Project description:Environmental contaminants such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are known to cause a wide range of toxicities. The consequences of acute exposure to TCDD in rodents, and to a lesser degree in humans, can range from mild chloracne to terminal illness, such as cancer. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a critical role in mediating the toxic effects of TCDD. However, the underlying mechanism of differential sensitivities to TCDD across organisms remain poorly understood, however differences in the AHR are known to play a role. To further investigate this, we profiled the transcriptomic responses in liver from TCDD sensitive or resistant mice, 19 hours following exposure to either 5 or 500 μg/kg TCDD. Analysis of transcriptomic profiles revealed several key findings: 1) TCDD sensitive C57BL/6 mice demonstrated an increased number of changes within the hepatic transcriptome than the TCDD resistant DBA/2 mice following exposure to low dose (5 μg/kg) TCDD, but this balanced out at the high dose (500 μg/kg), and the transcriptome from ratonized mice showed more changes than either C57BL/6 or DBA/2, regardless of dose; 2) mRNA abundance of the ‘AHR-core’ battery of genes was consistently perturbed in dioxin sensitive mice (C57BL/6 and rWT) in comparison to dioxin resistant mice (DBA/2), with Inmt showing significant changes in transcription only in the ratonized mouse liver and Cyp1a2 more response in non-transgenic mice (C57BL/6 and DBA/2); 3) a small subset of genes had significantly altered transcription in either the TCDD-resistant DBA/2 mouse liver (including Rpl18a, Mbd6, Onecut2 and Lipg) or the TCDD-sensitive cohorts (C57BL/6 and rWT; including Smcp, Acpp, Acot2 and Acot3). Overall, our results demonstrate considerable TCDD-induced transcriptomic differences between DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mouse lines.
Project description:The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alters differentiation of B cells and suppresses antibody production. The objectives of this study was to use a combination of whole genome, microarray-based chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-on-chip) and time course gene expression microarray analysis on the mouse B-cell line CH12.LX following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS and TCDD to identify the primary and downstream transcriptional elements of B-cell differentiation that are altered by the AHR.
Project description:The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates most of the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). However, TCDD toxicity phenotypes vary widely between species, strains and even between sexes within a strain. While the exact reasons for this variation remain unclear, it is thought to be related to differences in the structure of the AHR. Previous studies comparing the downstream effects of TCDD exposure between animals with different AHR isoforms have been confounded by the genetic differences between these model systems. To address this issue conclusively, we evaluated three transgenic mouse lines, each of which express a different rat AHR isoform (rWT, DEL, and INS) from two strains of rat with highly divergent TCDD-susceptibilities, within identical genetic backgrounds. Here we profile hepatic transcriptomic responses following exposure to TCDD, and use these to identify transcripts associated with toxicity. We have confirmed that the variation in toxicity is inherent to the AHR isoform. Additionally, we note the enhanced activity of the modified transactivation domain of the DEL isoform, relative to the INS isoform, and provide further evidence that the INS isoform is responsible for the high resistance to TCDD observed in H/W rats. We also uncover several candidate genes that were consistently differentially expressed in TCDD-sensitive mice and rats. Adult male transgenic mice were treated by gavage with 0, 125, 250, 500, or 1000 µg/kg TCDD dissolved in corn oil vehicle. Mice were euthanized 4 days following treatment and liver tissue was harvested for analysis. RNA was isolated and the transcriptome for each animal assayed on separate microarrays.
Project description:2,3,7,8–tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dixion (TCDD) is the most potent of the dioxin congeners, capable of causing a wide range of toxic effects across numerous animal models. Previous studies have demonstrated that males and females of the same species can display divergent sensitivity phenotypes to TCDD toxicities. Although it is now clear that most TCDD-induced toxic outcomes are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), the mechanism of differential responses to TCDD exposure between sexes remains largely unknown. To investigate the differential sensitivities in male and female mice, we profiled the hepatic transcriptomic responses 4 days following exposure to various amounts of TCDD (125, 250, 500 or 1000 µg/kg) in adult male and female C57BL/6Kuo mice. Several key findings were revealed by our study. 1) Hepatic transcriptomes varied significantly between the sexes at all doses examined. 2) The liver transcriptome of males was more dysregulated by TCDD than that of females. 3) The alteration of ‘AHR-core’ genes was consistent in magnitude, regardless of sex. 4) A subset of genes demonstrated sex-dependent TCDD-induced transcriptional changes, including Fmo3 and Nr1i3, which were significantly induced in livers of male mice only. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed to contrast transcriptomic profiles of various organisms and tissues following exposure to equitoxic doses of TCDD. Minimal overlap was observed in the differences between TCDD-sensitive or TCDD-resistant models. Sex-dependent sensitivities to TCDD exposure are associated with a set of sex-specific TCDD-responsive genes. In addition, complex interactions between the aryl hydrocarbon and sex hormone receptors may affect the observable differences in sensitivity phenotypes between the sexes. Further work is necessary to better understand the roles of those genes altered by TCDD in a sex-dependent manner, and their association with changes to sex hormones and receptors.
Project description:The goal of this project was to determine how AhR activity in hepatocytes and HSCs impact liver fibrosis by studying mice with AhR-deficient hepatocytes (AhRΔHep) or AhR-deficient HSCs (AhRΔHSC) during TCDD-induced liver fibrosis as measured by evidence of steatosis, inflammation, HSC activation, and collagen deposition. Overall, our studies indicate that chronic TCDD exposure increases AhR signaling in hepatocytes that result in indirect HSC activation and the development of liver steatosis, whereas hepatic inflammation do not appear to play a major role.
Project description:Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces hepatic oxidative stress following activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Our recent studies revealed induction of pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2 (Pkm2) as a novel antioxidant response in normal differentiated hepatocytes. To investigate cooperative regulation between nuclear factor, erythroid derived 2, like 2 (Nrf2) and the AhR, hepatic ChIP-seq analyses were integrated with RNA-seq time course data from mice treated with TCDD for 2 - 168h. ChIP-seq analysis 2h following TCDD treatment revealed genome-wide changes in NRF2 binding. 842 NRF2 enriched regions were in the regulatory region of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) while 579 DEGs showed both NRF2 and AhR enrichment. Sequence analysis showed over-representation of AhR and NRF2 binding motifs in these regions, though presence of motifs were largely independent. NRF2 was negligibly enriched within the Pkm gene loci in a closed chromatin region despite its role in antioxidant defenses. Furthermore, TCDD induced Pkm2 in primary hepatocytes from wild-type and Nrf2 null mice, indicating NRF2 is not required. Although NRF2 and AhR cooperate in the regulation of gene expression associated with antioxidant responses, the induction of Pkm2 by TCDD is not dependent on ROS-mediated activation of NRF2.
Project description:Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces hepatic oxidative stress following activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Our recent studies revealed induction of pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2 (Pkm2) as a novel antioxidant response in normal differentiated hepatocytes. To investigate cooperative regulation between nuclear factor, erythroid derived 2, like 2 (Nrf2) and the AhR, hepatic ChIP-seq analyses were integrated with RNA-seq time course data from mice treated with TCDD for 2 - 168h. ChIP-seq analysis 2h following TCDD treatment revealed genome-wide changes in NRF2 binding. 842 NRF2 enriched regions were in the regulatory region of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) while 579 DEGs showed both NRF2 and AhR enrichment. Sequence analysis showed over-representation of AhR and NRF2 binding motifs in these regions, though presence of motifs were largely independent. NRF2 was negligibly enriched within the Pkm gene loci in a closed chromatin region despite its role in antioxidant defenses. Furthermore, TCDD induced Pkm2 in primary hepatocytes from wild-type and Nrf2 null mice, indicating NRF2 is not required. Although NRF2 and AhR cooperate in the regulation of gene expression associated with antioxidant responses, the induction of Pkm2 by TCDD is not dependent on ROS-mediated activation of NRF2.
Project description:2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist that elicits a broad spectrum of dose-dependent effects in the liver, including hepatic lipid accumulation coupled with inflammation. To determine the role of inflammatory lipid mediators in TCDD-mediated hepatotoxicity, eicosanoid metabolism was investigated in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Rats were gavaged with sesame oil vehicle or 0.01-10 µg/kg TCDD every 4 days for 28 days. Hepatic RNA-Seq data from female SD rats was compared with data from female C57BL/6 mice and functionally annotated to determine key toxicogenomic differences between the two species regarding TCDD exposure. Hepatic RNA-Seq data from female SD rats integrated with untargeted metabolomics of liver, serum, and urine identified dose-dependent changes in linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. TCDD also elicited dose-dependent differential gene expression associated with cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 epoxidation/ hydroxylation pathways with corresponding changes in omega-6 (e.g. AA and LA) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as their eicosanoid metabolites. Overall, total omega-6 PUFAs increased, while total omega-3 PUFAs decreased. Phospholipase A2 (Pla2g12a) was induced 6-fold consistent with increased AA metabolism, while AA utilization by lipoxygenases Alox5 (2-fold) and Alox15 (10-fold) increased leukotrienes (LTs), important mediators signaling an inflammatory response. More specifically, TCDD increased pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, including leukotriene (LT) B4 (3-fold), and LTB3 (5-fold), known signals for the recruitment of neutrophils to areas of tissue damage. Dose-response modeling of metabolite and gene expression changes suggests the cytochrome P450 hydroxylase/epoxygenase and the lipoxygenase pathways are the most sensitive to TCDD. While several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with eicosanoid biosynthesis contained putative dioxin response elements (pDRE) within their regulatory region, ChIP-Seq analysis showed little AhR enrichment, suggesting TCDD-elicited induction of eicosanoid biosynthesis is not a direct effect of AhR activation.
Project description:2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist that elicits a broad spectrum of dose-dependent effects in the liver, including hepatic lipid accumulation coupled with inflammation. To determine the role of inflammatory lipid mediators in TCDD-mediated hepatotoxicity, eicosanoid metabolism was investigated in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Rats were gavaged with sesame oil vehicle or 0.01-10 µg/kg TCDD every 4 days for 28 days. Hepatic RNA-Seq data from female SD rats was compared with data from female C57BL/6 mice and functionally annotated to determine key toxicogenomic differences between the two species regarding TCDD exposure. Hepatic RNA-Seq data from female SD rats integrated with untargeted metabolomics of liver, serum, and urine identified dose-dependent changes in linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. TCDD also elicited dose-dependent differential gene expression associated with cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 epoxidation/ hydroxylation pathways with corresponding changes in omega-6 (e.g. AA and LA) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as their eicosanoid metabolites. Overall, total omega-6 PUFAs increased, while total omega-3 PUFAs decreased. Phospholipase A2 (Pla2g12a) was induced 6-fold consistent with increased AA metabolism, while AA utilization by lipoxygenases Alox5 (2-fold) and Alox15 (10-fold) increased leukotrienes (LTs), important mediators signaling an inflammatory response. More specifically, TCDD increased pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, including leukotriene (LT) B4 (3-fold), and LTB3 (5-fold), known signals for the recruitment of neutrophils to areas of tissue damage. Dose-response modeling of metabolite and gene expression changes suggests the cytochrome P450 hydroxylase/epoxygenase and the lipoxygenase pathways are the most sensitive to TCDD. While several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with eicosanoid biosynthesis contained putative dioxin response elements (pDRE) within their regulatory region, ChIP-Seq analysis showed little AhR enrichment, suggesting TCDD-elicited induction of eicosanoid biosynthesis is not a direct effect of AhR activation.