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Opitz CA, Holfelder P, Prentzell MT, Trump S. The complex biology of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in cancer and beyond. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115798. [PMID: 37696456 PMCID: PMC10570930 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathway is a complex regulatory network that plays a critical role in various biological processes, including cellular metabolism, development, and immune responses. The complexity of AHR signaling arises from multiple factors, including the diverse ligands that activate the receptor, the expression level of AHR itself, and its interaction with the AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT). Additionally, the AHR crosstalks with the AHR repressor (AHRR) or other transcription factors and signaling pathways and it can also mediate non-genomic effects. Finally, posttranslational modifications of the AHR and its interaction partners, epigenetic regulation of AHR and its target genes, as well as AHR-mediated induction of enzymes that degrade AHR-activating ligands may contribute to the context-specificity of AHR activation. Understanding the complexity of AHR signaling is crucial for deciphering its physiological and pathological roles and developing therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway. Ongoing research continues to unravel the intricacies of AHR signaling, shedding light on the regulatory mechanisms controlling its diverse functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane A Opitz
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Pauline Holfelder
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirja Tamara Prentzell
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Trump
- Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, a partnership between DKFZ and Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Stading R, Gastelum G, Chu C, Jiang W, Moorthy B. Molecular mechanisms of pulmonary carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Implications for human lung cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 76:3-16. [PMID: 34242741 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer has the second highest incidence and highest mortality compared to all other cancers. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules belong to a class of compounds that are present in tobacco smoke, diesel exhausts, smoked foods, as well as particulate matter (PM). PAH-derived reactive metabolites are significant contributors to lung cancer development. The formation of these reactive metabolites entails metabolism of the parent PAHs by cytochrome P4501A1/1B1 (CYP1A1/1B1) and epoxide hydrolase enzymes. These reactive metabolites then react with DNA to form DNA adducts, which contribute to key gene mutations, such as the tumor suppressor gene, p53 and are linked to pulmonary carcinogenesis. PAH exposure also leads to upregulation of CYP1A1 transcription by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and eliciting transcription of the CYP1A1 promoter, which comprises specific xenobiotic-responsive element (XREs). While hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A1/1B1 metabolize PAHs to DNA-reactive metabolites, the hepatic CYP1A2, however, may protect against lung tumor development by suppressing both liver and lung CYP1A1 enzymes. Further analysis of these enzymes has shown that PAH-exposure also induces sustained transcription of CYP1A1, which is independent of the persistence of the parent PAH. CYP1A2 enzyme plays an important role in the sustained induction of hepatic CYP1A1. PAH exposure may further contribute to pulmonary carcinogenesis by producing epigenetic alterations. DNA methylation, histone modification, long interspersed nuclear element (LINE-1) activation, and non-coding RNA, specifically microRNA (miRNA) alterations may all be induced by PAH exposure. The relationship between PAH-induced enzymatic reactive metabolite formation and epigenetic alterations is a key area of research that warrants further exploration. Investigation into the potential interplay between these two mechanisms may lead to further understanding of the mechanisms of PAH carcinogenesis. These mechanisms will be crucial for the development of effective targeted therapies and early diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Stading
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Grady Gastelum
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chun Chu
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Weiwu Jiang
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bhagavatula Moorthy
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
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Zhang HF, Zhu LL, Yang XB, Gao N, Fang Y, Wen Q, Qiao HL. Variation in the expression of cytochrome P450-related miRNAs and transcriptional factors in human livers: Correlation with cytochrome P450 gene phenotypes. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 412:115389. [PMID: 33385404 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene expression exhibits large interindividual variation attributable to diverse regulatory factors including microRNAs (miRNAs) and hepatic transcription factors (TFs). We used real-time qPCR with 106 human liver samples to measure the expression and interindividual variation of seven miRNAs and four TFs that have been reported to regulate the expression of CYPs; we also identified factors that influence their expression. The results show that expression of the seven miRNAs and the four TFs exhibits a non-normal distribution and the expression variability is high (89- to 618-fold for miRNA and 12- to 85-fold for TFs). Age contributed to the interindividual variation for miR-148a, miR-27b and miR-34a, whereas cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption significantly reduced HNF4α mRNA levels. Association analysis showed significant correlations among the seven miRNAs as well as the four TFs. Furthermore, we systematically evaluated the impact of the seven miRNAs and four TFs on protein content, mRNA levels, translation efficiency and activity of 10 CYPs. The results show that numerous associations (positive and negative) are present between the seven miRNAs or the four TFs and the 10 CYP phenotypes (as indicated by mRNA, protein and activity); specifically, miR-27b, miR-34a and all four TFs played key roles in the interindividual variation of CYPs. Our results extend previous findings and suggest that miR-27b and miR-34a may be potential direct or indirect master regulators of CYP expression and thereby contribute to the interindividual variations in CYP-mediated drug metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Feng Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Li-Li Zhu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xiao-Bei Yang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Na Gao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yan Fang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Qiang Wen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Hai-Ling Qiao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China.
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Leflunomide attenuates oxidative stress in fetal human lung endothelial cells via superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:2009-2014. [PMID: 30077371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.07.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the most common respiratory morbidity of preterm infants. Importantly, the disease lack specific therapies and is associated with long-term cardio-pulmonary and neurodevelopmental morbidities, signifying the need to discover novel therapies and decrease the disease burden. We and others have demonstrated that leflunomide, a food and drug administration approved drug to treat humans with rheumatoid arthritis, increases the expression of the anti-oxidant enzymes, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, whether this drug can decrease oxidative stress in fetal human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs) is unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that leflunomide will decrease hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress by upregulating these anti-oxidant enzymes in HPAECs. Leflunomide decreased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and increased the mRNA and protein levels of catalase, NQO1, and SOD2 in HPAECs at basal conditions. Further, leflunomide-treated cells continued to have decreased H2O2 and increased SOD2 levels upon hyperoxia exposure. Leflunomide did not affect the expression of other anti-oxidant enzymes, including hemoxygenase-1 and SOD1. AhR-knockdown experiments suggested that leflunomide regulated NQO1 levels via AhR-dependent mechanisms and H2O2, catalase, and SOD2 levels via AhR-independent mechanisms. Collectively, the results support the hypothesis that leflunomide decreases oxidative stress in HPAECs via SOD2-and catalase-dependent, but AhR- and NQO1-independent mechanisms. Our findings indicate that leflunomide is a potential drug for the management of BPD in preterm infants.
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Giles GI, Nasim MJ, Ali W, Jacob C. The Reactive Sulfur Species Concept: 15 Years On. Antioxidants (Basel) 2017; 6:antiox6020038. [PMID: 28545257 PMCID: PMC5488018 DOI: 10.3390/antiox6020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fifteen years ago, in 2001, the concept of “Reactive Sulfur Species” or RSS was advocated as a working hypothesis. Since then various organic as well as inorganic RSS have attracted considerable interest and stimulated many new and often unexpected avenues in research and product development. During this time, it has become apparent that molecules with sulfur-containing functional groups are not just the passive “victims” of oxidative stress or simple conveyors of signals in cells, but can also be stressors in their own right, with pivotal roles in cellular function and homeostasis. Many “exotic” sulfur-based compounds, often of natural origin, have entered the fray in the context of nutrition, ageing, chemoprevention and therapy. In parallel, the field of inorganic RSS has come to the forefront of research, with short-lived yet metabolically important intermediates, such as various sulfur-nitrogen species and polysulfides (Sx2−), playing important roles. Between 2003 and 2005 several breath-taking discoveries emerged characterising unusual sulfur redox states in biology, and since then the truly unique role of sulfur-dependent redox systems has become apparent. Following these discoveries, over the last decade a “hunt” and, more recently, mining for such modifications has begun—and still continues—often in conjunction with new, innovative and complex labelling and analytical methods to capture the (entire) sulfur “redoxome”. A key distinction for RSS is that, unlike oxygen or nitrogen, sulfur not only forms a plethora of specific reactive species, but sulfur also targets itself, as sulfur containing molecules, i.e., peptides, proteins and enzymes, preferentially react with RSS. Not surprisingly, today this sulfur-centred redox signalling and control inside the living cell is a burning issue, which has moved on from the predominantly thiol/disulfide biochemistry of the past to a complex labyrinth of interacting signalling and control pathways which involve various sulfur oxidation states, sulfur species and reactions. RSS are omnipresent and, in some instances, are even considered as the true bearers of redox control, perhaps being more important than the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) or Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) which for decades have dominated the redox field. In other(s) words, in 2017, sulfur redox is “on the rise”, and the idea of RSS resonates throughout the Life Sciences. Still, the RSS story isn’t over yet. Many RSS are at the heart of “mistaken identities” which urgently require clarification and may even provide the foundations for further scientific revolutions in the years to come. In light of these developments, it is therefore the perfect time to revisit the original hypotheses, to select highlights in the field and to question and eventually update our concept of “Reactive Sulfur Species”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory I Giles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Muhammad Jawad Nasim
- Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus B2 1, Saarbruecken D-66123, Germany.
| | - Wesam Ali
- Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus B2 1, Saarbruecken D-66123, Germany.
| | - Claus Jacob
- Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus B2 1, Saarbruecken D-66123, Germany.
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Patel A, Zhang S, Shrestha AK, Maturu P, Moorthy B, Shivanna B. Omeprazole induces heme oxygenase-1 in fetal human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells via hydrogen peroxide-independent Nrf2 signaling pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016; 311:26-33. [PMID: 27725188 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Omeprazole (OM) is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist and a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat humans with gastric acid related disorders. Recently, we showed that OM induces NAD (P) H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent mechanism. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is another cytoprotective and antioxidant enzyme that is regulated by Nrf2. Whether OM induces HO-1 in fetal human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC) is unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that OM will induce HO-1 expression via Nrf2 in HPMEC. OM induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. siRNA-mediated knockdown of AhR failed to abrogate, whereas knockdown of Nrf2 abrogated HO-1 induction by OM. To identify the underlying molecular mechanisms, we determined the effects of OM on cellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels since oxidative stress mediated by the latter is known to activate Nrf2. Interestingly, the concentration at which OM induced HO-1 also increased H2O2 levels. Furthermore, H2O2 independently augmented HO-1 expression. Although N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) significantly decreased H2O2 levels in OM-treated cells, we observed that OM further increased HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in NAC-pretreated compared to vehicle-pretreated cells, suggesting that OM induces HO-1 via H2O2-independent mechanisms. In conclusion, we provide evidence that OM transcriptionally induces HO-1 via AhR - and H2O2 - independent, but Nrf2 - dependent mechanisms. These results have important implications for human disorders where Nrf2 and HO-1 play a beneficial role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananddeep Patel
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Shaojie Zhang
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Amrit Kumar Shrestha
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Paramahamsa Maturu
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Bhagavatula Moorthy
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Binoy Shivanna
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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