Quantum chemical calculations of nitrosamine activation and deactivation pathways for carcinogenicity risk assessment.

N-nitrosamines and nitrosamine drug substance related impurities (NDSRIs) became a critical topic for the development and safety of small molecule medicines following the withdrawal of various pharmaceutical products from the market. To assess the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of different N-nitrosamines lacking robust carcinogenicity data, several approaches are in use including the published carcinogenic potency categorization approach (CPCA), the Enhanced Ames Test (EAT), in vivo mutagenicity studies as well as read-across to analogue molecules with robust carcinogenicity data. We employ quantum chemical calculations as a pivotal tool providing insights into the likelihood of reactive ion formation and subsequent DNA alkylation for a selection of molecules including e.g., carcinogenic N-nitrosopiperazine (NPZ), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP), together with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) as well as non-carcinogenic N-nitrosomethyl-tert-butylamine (NTBA) and bis (butan-2-yl) (nitros)amine (BBNA). In addition, a series of nitroso-methylaminopyridines is compared side-by-side. We draw comparisons between calculated reaction profiles for structures representing motifs common to NDSRIs and those of confirmed carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic molecules with in vivo data from cancer bioassays. Furthermore, our approach enables insights into reactivity and relative stability of intermediate species that can be formed upon activation of several nitrosamines. Most notably, we reveal consistent differences between the free energy profiles of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic molecules. For the former, the intermediate diazonium ions mostly react, kinetically controlled, to the more stable DNA adducts and less to the water adducts via transition-states of similar heights. Non-carcinogenic molecules yield stable carbocations as intermediates that, thermodynamically controlled, more likely form the statistically preferred water adducts. In conclusion, our data confirm that quantum chemical calculations can contribute to a weight of evidence approach for the risk assessment of nitrosamines.

Mechanisms of Nitrosamine Mutagenicity and Their Relationship to Rodent Carcinogenic Potency.

A thorough literature review was undertaken to understand how the pathways of N-nitrosamine transformation relate to mutagenic potential and carcinogenic potency in rodents. Empirical and computational evidence indicates that a common radical intermediate is created by CYP-mediated hydrogen abstraction at the α-carbon; it is responsible for both activation, leading to the formation of DNA-reactive diazonium species, and deactivation by denitrosation. There are competing sites of CYP metabolism (e.g., ß-carbon), and other reactive species can form following initial bioactivation, although these alternative pathways tend to decrease rather than enhance carcinogenic potency. The activation pathway, oxidative dealkylation, is a common reaction in drug metabolism and evidence indicates that the carbonyl byproduct, e.g., formaldehyde, does not contribute to the toxic properties of N-nitrosamines. Nitric oxide (NO), a side product of denitrosation, can similarly be discounted as an enhancer of N-nitrosamine toxicity based on carcinogenicity data for substances that act as NO-donors. However, not all N-nitrosamines are potent rodent carcinogens. In a significant number of cases, there is a potency overlap with non-N-nitrosamine carcinogens that are not in the Cohort of Concern (CoC; high-potency rodent carcinogens comprising aflatoxin-like-, N-nitroso-, and alkyl-azoxy compounds), while other N-nitrosamines are devoid of carcinogenic potential. In this context, mutagenicity is a useful surrogate for carcinogenicity, as proposed in the ICH M7 (R2) (2023) guidance. Thus, in the safety assessment and control of N-nitrosamines in medicines, it is important to understand those complementary attributes of mechanisms of mutagenicity and structure-activity relationships that translate to elevated potency versus those which are associated with a reduction in, or absence of, carcinogenic potency.

In vivo alkaline comet assay: Statistical considerations on historical negative and positive control data.

The alkaline comet assay is frequently used as in vivo follow-up test within different regulatory environments to characterize the DNA-damaging potential of different test items. The corresponding OECD Test guideline 489 highlights the importance of statistical analyses and historical control data (HCD) but does not provide detailed procedures. Therefore, the working group "Statistics" of the German-speaking Society for Environmental Mutation Research (GUM) collected HCD from five laboratories and >200 comet assay studies and performed several statistical analyses. Key results included that (I) observed large inter-laboratory effects argue against the use of absolute quality thresholds, (II) > 50% zero values on a slide are considered problematic, due to their influence on slide or animal summary statistics, (III) the type of summarizing measure for single-cell data (e.g., median, arithmetic and geometric mean) may lead to extreme differences in resulting animal tail intensities and study outcome in the HCD. These summarizing values increase the reliability of analysis results by better meeting statistical model assumptions, but at the cost of information loss. Furthermore, the relation between negative and positive control groups in the data set was always satisfactorily (or sufficiently) based on ratio, difference and quantile analyses.

Anticancer drug and ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage differently influences transcription activity and DDR-related stress responses of an endothelial monolayer.

The endothelium contributes to the pathophysiology of adverse effects caused by conventional (genotoxic) anticancer therapeutics (cAT). The relevance of structurally different types of cAT-induced DNA lesions for eliciting selected endothelial stress responses is largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the cAT-induced formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), transcription blockage and DNA damage response (DDR) in time kinetic analyses employing a monolayer of primary human endothelial cells (HUVEC). We observed that the degree of cAT-induced transcription blockage, the number of DSB and activation of DDR-related factors diverge. For instance, ionizing radiation caused the formation of numerous DSB and triggerd a substantial activation of ATM/Chk2 signaling, which however were not accompanied by a significant transcription inhibition. By contrast, the DNA cross-linking cAT cisplatin triggered a rapid and substantial blockage of transcription, which yet was not reflected by an appreciable number of DSB or increased levels of pATM/pChk2. In general, cAT-stimulated ATM-dependent phosphorylation of Kap1 (Ser824) and p53 (Ser15) reflected best cAT-induced transcription blockage. In conclusion, cAT-induced formation of DSB and profound activation of prototypical DDR factors is independent of the inhibition of RNA polymerase II-regulated transcription in an endothelial monolayer. We suggest that DSB formed directly or indirectly following cAT-treatment do not act as comprehensive triggers of superior signaling pathways shutting-down transcription while, at the same time, causing an appreciable stimulation of the DDR. Rather, it appears that distinct cAT-induced DNA lesions elicit diverging signaling pathways, which separately control transcription vs. DDR activity in the endothelium.

Distinct contribution of Rac1 expression in cardiomyocytes to anthracycline-induced cardiac injury.

Cardiotoxicity is the dose limiting adverse effect of anthracycline-based anticancer therapy. Inhibitor studies point to Rac1 as therapeutic target to prevent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Yet, supporting genetic evidence is still missing and the pathophysiological relevance of different cardiac cell types is unclear. Here, we employed a tamoxifen-inducible cardiomyocyte-specific rac1 knock-out mouse model (Rac1flox/flox/MHC-MerCreMer) to investigate the impact of Rac1 expression in cardiomyocytes on cardiac injury following doxorubicin treatment. Distinctive stress responses resulting from doxorubicin treatment were observed, including upregulation of systemic markers of inflammation (IL-6, IL-1α, MCP-1), cardiac damage (ANP, BNP), DNA damage (i.e. DNA double-strand breaks (DSB)), DNA damage response (DDR) and cell death. Measuring the acute doxorubicin response, the serum level of MCP-1 was elevated, cardiac mRNA expression of Hsp70 was reduced and cardiac DDR was specifically enhanced in Rac1 deficient mice. The frequency of apoptotic heart cells remained unaffected by Rac1. Employing a subactue model, the number of doxorubicin-induced DSB was significantly reduced if Rac1 is absent. Yet, the doxorubicin-triggered increase in serum ANP and BNP levels remained unaffected by Rac1. Overall, knock-out of rac1 in cardiomyocytes confers partial protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury. Hence, the data provide first genetic evidence supporting the view that pharmacological targeting of Rac1 is useful to widen the therapeutic window of anthracycline-based anticancer therapy by alleviating acute/subacute cardiomyocyte damage. Furthermore, considering published data obtained from the use of pharmacological Rac1 inhibitors, the results of our study indicate that Rac1-regulated functions of cardiac cell types others than cardiomyocytes additionally influence the adverse outcomes of anthracycline treatment on the heart.

Hepatic Rac1 GTPase contributes to liver-mediated basal immune homeostasis and LPS-induced endotoxemia.

BACKGROUND: The Ras-homologous GTPase Rac1 plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression, cytoskeleton-associated processes and cell death as well as carcinogenesis and inflammation. Here, we investigated the impact of Rac1 signaling on liver-mediated immune homeostasis. METHODS: We employed a constitutive Alb-Cre-driven rac1 knock-out and a poly I:C-inducible Mx1-Cre-based knock-out model and analyzed cytokine expression profiles in liver and other organs under basal situation and following LPS-induced endotoxemia by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Constitutive Alb-Cre-driven rac1 knockout in hepatocytes altered the basal distribution and activation of immune cells in the liver and likewise in kidney and lung. Early systemic alterations in cytokine serum levels following LPS treatment remained unaffected by Rac1. Furthermore, lack of Rac1 in hepatocytes of untreated animals shifted the liver to a chronic inflammatory state, as depicted by an enhanced mRNA expression of marker genes related to activated macrophages. Upon acute LPS-induced endotoxemia, increased IL-10 mRNA expression in the liver of Alb-Cre Rac1-deficient mice provided an anti-inflammatory response. Employing a poly I:C-inducible Mx1-Cre-based rac1 knock-out, which allows a more widespread rac1 deletion in both hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes, we observed substantial differences regarding both basal and LPS-stimulated cytokine expression profiles as compared to the Alb-Cre system. CONCLUSIONS: Rac1-dependent mechanisms in hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes contribute to the maintenance of liver immune homeostasis under basal situation and following LPS-induced endotoxemia. Disturbed Rac1-regulated hepatocyte functions may promote liver damage under pathophysiological situation involving inflammatory stress.

Rho inhibition by lovastatin affects apoptosis and DSB repair of primary human lung cells in vitro and lung tissue in vivo following fractionated irradiation.

Thoracic radiotherapy causes damage of normal lung tissue, which limits the cumulative radiation dose and, hence, confines the anticancer efficacy of radiotherapy and impacts the quality of life of tumor patients. Ras-homologous (Rho) small GTPases regulate multiple stress responses and cell death. Therefore, we investigated whether pharmacological targeting of Rho signaling by the HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitor lovastatin influences ionizing radiation (IR)-induced toxicity in primary human lung fibroblasts, lung epithelial and lung microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and subchronic mouse lung tissue damage following hypo-fractionated irradiation (4x4 Gy). The statin improved the repair of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in all cell types and, moreover, protected lung endothelial cells from IR-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, likely involving p53-regulated mechanisms. Under the in vivo situation, treatment with lovastatin or the Rac1-specific small molecule inhibitor EHT1864 attenuated the IR-induced increase in breathing frequency and reduced the percentage of γH2AX and 53BP1-positive cells. This indicates that inhibition of Rac1 signaling lowers IR-induced residual DNA damage by promoting DNA repair. Moreover, lovastatin and EHT1864 protected lung tissue from IR-triggered apoptosis and mitigated the IR-stimulated increase in regenerative proliferation. Our data document beneficial anti-apoptotic and genoprotective effects of pharmacological targeting of Rho signaling following hypo-fractionated irradiation of lung cells in vitro and in vivo. Rac1-targeting drugs might be particular useful for supportive care in radiation oncology and, moreover, applicable to improve the anticancer efficacy of radiotherapy by widening the therapeutic window of thoracic radiation exposure.

Lovastatin protects keratinocytes from DNA damage-related pro-apoptotic stress responses stimulated by anticancer therapeutics.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis (OM) is a relevant adverse effect of anticancer therapy involving ionizing radiation (IR) and doxorubicin (Doxo). Because DNA damage of keratinocytes is causative for the pathogenesis of OM, we aim to identify pharmacological measures for geno- and cytoprotection of keratinocytes. METHODS: We investigated the influence of the lipid-lowering drug lovastatin on cell death, proliferation and DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms of human keratinocytes following treatment with IR and Doxo. RESULTS: Lovastatin protected keratinocytes from the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of IR and Doxo as shown by a diminished induction of apoptosis as well as a reduced formation and slightly improved repair of DNA damage following Doxo and IR treatment, respectively. Lovastatin selectively blocked the activation of Chk1 and ATR kinases following treatment with IR, Doxo and the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxyurea, indicating that the statin antagonizes ATR/Chk1-regulated replicative stress responses. Part of the cytoprotective activity of lovastatin seems to rest on a delayed entry of lovastatin treated cells into S-phase. Yet, because the statin also protected non-proliferating keratinocytes from IR- and Doxo-induced cytotoxicity, cell cycle independent protective mechanisms are involved, too. CONCLUSIONS: Lovastatin attenuates pro-toxic DNA damage-related responses of keratinocytes stimulated by OM-inducing anticancer therapeutics. The data encourage forthcoming in vivo and clinical studies addressing the usefulness of statins in the prevention of OM.

Lovastatin prevents cisplatin-induced activation of pro-apoptotic DNA damage response (DDR) of renal tubular epithelial cells.

The platinating agent cisplatin (CisPt) is commonly used in the therapy of various types of solid tumors. The anticancer efficacy of CisPt largely depends on the formation of bivalent DNA intrastrand crosslinks, which stimulate mechanisms of the DNA damage response (DDR), thereby triggering checkpoint activation, gene expression and cell death. The clinically most relevant adverse effect associated with CisPt treatment is nephrotoxicity that results from damage to renal tubular epithelial cells. Here, we addressed the question whether the HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitor lovastatin affects the DDR of renal cells by employing rat renal proximal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells as in vitro model. The data show that lovastatin has extensive inhibitory effects on CisPt-stimulated DDR of NRK-52E cells as reflected on the levels of phosphorylated ATM, Chk1, Chk2, p53 and Kap1. Mitigation of CisPt-induced DDR by lovastatin was independent of the formation of DNA damage as demonstrated by (i) the analysis of Pt-(GpG) intrastrand crosslink formation by Southwestern blot analyses and (ii) the generation of DNA strand breaks as analyzed on the level of nuclear γH2AX foci and employing the alkaline comet assay. Lovastatin protected NRK-52E cells from the cytotoxicity of high CisPt doses as shown by measuring cell viability, cellular impedance and flow cytometry-based analyses of cell death. Importantly, the statin also reduced the level of kidney DNA damage and apoptosis triggered by CisPt treatment of mice. The data show that the lipid-lowering drug lovastatin extensively counteracts pro-apoptotic signal mechanisms of the DDR of tubular epithelial cells following CisPt injury.

Photosensitizer adhered to cell culture microplates induces phototoxicity in carcinoma cells.

In vitro experiments in plastic receptacles are the basis of characterization of new photosensitizers (PSs) for the photodynamic therapy. We recently reported that lipophilic PSs adhere to cell culture microplates in a kinetic-like manner (Engelhardt et al., 2011). In the current study, we examined the interaction and phototoxic effects of the microplate-adhered PS in cancer cells. Therefore, we preloaded microplates with hypericin, Foscan, PVP-hypericin, or aluminum (III) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate chloride (AlPCS4) for 24 hours and measured the PS distribution after addition of A431 human carcinoma cells: following another 24 hours up to 68% of hypericin were detected in the cell fraction. The hydrophilic PVP-hypericin and AlPCS4 also diffused into the cells, but the quantities of PS adherence were considerably lower. Microplate-adhered Foscan appeared not to be redistributed. In contrast to the hydrophilic PSs, the cellular phototoxicity of microplate-adhered lipophilic PS was high, independent of whether the PS (i) was pre-loaded onto microplates or (ii) added simultaneously with the cells or (iii) one day after cell seeding. Based on these results, we suggest testing lipophilic PS dyes for their adherence to microplates. Furthermore, the ability of plastic materials to (reversibly) store PSs might represent a new approach for the PS delivery or the development of antimicrobial coatings.

Epidermolysis bullosa - a group of skin diseases with different causes but commonalities in gene expression.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of hereditary skin disorders. Although each subtype is caused by mutations in genes encoding differentially located components of the skin, the resulting phenotype is similar. In this study, we investigated similarities in the gene expression profiles of each subtype on mRNA level. Type XVI collagen (COL16A1), G0/G1 switch 2 (G0S2), fibronectin (FN1), ribosomal protein S27A (RPS27A) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) were shown to exhibit corresponding changes in gene expression in all three EB subtypes. While COL16A1, G0S2 and FN1 are up-regulated, LDLR and RPS27A mRNA levels are decreased. These data indicate that EB cells seem to take measures increasing their mechanical stability. Apoptosis is likely to be exacerbated, and migratory potential appears to be elevated. Protein degradation is hampered, and the release of fatty acids and glycerol is restricted, probably to save energy. These commonalities might benefit existing EB treatment strategies or could help to reveal new starting points for the treatment of EB in the future.

Fluorescence detection and depletion of T47D breast cancer cells from human mononuclear cell-enriched blood preparations by photodynamic treatment: Basic in vitro experiments towards the removal of circulating tumor cells.

OBJECTIVES: A major obstacle for permanent cancer eradication is the persistence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood, which often escape radio- or chemotherapy. Currently no efficient strategy to remove CTCs from peripheral blood in order to lower the risk of metastases or tumor recurrence exists. Photodynamic treatment (PDT) using aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induced protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) as photosensitizer offers an innovative approach to overcome this problem. This study aims at providing basic evidence towards fluorescence detection and photodynamic depletion of scattered cancer cells from blood preparations. METHODS: The breast cancer cell line T47D, endothelial GP8 cells, red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) have been tested for ALA-induced formation kinetics of PPIX by flow cytometry and microplate fluorescence analysis. The influence of the presence of RBCs on the PPIX-accumulation in cancer cells was evaluated by flow cytometry; the efficacy of PDT on cancer cells and MNCs has been tested by resazurin assay. Mixtures of T47D and GP8 cells and MNCs spiked with cancer cells were tested to determine the limit of fluorescence detection by flow cytometry and antibody co-staining. RESULTS: T47D cells accumulated significantly higher PPIX-amounts after ALA-incubation than any other cell type tested. The presence of RBCs had no impact on PPIX-formation in T47D cells. Experiments towards the fluorescence detection of cancer cells in blood revealed that the sensitivity of this method is yet limited. Viability testing after PDT showed that cancer cells where almost completely eradicated after illumination whereas MNCs were almost spared. CONCLUSION: We clearly demonstrate in vitro tumor cell selectivity of PPIX-accumulation over endothelial cells, MNCs and RBCs. Breast cancer cells are efficiently killed by PDT with minor depletion of MNCs. Our findings provide a basis for the PDT of blood samples for a future depletion of CTCs.

TGFß-signaling in squamous cell carcinoma occurring in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a hereditary skin disorder characterized by mechanical fragility of the skin, resulting in blistering and chronic wounds. The causative mutations lie in the COL7A1 gene. Patients suffering from RDEB have a high risk to develop aggressive, rapidly metastasizing squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Cutaneous RDEB SCCs develop preferentially in long-term skin wounds or cutaneous scars. Albeit being well differentiated, they show a more aggressive behavior than UV-induced SCCs. These findings suggest other contributing factors in SCC tumorigenesis in RDEB. OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors contributing to RDEB tumorigenesis, we conducted a comprehensive gene expression study comparing a non-malignant RDEB (RDEB-CL) to a RDEB SCC cell line (SCCRDEB4) to achieve an overview on the changes of the gene expression levels in RDEB related skin cancer. METHODS: We applied cDNA arrays comprising 9738 human expressed sequence tags (EST) with various functions. Selected results were verified by Real-time RT PCR. RESULTS: Large-scale gene expression analysis revealed changes in the expression level of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1) and several genes under the control of TGFß for RDEB and SCCRDEB4 cell lines. Even untransformed RDEB keratinocytes show elevated levels of TGFß1. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate a prominent role of TGFß-signaling in RDEB-related skin cancer. Once activated, TGFß signaling either in response to wounding or in order to influence type VII collagen expression levels could facilitate cancer development and progression. Moreover, TGFß signaling might also represent a potentially useful therapeutic target in this disease.

Interfacial tensions from drop retraction versus pendant drop data and polydispersity effects.

Interfacial tensions sigma were measured by means of both methods for the following polymer pair: polyisobutylene (PIB 3) plus poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS 152) and poly(dimethyl-co-methylphenylsiloxane) (CoP26*) plus PDMS 48. The numbers after the abbreviation state the molar masses in kilograms; the homopolymers exhibit polydispersities on the order of 2. The reliability of the method of drop retraction is backed up by systematic measurements, which demonstrate that it is possible to study the time evolution of sigma. Because of the free choice of the phases (drop or matrix) and the possibility to vary the overall composition of the system in a wide range, drop retraction yields more information than the pendant drop method. For the present systems both types of experiments yield identical results for the droplets of higher density. Experiments with the inverse blends and at higher volume fractions of the disperse phase demonstrate that the polydispersity of the components plays an important role. In the case of the system PIB 3/PDMS 152 the steady-state interfacial tension at 25 degrees C is 2.25 mN m(-1) if the drop consists of PDMS, but only 1.3 mN m(-1) if it consists of PIB. Furthermore, the time-independent sigma values are attained much more rapidly in the latter case.