François Ferriere
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM U1194, ICM, Univ. Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Theo Efstathiou
- Laboratoire Nutrinov, Technopole Atalante Champeaux, 8 Rue Jules Maillard de la Gournerie, 35012 Rennes CEDEX, France;
| | - Farzad Pakdel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) -UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; (T.H.P.); (S.L.); (A.L.); (B.E.); (F.C.); (F.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)22-323-5132
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Dolciami D, Ballarotto M, Gargaro M, López-Cara LC, Fallarino F, Macchiarulo A. Targeting Aryl hydrocarbon receptor for next-generation immunotherapies: Selective modulators (SAhRMs) versus rapidly metabolized ligands (RMAhRLs). Eur J Med Chem 2019; 185:111842. [PMID: 31727470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) constitutes a major network hub of genomic and non-genomic signaling pathways, connecting host's immune cells to environmental factors. It shapes innate and adaptive immune processes to environmental stimuli with species-, cell- and tissue-type dependent specificity. Although an ever increasing number of studies has thrust AhR into the limelight as attractive target for the development of next-generation immunotherapies, concerns exist on potential safety issues associated with small molecule modulation of the receptor. Selective AhR modulators (SAhRMs) and rapidly metabolized AhR ligands (RMAhRLs) are two classes of receptor agonists that are emerging as interesting lead compounds to bypass AhR-related toxicity in favor of therapeutic effects. In this article, we discuss SAhRMs and RMAhRLs reported in literature, covering concepts underlying their definitions, specific binding modes, structure-activity relationships and AhR-mediated functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Dolciami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo, 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Ballarotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo, 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gargaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazz.le Gambuli, 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luisa Carlota López-Cara
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18010, Granada, Spain
| | - Francesca Fallarino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazz.le Gambuli, 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo, 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
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Facchiano A, Pignone D, Servillo L, Castaldo D, De Masi L. Structure and Ligands Interactions of Citrus Tryptophan Decarboxylase by Molecular Modeling and Docking Simulations. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9030117. [PMID: 30917613 PMCID: PMC6468663 DOI: 10.3390/biom9030117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous work, we in silico annotated protein sequences of Citrus genus plants as putative tryptophan decarboxylase (pTDC). Here, we investigated the structural properties of Citrus pTDCs by using the TDC sequence of Catharanthus roseus as an experimentally annotated reference to carry out comparative modeling and substrate docking analyses. The functional annotation as TDC was verified by combining 3D molecular modeling and docking simulations, evidencing the peculiarities and the structural similarities with C. roseus TDC. Docking with l-tryptophan as a ligand showed specificity of pTDC for this substrate. These combined results confirm our previous in silico annotation of the examined protein sequences of Citrus as TDC and provide support for TDC activity in this plant genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Facchiano
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione (ISA), 83100 Avellino, Italy.
| | - Domenico Pignone
- CNR, Istituto di Bioscienze e BioRisorse (IBBR), 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Luigi Servillo
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Domenico Castaldo
- Stazione Sperimentale per le Industrie delle Essenze e dei Derivati dagli Agrumi (SSEA), Azienda Speciale della Camera di Commercio di Reggio Calabria, 89125 Reggio Calabria, Italy.
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10
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Nuti R, Gargaro M, Matino D, Dolciami D, Grohmann U, Puccetti P, Fallarino F, Macchiarulo A. Ligand Binding and Functional Selectivity of l-Tryptophan Metabolites at the Mouse Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (mAhR). J Chem Inf Model 2014; 54:3373-83. [DOI: 10.1021/ci5005459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Nuti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gargaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Matino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Dolciami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ursula Grohmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Puccetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Fallarino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Experimental
Medicine, Università di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Novel role of hnRNP-A2/B1 in modulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand sensitivity. Arch Toxicol 2014; 89:2027-38. [PMID: 25224401 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1352-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is responsible for susceptibility to its ligand-dependent responses. However, the effect of non-AHR factors is less clear. To explore the non-AHR factors, we used two mouse strains with different AHR genetic variants, namely C3H/lpr and MRL/lpr strains with Ala and Val as the 375th amino acid residue, respectively. To assess the contribution of AHR alone, COS-7 cells transiently expressing AHR from each strain were treated with 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE)-driven reporter gene activities were measured. FICZ-EC50 values for the C3H/lpr and MRL/lpr AHR-mediated transactivation were 0.023 and 0.046 nM, respectively, indicating a similar susceptibility in both AHR genotypes. In contrast, C3H/lpr AHR was fourfold more sensitive to TCDD than MRL/lpr AHR. By a pull-down assay using a XRE-containing PCR product as bait and the hepatic nuclear extracts of both FICZ-treated mouse strains, we identified two interacting proteins as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNP-A2) and its splicing variant (hnRNP-A2b). Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the AHR interaction with hnRNP-A2/B1. When hnRNP-A2 was co-expressed with the MRL/lpr or C3H/lpr AHR in COS-7, FICZ treatment decreased EC50 to about threefold in both AHR genotypes, compared with EC50 in AHR alone. Similarly, hnRNP-A2b co-expression also lowered the FICZ-EC50 values. In TCDD-treated COS-7, responses depended on the AHR genotype; while no change in TCDD-EC50 was observed for C3H/lpr AHR when hnRNP-A2 was co-expressed, the value was reduced to nearly tenfold for MRL/lpr AHR. Co-transfection with hnRNP-A2b attenuated the AHR sensitivity to TCDD. In conclusion, the hnRNP-A2/B1 interacting with AHR may be a modulator of the AHR ligand sensitivity.
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Lind L, Penell J, Luttropp K, Nordfors L, Syvänen AC, Axelsson T, Salihovic S, van Bavel B, Fall T, Ingelsson E, Lind PM. Global DNA hypermethylation is associated with high serum levels of persistent organic pollutants in an elderly population. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2013; 59:456-61. [PMID: 23933504 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Dioxin exposure has experimentally been associated with changes in DNA methylation, an epigenetic change that is associated with disease. The present study aims to investigate if serum levels of dioxin and other persistent environmental pollutants are related to global DNA methylation in a human sample. In the population-based Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (all aged 70), global DNA methylation was measured by the Luminometric Methylation Assay in 524 subjects. Twenty-three different POPs, including 16 PCBs, five pesticides, one dioxin (OCDD) and one brominated flame retardant (BDE47) were analysed by HRGC/HRMS. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)-receptor were analysed by mini-sequencing. High levels of toxic equivalency (TEQ) for PCBs and dioxin were associated with DNA hypermethylation (p=0.030). This was mainly attributed to coplanar non-ortho PCBs. While no significant associations were found between DNA methylation and SNPs in the Ah-receptor, an interaction was found between the SNP rs2237297 and TEQ so that TEQ was associated with hypermethylation (p=0.009) only in subjects with one G-allele (n=103). Also high levels of the PCB126 congener, the OCDD, and the pesticide metabolite p,p'-DDE were related to DNA hypermethylation (p=0.01, 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). In conclusion, in a sample of elderly subjects, high TEQ including PCBs and the dioxin OCDD and high serum levels of PCB126, OCDD, and p,p'-DDE were related to global DNA hypermethylation in a cross-sectional analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Schulz VJ, Smit JJ, Huijgen V, Bol-Schoenmakers M, van Roest M, Kruijssen LJW, Fiechter D, Hassing I, Bleumink R, Safe S, van Duursen MBM, van den Berg M, Pieters RHH. Non-dioxin-like AhR ligands in a mouse peanut allergy model. Toxicol Sci 2012; 128:92-102. [PMID: 22491429 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, we have shown that AhR activation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suppresses sensitization to peanut at least in part by inducing a functional shift toward CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells. Next to TCDD, numerous other AhR ligands have been described. In this study, we investigated the effect of three structurally different non-dioxin-like AhR ligands, e.g., 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), β-naphthoflavone (β-NF), and 6-methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran (6-MCDF), on peanut sensitization. Female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized by administering peanut extract (PE) by gavage in the presence of cholera toxin. Before and during peanut sensitization, mice were treated with FICZ, β-NF, or 6-MCDF. AhR gene transcription in duodenum and liver was investigated on day 5, even as the effect of these AhR ligands on CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). Mice treated with TCDD were included as a positive control. Furthermore, the murine reporter cell line H1G1.1c3 (CAFLUX) was used to investigate the possible role of metabolism of TCDD, FICZ, β-NF, and 6-MCDF on AhR activation in vitro. TCDD, but not FICZ, β-NF, and 6-MCDF, suppressed sensitization to peanut (measured by PE-specific IgE, IgG1, IgG2a and PE-induced interleukin (IL)-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17a, IL-22, and interferon-γ). In addition, FICZ, β-NF, and 6-MCDF treatments less effectively induced AhR gene transcription (measured by gene expression of AhR, AhRR, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1) compared with TCDD-treated mice. Furthermore, FICZ, β-NF and 6-MCDF did not increase the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes compared with PE-sensitized mice, in contrast to TCDD. Inhibition of metabolism in vitro increased AhR activation. Together, these data shows that TCDD, but not FICZ, β-NF, and 6-MCDF suppresses sensitization to peanut. Differences in metabolism, AhR binding and subsequent gene transcription might explain these findings and warrant further studies to investigate the role of the AhR in food allergic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica J Schulz
- Department of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
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