RESUMEN
Recent studies have presented evidence that in vivo obtained gene expression data can be used for carcinogen classification, for instance to differentiate between genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens. However, although primary rat hepatocytes represent a well-established in vitro system for drug metabolism and enzyme induction, they have not yet been systematically optimized for toxicogenomic studies. The latter may be confounded by the fact that cultured hepatocytes show strong spontaneous alterations in gene expression patterns. Therefore, we addressed the following questions: (1) which culture system is optimal, comparing sandwich, Matrigel and 2D cultures, (2) how critical is the impact of culture period on substance-induced alterations in gene expression and (3) do these substance-induced alterations in cultured hepatocytes occur already at in vivo relevant concentrations? For this purpose we analyzed the expression of four genes, namely Abat, Gsk3beta, Myd116 and Sult1a1 that recently have been reported to be influenced by the antihistamine and non-genotoxic carcinogen methapyrilene (MPy). The most reproducible effects of MPy were observed in sandwich cultures. Induction factors of Gsk3beta and Myd116 at 100 microM MPy were 2 and 4 (medians), respectively, whereas expression of Abat and Sult1a1 were inhibited by factors of 7 and 5, respectively. Similar results were observed in hepatocytes maintained for 24 h or 3 weeks in sandwich culture with respect to the influence of MPy on the expression of Abat, Gsk3beta, Myd116 and Sult1a1. To determine whether MPy influences gene expression at in vivo relevant concentrations, 3.5 mg/kg MPy were administered to male Wistar rats intraperitoneally, resulting in plasma concentrations ranging between 1.72 and 0.32 microM 5 and 80 min after injection. Inhibition of Abat and Sult1a1 expression in vitro already occurred at in vivo relevant concentrations of 0.39 microM MPy. Induction of Myd116 was observed at 6.25 microM which is higher but in the same order of magnitude as in vivo relevant concentrations. In conclusion, the presented data strongly suggest that sandwich cultures are most adequate for detection of MPy-induced gene expression alterations and the effect of MPy was detected at in vivo relevant concentrations.
Asunto(s)
Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula/métodos , Colágeno/efectos de los fármacos , Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Hepatocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Laminina/efectos de los fármacos , Metapirileno/toxicidad , Proteoglicanos/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Antígenos de Diferenciación/metabolismo , Arilsulfotransferasa/metabolismo , Carcinógenos/toxicidad , Células Cultivadas , Medio de Cultivo Libre de Suero , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Combinación de Medicamentos , Matriz Extracelular/efectos de los fármacos , Matriz Extracelular/enzimología , Hepatocitos/enzimología , Hepatocitos/metabolismo , Masculino , Metapirileno/sangre , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Proteínas Represoras/metabolismo , Factores de Tiempo , ToxicogenéticaRESUMEN
Trastuzumab (Herceptin) has improved therapy of breast cancer. Only patients overexpressing ERBB2 are treated with trastuzumab, whereas its use in tumours without ERBB2 expression is useless. This led to the concept that the subgroup of trastuzumab-sensitive tumours is 'ERBB2-dependent', meaning that ERBB2 signalling is indispensable for growth of these tumours. We used a mouse model that allows anhydrotetracycline (ATc)-controlled downregulation of ERBB2 in tumour tissue. ERBB2 mRNA and protein expression were downregulated below detection limit leading to a macroscopically complete tumour remission within 14 days. Tumour remission was accompanied by a strong decrease in proliferation, a moderate increase in apoptosis, as well as dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT/PKB. These data clearly indicate ERBB2 dependence. Therefore, a high sensitivity to trastuzumab may be suspected. Surprisingly, trastuzumab caused a much weaker effect compared to ATc-induced ERBB2 downregulation, although a decrease in ERBB2 membrane localisation was induced. Only a slight decrease in proliferation and a weak transient increase in apoptosis were observed. Interestingly, tumours responded to trastuzumab by a sharp fivefold increase in phosphorylated AKT/PKB as well as a 3.5- and 5.3-fold increase in AKT1 and AKT2 mRNA levels, respectively. In conclusion, 'ERBB2 dependence' is not sufficient to define trastuzumab-responsive tumours. The suboptimal effect of trastuzumab compared to the maximally possible effect induced by ATc demonstrates a high potential for improved ERBB2 blocking therapies.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Monoclonales/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Neoplasias Mamarias Experimentales/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Mamarias Experimentales/metabolismo , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Tetraciclinas/farmacología , Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de 3-Fosfoinosítido , Animales , Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Western Blotting , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Citocromos c/metabolismo , Regulación hacia Abajo/efectos de los fármacos , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos , Femenino , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Inmunohistoquímica , Antígeno Ki-67/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Desnudos , Proteína Quinasa 3 Activada por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-akt/metabolismo , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Receptor ErbB-2/efectos de los fármacos , Receptor ErbB-2/genética , TrastuzumabRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) contribute to the invasiveness of many carcinomas. Here, we studied a possible association between cytosolic uPA and PA-1 concentrations in tumor tissue with prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: Cytosolic concentrations of uPA and PAI-1 were determined in 69 primary endothelial adenocarcinomas using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). A possible influence of uPA and PAI-1 was studied by multivariate Cox regression adjusting for the established clinical prognostic factors FIGO-stage, grading, depth of invasion, diabetes mellitus and age. RESULTS: Both uPA (p=0.011) and PAI-1 (p=0.003) were associated with relapse free time using the multivariate proportional hazards model. Association with overall survival was less pronounced with p=0.021 for uPA and p=0.358 for PAI-1. Concentrations of PAI-1 increased with FIGO stage (p=0.003) and with histological grading (p=0.005). Both uPA and PAI-1 concentrations were negatively correlated with estrogen and progesterone receptor levels. CONCLUSION: The combination of high cytosolic concentrations of uPA (>5 ng/mg total protein) and high PAI-1 (>20 ng/mg total protein) may reveal a group of patients with increased risk of progression.
Asunto(s)
Adenocarcinoma/metabolismo , Biomarcadores de Tumor/metabolismo , Neoplasias Endometriales/metabolismo , Inhibidor 1 de Activador Plasminogénico/metabolismo , Activador de Plasminógeno de Tipo Uroquinasa/metabolismo , Adenocarcinoma/mortalidad , Adenocarcinoma/patología , Adenocarcinoma/cirugía , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Neoplasias Endometriales/mortalidad , Neoplasias Endometriales/patología , Neoplasias Endometriales/cirugía , Femenino , Alemania/epidemiología , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Pronóstico , Análisis de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
Complex cellular networks regulate regeneration, detoxification and differentiation of hepatocytes. By combining experimental data with mathematical modelling, systems biology holds great promises to elucidate the key regulatory mechanisms involved and predict targets for efficient intervention. For the generation of high-quality quantitative data suitable for mathematical modelling a standardised in vitro system is essential. Therefore the authors developed standard operating procedures for the preparation and cultivation of primary mouse hepatocytes. To reliably monitor the dynamic induction of signalling pathways, the authors established starvation conditions and evaluated the extent of starvation-associated stress by quantifying several metabolic functions of cultured primary hepatocytes, namely activities of glutathione-S-transferase, glutamine synthetase, CYP3A as well as secretion of lactate and urea into the culture medium. Establishment of constant metabolic activities after an initial decrease compared with freshly isolated hepatocytes showed that the cultured hepatocytes achieve a new equilibrium state that was not affected by our starving conditions. To verify the highly reproducible dynamic activation of signalling pathways in the in vitro system, the authors examined the JAK-STAT, SMAD, PI3 kinase, MAP kinase, NF-kappaB and Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathways. For the induction of gp130, JAK1 and STAT3 phosphorylation IL6 was used, whereas TGFbeta was applied to activate the phosphorylation of SMAD1, SMAD2 and SMAD3. Both Akt/PKB and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were stimulated by the addition of hepatocyte growth factor. The time-dependent induction of a pool of signalling competent beta-catenin was monitored in response to the inhibition of GSK3beta. To analyse whether phosphorylation is actually leading to transcriptional responses, luciferase reporter gene constructs driven by multiple copies of TGFbeta-responsive motives were applied, demonstrating a dose-dependent increase in luciferase activity. Moreover, the induction of apoptosis by the TNF-like cytokine Fas ligand was studied in the in vitro system. Thus, the mouse hepatocyte in vitro system provides an important basis for the generation of high-quality quantitative data under standardised cell culture conditions that is essential to elucidate critical hepatocellular functions by the systems biology approach.
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Citocinas/metabolismo , Hepatocitos/metabolismo , Modelos Animales , Modelos Biológicos , Complejos Multienzimáticos/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/fisiología , Biología de Sistemas/normas , Animales , Simulación por Computador , RatonesRESUMEN
Identification of oncogene dependent signaling pathways controlling aggressive tumor growth has led to the emergence of a new era of oncogene-blocking therapies, including Herceptin and Gleevec. In the recent years conditional mouse tumor models have been established that allow switching-off the expression of specific oncogenes controlling tumor growth. The results may have two important implications for oncogene-blocking therapies: (i) downregulation of oncogenes, for instance HER2, MYC, RAS, RAF, BCR-ABL or WNT1, usually leads to a rapid tumor remission. However, it was observed that the initial remission was followed by recurrent tumor growth in most studies. Interestingly, different oncogenes controlled tumor growth in the recurrent than in the primary tumors. This could explain the astonishing clinical observation that inhibitors of a broader spectrum of protein kinases (so-called: "dirty inhibitors") may be superior over highly specific substances. Due to their additional "unspecific" inhibition of a broader spectrum of kinases, they may hamper the escape mechanisms by antagonizing also the pathways controlling recurrent tumor growth. (ii) Experiments with cell systems that allow switching-on oncogene expression point to a so far possibly underestimated cancer drug target: the dormant tumor cell. Oncogene expression (for instance: NeuT or RAS) led to a phenomenon named oncogene-induced senescence or dormancy. Dormant cells are unresponsive to mitogenic stimuli. Importantly, such cells are not at all ready to die, but can remain viable for extended periods of time. Recently, dormant tumor cells have been shown to be more resistant to stresses such as hypoxia or exposure to cytostatic drugs. It still is a matter of debate if and under which conditions dormant tumor cells can be "kissed to life". If these cells contribute to carcinogenesis, it will be important to identify substances specifically killing senescent cells. This review will focus on the possible relevance of senescence both as a pre-oncogenic condition and also for therapy.
Asunto(s)
Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Neoplasias Experimentales/tratamiento farmacológico , Oncogenes/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Senescencia Celular , Regulación hacia Abajo , Genes erbB-2 , Genes p53 , Genes ras , Humanos , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Neoplasias Experimentales/genética , Neoplasias Experimentales/patología , Fosfohidrolasa PTEN/genética , Transducción de SeñalRESUMEN
An important application of hepatocyte cultures is identification of drugs acting as inducers of biotransformation enzymes that alter metabolic clearance of other therapeutic agents. In the present study we optimized an in vitro system with hepatocytes cultured in alginate microspheres that allow studies of enzyme induction with excellent sensitivity. Induction factors obtained with standard inducers, such as 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital, were higher compared to those with conventional hepatocyte co-cultures on collagen coated dishes. This is illustrated by activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) after incubation with 5 microM 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), a standard inducer for cytochrome P4501A1 and 1A2. Mean activities for solvent controls and 3-MC exposed cells were 2.99 and 449 pmol/min/mg protein (induction factor: 150) for hepatocytes cultured in microspheres compared to 2.72 and 80.6 pmol/min/mg (induction factor: 29.6) for hepatocytes on collagen coated dishes. To compare these in vitro data to the in vivo situation male Sprague Dawley rats, the same strain that was used also for the in vitro studies, were exposed to 3-MC in vivo using a protocol that guarantees maximal induction. Activities were 29.2 and 1656 pmol/min/mg in liver homogenate of solvent and 3-MC treated animals (induction factor: 56.7). Thus, the absolute activities of 3-MC exposed hepatocytes in microspheres are lower compared to the in vivo situation. However, the induction factor in vitro was even higher compared to the in vivo situation (150-fold versus 56.7-fold). A similar scenario was observed using phenobarbital (0.75 mM) for induction of CYP2B and 3A isoenzymes: induction factors for testosterone hydroxylation in position 16beta were 127.5- and 50.4-fold for hepatocytes in microspheres and conventionally cultured hepatocytes, respectively. The new in vitro system with hepatocytes embedded in solid alginate microspheres offers several technical advantages: (i) the solid alginate microspheres can be liquefied within 60s, allowing a fast and complete harvest of hepatocytes; (ii) alginate capsules are stable allowing transport and mechanical stress; (iii) high numbers of hepatocytes can be encapsulated in short periods; (iv) defined cell numbers between 600 hepatocytes, the approximate number of cells in one capsule, and 18 x 10(6) hepatocytes, the number of hepatocytes in 6 ml alginate, can be transferred to a culture dish or flask. Thus, encapsulated hepatocytes allow a flexible organization of experiments with respect to cell number. In conclusion, we optimized a technique for encapsulation of hepatocytes in alginate microspheres that allows identification of enzyme induction with an improved sensitivity compared to existing systems.
Asunto(s)
Alginatos/química , Inducción Enzimática/efectos de los fármacos , Ácido Glucurónico/química , Hepatocitos/citología , Hepatocitos/enzimología , Ácidos Hexurónicos/química , Hígado/enzimología , Tecnología Farmacéutica/métodos , Animales , Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula , Células Cultivadas , Técnicas de Cocultivo , Citocromo P-450 CYP1A1/biosíntesis , Citocromo P-450 CYP2B1/biosíntesis , Glutatión Transferasa/biosíntesis , Hepatocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/citología , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Metilcolantreno/farmacología , Microesferas , Fenobarbital/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Estándares de Referencia , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Since the pioneering work by Gossen and Bujard in 1992 demonstrating the usefulness of the Escherichia coli derived tet resistance operon for regulating gene expression a large collection of doxycycline-controlled transgenic mice has been established. Gene switching in eukaryotic tissue culture cells or mice requires administration of tetracycline, anhydrotetracycline or doxycycline to efficiently inactivate the transactivator protein tTA (TET-OFF system) or alternatively to activate the reverse transactivator protein rtTA (TET-ON system). However, the antibiotic activity of doxycycline can create an imbalance of the intestinal flora, resulting in diarrhoea and in a smaller number of animals in colitis. Previous studies reported that 4-epidoxycycline (4-ED), a hepatic metabolite of doxycycline, does not function as an antibiotic in mice. This gave us the idea that 4-ED might be useful for controlling gene expression in mice without the unwanted antibiotic side effect. To study the applicability of 4-ED for control of gene expression we used cell lines expressing the oncogene HER2 under control of tTA (TET-OFF) as well as rtTA (TET-ON). 4-ED and doxycycline were similarly efficient in switching on or -off HER2 expression. In vivo we used a conditional mouse model that allows switching off HER2 in tumor tissue. We show that (i) doxycycline, 7.5mg/ml in drinking water (used as a positive control), (ii) 4-ED, 7.5mg/ml in drinking water, (iii) 4-ED, 10mg/kg body weight, s.c., and (iv) anhydrotetracycline, 10mg/kg, s.c. (used as a second positive control), were similarly efficient. Using mice with tumor volumes of 1.6cm(3) all four schedules led to a tumor remission of more than 95% within 7 days. In conclusion, 4-ED is similarly efficient as doxycycline to control gene expression in vitro and in mice. Since 4-ED lacks the antibiotic activity of doxycycline it may help to avoid adverse side effects and selection of resistant bacteria.
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Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de la Mama/metabolismo , Doxiciclina/administración & dosificación , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Administración Oral , Animales , Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación , Línea Celular Tumoral , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Desnudos , Ratones Transgénicos , Células 3T3 NIH , Ratas , Estereoisomerismo , Tetraciclinas/administración & dosificación , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Initiation of copolymerization of lignin-like phenolic and acrylic compounds by the phenoloxidase laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) and a peroxide species (t-butylhydroperoxide, t-BHP) was compared to a Fenton-like system (ferrous ion, t-BHP). Initially, the relative activity of laccase towards different phenolic compounds and the optimum pH of some characteristic phenolics were determined. The polymer yield and the average molecular weight (Mw) of chemo-enzymatically produced polymers were dependent both on the type of each phenolic tested and on the phenol/monomer ratio. Furthermore, the success of copolymerization of the phenolics was dependent both on their redox potential and on the type of acrylic monomer applied. The extent of phenol incorporation into the polymer chain was enhanced by the presence of laccase in the reaction mixture and was significantly higher than in polymerization initiated by a Fenton-like reaction.
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Acrilamida/química , Acrilatos/química , Oxidorreductasas/metabolismo , Fenoles/química , Polímeros , terc-Butilhidroperóxido/química , Peróxido de Hidrógeno , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Hierro , Lacasa , Peso Molecular , Oxidación-ReducciónRESUMEN
The effect of different ions which are constituents of technical lignin sulfonates (LS) on chemo-enzymatic graft co-polymerization was determined. The application of the iron chelator desferrioxamine in the initial reaction mixture revealed that iron impurities of LS which catalyzed a Fenton-like reaction were crucial for the initiation of grafting, whereas calcium or chloride ions showed no such effect. The addition of laccase (ATCC 11235) to the reaction mixture which contained desferrioxamine caused a significantly higher yield compared to the control; this indicates a crucial effect of laccase with regard to the initiation of copolymerization. The involvement of laccase in the initiation of the graft copolymerization was additionally confirmed by the application of low molecular weight phenolics instead of LS. In the presence of the lignin-like substrates, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and guaiacol, the rate of the decomposition of t-butylhydroperoxide was significantly enhanced by laccase. It can be assumed that the enzymatically generated phenoxy radicals mediate the production of oxygen centered radicals (alkoxy or peroxy) which initiate grafting.
RESUMEN
The storage stability of laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) from the white-rot basidomycete Trametes versicolor in potassium-citrate buffer was enhanced by various phenolic compounds as well as by lignin sulfonate. The highest storage stability was obtained with phenolics, e.g. phloroglucin and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid; these represent substrates of laccase which are oxidized slowly because of their relatively high redox potential and which did not precipitate from the solution within the tested period of time. Sterilization enhanced the stability of laccase but additional stabilization by phenolics was observed both under sterile and non-sterile conditions. We thus concluded that stabilization occurred not only through prevention of microbial degradation.