Estrogen-Related Receptor γ Maintains Pancreatic Acinar Cell Function and Identity by Regulating Cellular Metabolism.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mitochondrial dysfunction disrupts the synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes in pancreatic acinar cells and plays a primary role in the etiology of exocrine pancreas disorders. However, the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial function to support acinar cell physiology are poorly understood. Here, we aim to elucidate the function of estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) in pancreatic acinar cell mitochondrial homeostasis and energy production. METHODS: Two models of ERRγ inhibition, GSK5182-treated wild-type mice and ERRγ conditional knock-out (cKO) mice, were established to investigate ERRγ function in the exocrine pancreas. To identify the functional role of ERRγ in pancreatic acinar cells, we performed histologic and transcriptome analysis with the pancreas isolated from ERRγ cKO mice. To determine the relevance of these findings for human disease, we analyzed transcriptome data from multiple independent human cohorts and conducted genetic association studies for ESRRG variants in 2 distinct human pancreatitis cohorts. RESULTS: Blocking ERRγ function in mice by genetic deletion or inverse agonist treatment results in striking pancreatitis-like phenotypes accompanied by inflammation, fibrosis, and cell death. Mechanistically, loss of ERRγ in primary acini abrogates messenger RNA expression and protein levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex genes, resulting in defective acinar cell energetics. Mitochondrial dysfunction due to ERRγ deletion further triggers autophagy dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and production of reactive oxygen species, ultimately leading to cell death. Interestingly, ERRγ-deficient acinar cells that escape cell death acquire ductal cell characteristics, indicating a role for ERRγ in acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. Consistent with our findings in ERRγ cKO mice, ERRγ expression was significantly reduced in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared with normal subjects. Furthermore, candidate locus region genetic association studies revealed multiple single nucleotide variants for ERRγ that are associated with chronic pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings highlight an essential role for ERRγ in maintaining the transcriptional program that supports acinar cell mitochondrial function and organellar homeostasis and provide a novel molecular link between ERRγ and exocrine pancreas disorders.

Bile acids associate with specific gut microbiota, low-level alcohol consumption and liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Bile acids (BAs) are synthesized by the liver and modified by gut bacteria, and may play an intermediary role between the gut microbiome and liver in promoting fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the associations between serum and faecal BAs, gut microbiome and fibrosis in patients with and without NAFLD and examined the impact of diet and alcohol consumption on these relationships. METHODS: Adult patients (n = 122) underwent liver biopsy and BAs characterization by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Gut microbiome composition was analysed using next-generation 16S rRNA sequencing. Diet and alcohol intake were determined by 3-day food diary. RESULTS: Serum and faecal BA concentrations increased progressively among non-NAFLD controls (n = 55), NAFLD patients with no/mild fibrosis (F0-2, n = 58) and NAFLD with advanced fibrosis (F3/4, n = 9). Progressive increases in serum BAs were driven by primary conjugated BAs including glycocholic acid [GCA] and secondary conjugated BAs. In contrast, faecal BA increase was driven by secondary unconjugated BAs (predominately deoxycholic acid [DCA]). Serum GCA levels and faecal DCA levels correlated with the abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Lachnospiraceae, and stool secondary BAs with an unclassifiable family of the order Bacteroidales (Bacteroidales;other). These bacterial taxa were also associated with advanced fibrosis. Modest alcohol consumption was positively correlated with faecal DCA levels and relative abundance of Lachnospiracaea and Bacteroidales;other. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum and faecal BA levels are associated with advanced fibrosis in NAFLD. Specific gut bacteria link alterations in BA profiles and advanced fibrosis, and may be influenced by low-level alcohol consumption.

Thyroid transcription factor FOXE1 interacts with ETS factor ELK1 to co-regulate TERT.

BACKGROUND: Although FOXE1 was initially recognized for its role in thyroid organogenesis, more recently a strong association has been identified between the FOXE1 locus and thyroid cancer. The role of FOXE1 in adult thyroid, and in particular regarding cancer risk, has not been well established. We hypothesised that discovering key FOXE1 transcriptional partners would in turn identify regulatory pathways relevant to its role in oncogenesis. RESULTS: In a transcription factor-binding array, ELK1 was identified to bind FOXE1. We confirmed this physical association in heterologously transfected cells by IP and mammalian two-hybrid assays. In thyroid tissue, endogenous FOXE1 was shown to bind ELK1, and using ChIP assays these factors bound thyroid-relevant gene promoters TPO and TERT in close proximity to each other. Using a combination of electromobility shift assays, TERT promoter assays and siRNA-silencing, we found that FOXE1 positively regulated TERT expression in a manner dependent upon its association with ELK1. Treating heterologously transfected thyroid cells with MEK inhibitor U0126 inhibited FOXE1-ELK1 interaction, and reduced TERT and TPO promoter activity. METHODOLOGY: We investigated FOXE1 interactions within in vitro thyroid cell models and human thyroid tissue using a combination of immunoprecipitation (IP), chromatin IP (ChIP) and gene reporter assays. CONCLUSIONS: FOXE1 interacts with ELK1 on thyroid relevant gene promoters, establishing a new regulatory pathway for its role in adult thyroid function. Co-regulation of TERT suggests a mechanism by which allelic variants in/near FOXE1 are associated with thyroid cancer risk.

Novel angular benzophenazines: dual topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors as potential anticancer agents.

A series of substituted angular benzophenazines were prepared using a new synthetic route via a novel regiocontrolled condensation of 1,2-naphthoquinones and 2,3-diaminobenzoic acids. The synthesis and biological activity of this new series of substituted 8,9-benzo[a]phenazine carboxamide systems are described. The analogues were evaluated against the H69 parental human small cell lung carcinoma cell line and H69/LX4 resistant cell line which overexpresses P-glycoprotein. Selected analogues were evaluated against the COR-L23 parental human non small cell lung carcinoma cell line and the COR-L23/R resistant cell line which overexpresses multidrug resistance protein. This series of novel angular benzophenazines were potent cytotoxic agents in these cell lines and may be able to circumvent multidrug resistance mechanisms which result in the lack of efficacy of many drugs in cancer chemotherapy. These compounds show dual inhibition of topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II and thus target two key enzymes responsible for the topology of DNA that are active at different points in the cell cycle. The introduction of chirality into the carboxamide side chain of these novel benzophenazine carboxamides has resulted in the discovery of a potent enantiospecific series of cytotoxic agents, exemplified by 4-methoxy-benzo[a]phenazine-11-carboxylic acid (2-(dimethylamino)-1-(R)-methyl-ethyl)-amide, XR11576 ((R)-4j' '). In vivo activity has been demonstrated for 4-methoxy-benzo[a]phenazine-11-carboxylic acid (2-(dimethylamino)-1-(R)-methyl-ethyl)-amide, XR11576, after intravenous administration to female mice, and this compound has been selected as a development candidate for further evaluation.

Promoter-, cell-, and ligand-specific transactivation responses of the VDRB1 isoform.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), the active form of vitamin D. The human VDRB1 isoform differs from the originally described VDR by an N-terminal extension of 50 amino acids. Here we investigate cell-, promoter-, and ligand-specific transactivation by the VDRB1 isoform. Transactivation by these isoforms of the cytochrome P450 CYP24 promoter was compared in kidney (HEK293 and COS1), tumor-derived colon (Caco-2, LS174T, and HCT15), and mammary (HS578T and MCF7) cell lines. VDRB1 transactivation in response to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was greater in COS1 and HCT15 cells (145%), lower in HEK293 and Caco-2 cells (70-85%) and similar in other cell lines tested. By contrast, on the cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 promoter, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced VDRB1 transactivation was significantly lower than VDRA in Caco-2 (68%), but comparable to VDRA in HEK293 and COS1 cells. Ligand-dependence of VDRB1 differential transactivation was investigated using the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA). On the CYP24 promoter LCA-induced transactivation was similar for both isoforms in COS1, whereas in Caco-2 and HEK293 cells VDRB1 was less active. On the CYP3A4 promoter, LCA activation of VDRB1 was comparable to VDRA in all the cell lines tested. Mutational analysis indicated that both the 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and LCA-regulated activities of both VDR isoforms required a functional ligand-dependent activation function (AF-2) domain. In gel shift assays VDR:DNA complex formation was stronger in the presence of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) than with LCA. These results indicate that regulation of VDRB1 transactivation activity is dependent on cellular context, promoter, and the nature of the ligand.

Effectiveness of interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C in a clinic setting.

AIM: To determine effectiveness of treatment for hepatitis C outside clinical trials, by testing the hypothesis that apparent effectiveness and tolerability of interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin combination therapy would be less in a hospital liver clinic setting. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of all patients in one centre commencing interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy, but not in clinical trials, between 1998 and 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effectiveness as sustained virological response (SVR); tolerability as premature discontinuation of treatment. RESULTS: The 121 patients had similar demographic and viral characteristics as those in Australian trials (age, 44 +/- 10 years; males, 66%; genotype 1, 44%; genotype 3, 36%), but 38% had advanced fibrosis, including 17% with cirrhosis. Sixty (50%) were previously untreated, 38 (31%) had relapsed after initial response (response relapse) and 23 (19%) were non-responders to interferon monotherapy. Sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 53% of patients overall: 47% of patients with genotype 1 HCV, 71% of patients with genotype 3. For patients with genotype 1 HCV, SVR was 43% in those previously untreated, 63% in response relapsers, and 38% in non-responders. Corresponding SVRs for genotype 3 were 65%, 87% and 33%. These results are similar to those obtained in published trials. Only 7% of our patients discontinued treatment because of adverse effects, fewer than reported in most clinical trials. Dose reduction was required in 18% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In a hospital clinic setting the effectiveness of interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin combination therapy appears equivalent to published results from clinical trials.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of XR11576, a novel, orally active, dual inhibitor of topoisomerase I and II.

XR11576, a novel phenazine, was developed as an inhibitor of both topoisomerase I and II. This study characterized the ability of XR11576 to inhibit both enzymes, and determined its in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy against a number of murine and human tumor models. XR11576 was a potent inhibitor of purified topoisomerase I and IIalpha, and exhibited similar potency for both enzymes. The compound stabilized enzyme-DNA cleavable complexes indicating that it acted as a topoisomerase poison. The DNA cleavage patterns obtained with XR11576 were different from those induced by camptothecin and etoposide, which are topoisomerase I and II poisons, respectively. XR11576 demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against a variety of human and murine tumor cell lines (IC50=6-47 nM). Its activity profile was comparable to or better than that of many widely used anticancer drugs. Moreover, XR11576 was unaffected by multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by overexpression of either P-glycoprotein or MDR-associated protein, or by down-regulation of topoisomerase II. The latter property supports the dual inhibitory mechanism of action of the compound. XR11576 exhibited a similar pharmacokinetic profile in mice and rats after either i.v. or p.o. administration. In vivo XR11576 showed marked efficacy against a number of tumors including sensitive (H69/P) and multidrug-resistant (H69/LX4) small cell lung cancer and the relatively refractory MC26 and HT29 colon carcinomas following i.v. and p.o. administration. The efficacy of XR11576 was at least comparable to that of TAS-103, originally proposed as a dual inhibitor of topoisomerase I and II. These results suggest that XR11576 is a promising new antitumor agent with oral and i.v. activity, and warrants further development.