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Nrf2 orchestrates epigenetic regulation and acts as the master regulator of KLF4 expression and activity during arsenic-induced cell transformation

ABSTRACT: Emerging evidence suggests that Nrf2 plays a pro-carcinogenic role in various cancers. Our previous study showed that arsenic-induced Nrf2 activation promotes metabolic reprogramming and cancer stem-like cell formation. Here, we identify KLF4, a key pluripotency factor, as a direct transcriptional target of Nrf2 in arsenic-exposed human bronchial epithelial cells. ChIP-seq revealed multiple Nrf2 binding peaks at the KLF4 gene locus, co-localizing with the enhancer markers H3K4me1 and H3K27Ac. Nrf2 knockout reduced KLF4 expression and decreased enhancer marker enrichment, alongside a genome-wide reduction in KLF4 binding in arsenic-treated BEAS-2B cells. In BEAS-2B cells with functional Nrf2, arsenic treatment significantly increased KLF4 binding on genes involved in several oncogenic pathways, including STAT3, SOX2, Nrf2, cell growth, Hedgehog, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We also found that KLF4 participates in a self-regulating feedback loop in response to arsenic-induced Nrf2 signaling. Co-occupancy of Nrf2 and KLF4 is crucial for establishing active enhancers, suggesting that Nrf2’s oncogenic effects are, at least in part, mediated by Nrf2-dependent self-amplification of KLF4 expression and function. Thus, co-targeting Nrf2 and KLF4 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for eliminating cancer stem-like cells.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE279482 | GEO | 2025/11/17

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:This study chronically exposed human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells to low-dose arsenic trioxide in vitro to elucidate cancer promoting gene signaling networks (GSNs) associated with As-transformed (B-As) cells. Following a six month exposure, exposed cells were assessed for enhanced cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion ability and in vivo tumor formation compared to control cell lines. Collected mRNA was subjected to whole genome expression microarray profiling followed by in silico Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to identify lung carcinogenesis modes of action. B-As cells displayed significant increases in proliferation, colony formation and invasion ability compared to BEAS-2B cells. B-As injections into nude mice resulted in development of primary and secondary metastatic tumors. As exposure resulted in widespread up-regulation of genes associated with mitochondrial metabolism and increased ROS protection suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. Carcinogenic initiation via ROS and epigenetic mechanisms was further supported by altered DNA repair, histone, and ROS-sensitive signaling. NF-ÎºB, MAPK and NCOR1 signaling disrupted PPARÎ±/Î´-mediated lipid homeostasis. A âpro-cancerâ GSN identified increased survival, proliferation, inflammation, metabolism, anti-apoptosis and mobility signaling. IPA-ranked signaling networks identified altered p21, EF1Î±, Akt, MAPK, and NF-ÎºB signaling networks promoting genetic disorder, altered cell cycle, cancer and changes in nucleic acid and energy metabolism. In conclusion, transformed B-As cells with their whole genome GSN profile provide an in vitro As model for future lung cancer signaling research and data for chronic As exposure risk assessment. Whole genome expression profiling was conducted on arsenic (III) oxide-exposed human immortalized lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) following 6 month in vitro chronic exposure. As2O3 exposed cells (B-As) gene expression were compared to unexposed, passage control (B-Control) cell gene expression. Three B-As and four B-Control biological replicate cDNA samples were analyzed.

Project description:As environmental pollutants and possible carcinogens, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently been found to promote tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis after long-term pulmonary exposure. However, whether CNT-induced carcinogenesis can be inherited and last for generations remains unknown. Here, we establish a post-chronic single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exposed human bronchial epithelium BEAS-2B cell model to investigate SWCNTs-induced carcinogenesis. At a tolerated sublethal dose level, post-chronic SWCNTs exposure significantly increases the migration and colony formation abilities of BEAS-2B cells, leading to cell malignant transformation. Notably, the malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cells is irreversible within 60 days recovery period after SWCNTs exposure, and the malignant transformation activities of cells gradually increase during the recovery period. Mechanism analyses show that post-chronic exposure to SWCNTs causes substantial DNA methylation and transcriptome dysregulation of BEAS-2B cells. Subsequent enrichment and clinical database analyses reveal that differentially expressed/methylated genes of BEAS-2B cells are enriched in cancer-related biological pathways, and several of these genes are validated in lung cancer patients. As environmental pollutants and possible carcinogens, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently been found to promote tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis after long-term pulmonary exposure. However, whether CNT-induced carcinogenesis can be inherited and last for generations remains unknown. Here, we establish a post-chronic single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exposed human bronchial epithelium BEAS-2B cell model to investigate SWCNTs-induced carcinogenesis. At a tolerated sublethal dose level, post-chronic SWCNTs exposure significantly increases the migration and colony formation abilities of BEAS-2B cells, leading to cell malignant transformation. Notably, the malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cells is irreversible within 60 days recovery period after SWCNTs exposure, and the malignant transformation activities of cells gradually increase during the recovery period. Mechanism analyses show that post-chronic exposure to SWCNTs causes substantial DNA methylation and transcriptome dysregulation of BEAS-2B cells. Subsequent enrichment and clinical database analyses reveal that differentially expressed/methylated genes of BEAS-2B cells are enriched in cancer-related biological pathways, and several of these genes are validated in lung cancer patients.

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Nrf2 orchestrates epigenetic regulation and acts as the master regulator of KLF4 expression and activity during arsenic-induced cell transformation

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