4-hydroxynonenal and transforming growth factor-beta1 expression in colon cancer

Oxidative Stress-Related Mechanisms in Melanoma and in the Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapies

Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer with the poorest prognosis, representing the deadliest form of skin cancer. Activating mutations in BRAF are the most frequent genetic alterations, present in approximately 50% of all melanoma cases. The use of specific inhibitors towards mutant BRAF variants and MEK, a downstream signaling target of BRAF in the MAPK pathway, has significantly improved progression-free and overall survival in advanced melanoma patients carrying BRAF mutations. Nevertheless, despite these improvements, resistance still develops within the first year of therapy in around 50% of patients, which is a significant problem in managing BRAF-mutated advanced melanoma. Understanding these mechanisms is one of the mainstreams of the research on BRAFi/MEKi acquired resistance. Both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms have been described. Moreover, in recent years, oxidative stress has emerged as another major force involved in all the phases of melanoma development, from initiation to progression until the onsets of the metastatic phenotype and chemoresistance, and has thus become a target for therapy. In the present review, we discuss the current knowledge on oxidative stress and its signaling in melanoma, as well as the oxidative stress-related mechanisms in the acquired resistance to targeted therapies.

Anticancer Properties of Platinum Nanoparticles and Retinoic Acid: Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Human Neuroblastoma Cancer

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. The different treatments available for neuroblastoma are challenged by high rates of resistance, recurrence, and progression, most notably in advanced cases and highly malignant tumors. Therefore, the development of more targeted therapies, which are biocompatible and without undesired side effects, is highly desirable. The mechanisms of actions of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and retinoic acid (RA) in neuroblastoma have remained unclear. In this study, the anticancer effects of PtNPs and RA on neuroblastoma were assessed. We demonstrated that treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with the combination of PtNPs and RA resulted in improved anticancer effects. The anticancer effects of the two compounds were mediated by cytotoxicity, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and apoptosis-associated networks. Cytotoxicity was confirmed by leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and intracellular protease, and oxidative stress increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO), and protein carbonyl content (PCC). The combination of PtNPs and RA caused mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, number of mitochondria, and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Endoplasmic reticulum-mediated stress and apoptosis were confirmed by upregulation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), p53, Bax, and caspase-3 and down regulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2). PtNPs and RA induced apoptosis, and oxidative DNA damage was evident by the accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG). Finally, PtNPs and RA increased the differentiation and expression of differentiation markers. Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells pre-treated with PtNPs or RA or the combination of both were more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin than undifferentiated cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effect of the combination of PtNPs and RA in neuroblastoma cells. PtNPs may be a potential preconditioning or adjuvant compound in chemotherapeutic treatment. The results of this study provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of the combination of PtNPs and RA for the treatment of children suffering from high-risk neuroblastoma.

Silencing of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 attenuates transforming growth factor-β1-enhanced apoptosis of human bronchial epithelial cells

Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells form the first protective barrier of the airway to protect patients from pulmonary diseases. The present study was performed to illustrate the mechanism underlying the effect of silencing heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) on attenuating the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-enhanced apoptosis of HBE cells. TGF-β1 (10 µg/ml) was applied to HBE cells, and the HBE cells were transfected with small interfering RNA targeting HAND2 or were transfected with non-specific sequence. Subsequently, cell proliferation was measured using a Cell Counting kit-8 assay, whereas cell cycle and apoptosis status were measured using a flow cytometer. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related factors. Western blot analysis was also used to detect the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), P38 and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The results showed that TGF-β1 decreased HBE cell proliferation ability, arrested cell cycle at the G₂ phase and promoted cell apoptosis with statistical significance. The expression levels of P21 and Cyclin D1 were inhibited, and those of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were promoted by TGF-β1. The phosphorylation levels of ERK, P38 and JNK were increased by TGF-β1. HAND2-silencing significantly alleviated the above functions of TGF-β1 on the HBE cells. In conclusion, the silencing of HAND2 attenuated the TGF-β1-stimulated apoptosis of HBE cells through regulating cell cycle, apoptosis-related factors and ERK/P38/JNK MAPK pathways. This may provide a novel treatment strategy for pulmonary disease, with HAND2 as the novel gene target.

4-Hydroxynonenal metabolites and adducts in pre-carcinogenic conditions and cancer

4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is an amazing reactive compound, originating from lipid peroxidation within cells but also in food and considered as a "second messenger" of oxidative stress. Due to its chemical features, HNE is able to make covalent links with DNA, proteins and lipids. The aim of this review is to give a comprehensive summary of the chemical properties of HNE and of the consequences of its reactivity in relation to cancer development. The formation of exocyclic etheno-and propano-adducts and genotoxic effects are addressed. The adduction to cellular proteins and the repercussions on the regulation of cell signaling pathways involved in cancer development are reviewed, notably on the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway. The metabolic pathways leading to the inactivation/elimination or, on the contrary, to the bioactivation of HNE are considered. A special focus is given on the link between HNE and colorectal cancer development, due to its occurrence in foodstuffs and in the digestive lumen, during digestion.

DNA damage by lipid peroxidation products: implications in cancer, inflammation and autoimmunity

Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by inflammation, excess metal storage and excess caloric intake cause generalized DNA damage, producing genotoxic and mutagenic effects. The consequent deregulation of cell homeostasis is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of malignancies and degenerative diseases. Reactive aldehydes produced by LPO, such as malondialdehyde, acrolein, crotonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, react with DNA bases, generating promutagenic exocyclic DNA adducts, which likely contribute to the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects associated with oxidative stress-induced LPO. However, reactive aldehydes, when added to tumor cells, can exert an anticancerous effect. They act, analogously to other chemotherapeutic drugs, by forming DNA adducts and, in this way, they drive the tumor cells toward apoptosis. The aldehyde-DNA adducts, which can be observed during inflammation, play an important role by inducing epigenetic changes which, in turn, can modulate the inflammatory process. The pathogenic role of the adducts formed by the products of LPO with biological macromolecules in the breaking of immunological tolerance to self antigens and in the development of autoimmunity has been supported by a wealth of evidence. The instrumental role of the adducts of reactive LPO products with self protein antigens in the sensitization of autoreactive cells to the respective unmodified proteins and in the intermolecular spreading of the autoimmune responses to aldehyde-modified and native DNA is well documented. In contrast, further investigation is required in order to establish whether the formation of adducts of LPO products with DNA might incite substantial immune responsivity and might be instrumental for the spreading of the immunological responses from aldehyde-modified DNA to native DNA and similarly modified, unmodified and/or structurally analogous self protein antigens, thus leading to autoimmunity.

Overview on major lipid peroxidation bioactive factor 4-hydroxynonenal as pluripotent growth-regulating factor

The reactive aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is major bioactive marker of lipid peroxidation generated under oxidative stress from polyunsaturated fatty acids. Biomedical significance of HNE was first revealed in pathogenesis of various degenerative and malignant diseases. Thus, HNE was considered for decades only as cytotoxic molecule, "second toxic messenger of free radicals" responsible for numerous undesirable consequences of oxidative stress. However, the increase of knowledge on physiology of redox signaling revealed also desirable, physiological roles of HNE, especially in the field of cellular signaling pathways regulating proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. These pluripotent effects of HNE can be explained by its concentration-dependent interactions with the cytokine networks and complex cellular antioxidant systems also showing cell and tissue specificities. Therefore, this paper gives a comprehensive, yet short overview on HNE as pluripotent growth-regulating factor.

On the role of 4-hydroxynonenal in health and disease

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are susceptible to peroxidation and they yield various degradation products, including the main α,β-unsaturated hydroxyalkenal, 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal (HNE) in oxidative stress. Due to its high reactivity, HNE interacts with various macromolecules of the cell, and this general toxicity clearly contributes to a wide variety of pathological conditions. In addition, growing evidence suggests a more specific function of HNE in electrophilic signaling as a second messenger of oxidative/electrophilic stress. It can induce antioxidant defense mechanisms to restrain its own production and to enhance the cellular protection against oxidative stress. Moreover, HNE-mediated signaling can largely influence the fate of the cell through modulating major cellular processes, such as autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling and regulatory functions of HNE. The role of HNE in the pathophysiology of cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases is also discussed.

4-Hydroxynonenal in the pathogenesis and progression of human diseases

Metastable aldehydes produced by lipid peroxidation act as 'toxic second messengers' that extend the injurious potential of free radicals. 4-hydroxy 2-nonenal (HNE), a highly toxic and most abundant stable end product of lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in the tissue damage, dysfunction, injury associated with aging and other pathological states such as cancer, Alzheimer, diabetes, cardiovascular and inflammatory complications. Further, HNE has been considered as a oxidative stress marker and it act as a secondary signaling molecule to regulates a number of cell signaling pathways. Biological activity of HNE depends on its intracellular concentration, which can differentially modulate cell death, growth and differentiation. Therefore, the mechanisms responsible for maintaining the intracellular levels of HNE are most important, not only in the defense against oxidative stress but also in the pathophysiology of a number of disease processes. In this review, we discussed the significance of HNE in mediating various disease processes and how regulation of its metabolism could be therapeutically effective.

Expression and potential role of apolipoprotein D on the death-survival balance of human colorectal cancer cells under oxidative stress conditions

PURPOSE

Inverse correlations of apolipoprotein D (ApoD) expression with tumor growth have been shown, therefore proposing ApoD as a good prognostic marker for diverse cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Besides, ApoD expression is boosted upon oxidative stress (OS) in many pathological situations. This study aims at understanding the role of ApoD in the progression of human CRC.

METHODS

Samples of CRC and distant normal tissue (n = 51) were assayed for levels of lipid peroxidation, expression profile of OS-dependent genes, and protein expression. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ApoD gene were analyzed (n = 139), with no significant associations found. Finally, we assayed the effect of ApoD in proliferation and apoptosis in the CRC HT-29 cell line.

RESULTS

In CRC, lipid peroxides increase while ApoD messenger RNA and protein decrease through tumor progression, with a prominent decrease in stage I. In normal mucosa, ApoD protein is present in lamina propia and enteroendocrine cells. In CRC, ApoD expression is heterogeneous, with low expression in stromal cells commonly associated with high expression in the dysplastic epithelium. ApoD promoter is basally methylated in HT-29 cells but retains the ability to respond to OS. Exogenous addition of ApoD to HT-29 cells does not modify proliferation or apoptosis levels in control conditions, but it promotes apoptosis upon paraquat-induced OS.

CONCLUSION

Our results show ApoD as a gene responding to OS in the tumor microenvironment. Besides using ApoD as marker of initial stages of tumor progression, it can become a therapeutic tool promoting death of proliferating tumor cells suffering OS.

Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation products in cancer progression and therapy

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an altered redox status are common biochemical aspects in cancer cells. ROS can react with the polyunsaturated fatty acids of lipid membranes and induce lipid peroxidation. The end products of lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), have been considered to be a second messenger of oxidative stress. Beyond ROS involvement in carcinogenesis, increased ROS level can inhibit tumor cell growth. Indeed, in tumors in advanced stages, a further increase of oxidative stress, such as that occurs when using several anticancer drugs and radiation therapy, can overcome the antioxidant defenses of cancer cells and drive them to apoptosis. High concentrations of HNE can also induce apoptosis in cancer cells. However, some cells escape the apoptosis induced by chemical or radiation therapy through the adaptation to intrinsic oxidative stress which confers drug resistance. This paper is focused on recent advances in the studies of the relation between oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation products, and cancer progression with particular attention to the pro-oxidant anticancer agents and the drug-resistant mechanisms, which could be modulated to obtain a better response to cancer therapy.

Coran A, Sukhotnik I. Dietary transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) supplementation reduces methotrexate-induced intestinal mucosal injury in a rat

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Dietary supplementation with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) has been proven to minimize intestinal damage and facilitate regeneration after mucosal injury. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of oral TGF-β2 supplementation on intestinal structural changes, enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis following methotrexate (MTX)-induced intestinal damage in a rat and in a cell culture model.

METHODS

Caco-2 cells were treated with MTX and were incubated with increasing concentrations of TGF-β2. Cell apoptosis was assessed using FACS analysis by annexin staining and cell viability was monitored using Trypan Blue assay. Male rats were divided into four experimental groups: Control rats, CONTR- TGF-β rats were treated with diet enriched with TGF-β2, MTX rats were treated with a single dose of methotrexate, and MTX- TGF-β rats were treated with diet enriched with TGF-β2. Intestinal mucosal damage, mucosal structural changes, enterocyte proliferation and enterocyte apoptosis were determined at sacrifice. Real Time PCR and Western blot were used to determine bax and bcl-2 mRNA, p-ERK, β-catenin, IL-1B and bax protein expression.

RESULTS

Treatment of MTX-pretreated Caco-2 cells with TGF-B2 resulted in increased cell viability and decreased cell apoptosis. Treatment of MTX-rats with TGF-β2 resulted in a significant increase in bowel and mucosal weight, DNA and protein content, villus-height (ileum), crypt-depth (jejunum), decreased intestinal-injury score, decreased level of apoptosis and increased cell proliferation in jejunum and ileum compared to the untreated MTX group. MTX-TGF-β2 rats demonstrated a lower bax mRNA and protein levels as well as increased bcl-2 mRNA levels in jejunum and ileum compared to MTX group. Treatment with TGF-β2 also led to increased pERK, IL-1B and β-catenin protein levels in intestinal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with TGF-β2 prevents mucosal-injury, enhances p-ERK and β-catenin induced enterocyte proliferation, inhibits enterocyte apoptosis and improves intestinal recovery following MTX-induced intestinal-mucositis in rats.

Effects of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, a major lipid peroxidation-derived aldehyde, and N-acetylcysteine on the cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human uterine myometrium

BACKGROUND

Chorioamnionitis is one of the important causes of preterm labor. Preterm labor with chorioamnionitis is associated with oxidative stress. We reported that 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a major end product of oxidative fatty acid metabolism, is accumulated in the placenta with chorioamnionitis. The aim of this study was to confirm the effect of 4-HNE on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin (PG) induction in the uterine myometrial tissues. We also examined the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on 4-HNE-induced COX-2 expression.

METHODS

Uterine myometrial tissues were obtained from 5 patients. One of them underwent elective cesarean section without labor, and 4 of them underwent hysterectomy because of placental previa or atonic bleeding. We stimulated the uterine myometrial tissues with 4-HNE. In addition, the tissues were pretreated with NAC before 4-HNE treatment. The expression of COX-2 mRNA was observed by real-time PCR. PGE2 and prostacyclin release into the supernatants of the tissue cultures was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

4-HNE induced the COX-2 mRNA expression and PGE2 production in the uterine myometrial tissue culture in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. NAC inhibited 4-HNE-induced COX-2 expression.

CONCLUSION

4-HNE may play an important role in preterm labor. NAC might be protective against preterm labor under oxidative stress.

The "two-faced" effects of reactive oxygen species and the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal in the hallmarks of cancer

Reacytive Oxygen Species (ROS) have long been considered to be involved in the initiation, progression and metastasis of cancer. However, accumulating evidence points to the benefical role of ROS. Moreover, ROS production, leading to apoptosis, is the mechanism by which many chemotherapeutic agents can act. Beside direct actions, ROS elicit lipid peroxidation, leading to the production of 4-hydroxynoneal (HNE). Interestingly, HNE also seems to have a dual behaviour with respect to cancer. In this review we present recent literature data which outline the "two-faced" character of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in carcinogenesis and in the hallmarks of cancer.

Effects of Lipid Peroxidation-Derived Products on the Growth of Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line HT-29

Epidemiologic investigations indicate a close relationship between colorectal cancer and fat intake. However, to date the effects of lipid peroxidation-derived products that are formed from fat (especially free or esterified unsaturated fatty acids) on the initiation or progression of colorectal cancer have not been investigated extensively. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effects of fatty acids, fatty acid hydroperoxides and aldehydes on the growth of human colorectal cancer cell line HT-29. At concentrations of 1 and 10 µM, linoleic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids, and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic and 15-hydroperoxyeicosapentaenoic acids had no significant effects on the growth of HT-29 cells. 4-Hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxyhexenal had no significant effects on the growth of HT-29 cells up to 10 µM, whereas 4-oxononenal potently inhibited HT-29 cell growth (1–10 µM, 16–85% inhibition). Further experiments concerning DNA fragmentation, expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA, expression levels of pro-caspase-3 and caspase-3 proteins, and activity of caspase-3 suggested that 4-oxononenal may increase the sensitivity of HT-29 cells to apoptosis through a decreased expression level of Bcl-2 and then increased formation of caspase-3 from pro-caspase-3.

Ciprofloxacin decreases survival in HT-29 cells via the induction of TGF-beta1 secretion and enhances the anti-proliferative effect of 5-fluorouracil

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fluoroquinolones are potent anti-microbial agents with multiple effects on host cells and tissues. Previous studies have highlighted their pro-apoptotic effect on human cancer cells and an immunoregulatory role in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease. We examined the effect of ciprofloxacin on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HT-29 cells, a human colonic epithelial cell line sensitive to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-mediated growth inhibition and its role in TGF-beta1 production. We also examined the effect of ciprofloxacin on proliferation of HT-29 cells in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a well-established pro-apoptotic agent.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Using subconfluent cultures of HT-29 and Caco-2 cells, we studied the effect of ciprofloxacin, TGF-beta1 and 5-FU on proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis and cell cycle. The effect of ciprofloxacin on TGF-beta1 mRNA expression and production was studied in RNA extracts and cell culture supernatants respectively, using confluent cultures.

KEY RESULTS

Ciprofloxacin decreased proliferation of HT-29 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This was mediated by accumulation of HT-29 cells into the S-phase but without any effect on apoptosis or necrosis. Additionally, ciprofloxacin enhanced the antiproliferative effect of 5-FU. Interestingly, ciprofloxacin was found to up-regulate TGF-beta1 production by HT-29 cells and its anti-proliferative effect was abolished when TGF-beta1 was blocked. Confirming this mechanism further, ciprofloxacin had no effect on Caco-2, a human colonic epithelial cell line that lacks functional TGF-beta1 receptors.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

We demonstrate a novel anti-proliferative and immunoregulatory effect of ciprofloxacin on human intestinal epithelial cells mediated via TGF-beta1.

Detection of primary and secondary oxidation products by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in sunflower oil during storage

The oxidation of sunflower oil, stored in closed receptacles at room temperature for a period of 10 years, was monitored using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The objective was to understand the evolution of the oxidation process in sunflower oil under the conditions above mentioned. These techniques provide information about the oxidative status of several oil samples and the primary and some of the secondary oxidation products formed in the oxidation process. The results obtained show that, under these conditions, sunflower oxidation takes place in a different way to that at higher temperatures with aeration. The 1H NMR spectra show that in the first oxidation stages of the process only hydroperoxides supporting cis, trans-conjugated double bonds are formed and that at more advanced stages hydroperoxides having trans, trans-conjugated double bonds are generated, with the latter always being in a smaller proportion than the former. In addition, the presence of hydroxy derivatives supporting cis, trans-conjugated double bonds among the primary oxidation compounds is shown for the first time. Also, from early oxidation stages onward and unlike the process at 70 degrees C with aeration, it is noticeable that 4-hydroxy- trans-2-alkenals are formed in much higher proportions than 4-hydroperoxy- trans-2-alkenals. This fact could be associated with the presence of hydroxy derivatives with cis, trans-conjugated double bonds among the primary oxidation products and the limited concentration of oxygen during the oxidation. Furthermore, relationships between some oxidation conditions and the oxidation level of the samples were statistically analyzed.

TGFbeta1 expression in colonic mucosa: modulation by dietary lipids

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) is fundamental to maintain the intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis through its control action on cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. TGFbeta1 dysregulation has been observed in several chronic human diseases, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and colon carcinoma. In the first two conditions, a marked oxidative stress is consistently present, while in the third one, levels of reactive oxygen species tend to be significantly lower than in the surrounding normal tissue. Lipid-derived compounds such as the aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) or cholesterol oxidation products (oxysterols) were shown able to induce expression and synthesis of TGFbeta1, an event which can be detrimental or beneficial, essentially depending on its actual intensity. Understanding how specific dietary lipids may influence the complex molecular signaling underlying this cytokine expression, may provide new indications for therapeutic and preventive strategies in inflammatory bowel diseases and colon carcinoma.

Tissue homeostasis and cancer

Epithelial cells are known to release an important amount of cytokines capable to modulate immune system functions. On the other hand, immune system cells can release cytokines, which play an important role in the control of the growth of epithelial cells. In this paper, we stand the hypothesis that a mutual (reciprocal) growth regulation exists between epithelial cells and immune system. We propose a model describing plausible cytokine circuits that may regulate (inhibit) both epithelial growth and epithelial inflammation. In addition, we describe how dysfunction of these circuits could lead to tumoral growth, excessive inflammation or both. A failure in the regulation of epithelial growth by the immune system could give rise to a neoplasm, and a failure in the regulation of the immune system by the epithelium could give rise to inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. This model may satisfactorily explain the link between inflammation and cancer.

Enhancement of tumor invasion depends on transdifferentiation of skin fibroblasts mediated by reactive oxygen species

Myofibroblasts, pivotal for tumor progression, populate the microecosystem of reactive stroma. Using an in vitro tumor-stroma model of skin carcinogenesis, we report here that tumor-cell-derived transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) initiates reactive oxygen species-dependent expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a biomarker for myofibroblastic cells belonging to a group of late-responsive genes. Moreover, protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in lipid hydroperoxide-triggered molecular events underlying transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts (mesenchymal-mesenchymal transition, MMT). In contrast to fibroblasts, myofibroblasts secrete large amounts of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), resulting in a significant increase in the invasive capacity of tumor cells. The thiol N-acetyl-L-cysteine, the micronutrient selenite as well as selenoprotein P and the lipid peroxidation inhibitors α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene significantly lower both the number of TGFβ1-initiated myofibroblasts and the secretion of HGF, VEGF and IL-6, correlating with a diminished invasive capacity of tumor cells. This novel concept of stromal therapy, namely the protection of stromal cells against the dominating influence of tumor cells in tumor-stroma interaction by antioxidants and micronutrients, may form the basis for prevention of MMT in strategies for chemoprevention of tumor invasion.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain expressing a plant fatty acid desaturase produces polyunsaturated fatty acids and is susceptible to oxidative stress induced by lipid peroxidation

Although oxygen is essential for aerobic organisms, it also forms potentially harmful reactive oxygen species. For its simplicity, easy manipulation, and cultivation conditions, yeast is used as an attractive model in oxidative stress research. However, lack of polyunsaturated fatty acids in yeast membranes makes yeast unsuitable for research in the field of lipid peroxidation. Therefore, we have constructed a yeast strain expressing a Delta12 desaturase gene from the tropical rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. This yeast strain expresses the heterologous desaturase in an active form and, consequently, produces Delta9/Delta12 polyunsaturated fatty acids under inducing conditions. The functional expression of the heterologous desaturase did not affect cellular morphology or growth, indicating no general adverse effect on cellular physiology. However, the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids changed the yeast's sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by addition of paraquat, tert-butylhydroperoxide, and hydrogen peroxide. This difference in sensitivity to the latter was followed by the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, one of the end products of linoleic fatty acid peroxidation, which is known to play a role in cell growth control and signaling. Here we show that this yeast strain conditionally expressing the Delta12 desaturase gene provides a novel and well-defined eukaryotic model in lipid peroxidation research. Its potential to investigate the molecular basis of responses to oxidative stress, in particular the involvement of reactive aldehydes derived from fatty acid peroxidation, especially 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, will be addressed.

Resveratrol protects against 4-hydroxynonenal-induced apoptosis by blocking JNK and c-JUN/AP-1 signaling

In the present study we have studied the effect of resveratrol in signal transduction mechanisms leading to apoptosis in 3T3 fibroblasts when exposed to 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). In order to gain insight into the mechanisms of apoptotic response by HNE, we followed MAP kinase and caspase activation pathways; HNE induced early activation of JNK and p38 proteins but downregulated the basal activity of ERK (1/2). We were also able to demonstrate HNE-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activation. Resveratrol effectively prevented HNE-induced JNK and caspase activation, and hence apoptosis. Activation of AP-1 along with increased c-Jun and phospho-c-Jun levels could be inhibited by pretreatment of cells with resveratrol. Moreover, Nrf2 downregulation by HNE could also be blocked by resveratrol. Overexpression of dominant negative c-Jun and JNK1 in 3T3 fibroblasts prevented HNE-induced apoptosis, which indicates a role for JNK-c-Jun/AP-1 pathway. In light of the JNK-dependent induction of c-Jun/AP-1 activation and the protective role of resveratrol, these data may show a critical potential role for JNK in the cellular response against toxic products of lipid peroxidation. In this respect, resveratrol acting through MAP kinase pathways and specifically on JNK could have a role other than acting as an antioxidant-quenching reactive oxygen intermediate.

Study of both sunflower oil and its headspace throughout the oxidation process. Occurrence in the headspace of toxic oxygenated aldehydes

The static headspace composition of sunflower oil throughout the oxidation process at 70 degrees C with circulating air is studied by means of solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS); at the same time the liquid phase of the same oil is studied by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Each technique provides complementary information about the process; FITR spectroscopy detects changes in the functional groups of the liquid matrix in a global way and SPME/GC-MS provides information about the different components present in the volatile phase during the oxidation process. Concordance between the timing of the changes produced in both liquid and gaseous phases is observed, as well as agreement and complementarity in the results obtained from both phases. The formation of some well-known genotoxic and cytotoxic oxygenated aldehydes in this process and their presence in the oil headspace are proved.

4-Hydroxynonenal inhibits cell proliferation and alters differentiation pathways in human fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells

During fetal development, the liver serves as the primary hematopoietic organ in which hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) comprise a large proportion of hepatic cell populations. Because HSC are capable of initiating long-term hematopoiesis, injury to these cells may have ramifications with regard to the etiology of blood-borne diseases. In the current study, we examined the effects of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a mutagenic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde that can be produced in utero, on HSC proliferation, differentiation, viability and apoptosis. Exposure of HSC to acute single doses of 4-HNE as low as 1 nM inhibited HSC proliferation. Because 4-HNE rapidly disappears from culture media, a multiple dosing regime was also employed to approximate short-term steady state 4-HNE concentrations relevant to physiological oxidative stress. 4-Hydroxynonenal steady state concentrations as low as 1 microM altered HSC differentiation pathways, but did not affect apoptosis or cause cell death. In contrast, exposure to steady state 5 microM 4-HNE elicited a loss in viability, and increased the rate of apoptosis in total HSC populations. Collectively, our data indicate that cellular levels of 4-HNE associated with a low level of oxidative stress cause a loss of proliferation and viability and alter differentiation pathways in human fetal HSC.

4-hydroxynonenal and cell cycle

Lipid peroxidation is very low in proliferating cells and tumours and it might have a role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation by acting through its products. 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) has been proposed as a mediator of lipoperoxidation effects. It has been demonstrated that HNE can inhibit cell growth and induce differentiation in different leukemic cell lines. The onset of differentiation, induced by HNE, was accompanied by a reduction of c-myc expression. In HL-60 cells, HNE induced the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Cell cycle progression is regulated by three protein classes, the cyclins, the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and the CDK inhibitors (CKIs). In HL-60 cells, HNE decreased the expression of cyclin D1, D2 and A and caused an increase of p21 (the most important CKI) expression, whereas it did not affect CDK expressions. Since cyclins D/CDK2 and cyclin A/CDK2 phosphorylate pRB, HNE caused an increase of hypophosphorylated pRb. Hypophosphorylated pRb binds and inactivates the E2F transcription factors. Band-shift experiments demonstrated that HNE caused a decrease of "free" E2F, as well as an increase of pRb (and pRB family members) bound to E2F with consequent repression of the transcription.

4-hydroxynonenal and TGF-beta1 concur in inducing antiproliferative effects on the CaCo-2 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) has been demonstrated to exert its antiproliferative effect by up-regulating the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family (MAPKs). Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is the major negative regulatory factor in controlling cell proliferation, and Smads are its intracellular transducers. Recent data on human colon adenocarcinoma has shown a low HNE content paralleled by a marked alteration of TGF-beta1 levels within the tumor mass. The two events appear related because of the demonstrated marked ability of HNE to up-regulate expression and synthesis of TGF-beta1; the combined decreases of HNE and TGF-beta1 found in cancer cells provide a favorable condition for neoplastic progression. Furthermore, HNE is likely able to interact with the cytokine to enhance apoptosis and increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in the CaCo-2 colon carcinoma cell line. The probable mechanism whereby HNE and TGF-beta1 interact to induce apoptosis is through cross-talk between the main signaling pathways of the two molecules (JNK and Smads), and the observed ROS production might only contribute to amplifying the apoptotic pathways. The network between the two signaling pathways here involved is now under investigation.

Regulation of 4-hydroxynonenal-mediated signaling by glutathione S-transferases

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), one of the major end products of lipid peroxidation, has been shown to be involved in signal transduction and available evidence suggests that it can affect cell cycle events in a concentration-dependent manner. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) can modulate the intracellular concentrations of HNE by affecting its generation during lipid peroxidation by reducing hydroperoxides and also by converting it into a glutathione conjugate. We have recently demonstrated that overexpression of the Alpha class GSTs in cells leads to lower steady-state levels of HNE, and these cells acquire resistance to apoptosis induced by lipid peroxidation-causing agents such as H(2)O(2), UVA, superoxide anion, and pro-oxidant xenobiotics, suggesting that signaling for apoptosis by these agents is transduced through HNE. Cells with the capacity to exclude HNE from the intracellular environment at a faster rate are relatively more resistant to apoptosis caused by H(2)O(2), UVA, superoxide anion, and pro-oxidant xenobiotics as well as by HNE, suggesting that HNE may be a common denominator in mechanisms of apoptosis caused by oxidative stress. We have also shown that transfection of adherent cells with HNE-metabolizing GSTs leads to transformation of these cells due to depletion of HNE. These recent studies from our laboratories, which strongly suggest that HNE is a key signaling molecule and that GSTs, being determinants of its intracellular concentrations, can regulate stress-mediated signaling, are reviewed in this article.

NF-kappaB activation mechanism of 4-hydroxyhexenal via NIK/IKK and p38 MAPK pathway

4-Hydroxyhexenal (HHE) is known to affect redox balance during aging, included are vascular dysfunctions. To better understand vascular abnormality through the molecular alterations resulting from HHE accumulation in aging processes, we set out to determine whether up-regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by HHE is mediated through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in endothelial cells. HHE induced NF-kappaB activation by inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB) phosphorylation via the IkappaB kinase (IKK)/NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK) pathway. HHE increased the activity of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), but not c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, indicating that p38 MAPK and ERK are closely involved in HHE-induced NF-kappaB transactivation. Pretreatment with ERK inhibitor PD98059, and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, attenuated the induction of p65 translocation, IkappaB phosphorylation, and NF-kappaB luciferase activity. These findings strongly suggest that HHE induces NF-kappaB activation through IKK/NIK pathway and/or p38 MAPK and ERK activation associated with oxidative stress in endothelial cells.

Antioxidant role of glutathione S-transferases: protection against oxidant toxicity and regulation of stress-mediated apoptosis

It has been known that glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) can reduce lipid hydroperoxides through their Se-independent glutathione peroxidase activity and that these enzymes can also detoxify lipid peroxidation end products such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). In this article, recent studies suggesting that the Alpha class GSTs provide a formidable defense against oxidative stress are critically evaluated and the role of these enzymes in the regulation of oxidative stress-mediated signaling is reviewed. Available evidence from earlier studies together with results of recent studies in our laboratories strongly suggests that lipid peroxidation products, particularly hydroperoxides and 4-HNE, are involved in the mechanisms of stress-mediated signaling and that it can be modulated by the Alpha class GSTs through the regulation of the intracellular concentrations of 4-HNE.