Latest Publications

@article{prochazkova_adaptive_2018,

title = {Adaptive changes in global gene expression profile of lung carcinoma A549 cells acutely exposed to distinct types of AhR ligands.},

author = {Jiřina Procházková and Simona Strapáčová and Lucie Svržková and Zdeněk Andrysík and Martina Hýžďalová and Eva Hrubá and Kateřina Pěnčíková and Helena Líbalová and Jan Topinka and Jiří Kléma and Joaquín M. Espinosa and Jan Vondráček and Miroslav Machala},

doi = {10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.04.024},

issn = {1879-3169 0378-4274},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-08-01},

journal = {Toxicology letters},

volume = {292},

pages = {162–174},

abstract = {Exposure to persistent ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been found to cause lung cancer in experimental animals, and lung adenocarcinomas are often associated with enhanced AhR expression and aberrant AhR activation. In order to better understand the action of toxic AhR ligands in lung epithelial cells, we performed global gene expression profiling and analyze TCDD-induced changes in A549 transcriptome, both sensitive and non-sensitive to CH223191 co-treatment. Comparison of our data with results from previously reported microarray and ChIP-seq experiments enabled us to identify candidate genes, which expression status reflects exposure of lung cancer cells to TCDD, and to predict processes, pathways (e.g. ER stress, Wnt/β-cat, IFNɣ, EGFR/Erbb1), putative TFs (e.g. STAT, AP1, E2F1, TCF4), which may be implicated in adaptive response of lung cells to TCDD-induced AhR activation. Importantly, TCDD-like expression fingerprint of selected genes was observed also in A549 cells exposed acutely to both toxic (benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[k]fluoranthene) and endogenous AhR ligands (2-(1H-Indol-3-ylcarbonyl)-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid methyl ester and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole). Overall, our results suggest novel cellular candidates, which could help to improve monitoring of AhR-dependent transcriptional activity during acute exposure of lung cells to distinct types of environmental pollutants.},

note = {Place: Netherlands},

keywords = {A549 Cells, Aryl hydrocarbon receptor, Aryl Hydrocarbon/*agonists/metabolism, Azo Compounds/toxicity, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/*agonists/metabolism, Benzo(a)pyrene/toxicity, Carbazoles/toxicity, Dioxins, Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity, Fluorenes/toxicity, Gene Expression Profiling/methods, Gene Expression Regulation, Gene Regulatory Networks/drug effects, Genetic/drug effects, Global gene expression profiling, Humans, Indoles/toxicity, Ligands, Lung cancer, Lung Neoplasms/*genetics/metabolism, Neoplastic/*drug effects, Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis, Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity, Pyrazoles/toxicity, Receptors, Signal Transduction/drug effects, Thiazoles/toxicity, Time Factors, Transcription, Transcriptional Activation/drug effects, Transcriptome/*drug effects},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{vondracek_assessment_2017,

title = {Assessment of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a human cell-based reporter gene assay.},

author = {Jan Vondráček and Kateřina Pěnčíková and Jiří Neča and Miroslav Ciganek and Aneta Grycová and Zdeněk Dvořák and Miroslav Machala},

doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2016.09.064},

issn = {1873-6424 0269-7491},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)},

volume = {220},

number = {Pt A},

pages = {307–316},

abstract = {Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activity is one of key events in toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Although various classes of AhR ligands may differentially activate human and rodent AhR, there is presently a lack of data on the human AhR-inducing relative potencies (REPs) of PAHs. Here, we focused on estimation of the AhR-mediated activities of a large set of environmental PAHs in human gene reporter AZ-AhR cell line, with an aim to develop the human AhR-based REP values with potential implications for risk assessment of PAHs. The previously identified weakly active PAHs mostly failed to activate the AhR in human cells. The order for REPs of individual PAHs in human cells largely corresponded with the available data from rodent-based experimental systems; nevertheless, we identified differences up to one order of magnitude in REP values of PAHs between human and rodent cells. Higher REP values were found in human cells for some important environmental contaminants or suspected carcinogens, such as indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene or benzo[b]fluoranthene, while lower REP values were determined for methyl-substituted PAHs. Our results also indicate that a different rate of metabolism for individual PAHs in human vs. rodent cells may affect estimation of REP values in human cell-based assay, and potentially alter toxicity of some compounds, such as benzofluoranthenes, in humans. We applied the AZ-AhR assay to evaluation of the AhR-mediated activity of complex mixtures of organic compounds associated with diesel exhaust particles, and we identified the polar compounds present in these mixtures as being particularly highly active in human cells, as compared with rodent cells. The present data suggest that differences may exist between the AhR-mediated potencies of PAHs in human and rodent cells, and that the AhR-mediated effects of polar PAH derivatives and metabolites in human cell models deserve further attention.},

note = {Place: England},

keywords = {AhR, AhR-mediated activity, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism/*physiology, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism/*physiology, Biological Assay/methods, Carcinogens/toxicity, Cell Line, Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity, Genes, Humans, PAH mixtures, PAHs, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/*toxicity, Receptors, Relative effective potency, Reporter, Vehicle Emissions/toxicity},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{kummer_estrogenic_2008,

title = {Estrogenic activity of environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in uterus of immature Wistar rats.},

author = {Vladimír Kummer and Jarmila Masková and Zdenek Zralý and Jirí Neca and Pavlína Simecková and Jan Vondrácek and Miroslav Machala},

doi = {10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.862},

issn = {0378-4274},

year  = {2008},

date = {2008-08-01},

journal = {Toxicology letters},

volume = {180},

number = {3},

pages = {212–221},

abstract = {Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important group of environmental pollutants, known for their mutagenic and carcinogenic activities. Many PAHs are aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands and several recent studies have suggested that PAHs or their metabolites may activate estrogen receptors (ER). The present study investigated possible estrogenic/antiestrogenic effects of abundant environmental contaminants benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benz[a]anthracene (BaA), fluoranthene (Fla) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) in vivo, using the immature rat uterotrophic assay. The present results suggest that BaA, BaP and Fla behaved as estrogen-like compounds in immature Wistar rats, when applied for 3 consecutive days at 10mg/kg/day, as documented by a significant increase of uterine weight and hypertrophy of luminal epithelium. These effects were likely to be mediated by ERalpha, a major subtype of ER present in uterus, as they were inhibited by treatment with ER antagonist ICI 182,780. BaA, the most potent of studied PAHs, induced a significant estrogenic effect within a concentration range 0.1-50mg/kg/day; however, it did not reach the maximum level induced by reference estrogens. The proposed antiestrogenicity of the potent AhR agonist BkF was not confirmed in the present in vivo study; the exposure to BkF did not significantly affect the uterine weight, although a weak suppression of ERalpha immunostaining was observed in luminal and glandular epithelium, possibly related to its AhR-mediated activity. The PAHs under study did not induce marked genotoxic damage in uterine tissues, as documented by the lack of Ser-15-phoshorylated p53 protein staining. With the exception of Fla, all three remaining compounds increased CYP1-dependent monooxygenation activities in liver at the doses used, suggesting that the potential tissue-specific antiestrogenic effects of PAHs mediated by metabolization of 17beta-estradiol also cannot be excluded. Taken together, these environmentally relevant PAHs induced estrogenic effects in vivo, which might affect their toxic impact and carcinogenicity.},

note = {Place: Netherlands},

keywords = {Animals, Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/metabolism, Endocrine Disruptors/*toxicity, Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity, Epithelium/drug effects, Estradiol/metabolism, Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism, Estrogens/*biosynthesis, Female, Hydroxylation, Immunohistochemistry, Liver/drug effects/metabolism, Microsomes, Organ Size/drug effects, Ovary/drug effects, Phosphorylation, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/*toxicity, Rats, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism, Uterus/drug effects/*metabolism, Wistar},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{vondracek_concentrations_2007,

title = {Concentrations of methylated naphthalenes, anthracenes, and phenanthrenes occurring in Czech river sediments and their effects on toxic events associated with carcinogenesis in rat liver cell lines.},

author = {Jan Vondrácek and Lenka Svihálková-Sindlerová and Katerina Pencíková and Sona Marvanová and Pavel Krcmár and Miroslav Ciganek and Jirí Neca and James E. Trosko and Brad Upham and Alois Kozubík and Miroslav Machala},

doi = {10.1897/07-161R.1},

issn = {0730-7268},

year  = {2007},

date = {2007-11-01},

journal = {Environmental toxicology and chemistry},

volume = {26},

number = {11},

pages = {2308–2316},

abstract = {Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important environmental pollutants. In the present study, we determined levels of monomethylated naphthalenes (MeNap), phenanthrenes (MePhe), and anthracenes (MeAnt) in Czech river sediments. The levels of MePhe generally were lower than the concentrations of phenanthrene. In contrast, both MeNap and MeAnt were found at levels higher than their respective parent compounds in the majority of sampling sites. We then investigated their aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activity, accumulation of phosphorylated p53 protein, induction of expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), and effects on cell proliferation in rat liver cell models to evaluate the relative importance of these toxicity mechanisms of low-molecular-weight methylated PAHs. Methylated phenanthrene and anthracene compounds were weak inducers of AhR-mediated activity as determined both in a reporter gene assay system and by detection of the endogenous gene (Cyp1a1) induction. 2-Methylphenanthrene was the most potent AhR ligand. Contribution of MeAnt and MePhe to overall AhR-inducing potencies should be taken into account in PAH-contaminated environments. Nevertheless, their effects on AhR were not sufficient to modulate cell proliferation in a normal rat liver progenitor cell model system. These PAHs only had a marginal effect on p53 phosphorylation at high doses of 1-, 3-, and 9-MePhe as well as 1 MeAnt. On the other hand, both 2- and 9-MeAnt as well as all the MePhe under study were efficient inhibitors of GJIC, suggesting that these compounds might act as tumor promoters. In summary, inhibition of GJIC and partial activation of AhR seem to be the most prominent toxic effects of the methylated PAHs in the present study.},

note = {Place: United States},

keywords = {Animals, Anthracenes/toxicity, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism, Carcinogens/*toxicity, Cell Line, Cell Proliferation/*drug effects, Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/genetics/metabolism, Czech Republic, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity, Gap Junctions/*drug effects/metabolism, Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects/physiology, Geologic Sediments/*chemistry, Liver/cytology/pathology, Methylation, Naphthalenes/toxicity, Phenanthrenes/toxicity, Rats, Receptors, Rivers/*chemistry, Tumor, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{machala_toxicity_2004,

title = {Toxicity of hydroxylated and quinoid PCB metabolites: inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication and activation of aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors in hepatic and mammary cells.},

author = {Miroslav Machala and Ludek Bláha and Hans-Joachim Lehmler and Martina Plísková and Zuzana Májková and Petra Kapplová and Iva Sovadinová and Jan Vondrácek and Tina Malmberg and Larry W. Robertson},

doi = {10.1021/tx030034v},

issn = {0893-228X},

year  = {2004},

date = {2004-03-01},

journal = {Chemical research in toxicology},

volume = {17},

number = {3},

pages = {340–347},

abstract = {In the present study, a series of 32 hydroxy- and dihydroxy-polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) and PCB-derived quinones were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro potencies to downregulate gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the estrogen receptor alpha (ER) in well-established liver and mammary cell models. The rat liver epithelial cell line WB-F344 was used for in vitro determination of GJIC inhibition; the AhR-inducing activity was determined in the rat hepatoma H4IIE.Luc cells stably transfected with a luciferase reporter gene; ER-mediated activity was measured in two breast carcinoma cell lines, MVLN and T47D.Luc, stably transfected with luciferase under the control of estrogen responsive element. Acute inhibition of GJIC, potentially associated with tumor promotion, was detected after treatment with all OH-PCBs under study, with the persistent OH-PCBs being the strongest ones. Several compounds were found to significantly induce the AhR-mediated activity, including 4'-OH-PCB 79, a metabolite of PCB 77, and 2-(4'-chloro)- and 2-(3',4'-dichloro)-1,4-benzoquinones and 1,4-hydroquinones. Low molecular weight OH-PCBs, such as 3'-hydroxy, 4'-, and 3',4'-dihydroxy-4-chlorobiphenyl, elicited significant estrogenic activity and potentiated effect of 17beta-estradiol. Antiestrogenic potencies, determined in the presence of 17beta-estradiol, were found for persistent 4-OH-PCB 187, 4-OH-PCB 146, and some low chlorinated PCB derivatives. However, no apparent association between induction of AhR activity and antiestrogenicity was observed. The majority of the OH-PCBs suppressed the 17beta-estradiol response only at cytotoxic concentrations. Spearman's rank correlations were calculated for these biological data and the physicochemical descriptors, hydrophobicity (log P), molar volume, pKa, log D, and dihedral angle. Significant correlations were found between potency to downregulate GJIC and log P and molar volume (R = -0.7, p < 0.0001). Antiestrogenic effects were also negatively correlated with hydrophobicity and molar volume. No significant correlations among other biological end points and the physicochemical descriptors were observed for the entire set of compounds. These results show that oxygenated PCB metabolites are capable of multiple adverse effects, including gap junction inhibition, AhR-mediated activity, and (anti)estrogenicity. The inhibition of GJIC by OH-PCBs represents a novel mode of action of both the lower chlorinated and the persisting high molecular weight OH-PCBs.},

note = {Place: United States},

keywords = {Adenocarcinoma/metabolism/pathology, Animals, Aryl Hydrocarbon/*biosynthesis, Breast Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology, Carcinoma, Cell Line, Cell Survival/drug effects, Dose-Response Relationship, Down-Regulation, Drug, Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity, Epithelial Cells/drug effects/metabolism, Estrogen/*biosynthesis, Gap Junctions/*drug effects/metabolism, Hepatocellular/metabolism/pathology, Humans, Hydroquinones, Hydroxylation, Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology, Neoplasms/*metabolism/pathology, Polychlorinated Biphenyls/*toxicity, Quinones/*toxicity, Rats, Receptors, Tumor},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{blaha_inhibition_2002,

title = {Inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication by environmentally occurring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.},

author = {Ludek Bláha and Petra Kapplová and Jan Vondrácek and Brad Upham and Miroslav Machala},

doi = {10.1093/toxsci/65.1.43},

issn = {1096-6080 1096-0929},

year  = {2002},

date = {2002-01-01},

journal = {Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology},

volume = {65},

number = {1},

pages = {43–51},

abstract = {Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a broad class of ubiquitous environmental pollutants with known or suspected carcinogenic properties. Tumor promotion is a cell-proliferative step of cancer that requires the removal of cells from growth suppression via the inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Inhibition of GJIC measured with an in vitro WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cell system was used to assess the relative potencies of 13 PAHs suggested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the principal contaminants and 22 other PAHs, most of them identified in environmental samples. Maximal inhibition of GJIC was detected after 30 min of exposure, followed by a recovery in intercellular communication after an additional 30 min of exposure, suggesting a transient character of inhibition. Although microM concentrations of PAHs were required to reach the inhibition level equal to the model tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (IC50 = 8 nM), 12 of the PAHs under study were found to be strong inhibitors of GJIC (strongest effects were observed with fluoranthene, picene, 5-methylchrysene and nine additional PAHs). The other nine PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene, inhibited GJIC only up to 50-75% of the control level. Interestingly, several high molecular weight PAHs with known strong carcinogenic properties possessed only weak (dibenzopyrenes) or no inhibition potency (dibenzofluoranthenes, naphtho[2,3-a]pyrene and benzo[a]perylene). Based on the IC50 values related to the reference PAH benzo[a]pyrene, we suggested arbitrary values of inhibition equivalency factors (GJIC-IEFs) ranging from 0 (noninhibiting PAHs) to 10.0 (strongest inhibitors), suitable for the purposes of environmental risk assessment.},

note = {Place: United States},

keywords = {Animals, Carcinogens/toxicity, Cell Communication/*drug effects, Cell Line, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity, Epithelium/drug effects, Gap Junctions/*drug effects, Liver/cytology/drug effects, Molecular Structure, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/chemistry/*toxicity, Rats, Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate/toxicity, United States, United States Environmental Protection Agency/standards},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}