Enhanced formation of 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid by cancer cells in response to oxidative stress, docosahexaenoic acid and neutrophil-derived 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid

The G-protein coupled receptor OXER1 is a tissue redox sensor essential for intestinal epithelial barrier integrity

Generation of reactive oxygen species is an important part of the innate immune response. Generating microbicidal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) requires adaptation of mucosal barriers. High tolerance of ROS provides improved innate immune defenses against pathogens, whereas low tolerance renders host cells prone to chronic toxicity and mutagenesis, which can promote inflammation (e.g., in asthma and Crohn's disease) and cancerogenesis. The mechanisms that sense and mediate host tolerance to ROS are little understood. In this study, we discover an unexpected role for the redox-sensitive, chemokine-like lipid 5-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-KETE) in redox adaptation. 5-KETE is known to attract leukocytes to damaged/infected mucosal barriers by signaling through its receptor, OXER1. Suggestive of a distinct non-immune function, we here report that the loss of the OXER1 ortholog Hcar1-4 causes barrier defects and baseline inflammation in the intestine of live zebrafish larvae. In zebrafish and cultured human cells, OXER1 signaling protects against oxidative nucleotide lesions by inducing DNA-protective Nudix hydrolases. Our data reveal the oxoeicosanoid pathway as a conserved ROS resilience mechanism that fortifies pathogen-exposed mucosal linings against increased oxidative stress in vivo.

Molecular Characterization of Membrane Steroid Receptors in Hormone-Sensitive Cancers

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, and its development is a result of the complex interaction of genetic factors, environmental cues, and aging. Hormone-sensitive cancers depend on the action of one or more hormones for their development and progression. Sex steroids and corticosteroids can regulate different physiological functions, including metabolism, growth, and proliferation, through their interaction with specific nuclear receptors, that can transcriptionally regulate target genes via their genomic actions. Therefore, interference with hormones’ activities, e.g., deregulation of their production and downstream pathways or the exposition to exogenous hormone-active substances such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can affect the regulation of their correlated pathways and trigger the neoplastic transformation. Although nuclear receptors account for most hormone-related biologic effects and their slow genomic responses are well-studied, less-known membrane receptors are emerging for their ability to mediate steroid hormones effects through the activation of rapid non-genomic responses also involved in the development of hormone-sensitive cancers. This review aims to collect pre-clinical and clinical data on these extranuclear receptors not only to draw attention to their emerging role in cancer development and progression but also to highlight their dual role as tumor microenvironment players and potential candidate drug targets.

Emerging role of ferroptosis in breast cancer: New dawn for overcoming tumor progression

Breast cancer has become a serious threat to women's health. Cancer progression is mainly derived from resistance to apoptosis induced by procedures or therapies. Therefore, new drugs or models that can overcome apoptosis resistance should be identified. Ferroptosis is a recently identified mode of cell death characterized by excess reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation. Since ferroptosis is distinct from apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy, its induction successfully eliminates cancer cells that are resistant to other modes of cell death. Therefore, ferroptosis may become a new direction around which to design breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the complete appearance of ferroptosis in breast cancer has not yet been fully elucidated. Furthermore, whether ferroptosis inducers can be used in combination with traditional anti- breast cancer drugs is still unknown. Moreover, a summary of ferroptosis in breast cancer progression and therapy is currently not available. In this review, we discuss the roles of ferroptosis-associated modulators glutathione, glutathione peroxidase 4, iron, nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor-2, superoxide dismutases, lipoxygenase and coenzyme Q in breast cancer. Furthermore, we provide evidence that traditional drugs against breast cancer induce ferroptosis, and that ferroptosis inducers eliminate breast cancer cells. Finally, we put forward prospect of using ferroptosis inducers in breast cancer therapy, and predict possible obstacles and corresponding solutions. This review will deepen our understanding of the relationship between ferroptosis and breast cancer, and provide new insights into breast cancer-related therapeutic strategies.

Targeting the OXE receptor as a potential novel therapy for asthma

5-Oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) is an arachidonic acid metabolite formed by oxidation of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) product 5S-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5S-HETE) by the NADP+-dependent enzyme 5-hydroxyeicosanoid dehydrogenase. It is the only 5-LO product with appreciable chemoattractant activity for human eosinophils. Its actions are mediated by the selective OXE receptor, which is highly expressed on eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils and monocytes. Orthologs of the OXER1 gene, which encodes this receptor, are found in many species except for rodents. Intradermal injection of 5-oxo-ETE into humans and monkeys elicits eosinophil infiltration into the skin, raising the possibility that it may play a pathophysiological role in eosinophilic diseases. To investigate this and possibly identify a novel therapy we sought to prepare synthetic antagonists that could selectively block the OXE receptor. We synthesized a series of indole-based compounds bearing substituents that mimic the regions of 5-oxo-ETE that are required for biological activity, which we modified to reduce metabolism. The most potent of these OXE receptor antagonists is S-Y048, which is a potent inhibitor of 5-oxo-ETE-induced calcium mobilization (IC50, 20 pM) and has a long half-life following oral administration. S-Y048 inhibited allergen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the skin of rhesus monkeys that had been experimentally sensitized to house dust mite and inhibited pulmonary inflammation resulting from challenge with aerosolized allergen. These data provide the first evidence for a pathophysiological role for 5-oxo-ETE in mammals and suggest that potent and selective OXE receptor antagonists such as S-Y048 may be useful therapeutic agents in asthma and other eosinophilic diseases.

Eicosanoids in prostate cancer

Many epidemiological studies revealed an association of dietary consumption of fatty acids and prostate cancer. Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid and their derivatives such as arachidonic acid and eicosapentanoic acid are important polyunsaturated fatty acids in animal fats and in many vegetable oils. Their metabolism at the cellular level by enzymes such as lipoxygenases and cycloxygenases produces the group of eicosanoids molecules with many biological roles and activities in a variety of human diseases including cancer. In this review, we describe the biological activities of lipids with focus in eicosanoids and prostate cancer.

Synthesis, molecular modelling studies and biological evaluation of new oxoeicosanoid receptor 1 agonists

The oxoeicosanoid receptor 1 (OXER1) is a member of the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) family, and is involved in inflammatory processes and oncogenesis. As such it is an attractive target for pharmacological intervention. The present study aimed to shed light on the molecular fundaments of OXER1 modulation using chemical probes structurally related to the natural agonist 5-oxo-ETE. In a first step, 5-oxo-ETE and its closely related derivatives (5-oxo-EPE and 4-oxo-DHA) were obtained by conducting concise and high-yielding syntheses. The biological activity of obtained compounds was assessed in terms of potency (EC₅₀) and efficacy (E_max) for arrestin recruitment. Finally, molecular modelling and simulation were used to explore binding characteristics of 5-oxo-ETE and derivatives with the aim to rationalize biological activity. Our data suggest that the tested 5-oxo-ETE derivatives (i) insert quickly into the membrane, (ii) access the receptor via transmembrane helices (TMs) 5 and 6 from the membrane side and (iii) drive potency and efficacy by differential interaction with TM5 and 7. Most importantly, we found that the methyl ester of 5-oxo-ETE (1a) showed even a higher maximum response than the natural agonist (1). In contrast, shifting the 5-oxo group into position 4 results in inactive compounds (4-oxo DHA compounds (3) and (3a)). All in all, our study provides relevant structural data that help understanding better OXER1 functionality and its modulation. The structural information presented herein will be useful for designing new lead compounds with desired signalling profiles.

Impact of conjugated linoleic acid administered to rats prior and after carcinogenic agent on arachidonic and linoleic acid metabolites in serum and tumors

The objective of the study was to assess the influence of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) daily supplementation prior and after carcinogenic agent on the concentrations of eicosanoids - metabolites of arachidonic acid (15-, 12- or 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (15-, 12-, 5-HETE), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂)) and linoleic acid (13- or 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (13-, 9-HODE)) in rat serum and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced tumors. Female rats were randomised into six groups, receiving 1% or 2% Bio-C.L.A or plant oil since the 37th day of life throughout the whole experiment. Some rats (50-day-old) were administered DMBA to induce tumors. Eicosanoids were analyzed with LC-MS/MS. The study indicated that CLA supplemented daily to rats prior and after carcinogen administration affected concentrations of arachidonic and linoleic acid metabolites in rat serum and induced tumors. However, ratios of eicosanoids exerting opposite activities (e.g. 12-HETE/15-HETE) appear to act as more precise factors reflecting pathological changes in an organism than individual compounds.

Design and synthesis of affinity chromatography ligands for the purification of 5-hydroxyeicosanoid dehydrogenase

Arachidonic acid (AA) is converted to biologically active metabolites by different pathways, one of the most important of which is initiated by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). 5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), although possessing only weak biological activity itself, is oxidized to 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE), a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils and neutrophils. Our main goal is to determine how the biosynthesis of 5-oxo-ETE is regulated and to determine its pathophysiological roles. To achieve this task, we designed and synthesized affinity chromatography ligands for the purification of 5-hydroxyeicosanoid dehydrogenase (5-HEDH), the enzyme responsible for the formation of 5-oxo-ETE.

Elevation of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Attenuates PTEN-deficiency Induced Endometrial Cancer Development through Regulation of COX-2 and PGE2 Production

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies. Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-mutation is frequently identified in endometrial cancer patients. Although high dietary intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer, the underlying mechanisms is still unknown. To this end, we evaluated the impact of ω-3 PUFAs using several endometrial cancer cellular and animal models. While ~27% and 40% of heterozygotic PTEN mutant mice developed endometrial cancer and atypical complex hyperplasia, respectively, none of the PTEN(+/-) mice developed cancer when we overexpressed an mfat-1 transgene, which allowed endogenous production of ω-3 PUFAs. Fish oil-enriched diet or expression of mfat-1 transgene significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumor derived from RL95-2 cells bearing a PTEN null mutation. At cellular level, ω-3 PUFAs treatment decreased the viability of RL95-2 cells, AKT phosphorylation, and cyclin D1 expression. These molecular events are primarily mediated through reduction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Exogenous PGE2 treatment completely blunted the impact of ω-3 PUFAs on endometrial cancer. Thus, we revealed the direct inhibitory effects of ω-3 PUFAs on endometrial cancer development and the underlying mechanisms involving reduction of COX-2 and PGE2.

Biosynthesis and actions of 5-oxoeicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) on feline granulocytes

The 5-lipoxygenase product 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) is the most powerful human eosinophil chemoattractant among lipid mediators and could play a major pathophysiological role in eosinophilic diseases such as asthma. Its actions are mediated by the OXE receptor, orthologs of which are found in many species from humans to fish, but not rodents. The unavailability of rodent models to examine the pathophysiological roles of 5-oxo-ETE and the OXE receptor has substantially hampered progress in this area. As an alternative, we have explored the possibility that the cat could serve as an appropriate animal model to investigate the role of 5-oxo-ETE. We found that feline peripheral blood leukocytes synthesize 5-oxo-ETE and that physiologically relevant levels of 5-oxo-ETE are present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from cats with experimentally induced asthma. 5-Oxo-ETE (EC50, 0.7nM) is a much more potent activator of actin polymerization in feline eosinophils than various other eicosanoids, including leukotriene (LT) B4 and prostaglandin D2. 5-Oxo-ETE and LTB4 induce feline leukocyte migration to similar extents at low concentrations (1nM), but at higher concentrations the response to 5-oxo-ETE is much greater. Although high concentrations of selective human OXE receptor antagonists blocked 5-oxo-ETE-induced actin polymerization in feline granulocytes, their potencies were about 200 times lower than for human granulocytes. We conclude that feline leukocytes synthesize and respond to 5-oxo-ETE, which could potentially play an important role in feline asthma, a common condition in this species. The cat could serve as a useful animal model to investigate the pathophysiological role of 5-oxo-ETE.

Biosynthesis, biological effects, and receptors of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and oxoeicosatetraenoic acids (oxo-ETEs) derived from arachidonic acid

Arachidonic acid can be oxygenated by a variety of different enzymes, including lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases, and cytochrome P450s, and can be converted to a complex mixture of oxygenated products as a result of lipid peroxidation. The initial products in these reactions are hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HpETEs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). Oxoeicosatetraenoic acids (oxo-ETEs) can be formed by the actions of various dehydrogenases on HETEs or by dehydration of HpETEs. Although a large number of different HETEs and oxo-ETEs have been identified, this review will focus principally on 5-oxo-ETE, 5S-HETE, 12S-HETE, and 15S-HETE. Other related arachidonic acid metabolites will also be discussed in less detail. 5-Oxo-ETE is synthesized by oxidation of the 5-lipoxygenase product 5S-HETE by the selective enzyme, 5-hydroxyeicosanoid dehydrogenase. It actions are mediated by the selective OXE receptor, which is highly expressed on eosinophils, suggesting that it may be important in eosinophilic diseases such as asthma. 5-Oxo-ETE also appears to stimulate tumor cell proliferation and may also be involved in cancer. Highly selective and potent OXE receptor antagonists have recently become available and could help to clarify its pathophysiological role. The 12-lipoxygenase product 12S-HETE acts by the GPR31 receptor and promotes tumor cell proliferation and metastasis and could therefore be a promising target in cancer therapy. It may also be involved as a proinflammatory mediator in diabetes. In contrast, 15S-HETE may have a protective effect in cancer. In addition to GPCRs, higher concentration of HETEs and oxo-ETEs can activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and could potentially regulate a variety of processes by this mechanism. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Oxygenated metabolism of PUFA: analysis and biological relevance".

Omega-3 fatty acid is a potential preventive agent for recurrent colon cancer

Increasing evidence supports the contention that many malignancies, including sporadic colorectal cancer, are driven by the self-renewing, chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem/stem-like cells (CSC/CSLC), underscoring the need for improved preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs/CSLCs. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA), have been reported to inhibit the growth of primary tumors, but their potential as a preventive agent for recurring cancers is unexplored. The primary objectives of this investigation are (i) to examine whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; one of the ω-3 PUFA) synergizes with FuOx (5-FU+Oxaliplatin), the backbone of colon cancer chemotherapy, and (ii) whether EPA by itself or in combination with conventional chemotherapy prevents the recurrence of colon cancer via eliminating/suppressing CSCs/CSLCs. FuOx-resistant (chemoresistant; CR) colon cancer cells, highly enriched in CSCs, were used for this study. Although EPA alone was effective, combination of EPA and FuOx was more potent in (i) inhibiting cell growth, colonosphere formation, and sphere-forming frequency, (ii) increasing sphere disintegration, (iii) suppressing the growth of SCID mice xenografts of CR colon cancer cells, and (iv) decreasing proinflammatory metabolites in mice. In addition, EPA + FuOx caused a reduction in CSC/CSLC population. The growth reduction by this regimen is the result of increased apoptosis as evidenced by PARP cleavage. Furthermore, increased pPTEN, decreased pAkt, normalization of β-catenin expression, localization, and transcriptional activity by EPA suggests a role for the PTEN-Akt axis and Wnt signaling in regulating this process. Our data suggest that EPA by itself or in combination with FuOx could be an effective preventive strategy for recurring colorectal cancer.

Inhibition of 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid-induced activation of neutrophils and eosinophils by novel indole OXE receptor antagonists

5-Oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) is a 5-lipoxygenase product that is a potent granulocyte chemoattractant, which induces the infiltration of eosinophils into human skin when injected intradermally. It could therefore be an important proinflammatory mediator in eosinophilic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, and the OXE receptor, which mediates its actions, is therefore an attractive drug target. Using a structure-based approach in which substituents mimicking the essential polar (C1-C5) and hydrophobic (C15-C20) regions of 5-oxo-ETE were incorporated on an indole scaffold, we identified two potent selective OXE antagonists with IC50 values of about 30 nM. Neither compound displayed agonist activity and both inhibited 5-oxo-ETE-induced chemotaxis and actin polymerization and were relatively resistant to metabolism by rat liver homogenates. The active enantiomers of these racemic antagonists were even more potent, with IC50 values of <10 nM. These selective OXE antagonists could potentially be useful therapeutic agents in allergic diseases such as asthma.

The eosinophil chemoattractant 5-oxo-ETE and the OXE receptor

5-Oxo-ETE (5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid) is formed from the 5-lipoxygenase product 5-HETE (5S-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid) by 5-hydroxyeicosanoid dehydrogenase (5-HEDH). The cofactor NADP(+) is a limiting factor in the synthesis of 5-oxo-ETE because of its low concentrations in unperturbed cells. Activation of the respiratory burst in phagocytic cells, oxidative stress, and cell death all dramatically elevate both intracellular NADP(+) levels and 5-oxo-ETE synthesis. 5-HEDH is widely expressed in inflammatory, structural, and tumor cells. Cells devoid of 5-lipoxygenase can synthesize 5-oxo-ETE by transcellular biosynthesis using inflammatory cell-derived 5-HETE. 5-Oxo-ETE is a chemoattractant for neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils and promotes the proliferation of tumor cells. However, its primary target appears to be the eosinophil, for which it is a highly potent chemoattractant. The actions of 5-oxo-ETE are mediated by the highly selective OXE receptor, which signals by activating various second messenger pathways through the release of the βγ-dimer from Gi/o proteins to which it is coupled. Because of its potent effects on eosinophils, 5-oxo-ETE may be an important mediator in asthma, and, because of its proliferative effects, may also contribute to tumor progression. Selective OXE receptor antagonists, which are currently under development, could be useful therapeutic agents in asthma and other allergic diseases.