Project description:N-nitroso compounds (NOC) may be implicated in human colon carcinogenesis, but the toxicological mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. Since it was previously demonstrated that nitrosamines and nitrosamides, representing two classes of NOC, induce distinct gene expression effects in colon cells that are particularly related to oxidative stress, we hypothesized that different radical mechanisms are involved. Using ESR spectroscopy, we investigated radical generating properties of genotoxic NOC concentrations in human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2). Cells were exposed to nitrosamides (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, N-methyl-N-nitrosurea) or nitrosamines (N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosopiperidine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine). Nitrosamines caused formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbon centered radicals which was further stimulated in presence of Caco-2 cells. N-methyl-N-nitrosurea exposure resulted in a small ROS signal, and formation of nitrogen centered radicals (NCR), also stimulated by Caco-2 cells. N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine did not cause radical formation at genotoxic concentrations, but at increased exposure levels, both ROS and NCR formation was observed. By associating gene expression patterns with ROS formation, several cellular processes responding to nitrosamine exposure were identified, including apoptosis, cell cycle blockage, DNA repair and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that following NOC exposure in Caco-2 cells, ROS formation plays an important role in deregulation of gene expression patterns which may be relevant for the process of chemical carcinogenesis in the human colon, in addition to the role of DNA alkylation. Keywords: Nitrosamines, nitrosamides, N-nitroso compounds, free radicals, toxicogenomics, colon carcinogenesis The study investigated differential gene expression in Caco-2 cell line mRNA following 1, 6 or 24 hours of exposure to six different N-nitroso compounds. Two biological replicates per sample compound. One compound per array, hybridized against vehicle control. Dye-swap between biological replicates.

Project description:N-nitroso compounds (NOC) are genotoxic compounds and animal carcinogens, and may play a role in human cancer development. Since the gastro-intestinal tract is an important route of exposure, we hypothesize that NOC exposure targets genetic processes relevant in colon carcinogenesis. To investigate this, we analysed the transcriptomic effects of genotoxic concentrations of two nitrosamides, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 1ÂµM) and N-methyl-N-nitrosurea (MNU, 1mM), and four nitrosamines, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA, 50mM), N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA, 100mM), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP, 40mM), and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR, 100mM), in the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2. Gene Ontology gene group, consensus motif gene group and biological pathway analysis revealed that nitrosamides had little effect on gene expression after 24 hours of exposure, whereas nitrosamines had a strong impact on the transcriptomic profile. Analyses showed modifications of cell cycle regulation and apoptosis pathways for nitrosamines which was supported by flow cytometric analysis. We found additional modifications in gene groups and pathways of oxidative stress and inflammation, which suggest an increase in oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory immune response upon nitrosamine exposure, although less distinct for NDMA. Furthermore, NDEA, NPIP and NPYR most strongly affected several developmental motif gene groups and pathways, which may influence developmental processes. Many of these pathways and gene groups are implicated in the carcinogenic process and their modulation by nitrosamine exposure may therefore influence the development of colon cancer. In summary, our study has identified pathway modifications in human colon cells which may be associated with cancer risk of nitrosamine exposure in the human colon. Keywords: Comparison of genome-wide gene expression between different conditions The study investigated differential gene expression in Caco-2 cell line mRNA following 24 hours of exposure to six different N-nitroso compounds. Four biological replicates per sample compound. One compound per array, hybridized against vehicle control. Dye-swap between biological replicates 1 and 2, and 3 and 4.

Project description:Study 1: Transcriptomic profiles in colon tissue from inflammatory bowel diseases patients in relation to N-nitroso compound exposure and colorectal cancer risk Study 1: N-nitroso compounds (NOC) have been suggested to play a role in human cancer development but definitive evidence is still lacking. In this study we investigated gene expression modifications induced in human colon tissue in relation to NOC exposure to gain insight in the relevance of these compounds in human colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Since there are indications that inflammation stimulates endogenous NOC formation, the study population consisted of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome patients as controls without inflammation. Strong transcriptomic differences were identified in colonic biopsies from IBD patients and compared to controls that enhance the understanding of IBD pathophysiology. However, fecal NOC levels were not increased in IBD patients, suggesting that inflammation did not stimulate NOC formation. By relating gene expression changes of all subjects to fecal NOC levels, we did, however, identify a NOC exposure-associated transcriptomic response that suggests that physiological NOC concentrations may induce genotoxic responses and chromatin modifications in human colon tissue, both of which are linked to carcinogenicity. In a network analysis, chromatin modifications were linked to 11 significantly modulated histone genes, pointing towards a possible epigenetic mechanism that may be relevant in comprehending the molecular basis of NOC-induced carcinogenesis. We conclude that NOC exposure is associated with gene expression modifications in the colon that may increase CRC risk in humans. Study 2: Red meat intake-induced increases in fecal water genotoxicity correlate with pro-carcinogenic gene expression changes in the human colon Study 2: Red meat consumption is associated with an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, which may be due to an increased endogenous formation of genotoxic N-nitroso compounds (NOCs). To assess the impact of red meat intake on potential risk factors of CRC, we investigated the effect of a 7-day dietary red meat intervention in human subjects on endogenous NOC formation and fecal water genotoxicity in relation to transcriptomic changes induced in colonic tissue. In order to evaluate the potential effect of an inflamed colon on endogenous nitrosation, the study population consisted of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) control subjects without inflammation. The intervention had no effect on fecal NOC formation but fecal water genotoxicity significantly increased in response to red meat intake. Since IBD patients showed no difference in fecal NOC formation or fecal water genotoxicity levels as compared to IBS controls, for transcriptomic analyses, all subjects were grouped together. Genes significantly correlating with the increase in fecal water genotoxicity were involved in biological pathways indicative of genotoxic effects, including modifications in DNA damage, cell cycle, and apoptosis pathways. Moreover, WNT signaling and nucleosome remodeling pathways were modulated that are known to play a part in the carcinogenic process in the human colon. These results are in line with a possible oxidative effect of dietary heme. We conclude that the gene expression changes identified in this study corroborate the genotoxic potential of diets high in red meat and point towards a possible risk of CRC development in humans.

Project description:Study 1: Transcriptomic profiles in colon tissue from inflammatory bowel diseases patients in relation to N-nitroso compound exposure and colorectal cancer risk Study 1: N-nitroso compounds (NOC) have been suggested to play a role in human cancer development but definitive evidence is still lacking. In this study we investigated gene expression modifications induced in human colon tissue in relation to NOC exposure to gain insight in the relevance of these compounds in human colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Since there are indications that inflammation stimulates endogenous NOC formation, the study population consisted of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome patients as controls without inflammation. Strong transcriptomic differences were identified in colonic biopsies from IBD patients and compared to controls that enhance the understanding of IBD pathophysiology. However, fecal NOC levels were not increased in IBD patients, suggesting that inflammation did not stimulate NOC formation. By relating gene expression changes of all subjects to fecal NOC levels, we did, however, identify a NOC exposure-associated transcriptomic response that suggests that physiological NOC concentrations may induce genotoxic responses and chromatin modifications in human colon tissue, both of which are linked to carcinogenicity. In a network analysis, chromatin modifications were linked to 11 significantly modulated histone genes, pointing towards a possible epigenetic mechanism that may be relevant in comprehending the molecular basis of NOC-induced carcinogenesis. We conclude that NOC exposure is associated with gene expression modifications in the colon that may increase CRC risk in humans. Study 2: Red meat intake-induced increases in fecal water genotoxicity correlate with pro-carcinogenic gene expression changes in the human colon Study 2: Red meat consumption is associated with an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, which may be due to an increased endogenous formation of genotoxic N-nitroso compounds (NOCs). To assess the impact of red meat intake on potential risk factors of CRC, we investigated the effect of a 7-day dietary red meat intervention in human subjects on endogenous NOC formation and fecal water genotoxicity in relation to transcriptomic changes induced in colonic tissue. In order to evaluate the potential effect of an inflamed colon on endogenous nitrosation, the study population consisted of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) control subjects without inflammation. The intervention had no effect on fecal NOC formation but fecal water genotoxicity significantly increased in response to red meat intake. Since IBD patients showed no difference in fecal NOC formation or fecal water genotoxicity levels as compared to IBS controls, for transcriptomic analyses, all subjects were grouped together. Genes significantly correlating with the increase in fecal water genotoxicity were involved in biological pathways indicative of genotoxic effects, including modifications in DNA damage, cell cycle, and apoptosis pathways. Moreover, WNT signaling and nucleosome remodeling pathways were modulated that are known to play a part in the carcinogenic process in the human colon. These results are in line with a possible oxidative effect of dietary heme. We conclude that the gene expression changes identified in this study corroborate the genotoxic potential of diets high in red meat and point towards a possible risk of CRC development in humans. The study investigated transcription levels in human colon biopsies obtained during a colonoscopic exam in 32 subjects suffering from either inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS patients served as control patients for comparison with IBD patients (see Study 1). 12 of these patients (6 IBD and 6 IBS) also followed a 7-day diet high in red meat (300 grams/day) after which a second colonscopic exam was performed to obtain colon biopsies to investigate the effect of the red meat intervention (Study 2). For each subject, cRNA copies of mRNA isolated from the colon biopsies were labeled with one dye (Cy3) and each sample was hybridized on a separate array. One replicate per subject or before/after red meat intervention (so 44 arrays in total, i.e. 20 before patients and 12 before and after patients).

Project description:In response to polarization cues, cultured Caco-2 cells, a human colon adenocarcinoma-derived cell line, form a polarized epithelium resembling normal enterocytes. We investigated potential signaling mechanisms activated by Caco-2 cells that might trigger the genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming that accompanies polarization (Saaf et al, submitted-I). cDNA microarrays were used to compare the transcriptional profile of Caco-2 polarization to the gene expression profiles of normal human colon and colon tumors. The transcript profile of proliferating, non-polarized Caco-2 cells has striking parallels to the gene expression profile of human colon cancer in vivo. However, as Caco-2 cells develop polarity, the gene expression profile shifts to one more closely resembling that of normal colon tissue, suggesting that the underlying regulatory mechanisms that mediate Caco-2 cell polarization are similar to those that occur during in vivo enterocyte differentiation. We show that transcriptional re-programming of Caco-2 cells during development of cell polarity occurs in the context of signaling pathways that are regulated in a manner that is remarkably similar to those in normal intestinal development. For example, transcriptional targets of the Wnt pathway are tightly regulated during Caco-2 cell polarization, mimicking the gradient of Wnt-mediated transcription in the crypt (high expression) to villus (low expression) axis in human intestine. However, Caco-2 cells lack full-length APC necessary for normal Wnt-regulated degradation of beta-catenin. Biochemical analysis indicates that regulation of the Wnt pathway occurs in the nucleus at the level of activation of target genes by the beta-catenin-TCF complex, revealing a novel additional mechanism by which intestinal cells may regulate Wnt signaling during their maturation. In addition, other signaling pathways including Notch, BMP, Hedgehog, and growth factor, were temporally regulated during Caco-2 cell polarization. Surprisingly, modulation of these signaling pathways in Caco-2 cells occurs in the absence of morphogen gradients and interactions with stromal cells characteristic of enterocyte differentiation in situ. This dataset contains gene expression profiles of 9 normal colon samples and 15 colon tumor samples. Samples of tumor and normal colon mucosa were collected from colon cancer resection from Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital University of Hong Kong. Tissue was frozen in liquid nitrogen within 30 min of resection. Nonneoplastic mucosa from colon was dissected free of muscle and histologically confirmed to be tumor free by frozen section. Total RNA was extracted using Trizol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) from each tissue sample and processed for microarray hybridization. A disease state experiment design type is where the state of some disease such as infection, pathology, syndrome, etc is studied. Disease State: Tumor/Normal colon samples Keywords: disease_state_design

Project description:In response to polarization cues, cultured Caco-2 cells, a human colon adenocarcinoma-derived cell line, form a polarized epithelium resembling normal enterocytes. We investigated potential signaling mechanisms activated by Caco-2 cells that might trigger the genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming that accompanies polarization (Saaf et al, submitted-I). cDNA microarrays were used to compare the transcriptional profile of Caco-2 polarization to the gene expression profiles of normal human colon and colon tumors. The transcript profile of proliferating, non-polarized Caco-2 cells has striking parallels to the gene expression profile of human colon cancer in vivo. However, as Caco-2 cells develop polarity, the gene expression profile shifts to one more closely resembling that of normal colon tissue, suggesting that the underlying regulatory mechanisms that mediate Caco-2 cell polarization are similar to those that occur during in vivo enterocyte differentiation. We show that transcriptional re-programming of Caco-2 cells during development of cell polarity occurs in the context of signaling pathways that are regulated in a manner that is remarkably similar to those in normal intestinal development. For example, transcriptional targets of the Wnt pathway are tightly regulated during Caco-2 cell polarization, mimicking the gradient of Wnt-mediated transcription in the crypt (high expression) to villus (low expression) axis in human intestine. However, Caco-2 cells lack full-length APC necessary for normal Wnt-regulated degradation of beta-catenin. Biochemical analysis indicates that regulation of the Wnt pathway occurs in the nucleus at the level of activation of target genes by the beta-catenin-TCF complex, revealing a novel additional mechanism by which intestinal cells may regulate Wnt signaling during their maturation. In addition, other signaling pathways including Notch, BMP, Hedgehog, and growth factor, were temporally regulated during Caco-2 cell polarization. Surprisingly, modulation of these signaling pathways in Caco-2 cells occurs in the absence of morphogen gradients and interactions with stromal cells characteristic of enterocyte differentiation in situ. This dataset contains gene expression profiles of 9 normal colon samples and 15 colon tumor samples. Samples of tumor and normal colon mucosa were collected from colon cancer resection from Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital University of Hong Kong. Tissue was frozen in liquid nitrogen within 30 min of resection. Nonneoplastic mucosa from colon was dissected free of muscle and histologically confirmed to be tumor free by frozen section. Total RNA was extracted using Trizol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) from each tissue sample and processed for microarray hybridization. A disease state experiment design type is where the state of some disease such as infection, pathology, syndrome, etc is studied. Disease State: Tumor/Normal colon samples Using regression correlation

Project description:To identify the precise molecular mechanisms that could contribute to the increase in colon carcinogenesis, microarray gene expression analysis was performed on colon RNA isolated from 5-week-old VhlF/F and VhlΔIE, VhlΔIE/Apcmin/+ and VhlF/F/Apcmin/+ mice. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a key modulator of the transcriptional response to hypoxia and is increased in colon cancer. However, the role of HIF in colon carcinogenesis in vivo remains unclear. Intestinal epithelium-specific disruption of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (VHL) resulted in constitutive HIF signaling, and increased HIF expression augmented colon tumorigenesis in the Apcmin/+ intestinal tumor model. Intestine-specific disruption of Vhl increased colon tumor multiplicity and progression from adenomas to carcinomas. These effects were ameliorated in mice with double disruption of Vhl and Hif-2α. Activation of HIF signaling resulted in increased cell survival in normal colon tissue, however tumor apoptosis was not affected. Interestingly, a robust activation of cyclin D1 was observed in tumors of Apcmin/+ mice in which HIF-2α was activated in the intestine. Consistent with this result, BrdU incorporation indicated that cellular proliferation was increased in colon tumors following HIF activation. Further analysis demonstrated that dysregulation of the intestinal iron absorption transporter divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1) was a critical event in HIF-2α-mediated colon carcinogenesis. These data provide a mechanistic basis for the widely reported link between iron accumulation and colon cancer risk. Together, our findings demonstrate that a chronic increase in HIF-2α in the colon initiates pro-tumorigenic signaling which may have important implications in developing preventive and therapeutic strategies for colon cancer. Global gene expression profiling in colon RNAs isolated from 5-week-old VhlF/F (n=4, Shah 001), VhlF/F/Apcmin/+(n=3, Shah 003), VhlΔIE (n=3, Shah 002) and VhlΔIE/Apcmin/+ mice (n=5, Shah 004).

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Homo sapiens

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