Single-walled carbon nanotube-induced mitotic disruption.

Carbon nanotubes were among the earliest products of nanotechnology and have many potential applications in medicine, electronics, and manufacturing. The low density, small size, and biological persistence of carbon nanotubes create challenges for exposure control and monitoring and make respiratory exposures to workers likely. We have previously shown mitotic spindle aberrations in cultured primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells exposed to 24, 48 and 96 µg/cm(2) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). To investigate mitotic spindle aberrations at concentrations anticipated in exposed workers, primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells were exposed to SWCNT for 24-72 h at doses equivalent to 20 weeks of exposure at the Permissible Exposure Limit for particulates not otherwise regulated. We have now demonstrated fragmented centrosomes, disrupted mitotic spindles and aneuploid chromosome number at those doses. The data further demonstrated multipolar mitotic spindles comprised 95% of the disrupted mitoses. The increased multipolar mitotic spindles were associated with an increased number of cells in the G2 phase of mitosis, indicating a mitotic checkpoint response. Nanotubes were observed in association with mitotic spindle microtubules, the centrosomes and condensed chromatin in cells exposed to 0.024, 0.24, 2.4 and 24 µg/cm(2) SWCNT. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed carbon nanotubes within the centrosome structure. The lower doses did not cause cytotoxicity or reduction in colony formation after 24h; however, after three days, significant cytotoxicity was observed in the SWCNT-exposed cells. Colony formation assays showed an increased proliferation seven days after exposure. Our results show significant disruption of the mitotic spindle by SWCNT at occupationally relevant doses. The increased proliferation that was observed in carbon nanotube-exposed cells indicates a greater potential to pass the genetic damage to daughter cells. Disruption of the centrosome is common in many solid tumors including lung cancer. The resulting aneuploidy is an early event in the progression of many cancers, suggesting that it may play a role in both tumorigenesis and tumor progression. These results suggest caution should be used in the handling and processing of carbon nanotubes.

Microscale exoglycosidase processing and lectin capture of glycans with phospholipid assisted capillary electrophoresis separations.

Capillary electrophoresis separations of glycans labeled with 1-aminopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid were achieved with separation efficiencies ranging from 480,000 to 640,000 theoretical plates in a 60.2 cm, 25 µm inner diameter fused silica capillary. Under these separation conditions, the coefficient of variation in peak area is 10%, and if labeling efficiency is estimated at 100%, the limit of detection is 15 fM. The capillary electrophoresis method incorporated phospholipid additives to enhance the separation of glycans with slight differences in hydrodynamic volume. In addition, the phospholipid additives supported the integration of the lectin concanavalin A as well as the enzymes α1-2,3 mannosidase or ß1-4 galactosidase to provide structural and compositional information about the glycans subject to separation. The use of in-capillary cleavage of terminal glycan residues with exoglycosidases offers a number of advantages over benchtop enzymatic sequencing, including reduced consumption of analyte, as well as enzyme. These methods were used to evaluate glycans derived from the glycoproteins α1-acid glycoprotein, fetuin, and ribonuclease B, as well as from glycoproteins collected from MCF7 cells.

Induction of aneuploidy by single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Engineered carbon nanotubes are newly emerging manufactured particles with potential applications in electronics, computers, aerospace, and medicine. The low density and small size of these biologically persistent particles makes respiratory exposures to workers likely during the production or use of commercial products. The narrow diameter and great length of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) suggest the potential to interact with critical biological structures. To examine the potential of nanotubes to induce genetic damage in normal lung cells, cultured primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells were exposed to SWCNT or a positive control, vanadium pentoxide. After 24 hr of exposure to either SWCNT or vanadium pentoxide, fragmented centrosomes, multiple mitotic spindle poles, anaphase bridges, and aneuploid chromosome number were observed. Confocal microscopy demonstrated nanotubes within the nucleus that were in association with cellular and mitotic tubulin as well as the chromatin. Our results are the first to report disruption of the mitotic spindle by SWCNT. The nanotube bundles are similar to the size of microtubules that form the mitotic spindle and may be incorporated into the mitotic spindle apparatus.

Detection of three novel translocations and specific common chromosomal break sites in malignant melanoma by spectral karyotyping.

Chromosomal aberrations in malignant melanoma cells have been reported using standard chromosome banding analysis and comparative genomic hybridization. To identify marker chromosomes and translocations that are difficult to characterize by standard banding analysis, 15 early passage malignant melanoma cell lines were examined using spectral karyotyping. All 15 tumor cell lines had lost all or part of 1p and 10q. Losses of material on chromosome arms 4p (12/15), 6q (12/15), 9p (15/15), 12p (13/15), 12q (13/15), 13q (11/15), and 19q (14/15) were the next most frequent events. Gain of chromosome arms 1q (11/15), 6p (13/15), and 20q11 (14/15) was also observed. Interestingly, we identified translocations der(12)t(12;20)(q15;q11), der(19)t(10;19)(q23;q13), and der(12)t(12;19)(q13;q13) in 4/15 tumors. Three recurring translocations involving four of the most frequent break points were detected. The identification of recurring translocations and unique chromosome break points in melanoma will aid in the identification of the genes that are important in the neoplastic process.

Frequent codon 12 Ki-ras mutations in mouse skin tumors initiated by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and promoted by mezerein.

The skin tumor initiators N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) differ in effectiveness when tumor formation is promoted by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Even at high doses, MNNG is less effective, producing fewer benign and malignant tumors with a longer latent period. In DMBA-initiated skin, 10 wk of TPA promotion produced a maximal tumor response. With MNNG, 20 wk of TPA promotion was required, producing nearly four times as many papillomas as 10 wk of promotion. Promotion of MNNG-initiated skin with mezerein induced the appearance of very rapidly-growing papillomas within 5 wk, 3 wk earlier than the first TPA-promoted papillomas. Thus, MNNG may induce a novel mutation resulting in a population of initiated cells that respond especially well to mezerein. Since ras mutations are common in experimental tumors in many tissues, we determined the frequency of activating mutations in the Ha-ras, Ki-ras, and N-ras oncogenes. Activating Ha-ras mutations were present in essentially all DMBA-initiated tumors and about 70% of MNNG-initiated tumors. No N-ras mutations were found in tumors lacking other ras mutations. Surprisingly, 41% of the papillomas arising in the first 11 wk in MNNG-initiated, mezerein-promoted mice bore mutations in codon 12 of the Ki-ras oncogene. Activating Ki-ras mutations were also found in more than 60% of squamous cell carcinomas and 40% of keratoacanthomas. Although mutations in Ha-ras are frequently detected in mouse skin tumors, mutations in Ki-ras are rare. This is the first report of mutated Ki-ras in skin tumors from mice initiated by MNNG.

Multigenic control of skin tumor susceptibility in SENCARA/Pt mice.

Skin tumors induced in mice by initiation-promotion (2 microg DMBA-2 microg TPA) protocols were found to be under multigenic control. Eighty-one N2 mice from the cross (BALB/cAnPt x SENCARA/Pt)F1 x SENCARA/Pt that were either solidly resistant (no papillomas) or highly susceptible (> or = 7 papillomas/mouse) were subjected to a 'genome scan' using 89 microsatellite markers to check for associations with susceptible and resistant phenotypes. A locus on Chr 5 (Skts4) was found to control the susceptibility of SENCARA/Pt mice and the resistance of BALB/cAnPt mice to papilloma formation. In addition, higher than expected linkage scores were seen for the markers D9Mit271, D11Mit268 and D12Mit56. Further work is required to establish whether genes determining papilloma formation are located in these regions of the genome. In general, no evidence was seen for loss of heterozygosity in microsatellite markers on Chrs 5, 9 and 11 in 17 microdissected papillomas from (BALB/c x SENCARA)F1 hybrid mice.

New strains of inbred SENCAR mice with increased susceptibility to induction of papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas in skin.

To develop mouse strains useful for studies of susceptibility and resistance to the induction of skin tumors, three new inbred SENCAR strains were independently derived by random inbreeding of outbred SENCAR mice. Characterization of these mice for sensitivity to skin tumor development indicated that mice of all three strains displayed increased sensitivity to initiation by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), urethane, or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Promotion by mezerein as well as carcinogenesis by repeated treatment with DMBA or MNNG produced papillomas with a high frequency of conversion to squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Compared with outbred SENCAR mice, development of both squamous papillomas and carcinomas was increased at least two-fold by all protocols tested. The F1 hybrid between SENCARA/Pt males and resistant BALB/cAnPt females was resistant to the induction of both papillomas and SCCs after initiation by 2 microg of DMBA and promotion by 20 weekly applications of 2 microg of TPA. Papillomas developed in all of the SENCARA/Pt mice, none of the BALB/cAnPt mice, and 12% of the F1 progeny. Thus, at these doses of initiator and promoter, resistance was incompletely dominant in the F1 hybrid. However, the responsiveness of the F1 mice could be increased substantially by increasing the dose of the promoter.

Thapsigargin, a weak skin tumor promoter, alters the growth and differentiation of mouse keratinocytes in culture.

Thapsigargin (Tg), applied twice weekly to the backs of CD-1 mice initiated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, promoted papillomas on the skin of approximately 50% of the mice. Tg alone induced papillomas in 10% of the mice. Although Tg and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) are synergistic in a keratinocyte co-culture assay for promotion, skin tumor promotion by TPA was inhibited by co-treatment with Tg. Treatment of cultured keratinocytes with non-toxic doses of Tg increased the level of intracellular free Ca(2+)-induced stratification. Tg blocked expression of the spinous layer differentiation marker keratin 1 (K1), while inducing cornification, a marker of differentiation in the granular layer/stratum corneum. In medium with 1.4 mM Ca2+, Tg prolonged keratinocyte proliferation and selected foci of monolayer cells. A Tg-independent cell line, TK-1, was developed from a single dish in which foci continued to expand after Tg removal. Grafting TK-1 cells on to the backs of nude mice as part of a reconstituted skin resulted in the development of dysplastic papillomas with a high rate of progression to squamous cell carcinomas.

FVB/N mice: an inbred strain sensitive to the chemical induction of squamous cell carcinomas in the skin.

The widespread use of FVB/N mice for the establishment of transgenic lines containing active oncogenes suggested the importance of testing the parent FVB/N mice for sensitivity to experimental carcinogenesis. After initiation of mouse skin by a single treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and promotion by 20 weekly applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the skin tumor incidence was compared in FVB/N mice, TPA-sensitive (SENCAR and CD-1) and TPA-resistant mice (BALB/c and C57BL/6). Initiation by 25 micrograms DMBA followed by promotion with a low dose of TPA (2 micrograms/week) induced one or more papillomas in only 25% of FVB/N mice, compared with 100% in SENCAR, 53% in CD-1, 17% in BALB/c and 0% in C57BL/6 mice. At a more effective dose of TPA (5 micrograms/week), FVB/N mice initiated by 5, 25 or 100 micrograms DMBA developed 3.4, 6.9 and 11.8 papillomas per mouse. In contrast, the incidence of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) (17-18/30 mice) did not increase with DMBA dose. TPA promotion of non-initiated mice induced only six papillomas, but three progressed to SCCs, a high rate of malignant conversion. Skin tumor induction by 20 weekly treatments with 10 micrograms DMBA produced few papillomas, but 50.0% of the papillomas progressed to carcinomas in FVB/N mice, compared with 9.15% in SENCAR, 37.5% in CD-1, 23.1% in BALB/c and 15.0% in C57CL/6 mice. The first carcinomas appeared after 14 weeks in FVB/N, 24 weeks in SENCAR, 26 weeks in CD-1 and C57BL/6 and 34 weeks in BALB/c mice. Thus, FVB/N mice develop an unusually high incidence of SCCs after treatment with repeated DMBA, DMBA initiation-TPA promotion and even TPA alone.

Activity of diverse tumor promoters in a keratinocyte co-culture model of initiated epidermis.

The suppression of focal growth of initiated mouse keratinocytes by co-culture with normal keratinocytes can be overcome by treatment of co-cultures with the phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). This keratinocyte co-culture model was developed as an analog of initiated mouse epidermis to facilitate the study of tumor promotion in cell culture. A number of promoters of TPA-type [those with protein kinase C (PKC) as receptor] were compared to non-TPA-type promoters for activity in the keratinocyte co-culture model. The TPA-type promoters teleocidin and aplysiatoxin show comparable activity to that of TPA. Exposure of co-cultures to oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, a diacylglycerol activator of PKC, also induces focal outgrowth of initiated cells, suggesting that PKC is likely to be involved in the mechanism of action of these compounds. However, the involvement of alternative pathways (not involving PKC directly) for clonal selection are evident since the non-TPA-type promoters okadaic acid, staurosporine and thapsigargin are also active in the assay. Thus, the keratinocyte co-culture model differs from fibroblast models of normal and neoplastic co-cultures in which only TPA-type promoters are active. In further contrast to certain fibroblast co-cultures, TPA does not inhibit cell-cell communication under conditions that suppress focus formation. Taken together with previous data, we conclude that the keratinocyte co-culture model may have broad application for detecting skin tumor promoters, and may be useful for dissecting the mechanism by which normal epidermal cells suppress the growth of initiated cells.

Coculture of neoplastic and normal keratinocytes as a model to study tumor promotion.

In order to study skin tumor promotion, a cell culture model system analogous to initiated mouse epidermis was developed. Keratinocytes of the neoplastic cell line 308 display the initiated phenotype since papillomas are produced when the cells are grafted to the backs of athymic mice. Coculture of a small number of these initiated cells with confluent normal keratinocytes results in the suppression of growth of colonies of 308 cells. This inhibition, which is calcium dependent, epidermal cell specific, and requires cell contact, can be overcome by exposure to various tumor promoters. Promoters and antipromoters of diverse structure and mechanism of action are recognized in this keratinocyte coculture model.