The Toxicologist - Society of Toxicology
The Toxicologist - Society of Toxicology
The Toxicologist - Society of Toxicology
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gene are associated with diseases such as cancer. Very little is known about the in<br />
vivo regulation <strong>of</strong> mEH. <strong>The</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> this study was to determine the tissue distribution,<br />
ontogeny, and chemical induction <strong>of</strong> mEH in mice. For tissue distribution,<br />
thirteen tissues were collected from 8-week-old wild-type mice. For ontogeny,<br />
livers were collected from two days before birth through various postnatal ages. For<br />
chemical induction, male mice were administered microsomal enzyme inducers<br />
that activate critical transcription factors regulating xenobiotic metabolism, including<br />
AhR (TCDD), CAR (TCPOBOP), PXR (PCN), PPARα (cl<strong>of</strong>ibrate), and<br />
Nrf2 (oltipraz). Total RNA was isolated, and mEH mRNA expression was determined<br />
by the bDNA assay. <strong>The</strong> mEH mRNA was highest in in liver and testis in<br />
wild-type mice. <strong>The</strong> mRNA expression <strong>of</strong> mEH was low in prenatal livers, but increased<br />
with age in both males and females. <strong>The</strong> mEH mRNA was not readily induced<br />
by activators for AhR, PXR, or PPARα. In contrast, both CAR and Nrf2 activators<br />
induced mEH mRNA in liver. <strong>The</strong> induction was blocked in CAR- and<br />
Nrf2-null mice, indicating the induction was CAR- and Nrf2-dependent. In silico<br />
analysis identified putative binding sites for CAR and Nrf2 in and around the<br />
mEH gene locus. In conclusion, the mEH mRNA was found to be enriched in liver<br />
and testis, its expression in liver gradually increased with age, and mEH expression<br />
in liver can be induced through CAR and Nrf2 activation. (Supported by NIH<br />
grants ES013714, ES009649, ES009716, ES013714, RR021940)<br />
1104 TRANSCRIPTIONAL AND TISSUE SPECIFIC<br />
REGULATION OF HUMAN MICROSOMAL EPOXIDE<br />
HYDROLASE (EPHX1) EXPRESSION IS MODULATED<br />
BY DIETARY ISOTHIOCYANATE DERIVATIVES.<br />
S. Su 1, 2 , X. Yang 1, 2 and C. J. Omiecinski 2, 3 . 1 Huck Institute <strong>of</strong> Life Sciences,<br />
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 2 Center for Molecular <strong>Toxicology</strong><br />
and Carcinogenesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and<br />
3<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University,<br />
University Park, PA.<br />
Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) is a critical metabolic enzyme that catalyzes<br />
the hydrolysis <strong>of</strong> eletrophilic epoxides to less reactive dihydrodiols, thereby<br />
playing an important role in the detoxification <strong>of</strong> ROS and xenobiotic epoxide intermediates.<br />
However, under some circumstances, the enzyme bioactivates substrates,<br />
in particular the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in<br />
cigarette smoke. Our studies have determined that there are two prominent<br />
EPHX1 transcriptional variants present in human tissues. <strong>The</strong> transcripts are generated<br />
from the use <strong>of</strong> alternative gene promoters that produce products containing<br />
different first exons, denoted E1 and E1b, respectively. <strong>The</strong> E1-containing transcript<br />
is expressed most exclusively in liver while the E1b transcript, driven by the<br />
use <strong>of</strong> a promoter residing 18.5 kb upstream from the coding region <strong>of</strong> the gene, is<br />
the predominant EPHX1 transcript generated in all tissues. <strong>The</strong> regulatory mechanisms<br />
directing the respective expression levels and tissue-specific patterning <strong>of</strong> the<br />
E1 and E1b transcripts remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the<br />
effects <strong>of</strong> dietary isothiocyanate derivatives as potential modulators <strong>of</strong> EPHX1 expression.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se compounds are under intensive study as potential chemopreventive<br />
agents in human trials. We determined that sulforaphane as well as 3-phenylpropylthiocyanate<br />
can potently and differentially regulate EPHX1 transcription in liver<br />
and lung cells. <strong>The</strong> tissue-specific expression pattern for the E1 and E1b transcripts<br />
was confirmed with protein immunoblotting experiments. <strong>The</strong>se data suggest that<br />
the molecular mechanism <strong>of</strong> human EPHX1 regulation includes antioxidant response<br />
signaling, likely mediated through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor<br />
2 (Nrf2) master regulator pathway.<br />
1105 OXIDATION OF 4-CHLOROBIPHENYL METABOLITES<br />
TO THEIR FREE RADICAL SPECIES BY<br />
PROSTAGLANDIN H SYNTHASE-2.<br />
O. Wangpradit 1 , E. Moman 2 , K. B. Nolan 3 , G. R. Buettner 4 , L. W. Robertson 1<br />
and G. Luthe 1, 5 . 1 Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human <strong>Toxicology</strong>, <strong>The</strong><br />
University <strong>of</strong> Iowa, Iowa city, IA, 2 Department <strong>of</strong> Pharmaceutical and Medicinal<br />
Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbruckken, Germany, 3 Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Royal College <strong>of</strong> Surgeons Ireland, Dublin,<br />
Ireland, 4 Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, <strong>The</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Iowa, Iowa<br />
city, IA and 5 Institute for Life Science and Technology, Saxion University, Enschede,<br />
Netherlands.<br />
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class <strong>of</strong> environmental pollutants that have<br />
entered the environment through both their use and disposal. PCBs are mainly metabolized<br />
by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYPs) to mono-, and dihydroxy metabolites,<br />
which can undergo redox interconversion to quinones (Q). In our previous<br />
study we found that prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2), an inducible enzyme<br />
found basally in extra-hepatic tissues, catalyzes the oxidation <strong>of</strong> dihydroxy PCB<br />
metabolites to corresponding Q as identified by LC-MS. Here we show that<br />
PGHS-2 also plays an important role in catalyzing the oxidation <strong>of</strong> these PCB<br />
metabolites to semiquinones (SQd-). Using 4-chlorobiphenyl-2’,5’-hydroquinone<br />
(4-CB-H2Q) as a model compound, two SQd- species were detected by electron<br />
paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. <strong>The</strong>se results indicate that PGHS-2 is<br />
capable <strong>of</strong> catalyzing the oxidation <strong>of</strong> lower chlorinated PCB hydroquinones to Q<br />
by two sequential one-electron oxidations generating SQd-as intermediates. This<br />
study demonstrates the formation <strong>of</strong> SQd- and Q from PCB-metabolites by<br />
PGHS-2, and underscores the potential role <strong>of</strong> PGHS-2 in the metabolic activation<br />
<strong>of</strong> PCBs in extra-hepatic tissues. (Supported by NIH P42 ES 013661 and ES<br />
05605.)<br />
1106 MICRONUCLEUS FREQUENCIES AND DNA DAMAGE<br />
IN MALE MICE ADMINISTERED HYDROXYUREA.<br />
C. A. Hobbs 1 , L. Recio 1 , K. Shepard 1 , C. Baldetti 1 , A. Green 1 , J. Winters 1 , M.<br />
Streicker 2 and K. L. Witt 3 . 1 Genetic and Molecular <strong>Toxicology</strong>, ILS, Inc., Research<br />
Triangle Park, NC, 2 Investigative <strong>Toxicology</strong>, ILS, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC<br />
and 3 National <strong>Toxicology</strong> Program (NTP), NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC.<br />
Hydroxyurea (HU), a chemotherapeutic agent, is the only effective medication for<br />
treatment <strong>of</strong> sickle cell disease in adults. Insufficient information about its longterm<br />
toxicity in young children—a growing patient population—remains a major<br />
concern. To evaluate the subacute genotoxic potential <strong>of</strong> HU in a rodent model, the<br />
NTP conducted two studies in male B6C3F1 mice using a combined micronucleus<br />
(MN)/Comet assay. HU (32-500 mg/kg) was administered by gavage once daily for<br />
4 consecutive days. <strong>The</strong> highest dose was determined on the basis <strong>of</strong> bone marrow<br />
toxicity (reduction in % reticulocytes (RET)) in a range finding study and the lowest<br />
doses were selected to bracket the human equivalent dose. Blood samples were<br />
collected 4 hr after the final dosing for measurement <strong>of</strong> MN-RET frequencies by<br />
flow cytometry and samples <strong>of</strong> liver, blood, stomach, and colon were collected and<br />
processed for assessment <strong>of</strong> DNA damage using the pH>13 Comet assay. A significant,<br />
dose-related increase in MN-RET (p < 0.0001) was observed in the mice administered<br />
HU; considerable bone marrow toxicity, assessed by a decrease in the<br />
%RET, was also seen in the mice receiving doses ≥ 125 mg/kg. An observed downward<br />
shift in the MN median channel fluorescence intensity suggests the likelihood<br />
<strong>of</strong> highly fragmented DNA within the MN. DNA damage measured in the Comet<br />
assay was evident in cells from the stomach and liver <strong>of</strong> HU-treated mice at all<br />
doses tested, but no damage was detected in blood or colon cells. <strong>The</strong> observed<br />
damage appeared to correlate with significant increases in low molecular weight<br />
DNA, an indicator <strong>of</strong> cytotoxicity (apoptosis or necrosis), detected even at the lowest<br />
doses <strong>of</strong> HU tested. Together, the data obtained from this combined<br />
MN/Comet assay demonstrate significant genetic damage and associated cytotoxicity<br />
in B6C3F1 mice resulting from HU treatment. Supported by NIEHS/NTP<br />
contract N01-ES-35514.<br />
1107 EVALUATION OF PHOTOGENOTOXICITY IN THE IN<br />
VITRO MICRONUCLEUS ASSAY IN HUMAN<br />
PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES.<br />
C. S. Farabaugh, M. M. Chan, A. N. Valliere, L. F. Stankowski and B. R. Fisher.<br />
Covance Laboratories, Inc., Vienna, VA.<br />
Recent demonstration <strong>of</strong> pseudophotoclastogenicity has cast doubt on the specificity<br />
and utility <strong>of</strong> current test systems used for detecting photogenotoxicity.<br />
However, studies to date largely have been performed in transformed cell lines that<br />
are genetically unstable. Thus, we adapted the in vitro micronucleus (MN) assay in<br />
human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBL) to evaluate photogenotoxicity.<br />
Venous blood was collected and HPBL were isolated and stimulated to grow (t = 0)<br />
in mass culture. Individual 5 mL cultures were prepared in 60-mm dishes (t = 48<br />
hr) and treated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) or the concurrent vehicle and<br />
unirradiated positive controls. Cultures were pre-incubated with the test and control<br />
articles in the dark for ~10 minutes, and half <strong>of</strong> the cultures were irradiated<br />
with a Xenon arc solar simulator lamp with a UV filter (290 nm cut <strong>of</strong>f). Cultures<br />
were re-incubated until the end <strong>of</strong> treatment (t = 51 hr), washed by centrifugation,<br />
and transferred to media containing cytochalasin B. Cultures were harvested (t = 72<br />
hr) and slides were prepared and stained with Giemsa and May-Grunwald. For<br />
each culture, 200 cells were scored for cytotoxicity (cytochalasin B blocked proliferation<br />
index, CBPI), and 400 binucleated cells were scored for micronuclei (%MN-<br />
BN). Statistically significant, dose-dependent increases in %MN-BN were induced<br />
in the vehicle control cultures by extended UV exposure (as compared to unirradiated<br />
controls), as well as in cultures treated with 8-MOP that were irradiated for at<br />
least 50 seconds (as compared to the matched irradiated controls). In contrast, 8-<br />
MOP was uniformly negative in the absence <strong>of</strong> light exposure. <strong>The</strong>se results<br />
demonstrate the feasibility <strong>of</strong> detecting micronuclei induced by photogenotoxic<br />
compounds in HPBL. Additional validation studies with lomefloxacin and<br />
nalidixic acid are ongoing.<br />
236 SOT 2010 ANNUAL MEETING