Miriam C Poirier

National Cancer Institute (USA), Bethesda, MD, USA

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Publications (60)254.08 Total impact

  • Article: Perinatal exposure of patas monkeys to antiretroviral nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors induces genotoxicity persistent for up to 3 years of age.
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    ABSTRACT: Background. Erythrocebus patas (patas) monkeys were used to model use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in HIV-1 infected pregnant women.Methods. Pregnant patas dams were given human-equivalent daily ARV dosing for 50% of gestation. Mesenchymal cells, cultured from bone marrow of patas offspring obtained at birth, 1 and 3 yr of age, were examined for genotoxicity including: centrosomal amplification (CA); micronuclei (MN); and MN containing whole chromosomes (MN+C).Results. Compared to controls, significant increases (p<0.05) in CA, MN and MN+C were found in most groups of offspring examined at birth, 1 and 3 yr.Conclusions. Transplacental NRTI exposures induced fetal genotoxicity persistent for 3 yr.
    The Journal of Infectious Diseases 04/2013; · 6.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) DNA adduct formation in DNA repair-deficient p53 haploinsufficient [Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-)] and wild-type mice fed BP and BP plus chlorophyllin for 28 days.
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    ABSTRACT: We have evaluated DNA damage (DNA adduct formation) after feeding benzo[a]pyrene (BP) to wild-type (WT) and cancer-susceptible Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice deficient in nucleotide excision repair and haploinsufficient for the tumor suppressor p53. DNA damage was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ES-MS/MS), which measures r7,t8,t9-trihydroxy-c-10-(N (2)-deoxyguanosyl)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPdG), and a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA), using anti-r7,t8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE)-DNA antiserum, which measures both BPdG and the other stable BP-DNA adducts. When mice were fed 100 ppm BP for 28 days, BP-induced DNA damage measured in esophagus, liver and lung was typically higher in Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice, compared with WT mice. This result is consistent with the previously observed tumor susceptibility of Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice. BPdG, the major DNA adduct associated with tumorigenicity, was the primary DNA adduct formed in esophagus (a target tissue in the mouse), whereas total BP-DNA adducts predominated in higher levels in the liver (a non-target tissue in the mouse). In an attempt to lower BP-induced DNA damage, we fed the WT and Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice 0.3% chlorophyllin (CHL) in the BP-containing diet for 28 days. The addition of CHL resulted in an increase of BP-DNA adducts in esophagus, liver and lung of WT mice, a lowering of BPdG in esophagi of WT mice and livers of Xpa(-/-)p53(+/-) mice and an increase of BPdG in livers of WT mice. Therefore, the addition of CHL to a BP-containing diet showed a lack of consistent chemoprotective effect, indicating that oral CHL administration may not reduce PAH-DNA adduct levels consistently in human organs.
    Carcinogenesis 07/2012; · 5.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 Reductase Null (HRN) and P450 Reductase Conditional Null (RCN) mice: Detection of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-DNA adducts by immunohistochemistry and 32P-postlabelling.
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    ABSTRACT: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a widespread environmental carcinogen activated by cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes. In Hepatic P450 Reductase Null (HRN) and Reductase Conditional Null (RCN) mice, P450 oxidoreductase (Por) is deleted specifically in hepatocytes, resulting in the loss of essentially all hepatic P450 function. Treatment of HRN mice with a single i.p. or oral dose of BaP (12.5 or 125mg/kg body weight) resulted in higher DNA adduct levels in liver (up to 10-fold) than in wild-type (WT) mice, indicating that hepatic P450s appear to be more important for BaP detoxification in vivo. Similar results were obtained in RCN mice. We tested whether differences between hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes in P450 activity may underlie the increased liver BaP-DNA binding in HRN mice. Cellular localisation by immunohistochemistry of BaP-DNA adducts showed that HRN mice have ample capacity for formation of BaP-DNA adducts in liver, indicating that the metabolic process does not result in the generation of a reactive species different from that formed in WT mice. However, increased protein expression of cytochrome b(5) in hepatic microsomes of HRN relative to WT mice suggests that cytochrome b(5) may modulate the P450-mediated bioactivation of BaP in HRN mice, partially substituting the function of Por.
    Toxicology Letters 06/2012; 213(2):160-6. · 3.23 Impact Factor
  • Article: Molecular analysis of mitochondrial compromise in rodent cardiomyocytes exposed long term to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
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    ABSTRACT: Despite the highly effective impact of NRTI therapy in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), long-term treatment has revealed cardiotoxicity, considered to be due to mitochondrial dysfunction. To evaluate mitochondrial damage, and design therapeutic interventions, we established cultures of rat H9c2 and mouse HL-1 cardiomyocytes and exposed them to the NRTIs zidovudine (AZT), and AZT plus didanosine (ddI). Proliferation assays showed that H9c2 cells grew well in 50 μM AZT and 50 μM AZT/50 μM ddI and that HL-1 cells grew well in 10 μM AZT and 10 μM AZT/10 μM ddI. Both types of cells were exposed to the drugs for 39 passages (P), and mitochondrial integrity in the form of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was examined by Seahorse XF24 analyzer. In NRTI-exposed H9c2 cells at most passages, OCR was reduced, in both the basal and uncoupled states, compared to unexposed controls (P < 0.05). NRTI-exposed HL-1 cells showed a different pattern of mitochondrial compromise, with inhibition of OCR, in basal and uncoupled cells, occurring largely before P14 and after P17 (P < 0.05). The ECAR response in uncoupled cells of both types was unchanged at early passages, but increased after P18 (P < 0.05). Evaluation of mitochondrial biogenesis in H9c2 cells revealed reduction before P29, no change at P29, and reduction at P39 in NRTI-exposed cells, compared to unexposed cells (P < 0.05). Western blotting of transcription factors critical for mitochondrial biogenesis, PGC-1α, Nrf-1 and mtTFA, showed downregulation in NRTI-exposed H9c2 cells compared to unexposed controls. In addition, electron microscopy (EM) revealed increasing mitochondrial morphological damage in H9c2 cells over passages. For both cell types, AZT/ddI was more damaging than AZT alone. These studies demonstrate progressive mitochondrial compromise in cardiomyocytes-exposed long term, and the model will be used to evaluate potentially protective intervention strategies.
    Cardiovascular toxicology 12/2011; 12(2):123-34. · 2.56 Impact Factor
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    Article: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and DNA adduct semi-quantitation in archived human tissues.
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    ABSTRACT: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are combustion products of organic materials, mixtures of which contain multiple known and probable human carcinogens. PAHs occur in indoor and outdoor air, as well as in char-broiled meats and fish. Human exposure to PAHs occurs by inhalation, ingestion and topical absorption, and subsequently formed metabolites are either rendered hydrophilic and excreted, or bioactivated and bound to cellular macromolecules. The formation of PAH-DNA adducts (DNA binding products), considered a necessary step in PAH-initiated carcinogenesis, has been widely studied in experimental models and has been documented in human tissues. This review describes immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies, which reveal localization of PAH-DNA adducts in human tissues, and semi-quantify PAH-DNA adduct levels using the Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS). These studies have shown that PAH-DNA adducts concentrate in: basal and supra-basal epithelium of the esophagus, cervix and vulva; glandular epithelium of the prostate; and cytotrophoblast cells and syncitiotrophoblast knots of the placenta. The IHC photomicrographs reveal the ubiquitous nature of PAH-DNA adduct formation in human tissues as well as PAH-DNA adduct accumulation in specific, vulnerable, cell types. This semi-quantative method for PAH-DNA adduct measurement could potentially see widespread use in molecular epidemiology studies.
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 07/2011; 8(7):2675-91. · 1.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: The resveratrol analogue, 2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene, does not inhibit CYP gene expression, enzyme activity and benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation in MCF-7 cells exposed to benzo[a]pyrene.
    Tracey Einem Lindeman, Miriam C Poirier, Rao L Divi
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    ABSTRACT: Exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) induces cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1 enzymes, which biotransform PAHs resulting in the formation of DNA adducts. We hypothesised that 2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS), an analogue of resveratrol and a potent CYP1B1 inhibitor, may inhibit r7, t8, t9-trihydroxy-c-10-(N(2)deoxyguanosyl)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-benzo[a]pyrene (BPdG) adduct formation in cells exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BP). To address this, MCF-7 cells were cultured for 96 h in the presence of 1 μM BP, 1 μM BP + 1 μM TMS or 1 μM BP + 4 μM TMS. Cells were assayed at 2-12 h intervals for: BPdG adducts by r7, t8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE)-DNA chemiluminescence immunoassay; CYP1A1 and 1B1 gene expression changes by relative real-time polymerase chain reaction; and CYP1A1/1B1 enzyme activity by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay. Whereas maximal BPdG levels were similar for all exposure groups, the times at which the maxima were reached increased by 16 and 24 h with the addition of 1 and 4 μM TMS, respectively. The maximal expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 occurred at 16, 24 and 48 h, but the maximal level for EROD-specific activity was reached at 24, 48 and 60 h, in cells exposed to 1 μM BP, 1 μM BP + 1 μM TMS or 1 μM BP + 4 μM TMS, respectively. The area under the curve from 4 to 96 h of exposure (AUC(4-)(96 h)) for BPdG adduct formation was not increased in the presence of TMS, but for CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression fold increase AUC(4-)(96 h) and EROD-specific activity AUC(4-)(96 h), there were significant (P < 0.05) increases in the presence of 4 μM TMS. Therefore, during 96 h of exposure in MCF-7 cells, the combination of BP plus TMS caused a slowing of BP biotransformation, with an increase in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression and EROD activity, and a slowing, but no change in magnitude of BPdG formation.
    Mutagenesis 06/2011; 26(5):629-35. · 3.18 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment of multiple types of DNA damage in human placentas from smoking and nonsmoking women in the Czech Republic.
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    ABSTRACT: Three classes of DNA damage were assessed in human placentas collected (2000-2004) from 51 women living in the Teplice region of the Czech Republic, a mining area considered to have some of the worst environmental pollution in Europe in the 1980s. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts were localized and semiquantified using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS). More generalized DNA damage was measured both by (32)P-postlabeling and by abasic (AB) site analysis. Placenta stained with antiserum elicited against DNA modified with 7β,8α-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-benzo[a]pyrene (BPDE) revealed PAH-DNA adduct localization in nuclei of the cytotrophoblast (CT) cells and syncytiotrophoblast (ST) knots lining the chorionic villi. The highest levels of DNA damage, 49-312 PAH-DNA adducts/10(8) nucleotides, were found by IHC/ACIS in 14 immediately fixed placenta samples. An additional 37 placenta samples were stored frozen before fixation and embedding, and because PAH-DNA adducts were largely undetectable in these samples, freezing was implicated in the loss of IHC signal. The same placentas (n = 37) contained 1.7-8.6 stable/bulky DNA adducts/10(8) nucleotides and 0.6-47.2 AB sites/10(5) nucleotides. For all methods, there was no correlation among types of DNA damage and no difference in extent of DNA damage between smokers and nonsmokers. Therefore, the data show that DNA from placentas obtained in Teplice contained multiple types of DNA damage, which likely arose from various environmental exposures. In addition, PAH-DNA adducts were present at high concentrations in the CT cells and ST knots of the chorionic villi.
    Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 01/2011; 52(1):58-68. · 3.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Progressive mitochondrial compromise in brains and livers of primates exposed in utero to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
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    ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial compromise has been documented in infants born to women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) who received nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) therapy during pregnancy. To model these human exposures, we examined mitochondrial integrity at birth and 1 year in brain cortex and liver from offspring of retroviral-free Erythrocebus patas dams-administered human-equivalent NRTI doses for the last half (10 weeks) of gestation. Additional infants, followed for 1 year, were given the same drugs as their mothers for the first 6 weeks of life. Exposures included: no drug, Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC), AZT/3TC, AZT/Didanosine (ddI), and Stavudine (d4T)/3TC. In brain and liver, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme activities (complexes I, II, and IV) showed minimal differences between unexposed and NRTI-exposed offspring at both times. Brain and liver mitochondria from most NRTI-exposed patas, both at birth and 1 year of age, contained significant (p < 0.05) morphological damage observed by electron microscopy (EM), based on scoring of coded photomicrographs. Brain and liver mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in NRTI-exposed patas were depleted significantly in the 3TC and d4T/3TC groups at birth and were depleted significantly (p < 0.05) at 1 year in all NRTI-exposed groups. In 1-year-old infants exposed in utero to NRTIs, mtDNA depletion was 28.8-51.8% in brain and 37.4-56.5% in liver. These investigations suggest that some NRTI-exposed human infants may sustain similar mitochondrial compromise in brain and liver and should be followed long term for cognitive integrity and liver function.
    Toxicological Sciences 11/2010; 118(1):191-201. · 4.65 Impact Factor
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    Article: Long-term AZT exposure alters the metabolic capacity of cultured human lymphoblastoid cells.
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    ABSTRACT: The antiretroviral efficacy of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) is dependent upon intracellular mono-, di-, and triphosphorylation and incorporation into DNA in place of thymidine. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK-1) catalyzes the first step of this pathway. MOLT-3, human lymphoblastoid cells, were exposed to AZT continuously for 14 passages (P(1)-P(14)) and cultured for an additional 14 passages (P(15)-P(28)) without AZT. Progressive and irreversible depletion of the enzymatically active form of the TK-1 24-kDa monomer with loss of active protein was demonstrated during P(1)-P(5) of AZT exposure. From P(15) to P(28), both the 24- and the 48-kDa forms of TK-1 were undetectable and a tetrameric 96-kDa form was present. AZT-DNA incorporation was observed with values of 150, 133, and 108 molecules of AZT/10(6) nucleotides at the 10 microM plasma-equivalent AZT dose at P(1), P(5), and P(14), respectively. An exposure-related increase in the frequency of micronuclei (MN) was observed in cells exposed to either 10 or 800 microM AZT during P(1)-P(14). Analysis of the cell cycle profile revealed an accumulation of S-phase cells and a decrease in G(1)-phase cells during exposure to 800 microM AZT for 14 passages. When MOLT-3 cells were grown in AZT-free media (P(15)-P(29)), there was a reduction in AZT-DNA incorporation and MN formation; however, TK-1 depletion and the persistence of S-phase delay were unchanged. These data suggest that in addition to known mutagenic mechanisms, cells may become resistant to AZT partially through inactivation of TK-1 and through modulation of cell cycle components.
    Toxicological Sciences 05/2010; 115(1):109-17. · 4.65 Impact Factor
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    Article: Human placental glutathione S-transferase activity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon DNA adducts as biomarkers for environmental oxidative stress in placentas from pregnant women living in radioactivity- and chemically-polluted regions.
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    ABSTRACT: This study was designed to analyze the effect of environmental oxidative stress on human placental monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts in human term placentas from radioactivity-contaminated and chemically-polluted areas of the Ukraine and Belarus, and to compare these biomarkers to the newborn's general health status. Placental PAH-DNA adduct formation, GST activity, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activity, and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), an index of lipid peroxidation, were measured in groups of women exposed to different levels of radioactivity and PAH pollution. The in vitro metabolism data, obtained from 143 human placental samples at term, were compared to indices of maternal and newborn health. The highest ECOD activity was recorded in placentas obtained from chemically-polluted areas and a radioactivity-contaminated area; the ECOD activity was 7-fold and 2-fold higher compared to the region considered to be "clean". Newborns with the most compromised health status displayed the greatest down-regulation of GST activity (144-162mUmgprotein(-1) vs. 258-395mUmgprotein(-1)), enhanced ECOD activity and the highest level of PAH-DNA adduct formation. The highest level of TBARS was observed in women exposed to the highest levels of radiation. The efficiency of placental detoxification negatively correlated with maternal age and the health status of the newborn. Environmental oxidative stress was related to an increase in anemia, threatened abortions, toxemia, fetal hypoxia, spontaneous abortions and fetal hypotrophy. Our data suggest that chemically- or radioactivity-induced oxidative stress enhance cytochrome P450-mediated enzymatic activities potentially resulting in increased formation of reactive metabolites. The activity of GSH-transferase is not enhanced. This imbalance in detoxification capacity can be measured as increased production of PAH-DNA adducts, decreased lipid peroxidation and compromised fetal health.
    Toxicology Letters 04/2010; 196(2):80-6. · 3.23 Impact Factor
  • Article: In utero exposure of female CD-1 Mice to AZT and/or 3TC: I. Persistence of microscopic lesions in cardiac tissue.
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    ABSTRACT: The current study was designed to delineate temporal changes in cardiomyocytes and mitochondria at the light and electron microscopic levels in hearts of mice exposed transplacentally to commonly used nucleoside analogs (NRTIs). Pregnant CD-1 mice were given 80 mg AZT/kg, 40 mg 3TC/kg, 80 mg AZT/kg plus 40 mg 3TC/kg, or vehicle alone during the last 7 days of gestation, and hearts from female mouse pups were examined at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum for histopathological or ultrastructural changes in cross-sections of both the ventricles and the interventricular septum. Using light microscopy and special staining techniques, transplacental exposure to AZT, 3TC, or AZT/3TC was shown to induce significant histopathological changes in myofibrils; these changes were more widespread at 13 weeks than at 26 weeks postpartum. While most light microscopic lesions resolved, some became more severe between 13 and 26 weeks postpartum. Transplacental NRTI exposure also resulted in progressive drug-specific changes in the number and ultrastructural integrity of cardiac mitochondria. These light and electron microscopic findings show that a subset of changes in cardiac mitochondria and myofibrils persisted and progressed months after transplacental exposure of an animal model to NRTIs, with combined AZT/3TC exposure yielding additive effects compared with either drug alone.
    Cardiovascular toxicology 03/2010; 10(1):37-50. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: In utero exposure of female CD-1 mice to AZT and/or 3TC: II. Persistence of functional alterations in cardiac tissue.
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    ABSTRACT: To delineate temporal changes in the integrity and function of mitochondria/cardiomyocytes in hearts from mice exposed in utero to commonly used nucleoside analogs (NRTIs), CD-1 mice were exposed in utero to 80 mg AZT/kg, 40 mg 3TC/kg, 80 mg AZT/kg plus 40 mg 3TC/kg, or vehicle alone during days 12-18 of gestation and hearts from female mouse offspring were examined at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum. Alterations in cardiac mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme activities, mtDNA mutations, and echocardiography of NRTI-exposed mice were assessed and compared with findings in vehicle-exposed control mice. A hybrid capture-chemiluminescence assay showed significant twofold increases in mtDNA levels in hearts from AZT- and AZT/3TC-exposed mice at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum, consistent with near doubling in mitochondrial numbers over time compared with vehicle-exposed mice. Echocardiographic measurements at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum indicated progressive thinning of the left ventricular posterior wall in NRTI-exposed mice, relative to controls, with differences becoming statistically significant by 26 weeks. Overall, progressive functional changes occurred in mouse mitochondria and cardiac tissue several months after in utero NRTI exposures; AZT and 3TC acted in concert to cause additive cardiotoxic effects of AZT/3TC compared with either drug alone.
    Cardiovascular toxicology 02/2010; 10(2):87-99. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene expression and DNA adduct formation in normal human mammary epithelial cells exposed to benzo[a]pyrene in the absence or presence of chlorophyllin.
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    ABSTRACT: Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is a potent pro-carcinogen and ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Here, we examined the induction and modulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 and 10-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPdG) adduct formation in DNA from 20 primary normal human mammary epithelial cell (NHMEC) strains exposed to BP (4muM) in the absence or presence of chlorophyllin (5muM). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed strong induction of both CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 by BP, with high levels of inter-individual variability. Variable BPdG formation was found in all strains by r7, t8-dihydroxy-t-9, 10 epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE)-DNA chemiluminescence assay (CIA). Chlorophyllin mitigated BP-induced CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene expression in all 20 strains when administered with BP. Chlorophyllin, administered prior to BP-exposure, mitigated CYP1A1 expression in 18/20 NHMEC strains (p<0.005) and CYP1B1 expression in 17/20 NHMEC strains (p<0.005). Maximum percent reductions of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene expression and BPdG adduct formation were observed when cells were pre-dosed with chlorophyllin followed by administration of the carcinogen with chlorophyllin (p<0.005 for CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression and p<0.0005 for BPdG adducts). Therefore, chlorophyllin is likely to be a good chemoprotective agent for a large proportion of the human population.
    Cancer letters 02/2010; 292(2):254-60. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Centrosomal amplification and aneuploidy induced by the antiretroviral drug AZT in hamster and human cells.
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    ABSTRACT: The centrosome directs chromosomal migration by a complex process of tubulin-chromatin binding. In this contribution centrosomal abnormalities, including centrosomal amplification, were explored in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and normal human mammary epithelial cells (NHMECs) exposed to the antiretroviral drug zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, AZT). Centrosomal amplification/fragmentation was observed in both cell types and kinetochore positive micronuclei were found in AZT-exposed CHO cells in correlation with dose. Normal human mammary epithelial cell (NMHEC) strain M99005, previously identified as a strain that incorporates high levels of AZT into DNA (high incorporator, HI), showed greater centrosomal amplification when compared with a second strain, NHMEC M98040, which did not incorporate AZT into DNA (low incorporator, LI). Additionally, an abnormal tubulin distribution was observed in AZT-exposed HI cells bearing multiple centrosomes. Immunofluorescent staining of human cells with Aurora A, a kinase involved in the maturation of the centrosome, confirmed the induction of centrosomal amplification and revealed multipolar mitotic figures. Flow cytometric studies revealed that cells bearing abnormal numbers of centrosomes and abnormal tubulin distribution had similar S-phase percentages suggesting that cells bearing unbalanced chromosomal segregation could divide. Therefore, AZT induces genomic instability and clastogenicity as well as alterations in proteins involved in centrosomal activation, all of which may contribute to the carcinogenic properties of this compound.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 07/2009; 665(1-2):67-74. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Centrosome amplification induced by the antiretroviral nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors lamivudine, stavudine, and didanosine.
    Mia Yu, Yvona Ward, Miriam C Poirier, Ofelia A Olivero
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    ABSTRACT: In cultured cells, exposure to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) zidovudine (AZT) induces genomic instability, cell cycle arrest, micronuclei, sister chromatid exchanges, and shortened telomeres. In previous studies, we demonstrated AZT-induced centrosome amplification (>2 centrosomes/cell). Here, we investigate centrosome amplification in cells exposed to other commonly used NRTIs. Experiments were performed using Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and two normal human mammary epithelial cell (NHMEC) strains: M99005 and M98040, which are high and low incorporators of AZT into DNA, respectively. Cells were exposed for 24 hr to lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T), didanosine (ddI), and thymidine, and stained with anti-pericentrin antibody. Dose response curves were performed to determine cytotoxicity and a lower concentration at near plasma levels and a 10 fold higher concentration were chosen for the experiments. In CHO cells, there was a concentration-dependent, significant (P < 0.05) increase in centrosome amplification for each of the NRTIs. In NHMEC strain M99005, an NRTI-induced increase (P < 0.05) in centrosome amplification was observed for the high concentrations of each NRTI and the low doses of 3TC and ddI. In NHMEC strain M98040, the high doses of ddI and d4T showed significant increases in centrosome amplification. Functional viability of amplified centrosomes was assessed by arresting microtubule nucleation with nocodazole. In cells with more than two centrosomes, the ability to recover microtubule nucleation was similar to that of unexposed cells. We conclude that centrosome amplification is a consequence of exposure to NRTIs and that cells with centrosome amplification are able to accomplish cell division.
    Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 07/2009; 50(8):718-24. · 3.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: WR1065 mitigates AZT-ddI-induced mutagenesis and inhibits viral replication.
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    ABSTRACT: The success of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in treating HIV-1 infection and reducing mother-to-child transmission of the virus during pregnancy is accompanied by evidence that NRTIs cause long-term health risks for cancer and mitochondrial disease. Thus, agents that mitigate toxicities of the current combination drug therapies are needed. Previous work had shown that the NRTI-drug pair zidovudine (AZT)-didanosine (ddI) was highly cytotoxic and mutagenic; thus, we conducted preliminary studies to investigate the ability of the active moiety of amifostine, WR1065, to protect against the deleterious effects of this NRTI-drug pair. In TK6 cells exposed to 100 muM AZT-ddI (equimolar) for 3 days with or without 150 muM WR1065, WR1065 enhanced long-term cell survival and significantly reduced AZT-ddI-induced mutations. Follow-up studies were conducted to determine if coexposure to AZT and WR1065 abrogated the antiretroviral efficacy of AZT. In human T-cell blasts infected with HIV-1 in culture, inhibition of p24 protein production was observed in cells treated with 10 muM AZT in the absence or presence of 5-1,000 muM WR1065. Surprisingly, WR1065 alone exhibited dose-related inhibition of HIV-1 p24 protein production. WR1065 also had antiviral efficacy against three species of adenovirus and influenza A and B. Intracellular levels of unbound WR1065 were measured following in vitro/in vivo drug exposure. These pilot study results indicate that WR1065, at low intracellular levels, has cytoprotective and antimutagenic activities against the most mutagenic pair of NRTIs and has broad spectrum antiviral effects. These findings suggest that the activities have a possible common mode of action that merits further investigation.
    Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 04/2009; 50(6):460-72. · 3.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Quantification of phase I/II metabolizing enzyme gene expression and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adduct levels in human prostate.
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    ABSTRACT: Studies of migrant populations suggest that dietary and/or environmental factors play a crucial role in the etiology of prostatic adenocarcinoma (CaP). The human prostate consists of the peripheral zone (PZ), transition zone (TZ), and central zone (CZ); CaP occurs most often in the PZ. To investigate the notion that an underlying differential expression of phase I/II genes, and/or the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts might explain the elevated PZ susceptibility, we examined prostate tissues (matched tissue sets consisting of PZ and TZ) from men undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy for CaP (n = 26) or cystoprostatectomy (n = 1). Quantitative gene expression analysis was employed for cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and CYP1A2, as well as N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and NAT2) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). CYP1B1, NAT1, and COMT were expressed in all tissue sets; levels of CYP1B1 and NAT1 were consistently higher in the PZ compared to TZ. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of CYP1B1 (nuclear-associated and primarily in basal epithelial cells) and NAT1. Normal tissue from 23 of these aforementioned 27 matched tissue sets was analyzed for PAH-DNA adduct levels using antiserum elicited against DNA modified with r7,t8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-benzo[a]pyrene (BPDE). PAH-DNA adduct levels were highest in glandular epithelial cells, but a comparison of PZ and TZ showed no significant differences. Although expression of activating and/or detoxifying enzymes may be higher in the PZ, PAH-DNA adduct levels appear to be similar in both zones. Therefore, factors other than PAH-DNA adducts may be responsible for promotion of tumor formation in the human prostate.
    The Prostate 02/2009; 69(5):505-19. · 3.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: Chlorophyllin significantly reduces benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation and alters cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 expression and EROD activity in normal human mammary epithelial cells.
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    ABSTRACT: We hypothesized that chlorophyllin (CHLN) would reduce benzo[a]pyrene-DNA (BP-DNA) adduct levels. Using normal human mammary epithelial cells (NHMECs) exposed to 4 microM BP for 24 hr in the presence or absence of 5 microM CHLN, we measured BP-DNA adducts by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA). The protocol included the following experimental groups: BP alone, BP given simultaneously with CHLN (BP+CHLN) for 24 hr, CHLN given for 24 hr followed by BP for 24 hr (preCHLN, postBP), and CHLN given for 48 hr with BP added for the last 24 hr (preCHLN, postBP+CHLN). Incubation with CHLN decreased BPdG levels in all groups, with 87% inhibition in the preCHLN, postBP+CHLN group. To examine metabolic mechanisms, we monitored expression by Affymetrix microarray (U133A), and found BP-induced up-regulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression, as well as up-regulation of groups of interferon-inducible, inflammation and signal transduction genes. Incubation of cells with CHLN and BP in any combination decreased expression of many of these genes. Using reverse transcription real time PCR (RT-PCR) the maximal inhibition of BP-induced gene expression, >85% for CYP1A1 and >70% for CYP1B1, was observed in the preCHLN, postBP+CHLN group. To explore the relationship between transcription and enzyme activity, the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay was used to measure the combined CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 activities. BP exposure caused the EROD levels to double, when compared with the unexposed controls. The CHLN-exposed groups all showed EROD levels similar to the unexposed controls. Therefore, the addition of CHLN to BP-exposed cells reduced BPdG formation and CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression, but EROD activity was not significantly reduced.
    Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 01/2009; 50(2):134-44. · 3.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Tamoxifen induces expression of immune response-related genes in cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Use of tamoxifen is associated with a 50% reduction in breast cancer incidence and an increase in endometrial cancer incidence. Here, we documented tamoxifen-induced gene expression changes in cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells (strains 5, 16, and 40), established from tissue taken at reduction mammoplasty from three individuals. Cells exposed to 0, 10, or 50 micromol/L of tamoxifen for 48 hours were evaluated for (E)-alpha-(deoxyguanosine-N(2)-yl)-tamoxifen (dG-N(2)-TAM) adduct formation using TAM-DNA (DNA modified with dG-N(2)-TAM) chemiluminescence immunoassay, gene expression changes using National Cancer Institute DNA-oligonucleotide microarray, and real-time PCR. At 48 hours, cells exposed to 10 and 50 micromol/L of tamoxifen were 85.6% and 48.4% viable, respectively, and there were no measurable dG-N(2)-TAM adducts. For microarrays, cells were exposed to 10 micromol/L of tamoxifen and genes with expression changes of >3-fold were as follows: 13 genes up-regulated and 1 down-regulated for strain 16; 17 genes up-regulated for strain 5, and 11 genes up-regulated for strain 40. Interferon-inducible genes (IFITM1, IFIT1, MXI, and GIP3), and a potassium ion channel (KCNJ1) were up-regulated in all three strains. No significant expression changes were found for genes related to estrogen or xenobiotic metabolism. Real-time PCR revealed the up-regulation of IFNA1 and confirmed the tamoxifen-induced up-regulation of the five other genes identified by microarray, with the exception of GIP3 and MX1, which were not up-regulated in strain 40. Induction of IFN-related genes in the three normal human mammary epithelial cell strains suggests that, in addition to hormonal effects, tamoxifen exposure may enhance immune response in normal breast tissue.
    Cancer Research 01/2009; 69(3):1150-5. · 7.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: The influence of diesel exhaust on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced DNA damage, gene expression, and tumor initiation in Sencar mice in vivo.
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    ABSTRACT: The carcinogenic effects of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are well established. However, their potency within an environmental complex mixture is uncertain. We evaluated the influence of diesel exhaust particulate matter on PAH-induced cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity, PAH-DNA adduct formation, expression of certain candidate genes and the frequency of tumor initiation in the two-stage Sencar mouse model. To this end, we monitored the effects of treatment of mice with diesel exhaust, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBP), or a combination of diesel exhaust with either carcinogenic PAH. The applied diesel particulate matter (SRM(1975)) altered the tumor initiating potency of DBP: a statistically significant decrease in overall tumor and carcinoma burden was observed following 25 weeks of promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), compared with DBP exposure alone. From those mice that were treated at the beginning of the observation period with 2 nmol DBP all survivors developed tumors (9 out of 9 animals, 100%). Among all tumors counted at the end, nine carcinomas were detected and an overall tumor incidence of 2.6 tumors per tumor-bearing animal (TBA) was determined. By contrast, co-treatment of DBP with 50mg SRM(1975) led to a tumor rate of only 66% (19 out of 29 animals), occurrence of only three carcinomas in 29 animals and an overall rate of 2.1 tumors per TBA (P=0.04). In contrast to the results with DBP, the tumor incidence induced by 200 nmol BP was found slightly increased when co-treatment with SRM(1975) occurred (71% vs. 85% after 25 weeks). Despite this difference in tumor incidence, the numbers of carcinomas and tumors per TBA did not differ statistically significant between both treatment groups possibly due to the small size of the BP treatment group. Since bioactivation of DBP, but not BP, predominantly depends on CYP1B1 enzyme activity, SRM(1975) affected PAH-induced carcinogenesis in an antagonistic manner when CYP1B1-mediated bioactivation was required. The explanation most likely lies in the much stronger inhibitory effects of certain PAHs present in diesel exhaust on CYP1B1 compared to CYP1A1. In the present study we also found molecular markers such as highly elevated AKR1C21 and TNFRSF21 gene expression levels in tumor tissue derived from animals co-treated with SRM(1975) plus DBP. Therefore we validate microarray data as a source to uncover transcriptional signatures that may provide insights into molecular pathways affected following exposure to environmental complex mixtures such as diesel exhaust particulates.
    Cancer Letters 07/2008; 265(1):135-47. · 4.24 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2002–2013
    • National Cancer Institute (USA)
      • Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics
      Bethesda, MD, USA
  • 2010
    • University of New Mexico
      • College of Pharmacy
      Albuquerque, NM, USA
    • West Virginia University
      Morgantown, WV, USA
  • 1992–2010
    • National Institutes of Health
      • • Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics
      • • Center for Cancer Research
      Bethesda, MD, USA
  • 2005
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
      Atlanta, MI, USA
  • 2004
    • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
      Bethesda, MD, USA
    • Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
      Albuquerque, NM, USA
  • 2003
    • Stony Brook University
      • Department of Pharmacological Sciences
      Stony Brook, NY, USA
  • 1999
    • NCI-Frederick
      Frederick, MD, USA