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Peer reviewed: True, Funder: King’s College London, Funder: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Organoids are 3D cultures that to some extent reproduce the structure, composition and function of the mammalian tissues from which they derive, thereby creating in vitro systems with more in vivo-like characteristics than 2D monocultures. Here, the ability of human organoids derived from normal gastric, pancreas, liver, colon and kidney tissues to metabolise the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was investigated. While organoids from the different tissues showed varied cytotoxic responses to BaP, with gastric and colon organoids being the most susceptible, the xenobiotic-metabolising enzyme (XME) genes, CYP1A1 and NQO1, were highly upregulated in all organoid types, with kidney organoids having the highest levels. Furthermore, the presence of two key metabolites, BaP-t-7,8-dihydrodiol and BaP-tetrol-l-1, was detected in all organoid types, confirming their ability to metabolise BaP. BaP bioactivation was confirmed both by the activation of the DNA damage response pathway (induction of p-p53, pCHK2, p21 and γ-H2AX) and by DNA adduct formation. Overall, pancreatic and undifferentiated liver organoids formed the highest levels of DNA adducts. Colon organoids had the lowest responses in DNA adduct and metabolite formation, as well as XME expression. Additionally, high-throughput RT-qPCR explored differences in gene expression between organoid types after BaP treatment. The results demonstrate the potential usefulness of organoids for studying environmental carcinogenesis and genetic toxicology.

The plant extract aristolochic acid (AA), containing aristolochic acids I (AAI) and II (AAII) as major components, causes aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), unique renal diseases associated with upper urothelial cancer. Recently (Chemical Research in Toxicology 33(11), 2804–2818, 2020), we showed that the in vivo metabolism of AAI and AAII in Wistar rats is influenced by their co-exposure (i.e., AAI/AAII mixture). Using the same rat model, we investigated how exposure to the AAI/AAII mixture can influence AAI and AAII DNA adduct formation (i.e., AA-mediated genotoxicity). Using 32P-postlabelling, we found that AA-DNA adduct formation was increased in the livers and kidneys of rats treated with AAI/AAII mixture compared to rats treated with AAI or AAII alone. Measuring the activity of enzymes involved in AA metabolism, we showed that enhanced AA-DNA adduct formation might be caused partially by both decreased AAI detoxification as a result of hepatic CYP2C11 inhibition during treatment with AAI/AAII mixture and by hepatic or renal NQO1 induction, the key enzyme predominantly activating AA to DNA adducts. Moreover, our results indicate that AAII might act as an inhibitor of AAI detoxification in vivo. Consequently, higher amounts of AAI might remain in liver and kidney tissues, which can be reductively activated, resulting in enhanced AAI DNA adduct formation. Collectively, these results indicate that AAII present in the plant extract AA enhances the genotoxic properties of AAI (i.e., AAI DNA adduct formation). As patients suffering from AAN and BEN are always exposed to the plant extract (i.e., AAI/AAII mixture), our findings are crucial to better understanding host factors critical for AAN- and BEN-associated urothelial malignancy.

International audience; The hypothesis that C fullerene nanoparticles (C) exert an antagonistic interactive effect on the toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has been supported by this investigation. Mussels were exposed to BaP (5, 50 & 100μg/L) and C (C-1mg/L) separately and in combination. Both BaP and C were shown to co-localize in the secondary lysosomes of the hepatopancreatic digestive cells in the digestive gland where they reduced lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) or increased membrane permeability, while BaP also induced increased lysosomal lipid and lipofuscin, indicative of oxidative cell injury and autophagic dysfunction. Combinations of BaP and C showed antagonistic effects for lysosomal stability, mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) inhibition and intralysosomal lipid (5 & 50μg/L BaP). The biomarker data (i.e., LMS, lysosomal lipidosis and lipofuscin accumulation; lysosomal/cell volume and dephosphorylation of mTORC1) were further analysed using multivariate statistics. Principal component and cluster analysis clearly indicated that BaP on its own was more injurious than in combination with C. Use of a network model that integrated the biomarker data for the cell pathophysiological processes, indicated that there were significant antagonistic interactions in network complexity (% connectance) at all BaP concentrations for the combined treatments. Loss of lysosomal membrane stability probably causes the release of intralysosomal iron and hydrolases into the cytosol, where iron can generate harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was inferred that this adverse oxidative reaction induced by BaP was ameliorated in the combination treatments by the ROS scavenging property of intralysosomal C, thus limiting the injury to the lysosomal membrane; and reducing the oxidative damage in the cytosol and to the nuclear DNA. The ROS scavenging by C, in combination with enhanced autophagic turnover of damaged cell constituents, appeared to have a cytoprotective effect against the toxic reaction to BaP in the combined treatments.

Highlights • Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) and cytochrome b5 modulate CYP enzyme activity. • CYP-mediated activation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was studied in POR knockout (KO) cells. • BaP-7,8-dihydro-diol levels were increased in POR KO cells after 48 h. • BaP-DNA adduct formation was enhanced in POR KO cells after 48 h. • Cytochrome b5 seems to modulate CYP-mediated BaP bioactivation in POR KO cells., Diet is a major source of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), of which benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is the most commonly studied and measured. BaP has been considered to exert its genotoxic effects after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes whose activity can be modulated by cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), the electron donor to CYP enzymes. Previous studies showed that BaP-DNA adduct formation was greater in the livers of Hepatic Reductase Null (HRN) mice, in which POR is deleted specifically in hepatocytes, than in wild-type (WT) mice. In the present study we used human hepatoma HepG2 cells carrying a knockout (KO) in the POR gene as a human in vitro model that can mimic the HRN mouse model. Treatment to BaP for up to 48 h caused similar cytotoxicity in POR KO and WT HepG2 cells. However, levels of BaP activation (i.e. BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol formation) were higher in POR KO HepG2 cells than in WT HepG2 cells after 48 h. This also resulted in substantially higher BaP-DNA adduct formation in POR KO HepG2 cells indicating that BaP metabolism is delayed in POR KO HepG2 cells thereby prolonging the effective exposure of cells to unmetabolized BaP. As was seen in the HRN mouse model, these results suggest that cytochrome b5, another component of the mixed-function oxidase system, which can also serve as electron donor to CYP enzymes along with NADH:cytochrome b5 redutase, contributes to the bioactivation of BaP in POR KO HepG2 cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that CYPs play a more important role in BaP detoxication as opposed to activation.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an environmental pollutant that, based on evidence largely from in vitro studies, exerts its genotoxic effects after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450s. In the present study, Hepatic Reductase Null (HRN) and Hepatic Cytochrome b5/P450 Reductase Null (HBRN) mice have been used to study the role of P450s in the metabolic activation of BaP in vivo. In HRN mice, cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), the electron donor to P450, is deleted specifically in hepatocytes. In HBRN mice the microsomal haemoprotein cytochrome b5, which can also act as an electron donor from cytochrome b5 reductase to P450s, is also deleted in the liver. Wild-type (WT), HRN and HBRN mice were treated by i.p. injection with 125 mg/kg body weight BaP for 24 h. Hepatic microsomal fractions were isolated from BaP-treated and untreated mice. In vitro incubations carried out with BaP-pretreated microsomal fractions, BaP and DNA resulted in significantly higher BaP–DNA adduct formation with WT microsomal fractions compared to those from HRN or HBRN mice. Adduct formation (i.e. 10-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP [dG-N2-BPDE]) correlated with observed CYP1A activity and metabolite formation (i.e. BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol) when NADPH or NADH was used as enzymatic cofactors. BaP–DNA adduct levels (i.e. dG-N2-BPDE) in vivo were significantly higher (~ sevenfold) in liver of HRN mice than WT mice while no significant difference in adduct formation was observed in liver between HBRN and WT mice. Our results demonstrate that POR and cytochrome b5 both modulate P450-mediated activation of BaP in vitro. However, hepatic P450 enzymes in vivo appear to be more important for BaP detoxification than its activation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00204-018-2162-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is linked to kidney disease and urothelial cancer in humans. The major carcinogenic component of the AA plant extract is aristolochic acid I (AAI). The tumour suppressor p53 is frequently mutated in AA-induced tumours. We previously showed that p53 protects from AAI-induced renal proximal tubular injury, but the underlying mechanism(s) involved remain to be further explored. In the present study, we investigated the impact of p53 on AAI-induced gene expression by treating Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/-), and Trp53(-/-) mice with 3.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) AAI daily for six days. The Clariom&trade, S Assay microarray was used to elucidate gene expression profiles in mouse kidneys after AAI treatment. Analyses in Qlucore Omics Explorer showed that gene expression in AAI-exposed kidneys is treatment-dependent. However, gene expression profiles did not segregate in a clear-cut manner according to Trp53 genotype, hence further investigations were performed by pathway analysis with MetaCore&trade, Several pathways were significantly altered to varying degrees for AAI-exposed kidneys. Apoptotic pathways were modulated in Trp53(+/+) kidneys, whereas oncogenic and pro-survival pathways were significantly altered for Trp53(+/-) and Trp53(-/-) kidneys, respectively. Alterations of biological processes by AAI in mouse kidneys could explain the mechanisms by which p53 protects from or p53 loss drives AAI-induced renal injury in vivo.

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is associated with human nephropathy and urothelial cancer. The tumour suppressor TP53 is a critical gene in carcinogenesis and frequently mutated in AA-induced urothelial tumours. We investigated the impact of p53 on AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA damage in vivo by treating Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/−) and Trp53(−/−) mice with 3.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) AAI daily for 2 or 6 days. Renal histopathology showed a gradient of intensity in proximal tubular injury from Trp53(+/+) to Trp53(−/−) mice, especially after 6 days. The observed renal injury was supported by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomic measurements, where a consistent Trp53 genotype-dependent trend was observed for urinary metabolites that indicate aminoaciduria (i.e. alanine), lactic aciduria (i.e. lactate) and glycosuria (i.e. glucose). However, Trp53 genotype had no impact on AAI-DNA adduct levels, as measured by 32P-postlabelling, in either target (kidney and bladder) or non-target (liver) tissues, indicating that the underlying mechanisms of p53-related AAI-induced nephrotoxicity cannot be explained by differences in AAI genotoxicity. Performing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) on kidney tissues showed metabolic pathways affected by AAI treatment, but again Trp53 status did not clearly impact on such metabolic profiles. We also cultured primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/−) and Trp53(−/−) mice and exposed them to AAI in vitro (50 µM for up to 48 h). We found that Trp53 genotype impacted on the expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (Nqo1), a key enzyme involved in AAI bioactivation. Nqo1 induction was highest in Trp53(+/+) MEFs and lowest in Trp53(−/−) MEFs; and it correlated with AAI-DNA adduct formation, with lowest adduct levels being observed in AAI-exposed Trp53(−/−) MEFs. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate that p53 status impacts on AAI-induced renal injury, but the underlying mechanism(s) involved remain to be further explored. Despite the impact of p53 on AAI bioactivation and DNA damage in vitro, such effects were not observed in vivo., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The tumor suppressor p53, encoded by TP53, is known as the 'guardian of the genome'. Sulfotransferases (SULTs) are involved in the metabolism of alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such 1-hydroxymethylpyrene (1-HMP) which is a known substrate for SULT1A1. To investigate the impact of TP53 on the metabolic activation of 1-HMP a panel of isogenic human colorectal HCT116 cells having TP53(+/+), TP53(+/-) or TP53(-/-) were treated with 10 μM 1-HMP for 24 hours. 1-HMP-DNA adduct formation was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, which quantified two nucleoside adducts N2 -(1-methylpyrenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (MPdG) and N6 -(1-methylpyrenyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (MPdA). 1-HMP treatment resulted in significantly (~40-fold) higher DNA adduct levels in TP53(+/+) cells than in the other cell lines. Higher levels of 1-HMP-induced DNA adducts in TP53(+/+) cells correlated with higher basal expression of SULT1A1/3 in this cell line but 1-HMP treatment showed no effect on the expression of this protein. These results indicate that the cellular TP53 status is linked to the SULT1A1/3-mediated bioactivation of 1-HMP thereby broadening the spectrum of p53's targets. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Summary: Balkan endemic nephropathy is a chronic tubulointerstitial disease with insidious onset, slowly progressing to end-stage renal disease and frequently associated with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC). It was described in South-East Europe at the Balkan peninsula in rural areas around tributaries of the Danube River. After decades of intensive investigation, the causative factor was identified as the environmental phytotoxin aristolochic acid (AA)contained in Aristolochia clematitis, a common plant growing in wheat fields that was ingested through home-baked bread. AA initially was involved in the outbreak of cases of rapidly progressive renal fibrosis reported in Belgium after intake of root extracts of Aristolochia fangchi imported from China. A high prevalence of UTUC was found in these patients. The common molecular link between Balkan and Belgian nephropathy cases was the detection of aristolactam-DNA adducts in renal tissue and UTUC. These adducts are not only biomarkers of prior exposure to AA, but they also trigger urothelial malignancy by inducing specific mutations (A:T to T:A transversion)in critical genes of carcinogenesis, including the tumor-suppressor TP53. Such mutational signatures are found in other cases worldwide, particularly in Taiwan, highlighting the general public health issue of AA exposure by traditional phytotherapies., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Although ellipticine (Elli) is an efficient anticancer agent, it exerts several adverse effects. One approach to decrease the adverse effects of drugs is their encapsulation inside a suitable nanocarrier, allowing targeted delivery to tumour tissue whereas avoiding healthy cells. We constructed a nanocarrier from apoferritin (Apo) bearing ellipticine, ApoElli, and subsequently characterized. The nanocarrier exhibits a narrow size distribution suggesting its suitability for entrapping the hydrophobic ellipticine molecule. Ellipticine was released from ApoElli into the water environment under pH 6.5, but only less than 20% was released at pH 7.4. The interaction of ApoElli with microsomal membrane particles containing cytochrome P450 (CYP) biotransformation enzymes accelerated the release of ellipticine from this nanocarrier making it possible to be transferred into this membrane system even at pH 7.4 and facilitating CYP-mediated metabolism. Reactive metabolites were formed not only from free ellipticine, but also from ApoElli, and both generated covalent DNA adducts. ApoElli was toxic in UKF-NB-4 neuroblastoma cells, but showed significantly lower cytotoxicity in non-malignant fibroblast HDFn cells. Ellipticine either free or released from ApoElli was concentrated in the nuclei of neuroblastoma cells, concentrations of which being significantly higher in nuclei of UKF-NB-4 than in HDFn cells. In HDFn the higher amounts of ellipticine were sequestrated in lysosomes. The extent of ApoElli entering the nuclei in UKF-NB-4 cells was lower than that of free ellipticine and correlated with the formation of ellipticine-derived DNA adducts. Our study indicates that the ApoElli form of ellipticine seems to be a promising tool for neuroblastoma treatment.

TP53 mutations occur in half of all human tumours. Mutagen‐induced or spontaneous TP53 mutagenesis can be studied in vitro using the human TP53 knock‐in (Hupki) mouse embryo fibroblast (HUF) immortalisation assay (HIMA). TP53 mutations arise in up to 30% of mutagen‐treated, immortalised HUFs; however, mutants are not identified until TP53 sequence analysis following immortalisation (2–5 months) and much effort is expended maintaining TP53‐WT cultures. In order to improve the selectivity of the HIMA for HUFs harbouring TP53 mutations, we explored the use of Nutlin‐3a, an MDM2 inhibitor that leads to stabilisation and activation of wild‐type (WT) p53. First, we treated previously established immortal HUF lines carrying WT or mutated TP53 with Nutlin‐3a to examine the effect on cell growth and p53 activation. Nutlin‐3a induced the p53 pathway in TP53‐WT HUFs and inhibited cell growth, whereas most TP53‐mutated HUFs were resistant to Nutlin‐3a. We then assessed whether Nutlin‐3a treatment could discriminate between TP53‐WT and TP53‐mutated cells during the HIMA (n = 72 cultures). As immortal clones emerged from senescent cultures, each was treated with 10 µM Nutlin‐3a for 5 days and observed for sensitivity or resistance. TP53 was subsequently sequenced from all immortalised clones. We found that all Nutlin‐3a‐resistant clones harboured TP53 mutations, which were diverse in position and functional impact, while all but one of the Nutlin‐3a‐sensitive clones were TP53‐WT. These data suggest that including a Nutlin‐3a counter‐screen significantly improves the specificity and efficiency of the HIMA, whereby TP53‐mutated clones are selected prior to sequencing and TP53‐WT clones can be discarded., What's new? Because half of human tumors carry mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene, a mammalian cell culture system reproducing the diverse mutations seen in patients is necessary to properly study functional impact. Here the authors report a significant improvement to an existing model system using fibroblasts from human TP53 knock‐in mice (HIMA). They show that treating cells with Nutlin‐3a, an inhibitor of the destabilizing cofactor MDM2, efficiently selects for the growth of TP53‐mutated immortalized cells, while selecting against TP53‐wild type cells, thus increasing specificity and efficiency of TP53 mutagenesis.

This review summarizes the results found in studies investigating the enzymatic activation of two genotoxic nitro-aromatics, an environmental pollutant and carcinogen 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) and a natural plant nephrotoxin and carcinogen aristolochic acid I (AAI), to reactive species forming covalent DNA adducts. Experimental and theoretical approaches determined the reasons why human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1A2 have the potential to reductively activate both nitro-aromatics. The results also contributed to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of these reactions. The contribution of conjugation enzymes such as N,O-acetyltransferases (NATs) and sulfotransferases (SULTs) to the activation of 3-NBA and AAI was also examined. The results indicated differences in the abilities of 3-NBA and AAI metabolites to be further activated by these conjugation enzymes. The formation of DNA adducts generated by both carcinogens during their reductive activation by the NOQ1 and CYP1A1/2 enzymes was investigated with pure enzymes, enzymes present in subcellular cytosolic and microsomal fractions, selective inhibitors, and animal models (including knock-out and humanized animals). For the theoretical approaches, flexible in silico docking methods as well as ab initio calculations were employed. The results summarized in this review demonstrate that a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches is a useful tool to study the enzyme-mediated reaction mechanisms of 3-NBA and AAI reduction.

Background: The platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ)+ perivascular cell activation becomes increasingly recognized as a main source of scar-associated kidney myofibroblasts and recently emerged as a new cellular therapeutic target. Aims: In this regard, we first confirmed the presence of PDGFRβ+ perivascular cells in a human case of end-stage aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and thereafter we focused on the early fibrosis events of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) inhibition in a rat model of AAN. Materials and Methods: Neutralizing anti-TGFβ antibody (1D11) and its control isotype (13C4) were administered (5 mg/kg, i.p.) at Days -1, 0, 2 and 4; AA (15 mg/kg, sc) was injected daily. Results: At Day 5, 1D11 significantly suppressed p-Smad2/3 signaling pathway improving renal function impairment, reduced the score of acute tubular necrosis, peritubular capillaritis, interstitial inflammation and neoangiogenesis. 1D11 markedly decreased interstitial edema, disruption of tubular basement membrane loss of brush border, cytoplasmic edema and organelle ultrastructure alterations (mitochondrial disruption and endoplasmic reticulum edema) in proximal tubular epithelial cells. Moreover, 1D11 significantly inhibited p-PERK activation and attenuated dysregulation of unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial proteostasis in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: The early inhibition of p-Smad2/3 signaling pathway improved acute renal function impairment, partially prevented epithelial-endothelial axis activation by maintaining PTEC proteostasis and reduced early PDGFRβ+ pericytes-derived myofibroblasts accumulation., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Dibenzo[def, p]chrysene (DBC) is the most carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) examined to date. We investigated the immunotoxicity of DBC, manifested as spleen atrophy, following acute exposure of adult MutaMouse males by oral gavage. Mice were exposed to 0, 2.0, 6.2, or 20.0 mg DBC/kg-bw per day, for 3 days. Genotoxic endpoints (DBC-DNA adducts and lacZ mutant frequency in spleen and bone marrow, and red blood cell micronucleus frequency) and global gene expression changes were measured. All of the genotoxicity measures increased in a dose-dependent manner in spleen and bone marrow. Gene expression analysis showed that DBC activates p53 signaling pathways related to cellular growth and proliferation, which was evident even at the low dose. Strikingly, the expression profiles of DBC exposed mouse spleens were highly inversely correlated with the expression profiles of the only published toxicogenomics dataset of enlarged mouse spleen. This analysis suggested a central role for Bnip3l, a pro-apoptotic protein involved in negative regulation of erythroid maturation. RT-PCR confirmed expression changes in several genes related to apoptosis, iron metabolism, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling that are regulated in the opposite direction during spleen atrophy versus benzo[a]pyrene-mediated splenomegaly. In addition, benchmark dose modeling of toxicogenomics data yielded toxicity estimates that are very close to traditional toxicity endpoints. This work illustrates the power of toxicogenomics to reveal rich mechanistic information for immunotoxic compounds and its ability to provide information that is quantitatively similar to that derived from standard toxicity methods in health risk assessment.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), was compared to dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) and combinations of three environmental PAH mixtures (coal tar, diesel particulate and cigarette smoke condensate) using a two stage, FVB/N mouse skin tumor model. DBC (4nmol) was most potent, reaching 100% tumor incidence with a shorter latency to tumor formation, less than 20 weeks of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) promotion compared to all other treatments. Multiplicity was 4 times greater than BaP (400 nmol). Both PAHs produced primarily papillomas followed by squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ. Diesel particulate extract (1 mg SRM 1650b; mix 1) did not differ from toluene controls and failed to elicit a carcinogenic response. Addition of coal tar extract (1 mg SRM 1597a; mix 2) produced a response similar to BaP. Further addition of 2 mg of cigarette smoke condensate (mix 3) did not alter the response with mix 2. PAH-DNA adducts measured in epidermis 12 h post initiation and analyzed by ³²P post-labeling, did not correlate with tumor incidence. PAH-dependent alteration in transcriptome of skin 12 h post initiation was assessed by microarray. Principal component analysis (sum of all treatments) of the 922 significantly altered genes (p

In this study we compared the response of the Pig-a gene mutation assay to that of the lacZ transgenic rodent mutation assay, and demonstrated that multiple endpoints can be measured in a 28-day repeat dose study. Muta™Mouse were dosed daily for 28 days with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP; 0, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight/day) by oral gavage. Micronucleus (MN) frequency was determined in reticulocytes (RETs) 48 hr following the last dose. 72 h following the last dose, mice were euthanized, and tissues (glandular stomach, small intestine, bone marrow and liver) were collected for lacZ mutation and DNA adduct analysis, and blood was evaluated for Pig-a mutants. BaP-derived DNA adducts were detected in all tissues examined and significant dose-dependent increases in mutant Pig-a phenotypes (i.e., RETCD24- and RBC CD24-) and lacZ mutants were observed. We estimate that mutagenic efficiency (i.e., rate of conversion of adducts into mutations) was much lower for Pig-a compared to lacZ, and speculate that this difference is likely explained by differences in repair capacity between the gene targets, and differences in the cell populations sampled for Pig-a versus lacZ. The BaP doubling doses for both gene targets, however, were comparable, suggesting that similar mechanisms are involved in the accumulation of gene mutations. Significant dose-related increases in % MN were also observed; however, the doubling dose was considerably higher for this endpoint. The similarity in dose response kinetics of Pig-a and lacZ provides further evidence for the mutational origin of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor deficiencies detected in the Pig-a assay. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine (PhIP), formed during the cooking of foods, induces colon cancer in rodents. PhIP is metabolically activated by cytochrome P450s (CYPs). In order to evaluate the role of hepatic CYPs in the bioactivation of PhIP, we used Reductase Conditional Null (RCN) mice, in which cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), the unique electron donor to CYPs, can be specifically deleted in hepatocytes by pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), resulting in the loss of essentially all hepatic CYP function. RCN mice were treated orally with 50 mg/kg body weight PhIP daily for 5 days, with and without 3-MC pretreatment. PhIP-DNA adducts ( i.e. N -(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine [dG-C8-PhIP]), measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, were highest in colon (1362 adducts per 108 deoxynucleosides), while adduct levels in liver were ~3.5-fold lower. While no differences in PhIP-DNA adduct levels were found in livers with active POR versus inactivated POR, adduct levels were on average ~2-fold lower in extra-hepatic tissues of mice lacking hepatic POR. Hepatic microsomes from RCN mice with or without 3-MC pretreatment were also incubated with PhIP and DNA in vitro . PhIP-DNA adduct formation was ~8-fold lower with hepatic microsomes from POR-inactivated mice than with those with active POR. Most of the hepatic microsomal activation of PhIP in vitro was attributable to CYP1A. Our results show that PhIP-DNA adduct formation in colon involves hepatic N -oxidation, circulation of activated metabolites via the bloodstream to extra-hepatic tissues and further activation resulting in the formation of dG-C8-PhIP. Besides hepatic CYPs, PhIP may be metabolically activated mainly by a non-CYP pathway in liver.

Aristolochic acid is the cause of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and their associated urothelial malignancies. Using Western blotting, we investigated the expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), the most efficient cytosolic enzyme that reductively activates aristolochic acid I (AAI) in mice and rats. In addition, the effect of AAI on the expression of the NQO1 protein and its enzymatic activity in these experimental animal models was examined. We found that NQO1 protein levels in cytosolic fractions isolated from liver, kidney and lung of mice differed from those expressed in these organs of rats. In mice, the highest levels of NQO1 protein and NQO1 activity were found in the kidney, followed by lung and liver. In contrast, the NQO1 protein levels and enzyme activity were lowest in rat-kidney cytosol, whereas the highest amounts of NQO1 protein and activity were found in lung cytosols, followed by those of liver. NQO1 protein and enzyme activity were induced in liver and kidney of AAI-pretreated mice compared with those of untreated mice. NQO1 protein and enzyme activity were also induced in rat kidney by AAI. Furthermore, the increase in hepatic and renal NQO1 enzyme activity was associated with AAI bio-activation and elevated AAI-DNA adduct levels were found in ex vivo incubations of cytosolic fractions with DNA and AAI. In conclusion, our results indicate that AAI can increase its own metabolic activation by inducing NQO1, thereby enhancing its own genotoxic potential.

International audience; Plasma membrane is an early target of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). We previously showed that the PAH prototype, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), triggers apoptosis via DNA damage-induced p53 activation (genotoxic pathway) and via remodeling of the membrane cholesterol-rich microdomains called lipid rafts, leading to changes in pH homeostasis (non-genotoxic pathway). As omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids can affect membrane composition and function or hamper in vivo PAH genotoxicity, we hypothesized that addition of physiologically relevant levels of polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids (PUFAs) might interfere with B[a]P-induced toxicity. The effects of two major PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), were tested on B[a]P cytotoxicity in the liver epithelial cell line F258. Both PUFAs reduced B[a]P-induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, pre-treatment with DHA increased the formation of reactive B[a]P metabolites, resulting in higher levels of B[a]P-DNA adducts. EPA had no apparent effect on B[a]P metabolism or related DNA damage. EPA and DHA prevented B[a]P-induced apoptotic alkalinization by affecting Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 activity. Thus, the inhibitory effects of omega-3 fatty acids on B[a]P-induced apoptosis involve a non-genotoxic pathway associated with plasma membrane remodeling. Our results suggest that dietary omega-3 fatty acids may have marked effects on the biological consequences of PAH exposure.

Tobacco smoke and air pollutants contain carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA), that are substrates of metabolizing enzymes generating reactive metabolites that can bind to DNA. Variation in the activity of these enzymes may modify the extent to which these metabolites can interact with DNA. We compared the levels of bulky DNA adducts in blood leukocytes from 93 volunteers living in Mexico City with the presence of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to PAH and TSNA metabolism ( AhR rs2044853, CYP1A1 rs1048943, CYP1A1 rs1048943, CYP1A1 rs1799814, EPHX1 rs1051740, EPHX1 rs2234922, GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null and GSTP1 rs947894), DNA repair ( XRCC1 rs25487, ERCC2 rs13181 and MGMT rs12917) and cell cycle ( TP53 rs1042522). 32 P-postlabeling analysis was used to quantify bulky DNA adduct formation. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP. The mean levels of bulky DNA adducts were 8.51 ± 3.66 adducts/10 8 nucleotides (nt) in smokers and 8.38 ± 3.59 adducts/10 8 nt in non-smokers, being the difference not statistically significant. Without taking into account the smoking status, GSTM1null individuals had a marginally significant lower adduct levels compared with GSTM1 volunteers ( p = 0.0433) and individuals heterozygous for MGMT Leu/Phe had a higher level of bulky adducts than those who were homozygous wild type ( p = 0.0170). A multiple regression analysis model showed a significant association between the GSTM1 (deletion) and MGMT rs12917 (Phe/Phe) haplotype and the formation of DNA adducts in smokers ( R 2 = 0.2401, p = 0.0215). The presence of these variants conferred a greater risk for higher adduct levels in this Mexican population.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) administration and endogenous H2S metabolism were explored in the nematode C. elegans. Chronic treatment with a slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137, extended median survival by 17-23% and increased tolerance towards oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Also, cysl-2, a sulfhydrylase/cysteine synthase in C. elegans, was transcriptionally upregulated by GYY4137 treatment and the deletion of cysl-2 resulted in a significant reduction in lifespan which was partially recovered by the supplementation of GYY4137. Likewise, a mammalian cell culture system, GYY4137 was able to protect bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) from oxidative stress and (H2O2)-induced cell death. Taken together, this provides further support that H2S exerts a protective function which is consistent with the longevity dividend theory. Overall, this study underlines the therapeutic potential of a slow-releasing H2S donor as regulators of the aging and cellular stress pathways.

Aristolochic acid causes a specific nephropathy (AAN), Balkan endemic nephropathy, and urothelial malignancies. Using Western blotting suitable to determine protein expression, we investigated in several transgenic mouse lines expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1)-the most efficient cytosolic enzyme that reductively activates aristolochic acid I (AAI). The mouse tissues used were from previous studies [Arlt et al., Chem. Res. Toxicol. 24 (2011) 1710; Stiborova et al., Toxicol. Sci. 125 (2012) 345], in which the role of microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in AAI metabolism in vivo had been determined. We found that NQO1 levels in liver, kidney and lung of Cyp1a1⁻/⁻, Cyp1a2⁻/⁻ and Cyp1a1/1a2⁻/⁻ knockout mouse lines, as well as in two CYP1A-humanized mouse lines harboring functional human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 and lacking the mouse Cyp1a1/1a2 orthologs, differed from NQO1 levels in wild-type mice. NQO1 protein and enzymic activity were induced in hepatic and renal cytosolic fractions isolated from AAI-pretreated mice, compared with those in untreated mice. Furthermore, this increase in hepatic NQO1 enzyme activity was associated with bioactivation of AAI and elevated AAI-DNA adduct levels in ex vivo incubations of cytosolic fractions with DNA and AAI. In conclusion, AAI appears to increase its own metabolic activation by inducing NQO1, thereby enhancing its own genotoxic potential. Financial support from GACR (grant 303/09/0472 and 305/09/H008) and Charles University in Prague (UNCE 204025/2012) is highly acknowledged. Work at King's College London is supported by Cancer Research UK. D.H. Phillips and V.M. Arlt are members of the European Union Network of Excellence ECNIS2 (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility). D.W. Nebert has been supported by R01 ES ES014403 and the P30 ES006096 Center grant.

Whilst there is growing concern over the potential detrimental impact of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) on the natural environment, little is known about their interactions with other contaminants. In the present study, marine mussels (Mytilus sp.) were exposed for 3 days to C-60 fullerenes (C-60: 0.10-1 mg l(-1)) and a model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), fluoranthene (32-100 mu g l(-1)), either alone or in combination. The first two experiments were conducted by exposing the organisms to different concentrations of C-60 and fluoranthene alone, in order to determine the effects on total glutathione levels (as a measure of generic oxidative stress), genotoxicity (DNA strand breaks using Comet assay in haemocytes), DNA adduct analyses (using P-32-postlabelling method) in different organs, histopathological changes in different tissues (i.e. adductor muscle, digestive gland and gills) and physiological effects (feeding or clearance rate). Subsequently, in the third experiment, a combined exposure of C-60 plus fluoranthene (0.10 mg l(-1) and 32 mu g l(-1), respectively) was carried out to evaluate all endpoints mentioned above. Both fluoranthene and C-60 on their own caused concentration-dependent increases in DNA strand breaks as determined by the Comet assay. Formation of DNA adducts however could not be detected for any exposure conditions. Combined exposure to Cat and fluoranthene additively enhanced the levels of DNA strand breaks along with a 2-fold increase in the total glutathione content. In addition, significant accumulation of C-60 was observed in all organs, with highest levels in digestive gland (24.90 +/- 4.91 mu g C-60 g(-1) ww). Interestingly, clear signs of abnormalities in adductor muscle, digestive gland and gills were observed by histopathology. Clearance rates indicated significant differences compared to the control with exposure to C-60, and C-60/fluoranthene combined treatments, but not after fluoranthene exposure alone. This study demonstrated that at the selected concentrations, both C-60 and fluoranthene evoke toxic responses and genetic damage. The combined exposure produced enhanced damage with additive rather than synergistic effects. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is associated with human nephropathy and urothelial cancer. Individual susceptibility to AA-induced disease likely reflects individual differences in enzymes that metabolize AA. Herein, we evaluated AAI metabolism by human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1A2 in two CYP1A-humanized mouse lines that carry functional human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 genes in the absence of the mouse Cyp1a1/1a2 orthologs. Human and mouse hepatic microsomes and human CYPs were also studied. Human CYP1A1 and 1A2 were found to be principally responsible for reductive activation of AAI to form AAI-DNA adducts and for oxidative detoxication to 8-hydroxyaristolochic acid (AAIa), both in the intact mouse and in microsomes. Overall, AAI-DNA adduct levels were higher in CYP1A-humanized mice relative to wild-type mice, indicating that expression of human CYP1A1 and 1A2 in mice leads to higher AAI bioactivation than in mice containing the mouse CYP1A1 and 1A2 orthologs. Furthermore, an exclusive role of human CYP1A1 and 1A2 in AAI oxidation to AAIa was observed in human liver microsomes under the aerobic (i.e., oxidative) conditions. Because CYP1A2 levels in human liver are at least 100-fold greater than those of CYP1A1 and there exists a > 60-fold genetic variation in CYP1A2 levels in human populations, the role of CYP1A2 in AAI metabolism is clinically relevant. The results suggest that, in addition to CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression levels, in vivo oxygen concentration in specific tissues might affect the balance between AAI nitroreduction and demethylation, which in turn would influence tissue-specific toxicity or carcinogenicity.

Environmental exposures are a major concern for human cancer. However, the precise contribution of specific risk factors and their interactions, both with each other and with genotype, continue to be difficult to elucidate. The exposome is the comprehensive characterisation of an individual's lifetime exposure history (Wild, C. P. (2009) Environmental exposure measurement in cancer epidemiology. Mutagenesis, 24, 117-125). Unravelling complex environmental and genetic aetiologies in order to plan effective public health interventions demands that both environmental exposures and genetic variations are reliably measured. The development, validation and application of biomarkers of exposure are manifestly critical to the future of cancer epidemiology. The aim of this workshop at the University of Munster was to discuss the current status of exposure biomarkers in cancer molecular epidemiology as well as new findings achieved by applying the methods to studies of mechanisms of human cancer. Day 1 focused on biomarkers of exposure (i.e. carcinogen DNA adducts), effect and susceptibility to gain greater understanding of environmental cancer risks and their modulation. Day 2 focused on the role of oxidative stress and DNA damage in human carcinogenesis including methodologies used for the measurement of oxidatively induced DNA lesions in human cells or tissues and the possible use of these lesions as cancer biomarkers.

International audience

Background Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a widespread environmental genotoxic carcinogen that damages DNA by forming adducts. This damage along with activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) induces complex transcriptional responses in cells. To investigate whether human cells are more susceptible to BaP in a particular phase of the cell cycle, synchronised breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells were exposed to BaP. Cell cycle progression was analysed by flow cytometry, DNA adduct formation was assessed by 32P-postlabeling analysis, microarrays of 44K human genome-wide oligos and RT-PCR were used to detect gene expression (mRNA) changes and Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of some proteins, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and CYP1B1, which are involved in BaP metabolism. Results Following BaP exposure, cells evaded G1 arrest and accumulated in S-phase. Higher levels of DNA damage occurred in S- and G2/M- compared with G0/G1-enriched cultures. Genes that were found to have altered expression included those involved in xenobiotic metabolism, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Gene ontology and pathway analysis showed the involvement of various signalling pathways in response to BaP exposure, such as the Catenin/Wnt pathway in G1, the ERK pathway in G1 and S, the Nrf2 pathway in S and G2/M and the Akt pathway in G2/M. An important finding was that higher levels of DNA damage in S- and G2/M-enriched cultures correlated with higher levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA and proteins. Moreover, exposure of synchronised MCF-7 cells to BaP-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of BaP, did not result in significant changes in DNA adduct levels at different phases of the cell cycle. Conclusions This study characterised the complex gene response to BaP in MCF-7 cells and revealed a strong correlation between the varying efficiency of BaP metabolism and DNA damage in different phases of the cell cycle. Our results suggest that growth kinetics within a target-cell population may be important determinants of susceptibility and response to a genotoxic agent.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the prototypic ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), promotes tumor formation in some model systems. However, with regard to breast cancer, epidemiological and animal studies are inconclusive as to whether exposure increases tumor incidence or may instead be protective. We have previously reported that mice exposed to TCDD during pregnancy have impaired differentiation of mammary tissue, including decreased branching and poor development of lobuloalveolar structures. Because normal pregnancy-induced mammary differentiation may protect against subsequent neoplastic transformation, we hypothesized that TCDD-treated mice would be more susceptible to chemical carcinogenesis after parturition. To test this, mice were treated with TCDD or vehicle during pregnancy. Four weeks later, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was administered to induce mammary tumor formation. Contrary to our hypothesis, TCDD-exposed parous mice showed a 4-week delay in tumor formation relative to controls, and they had a lower tumor incidence throughout the 27-week time course. The same results were obtained in nulliparous mice given TCDD and DMBA on the same schedule. We next addressed whether the delayed tumor incidence was a reflection of decreased tumor initiation, by testing the formation of DMBA-DNA adducts and preneoplastic lesions, induction of cytochrome P450s, and cell proliferation. None of these markers of tumor initiation differed between vehicle- and TCDD-treated animals. The expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 was also measured to address their possible role in tumorigenesis. Taken together, our results suggest that AhR activation by TCDD slows the promotion of preneoplastic lesions to overt mammary tumors.

The heterocyclic aromatic amine, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is formed by the grilled cooking of certain foods such as meats, poultry and fish. PhIP has been shown to induce tumours in the colon, prostate and mammary glands of rats and is regarded as a potential human dietary carcinogen. PhIP is metabolically activated via cytochrome P450 mediated oxidation to an N-hydroxylamino-PhIP intermediate that is subsequently converted to an ester by N-acetyltransferases or sulfotransferases and undergoes heterolytic cleavage to produce a PhIP-nitrenium ion, which reacts with DNA to form the N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP-C8-dG) adduct. Thus far, the detection and quantification of PhIP-DNA adducts has relied to a large extent on (32)P-postlabelling methodologies. In order to expand the array of available techniques for the detection and improved quantification of PhIP-C8-dG adducts in DNA we have developed an online column-switching liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method incorporating an isotopically [(13)C(10)]-labelled PhIP-C8-dG internal standard for the analysis of DNA enzymatically hydrolysed to 2'-deoxynucleosides. A dose-dependent increase was observed for PhIP-C8-dG adducts when salmon testis DNA was reacted with N-acetoxy-PhIP. Analysis of DNA samples isolated from colon tissue of mice treated by oral gavage daily for 5 days with 50 mg/kg body weight of PhIP resulted in the detection of an average level of 14.8+/-3.7 PhIP-C8-dG adducts per 10(6) 2'-deoxynucleosides. The method required 50 microg of hydrolysed animal DNA on column and the limit of detection for PhIP-C8-dG was 2.5 fmol (1.5 PhIP-C8-dG adducts per 10(8) 2'-deoxynucleosides). In summary, the LC-ESI-MS/MS SRM method provides for the rapid automation of the sample clean up and a reduction in matrix components that would otherwise interfere with the mass spectrometric analysis, with sufficient sensitivity and precision to analyse DNA adducts in animals exposed to PhIP. The authors acknowledge financial support from the European Union Network of Excellence ECNIS, Type B project (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility, www.ecnis.org, Contract No. FOOD-CT-2005-513943)

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic environmental pollutant found in diesel exhaust and urban air pollution. In the present work we have characterised the effects of 3-NBA and its metabolite 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) on cell death and cytokine release in mouse hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells. These effects were related to induced DNA damage and changes in cell signalling pathways. 3-NBA resulted in cell death and caused most DNA damage as judged by the amount of DNA adducts ((32)P-postlabelling assay), single strand (ss)DNA breaks and oxidative DNA lesions (comet assay) detected. An increased phosphorylation of H2AX, chk1, chk2 and partly ATM was observed using flow cytometry and/or Western blotting. Both compounds increased phosphorylation of p53 and MAPKs (ERK, p38 and JNK). However, only 3-NBA caused an accumulation of p53 in the nucleus and a translocation of Bax to the mitochondria. The p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha inhibited 3-NBA-induced apoptosis, indicating that cell death was a result of the triggering of DNA signalling pathways. The highest phosphorylation of Akt and degradation of IkappaB-alpha (suggesting activation of NF-kappaB) were also seen after treatment with 3-NBA. In contrast 3-ABA increased IL-6 release, but caused little or no toxicity. Cytokine release was inhibited by PD98059 and curcumin, suggesting that ERK and NF-kappaB play a role in this process. In conclusion, 3-NBA seems to have a higher potency to induce DNA damage compatible with its cytotoxic effects, while 3-ABA seems to have a greater effect on the immune system. The study has been supported in part by an Aurora grant (Egide) and Cancer Research UK which has been greatly appreciated. Volker M. Arlt, Eszter Nagy and David H. Phillips are member of ECNIS (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility), a network of excellence operating with the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5: “Food Quality and Safety” (Contract No. 513943). We also thank Leni Ekeren for skilled technical assistance.

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), a genotoxic mutagen found in diesel exhaust and ambient air pollution and its active metabolite N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-3-ABA) were tested for initiating and complete carcinogenic activity in the NMRI mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Both compounds were found to be inactive as either tumour initiators or complete carcinogens in mouse skin over a dose range of 25-400nmol. Topical application of 3-NBA and N-OH-3-ABA produced DNA adduct patterns in epidermis, detected by (32)P-postlabelling, similar to those found previously in other organs of rats and mice. 24h after a single treatment of 100nmol DNA adduct levels produced by 3-NBA (18+/-4 adducts/10(8) nucleotides) were 6 times lower than those by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA; 114+/-37 adducts/10(8) nucleotides). In contrast, identical treatment with N-OH-3-ABA resulted in adduct levels in the same range as with DMBA (136+/-25 adducts/10(8) nucleotides), indicating that initial DNA adduct levels do not parallel tumour initiating activity. When compounds were tested for tumour initiating activity by a single treatment followed by twice-weekly applications of TPA, DNA adducts formed by DMBA, but not by 3-NBA or N-OH-3-ABA, were still detectable 40weeks after treatment. When tested for activity as complete carcinogens by twice-weekly topical application, 3-NBA and N-OH-3-ABA produced identical DNA adduct profiles in mouse skin, with adducts still detectable after 40weeks. Only 3-NBA produced detectable adducts in other organs. The authors acknowledge the excellent technical assistance by Brigitte Steinbauer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg. The study was supported by Cancer Research UK. H.H.S., V.M.A. and D.H.P. are members of ECNIS (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility), a network of excellence operating within the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5: “Food Quality and Safety” (Contract No. 513943).

A genotoxin is a chemical or agent that can cause DNA or chromosomal damage. Such damage in a germ cell has the potential to cause a heritable altered trait (germline mutation). DNA damage in a somatic cell may result in a somatic mutation, which may lead to malignant transformation (cancer). Many in vitro and in vivo tests for genotoxicity have been developed that, with a range of endpoints, detect DNA damage or its biological consequences in prokaryotic (e.g. bacterial) or eukaryotic (e.g. mammalian, avian or yeast) cells. These assays are used to evaluate the safety of environmental chemicals and consumer products and to explore the mechanism of action of known or suspected carcinogens. Many chemical carcinogens/ mutagens undergo metabolic activation to reactive species that bind covalently to DNA, and the DNA adducts thus formed can be detected in cells and in human tissues by a variety of sensitive techniques. The detection and characterisation of DNA adducts in human tissues provides clues to the aetiology of human cancer. Characterisation of gene mutations in human tumours, in common with the known mutagenic profiles of genotoxins in experimental systems, may provide further insight into the role of environmental mutagens in human cancer.

Rat cytochromes P450 oxidize 3-aminobenzanthrone, a human metabolite of the carcinogenic environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone3-Aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) is a human metabolite of carcinogenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), which occurs in diesel exhaust and air pollution. Understanding which cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are involved in metabolic activation and/or detoxication of this toxicant is important in the assessment of an individual's susceptibility to this substance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of rat hepatic CYPs to oxidize 3-ABA and to examine the metabolites formed during such an oxidation. The metabolites formed by CYPs in rat hepatic microsomes were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 3-ABA is oxidized by these enzymes to three metabolites, which were separated by HPLC as distinguish product peaks. Using co-chromatography with synthetic standards, two of them were identified to be oxidative metabolites of 3-ABA,N-hydroxy-3-ABA and 3-NBA. The structure of another 3-ABA metabolite remains to be characterized. To define the role of rat hepatic CYP enzymes in metabolism of 3-ABA, we investigated the modulation of its oxidation using different inducers of CYPs for treatment of rats to enrich the liver microsomes with individual CYPs. Based on these studies, we attribute most of 3-ABA oxidation in rat hepatic microsomes to CYP2B, followed by CYP1A, although a role of other hepatic CYPs cannot be ruled out. Inhibition of 3-ABA oxidation by selective inhibitors of individual CYPs, supported this finding.

Ellipticine and benzo(a)pyrene increase their own metabolic activation via modulation of expression and enzymatic activity of cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1A2Two compounds known to covalently bind to DNA after their activation with cytochromes P450 (CYPs), carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and an antineoplastic agent ellipticine, were investigated for their potential to induce CYP and NADPH:CYP reductase (POR) enzymes in rodent livers, the main target organ for DNA adduct formation. Two animal models were used in the study: (i) rats as animals mimicking the fate of ellipticine in humans and (ii) mice, especially wild-type (WT) and hepatic POR null (HRN™) mouse lines. Ellipticine and BaP induce expression of CYP1A enzymes in livers of experimental models, which leads to increase in their enzymatic activity. In addition, both compounds are capable of generating DNA adducts, predominantly in livers of studied organisms. As determined by32P postlabelling analysis, levels of ellipticine-derived DNA adducts formedin vivoin the livers of HRN™ mice were reduced (by up to 65%) relative to levels in WT mice, indicating that POR mediated CYP enzyme activity is important for the activation of ellipticine. In contrast to these results, 6.4 fold higher DNA binding of BaP was observed in the livers of HRN™ mice than in WT mice. This finding suggests a detoxication role of CYP1A in BaP metabolismin vivo. Inin vitroexperiments, DNA adduct formation in calf thymus DNA was up to 25 fold higher in incubations of ellipticine or BaP with microsomes from pretreated animals than with controls. This stimulation effect was attributed to induction of CYP1A1/2 enzymes, which are responsible for oxidative activation of both compounds to the metabolites generating major DNA adductsin vitro. Taken together, these results demonstrate that by inducing CYP1A1/2, ellipticine and BaP modulate their own enzymatic metabolic activation and detoxication, thereby modulating their either pharmacological (ellipticine) and/or genotoxic potential (both compounds).

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a carcinogen occurring in diesel exhaust and air pollution. Using the (32)P-postlabelling method, we found that 3-NBA and its human metabolite, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), are activated to species forming DNA adducts by cytosols and/or microsomes isolated from rat lung, the target organ for 3-NBA carcinogenicity, and kidney. Each compound generated identical five DNA adducts. We have demonstrated the importance of pulmonary and renal NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) to reduce 3-NBA to species that are further activated by N,O-acetyltransferases and sulfotransferases. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 is the essential enzyme for oxidative activation of 3-ABA in microsomes of both organs, while cyclooxygenase plays a minor role. 3-NBA was also investigated for its ability to induce NQO1 and CYP1A1 in lungs and kidneys, and for the influence of such induction on DNA adduct formation by 3-NBA and 3-ABA. When cytosols from rats treated i.p. with 40mg/kg bw of 3-NBA were incubated with 3-NBA, DNA adduct formation was up to 2.1-fold higher than in incubations with cytosols from control animals. This increase corresponded to an increase in protein level and enzymatic activity of NQO1. Incubations of 3-ABA with microsomes of 3-NBA-treated rats led to up to a fivefold increase in DNA adduct formation relative to controls. The stimulation of DNA adduct formation correlated with the potential of 3-NBA to induce protein expression and activity of CYP1A1. These results demonstrate that 3-NBA is capable to induce NQO1 and CYP1A1 in lungs and kidney of rats thereby enhancing its own genotoxic and carcinogenic potential. This work was supported in part by Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, grant 303/05/2195, Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic, grant MSM0021620808 and by Cancer Research UK. V.M. Arlt and D.H. Phillips are partners of ECNIS (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility), a network of excellence operating within the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5: “Food Quality and Safety” (Contract No. 513943).

Ellipticine is an antineoplastic agent, which forms covalent DNA adducts mediated by cytochromes P450 (CYP) and peroxidases. We evaluated the role of hepatic versus extra-hepatic metabolism of ellipticine, using the HRN (Hepatic Cytochrome P450 Reductase Null) mouse model, in which cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is deleted in hepatocytes, resulting in the loss of essentially all hepatic CYP function. HRN and wild-type (WT) mice were treated i.p. with 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight of ellipticine. Multiple ellipticine-DNA adducts detected by (32)P-postlabelling were observed in organs from both mouse strains. Highest total DNA binding levels were found in liver, followed by lung, kidney, urinary bladder, colon and spleen. Ellipticine-DNA adduct levels in the liver of HRN mice were up to 65% lower relative to WT mice, confirming the importance of CYP enzymes for the activation of ellipticine in livers, recently shown in vitro with human and rat hepatic microsomes. When hepatic microsomes of both mouse strains were incubated with ellipticine, ellipticine-DNA adduct levels with WT microsomes were up to 2.9-fold higher than with those from HRN mice. The ratios of ellipticine-DNA adducts in extra-hepatic organs between HRN and WT mice of up to 4.7 suggest that these organs can activate ellipticine and that more ellipticine is available in the circulation. These results and the DNA adduct patterns found in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that both CYP1A or 3A and peroxidases participate in activation of ellipticine to reactive species forming DNA adducts in the mouse model used in this study. This work was supported in part by Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, grant 203/06/0329, Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic, grants MSM0021620808 and 1M4635608802-Center of Targeted Therapeutics and by Cancer Research UK. V.M. Arlt, C.J. Henderson, C.R. Wolf and D.H. Phillips are partners of ECNIS (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility), a network of excellence operating within the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5: “Food Quality and Safety” (Contract No. 513943).

Aristolochic acid (AA), a naturally occurring nephrotoxin and carcinogen, is associated with tumor development in patients suffering from Chinese herbs nephropathy (now termed aristolochic acid nephropathy, AAN) and may also be a cause for the development of a similar type of nephropathy, the Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). Major DNA adducts [7-(deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-aristolactam and 7-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)aristolactam] formed from AA after reductive metabolic activation were found in renal tissues of patients with both diseases. Understanding which human enzymes are involved in AA activation and/or detoxication is important in the assessment of an individual's susceptibility to this plant carcinogen. This paper reviews major hepatic and renal enzymes responsible for AA-DNA adduct formation in humans. Phase I biotransformation enzymes play a crucial role in the metabolic activation of AA to species forming DNA adducts, while a role of phase II enzymes in this process is questionable. Most of the activation of AA in human hepatic microsomes is mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 and, to a lower extent, by CYP1A1; NADPH:CYP reductase plays a minor role. In human renal microsomes NADPH:CYP reductase is more effective in AA activation. Prostaglandin H synthase (cyclooxygenase, COX) is another enzyme activating AA in human renal microsomes. Among the cytosolic reductases, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is the most efficient in the activation of AA in human liver and kidney. Studies with purified enzymes confirmed the importance of CYPs, NADPH:CYP reductase, COX and NQO1 in the AA activation. The orientation of AA in the active sites of human CYP1A1, -1A2 and NQO1 was predicted from molecular modeling and explains the strong reductive potential of these enzymes for AA detected experimentally. We hypothesized that inter-individual variations in expressions and activities of enzymes activating AA may be one of the causes responsible for the different susceptibilities to this carcinogen reflected in the development of AA-induced nephropathies and associated urothelial cancer. The work is supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (grant 303/05/2195), the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic (grant MSM0021620808), German Cancer Research Center and the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR). Volker M. Arlt is a member of the ECNIS (European Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility), network of excellence operating within the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5: “Food Quality and Safety” (Contract No. 513943).

Human colon carcinoma cells (HCT116) differing in p53 status were exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) or anti-benzo(a)pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) and their gene expression responses compared by complementary DNA microarray technology. Exposure of cells to BPDE for up to 24 h resulted in gene expression profiles more distinguishable by duration of exposure than by p53 status, although a subset of genes were identified that had significantly different expression in p53 wild-type (WT) cells relative to p53-null cells. Apoptotic signalling genes were up-regulated in p53-WT cells but not in p53-null cells and, consistent with this, reduced viability and caspase activity were also p53 dependent. BPDE modulated cell cycle and histone genes in both cell lines and, in agreement with this, both cell lines accumulated in S phase. In p53-WT cells, G(2) arrest was also evident, which was associated with accumulation of CDKN1A. Regardless of p53 status, exposure to BaP for up to 48 h had subtle effects on gene transcription and had no influence on cell viability or cell cycle. Interestingly, DNA adduct formation after BaP, but not BPDE, exposure was p53 dependent with 10-fold lower levels detected in p53-null cells. Other cell lines were investigated for BaP-DNA adduct formation and in these the effect of p53 knockdown was also to reduce adduct formation. Taken together, these results give further insight into the role of p53 in the response of human cells to BaP and BPDE and suggest that loss of this tumour suppressor can influence the metabolic activation of BaP. The authors (S.L.H., V.M.A. and D.H.P.) are partners of Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility, a network of excellence operating within the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5: ‘Food Quality and Safety’.

Carcinogens induce complex transcriptional responses in cells that may hold key mechanistic information. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) modulation of transcription may occur through the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) or through responses to DNA damage. To characterize further the expression profiles induced by BaP in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells obtained in our previous study, they were compared to those induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), which activates AHR but does not bind to DNA, and anti-benzo(a)pyrene- trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), which binds directly to DNA but does not activate AHR. A total of 22 genes had altered expression in MCF-7 cells after both BaP and TCDD exposure, and a total of 29 genes had altered expression in HepG2 cells. In both cell lines, xenobiotic metabolism was upregulated through induction of NQO1, MGST1, and CYP1B1. A total of 78 expression changes were induced by both BaP and BPDE in MCF-7 cells, and a total of 29 expression changes were induced by both BaP and BPDE in HepG2 cells. These genes were predominantly involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. BaP and BPDE caused the repression of histone genes in both cell lines, suggesting that regulation of these genes is an important component of the DNA damage response. Interestingly, overlap of the BPDE and TCDD gene expression profiles was also observed. Furthermore, some genes were modulated by BaP but not by TCDD or BPDE, including induction of CRY1 and MAK, which may represent novel signaling pathways that are independent of both AHR activation and DNA damage. Promoter analysis identified candidate genes for direct transcriptional regulation by either AHR or p53. These analyses have further dissected and characterized the complex cellular response to BaP.

Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is found in certain rural areas of the Balkans and affects at least 25,000 inhabitants. Of the many hypotheses on BEN, the Aristolochia hypothesis has recently gained ground substantiated by the investigations on aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). On both clinical and morphological grounds, AAN is very similar to BEN. That exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) of individuals living in endemic areas through consumption of bread made with flour contaminated with seeds of Aristolochia clematitis is responsible for BEN is an old hypothesis, but one which is fully consistent with the unique epidemiologic features of BEN. Here, we propose an approach to investigate AA-induced mutagenesis in BEN that can provide molecular clues to the aetiology of its associated urothelial cancer. The molecular mechanism of AA-induced carcinogenesis demonstrates a strong association between DNA adduct formation, mutation pattern and tumour development. A clear link between urothelial tumours, p53 mutations and AA exposure should emerge as more tumour DNA from BEN patients from different endemic areas becomes available for mutation analysis. We predict that the observed p53 mutation spectrum will be dominated by AT --> TA transversion mutations as has already been demonstrated in the human p53 gene of immortalized cells after exposure to AAI and urothelial tumours from BEN patients in Croatia. Moreover, the detection of AA-specific DNA adducts in renal tissue of a number of BEN patients and individuals living in areas endemic for BEN in Croatia provides new evidence that chronic exposure to AA is a risk factor for BEN and its associated cancer. V.M.A. and D.H.P. are members of the European Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility Network of Excellence.

Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by intratracheal instillation with a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg body wt of 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), and whole blood, lungs, pancreases, kidneys, urinary bladders, hearts, small intestines and livers were removed at various times after administration. At five posttreatment times (2 days, 2, 10, 20 and 36 weeks), DNA adducts were analysed in each tissue by (32)P-postlabelling to study their long-term persistence. 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts consisting of the same adduct pattern were observed in all tissues from animals killed between 2 days and 36 weeks and between 2 days and 20 weeks in blood. DNA isolated from whole blood contained the same 3-NBA-specific adduct pattern as that found in tissues. Although total adduct levels in the blood were much lower than those found in the lung, the target organ of 3-NBA tumourigenicity, they were related (20-25%, R(2) = 0.98) to the levels found in lung. In all organs, total adduct levels decreased over time to 20-30% of the initial levels till the latest time point (36 weeks) and showed a biphasic profile, with a rapid loss during the first 2 weeks followed by a much slower decline that reached a stable plateau at 20 weeks after treatment. These results show that uptake of 3-NBA by the lung induces high levels of specific DNA adducts in target and non-target organs of the rat. The correlation between DNA adducts in lung and blood suggests that persistent 3-NBA-DNA adducts in the blood may be useful biomarkers for human respiratory exposure to 3-NBA. V.M.A. and D.H.P. are members of the European Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility Network of Excellence.

BACKGROUND: The multi-step process of carcinogenesis can be more fully understood by characterizing gene expression changes induced in cells by carcinogens. In this study, expression microarrays were used to monitor the activity of 18,224 cDNA clones in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells exposed to the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) or its non-carcinogenic isomer benzo(e)pyrene (BeP). Time and concentration gene expression effects of BaP exposure have been assessed and linked to other measures of cellular stress to aid in the identification of novel genes/pathways involved in the cellular response to genotoxic carcinogens. RESULTS: BaP (0.25-5.0 muM; 6-48 h exposure) modulated 202 clones in MCF-7 cells and 127 in HepG2 cells, including 27 that were altered in both. In contrast, BeP did not induce consistent gene expression changes at the same concentrations. Significant time- and concentration-dependent responses to BaP were seen in both cell lines. Expression changes observed in both cell lines included genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism (e.g., CYP1B1, NQO1, MGST1, AKR1C1, AKR1C3,CPM), cell cycle regulation (e.g., CDKN1A), apoptosis/anti-apoptosis (e.g., BAX, IER3), chromatin assembly (e.g., histone genes), and oxidative stress response (e.g., TXNRD1). RTqPCR was used to validate microarray data. Phenotypic anchoring of the expression data to DNA adduct levels detected by 32P-postlabelling, cell cycle data and p53 protein expression identified a number of genes that are linked to these biological outcomes, thereby strengthening the identification of target genes. The overall response to BaP consisted of up-regulation of tumour suppressor genes and down-regulation of oncogenes promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Anti-apoptotic signalling that may increase cell survival and promote tumourigenesis was also evident. CONCLUSION: This study has further characterised the gene expression response of human cells after genotoxic insult, induced after exposure to concentrations of BaP that result in minimal cytotoxicity. We have demonstrated that investigating the time and concentration effect of a carcinogen on gene expression related to other biological end-points gives greater insight into cellular responses to such compounds and strengthens the identification of target genes. The authors (SH, VA, DP) are partners of ECNIS (Environmental Cancer Risk, Nutrition and Individual Susceptibility), a network of excellence operating within the European Union 6th Framework Program, Priority 5:"Food Quality and Safety" (Contract No. 513943).

Background. Aristolochic acid (AA), the plant extract of Aristolochia species, is involved in the onset of progressive tubulointerstitial renal fibrosis in humans. Clinical and in vitro findings have previously suggested that the proximal tubule was the target of AA. Methods. Using a rat model of AA nephropathy, the proximal tubular lesions induced by daily subcutaneous injections of AA for 35 or 5 days were characterized biochemically and histologically. Urinary excretion of proteins, albumin, low molecular weight proteins, N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase, a-glutathione S-transferase, leucine aminopeptidase and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) was determined and related to histological conventional findings and immunostainings of NEP and megalin. Results. In both protocols, an acute phase of release of urinary markers was observed within the first 3 days of AA treatment in parallel with a significant increase of specific AA-related DNA adducts reflecting early tubular intoxication. A dramatic loss of the proximal tubule brush border was histologically confirmed, while the expression of megalin decreased at the damaged apical epithelium (mainly of the S3 segment). Conclusion. Proximal tubule injury occurs early after AA intoxication in rats, with a link between specific AA–DNA adduct formation, decreased megalin expression and inhibition of receptor-mediated endocytosis of low molecular weight proteins, bringing in vivo confirmation of previous in vitro studies.