Mechanistic examination of walnuts in prevention of breast cancer.

Walnuts contain bioactive molecules that may contribute to their beneficial effects, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and phytosterols. In these studies, extracts of walnut, purified compounds, or postprandial serum were examined for effects on breast cancer cell proliferation and gene expression. Extracts derived from walnut oil decreased proliferation of MCF-7 cells, as did ALA and ß-sitosterol. The gene expression response of ALA in the mouse breast cancer cell line TM2H indicates this molecule has multiple cellular targets with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) target genes, liver X receptor (LXR), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) target genes being affected. In transactivation assays, walnut oil extracts increased activity of FXR to a greater extent than the other tested nuclear receptors. When examined separately, walnut components ALA and ß-sitosterol were the most efficacious activators of FXR. When serum from individuals fed walnut components were applied to MCF-7 cells, there was a correlation between body mass index and breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Taken together, these data support an effect of walnut and its bioactive constituents on mammary epithelial cells and that multiple molecular targets may be involved.

The dietary fatty acid 10E12Z-CLA induces epiregulin expression through COX-2 dependent PGF(2α) synthesis in adipocytes.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are a group of dietary fatty acids that are widely marketed as weight loss supplements. The isomer responsible for this effect is the trans-10, cis-12 CLA (10E12Z-CLA) isomer. 10E12Z-CLA treatment during differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes induces expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2; COX-2). This work demonstrates that COX-2 is also induced in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes after a single treatment of 10E12Z-CLA at both the mRNA (20-40 fold) and protein level (7 fold). Furthermore, prostaglandin (PG)F(2α), but not PGE(2), is significantly increased 10 fold. In female BALB/c mice fed 0.5% 10E12Z-CLA for 10 days, COX-2 was induced in uterine adipose (2 fold). In vitro, pharmacological COX-2 inhibition did not block the effect of 10E12Z-CLA on adipocyte-specific gene expression although PGF(2α) was dose-dependently decreased. These studies demonstrate that PGF(2α) was not by itself responsible for the reduction in adipocyte character due to 10E12Z-CLA treatment. However, PGF(2α), either exogenously or endogenously in response to 10E12Z-CLA, increased the expression of the potent mitogen and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) ligand epiregulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Blocking PGF(2α) signaling with the PGF(2α) receptor (FP) antagonist AL-8810 returned epiregulin mRNA levels back to baseline. Although this pathway is not directly responsible for adipocyte dependent gene expression, these results suggest that this signaling pathway may still have broad effect on the adipocyte and surrounding cells.

Regulation of inflammatory and lipid metabolism genes by eicosapentaenoic acid-rich oil.

Omega-3-PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are associated with prevention of various aspects of metabolic syndrome. In the present studies, the effects of oil rich in EPA on gene expression and activation of nuclear receptors was examined and compared with other ω3-PUFAs. The EPA-rich oil (EO) altered the expression of FA metabolism genes in THP-1 cells, including stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) and FA desaturase-1 and -2 (FASDS1 and -2). Other ω3-PUFAs resulted in a similar gene expression response for a subset of genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation. In reporter assays, EO activated human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARß/γ with minimal effects on PPARγ, liver X receptor, retinoid X receptor, farnesoid X receptor, and retinoid acid receptor γ (RARγ); these effects were similar to that observed for purified EPA. When serum from a 6 week clinical intervention with dietary supplements containing olive oil (control), DHA, or two levels of EPA were applied to THP-1 cells, the expression of SCD and FADS2 decreased in the cells treated with serum from the ω3-PUFA-supplemented individuals. Taken together, these studies indicate regulation of gene expression by EO that is consistent with treating aspects of dyslipidemia and inflammation.

Δ12-prostaglandin J3, an omega-3 fatty acid-derived metabolite, selectively ablates leukemia stem cells in mice.

Targeting cancer stem cells is of paramount importance in successfully preventing cancer relapse. Recently, in silico screening of public gene-expression datasets identified cyclooxygenase-derived cyclopentenone prostaglandins (CyPGs) as likely agents to target malignant stem cells. We show here that Δ(12)-PGJ(3), a novel and naturally produced CyPG from the dietary fish-oil ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5) alleviates the development of leukemia in 2 well-studied murine models of leukemia. IP administration of Δ(12)-PGJ(3) to mice infected with Friend erythroleukemia virus or those expressing the chronic myelogenous leukemia oncoprotein BCR-ABL in the hematopoietic stem cell pool completely restored normal hematologic parameters, splenic histology, and enhanced survival. More importantly, Δ(12)-PGJ(3) selectively targeted leukemia stem cells (LSCs) for apoptosis in the spleen and BM. This treatment completely eradicated LSCs in vivo, as demonstrated by the inability of donor cells from treated mice to cause leukemia in secondary transplantations. Given the potency of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived CyPGs and the well-known refractoriness of LSCs to currently used clinical agents, Δ(12)-PGJ(3) may represent a new chemotherapeutic for leukemia that targets LSCs.

Effect of pistachio oil on gene expression of IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2: a biomarker of inflammatory response.

When incorporated into the diet, pistachios have a beneficial effect on lipid and lipoprotein profiles. However, little is known about potential anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to determine whether pistachio oil and an organic extract from pistachio oil extract (PE) regulated expression of inflammation-related genes. A mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7 cells) was treated with pistachio oil and gene expression microarray analyses were performed. Pistachio oil significantly affected genes involved in immune response, defense response to bacteria, and gene silencing, of which INF-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (Ifit-2) was the most dramatically reduced. PE reduced the LPS-induced Ifit-2 by 78% and the bioactive molecules contained in PE, linoleic acid, and beta-sitosterol recapitulated this inhibition. Promoter analysis identified two adjacent IFN-stimulated response elements, which lie between -110 and -85bp of the 5'-flanking region of the Ifit-2 promoter, as being responsive to LPS activation and inhibition by PE. Our results indicate that pistachio oil and bioactive molecules present therein decrease Ifit-2 expressions, and due to the sensitivity of this effect, this gene is a potential biomarker for monitoring diet-induced changes in inflammation.

The anti-inflammatory effects of selenium are mediated through 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 in macrophages.

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that suppresses the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kappaB-dependent pro-inflammatory gene expression. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory property of selenium, we examined the activity of a key kinase of the NF-kappaB cascade, IkappaB-kinase beta (IKKbeta) subunit, as a function of cellular selenium status in murine primary bone marrow-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 macrophage-like cell line. In vitro kinase assays revealed that selenium supplementation decreased the activity of IKKbeta in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. Stimulation by LPS of selenium-supplemented macrophages resulted in a time-dependent increase in 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) formation, an endogenous inhibitor of IKKbeta activity. Further analysis revealed that inhibition of IKKbeta activity in selenium-supplemented cells correlated with the Michael addition product of 15d-PGJ2 with Cys-179 of IKKbeta, while the formation of such an adduct was significantly decreased in the selenium-deficient macrophages. In addition, anti-inflammatory activities of selenium were also mediated by the 15d-PGJ2-dependent activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptor-gamma in macrophages. Experiments using specific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors and genetic knockdown approaches indicated that COX-1, and not the COX-2 pathway, was responsible for the increased synthesis of 15d-PGJ2 in selenium-supplemented macrophages. Taken together, our results suggest that selenium supplementation increases the production of 15d-PGJ2 as an adaptive response to protect cells against oxidative stress-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression. More specifically, modification of protein thiols by 15d-PGJ2 represents a previously undescribed code for redox regulation of gene expression by selenium.

Selenium deficiency increases the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in RAW 264.7 macrophages: role of nuclear factor-kappaB in up-regulation.

The inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is implicated in atherosclerosis, malignancy, rheumatoid arthritis, tissue and reperfusion injuries. A key determinant of the pro-oxidant versus protective effects of NO is the underlying redox status of the tissue. Selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) and thioredoxin reductases, are key components of cellular defence and promote optimal antioxidant/oxidant balance. In this study, we have investigated the relationship between Se status, iNOS expression and NO production in Se-deficient and Se-supplemented RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines. The cellular GPx activity, a measure of Se status, was 17-fold lower in Se-deficient RAW 264.7 cells and the total cellular oxidative tone, as assessed by flow cytometry with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, was higher in the Se-deficient cells than the Se-supplemented cells. Upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of these cells in culture, we found significantly higher iNOS transcript and protein expression levels with an increase in NO production in Se-deficient RAW 264.7 cells than the Se-supplemented cells. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-luciferase reporter assays and Western blot analyses indicate that the increased expression of iNOS in Se deficiency could be due to an increased activation and consequent nuclear localization of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kappaB. These results suggest an inverse relationship between cellular Se status and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and provide evidence for the beneficial effects of dietary Se supplementation in the prevention and/or treatment of oxidative-stress-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Nuclear factor-kappaB mediates over-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 during activation of RAW 264.7 macrophages in selenium deficiency.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for all mammalian species and is associated with a variety of physiological functions, notably immune system, in the form of selenoproteins. Inadequate Se nutrition has been linked to various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiomyopathy, and cancer. Important to this discussion is that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is over-expressed in all the aforesaid pathologies; however, a casual relationship between Se status and COX-2 expression remains to be established. The present study is based on the hypothesis that oxidant stress, a consequence of Se deficiency, lowers the activation potential of the redox-sensitive transcription factor, NF-kappaB, and that the activated NF-kappaB is required for the altered expression of COX-2. To test this hypothesis, we have investigated the relationship between Se status and COX-2 expression in response to LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7, a macrophage-like cell line. In Se-deficient cells, the Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity (Se-GPx), a measure of Se status, was markedly reduced and the overall oxidative stress was significantly higher than Se-supplemented cells. Upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, we found 2-3-folds higher COX-2 protein expression as well as higher PGE2 levels in Se-deficient cells than Se-supplemented cells. In comparison, COX-1 protein expression was not affected by either LPS stimulation or Se status. Following LPS stimulation, the nuclear localization of NF-kappaB was significantly increased in Se-deficient macrophages, thereby leading to increased expression of COX-2. This is the first report demonstrating an inverse relationship between Se status and the expression of COX-2.