Delay of dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis in transgenic mice by apoptosis induced by an unusual mutant p53 protein

Murine p53 containing an Arg → Leu substitution at amino acid 172 possesses many properties characteristic of wild-type p53, including the ability to induce p21/WAF/Cip1 and apoptosis. To determine if p53–dependent apoptosis plays a critical role in mammary tumorigenesis, transgenic mice were generated in which the expression of this mutant p53 protein was targeted to the mammary gland by using the rat whey acidic protein gene promoter. Mice bearing pituitary isografts were treated with 7,12–dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (a) and examined for mammary tumor development. Mice overexpressing the p53 transgene exhibited a statistically significant increase in apoptosis in the mammary gland and a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of DMBA-induced mammary tumors. No difference in tumor incidence was observed in mice without pituitary isografts who were treated with DMBA, because the transgene is not overexpressed in the absence of hormone stimulation provided by the pituitary isograft. The unexpected wild-type properties of the 172^Arg→Leu mutant p53, including its ability to stimulate apoptosis, make it a possible candidate for use in gene therapy protocols. ©1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Specific N-ras mutation in bone marrow within 48 H of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene treatment in Huggins-Sugiyama rat leukemogenesis

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced leukemias in Long-Evans rats consistently have an A→T transversion at the second base of codon 61 in the N-ras gene. This mutation is also detected in the preleukemic stage. To determine when this specific N-ras mutation occurs in the early stages of leukemogenesis, we designed the mutant allele-specific amplification method, which was sensitive enough to detect one mutant cell among 10⁶ normal cells. In the study reported here, N-ras mutation was found in bone-marrow cells 2 d after a single DMBA injection and thereafter throughout the preleukemic stage. These results show that DMBA induces a specific N-ras mutation soon after one DMBA injection and that this mutation is probably the first event in DMBA leukemogenesis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

p53 alterations in chemically induced hamster cheek-pouch lesions

To confirm that the hamster cheek-pouch carcinogenesis model reflects development of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we determined if and when p53 mutations occur in the development of SCC in this model by using immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis plus direct DNA sequencing. Twenty-four hamster cheek-pouches were treated with a solution of 0.5% 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mineral oil three times a week for 16 wk. The malignant endophytic and exophytic tumors induced with this protocol are preceded by a sequence of premalignant lesions such as hyperplasia with or without dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, similar to the development of this cancer in humans. For this study, p53 protein accumulation was evaluated by immunostaining of various hamster cheek-pouch exophytic and endophytic SCCs as well as flat dysplastic hyperplasia and carcinomas in situ. A moderate percentage (33.3%) of exophytic lesions and most endophytic carcinomas (90%) showed positive p53 staining. In addition we also found p53-positive staining in a number of preneoplastic lesions, including areas of focal hyperplasia, dysplastic hyperplasia, and carcinomas in situ. To determine whether the alterations in p53 staining were due to p53 gene mutation, we used PCR-SSCP analysis and direct sequencing. PCR products corresponding to exons 5a, 6, 7, and 8 from 40 tumors with the highest percentage of p53-stained cells were analyzed. We detected shifted bands in 17 lesions. Direct sequencing of eight selected shifted bands revealed four mutations, including two G→T transversions in codons 216 (tumor #1) and 252 (tumor #2) and one G→C transversion in codon 282 (tumor #3). Tumor #4 contained a frameshift mutation in codon 251. These mutations are consistent with those reported in many human cancers. Therefore, we concluded that in the hamster cheek-pouch model, p53 protein accumulation occurs frequently and early in carcinogenesis, as it does in human SCCs, and some of these p53 alterations are due to p53 gene mutations. These findings may help us better define the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in the hamster cheek-pouch model, and p53 alterations may be an early biomarker of progression for chemoprevention studies. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Loss of heterozygosity at the N-ras locus in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat leukemia

The 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat leukemia model enables scientists to analyze cell altered by carcinogens at various stages of leukemogenesis. We have reported that a consistent type of point mutation, A→T transversion at the second base in codon 61 of the N-ras gene, was present in this leukemia and that this mutation appeared in bone marrow cells as early as 48 h after a single dose of DMBA. In addition, two leukemia cell lines with the N-ras mutation had no wild-type N-ras allele. Therefore, we examined whether these alterations were essential to the DMBA-induced leukemias. In the study reported here, we confirmed the occurrence of this N-ras mutation in 18 (86%) of 21 primary leukemias and loss of the N-ras wild-type allele in 12 (67%) of 18 leukemias with the mutated N-ras. By using microsatellite markers on chromosome 2, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the N-ras locus was observed in eight leukemias, all of which were shown to have lost the wild-type N-ras allele by mutant-allele-specific amplification. These results suggest that LOH related to loss of the wild-type N-ras allele reproducibly occurs in leukemias with the N-ras mutation. Considering the timing of the N-ras mutation and LOH, it is likely that the N-ras mutation is induced early, and cells that have lost the wild-type N-ras allele seem to develop into leukemia. We believe that this system provides a suitable model for studying a series of genetic alterations from the earliest stage of carcinogenesis that cannot be approached in human malignancies. Mol. Carcinog. 18:206–212, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

二甲基苯蒽诱发家兔卵巢肿瘤及其生物学特性的初步观察

目的以二甲基苯蒽(DMBA)原位埋线法诱发家兔卵巢肿瘤,并初步观察其生物学特性.方法棉线浸入加热熔化的DMBA中,取雌性家兔5只,分别在其双侧卵巢埋入含有DMBA的棉线,连续观察8个月,处死荷瘤家兔,通过大体、光镜、电镜以及流式细胞技术等方面进行肿瘤生物学特性的初步观察.结果 1只家兔因术后感染而死亡,2只观察8个月无肿瘤发生.2只分别发生未分化癌及腺癌,组织学特点与相应的人卵巢肿瘤很相似;流式细胞分析S期细胞含量分别为40.72%和29.87%.结论二甲基苯蒽能原位诱发较大型动物家兔的卵巢肿瘤,可用于人卵巢癌的相关实验研究.     

Activated Ki-ras genes in bladder epithelial cell lines transformed by treatment of primary mouse bladder explant cultures with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

DNA from five lines of transformed bladder epithelial cells derived from cultures of primary cells that had been treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) can transform NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts in DNA transfection experiments. Southern analysis of DNA from NIH 3T3 primary and secondary transformants established that four of the DMBA-transformed cell lines contained activated cellular Ki-ras, while the remaining cell line contained a transforming gene that is unrelated to Ki-ras, N-ras, and Ha-ras. The point mutations responsible for Ki-ras activation were detected using oligonucleotide probes following selective amplification of Ki-ras specific sequences using the polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that activation of Ki-ras invariably involved a GC----AT transition mutation of the first position of codon 12. Surprisingly, a Ki-ras gene that was activated by a GC----AT transition mutation at the same position was also detected in a single transformed bladder urothelial cell line derived from control cultures of mouse bladder cells. Together, our results indicate that Ki-ras activation in the DMBA-transformed bladder cell lines may not be a direct consequence of interaction of activated DMBA metabolites with the Ki-ras gene.     

Different properties of mammary carcinogenesis induced by two chemical carcinogens,DMBA and PhIP,in heterozygous BALB/c Trp53 knockout mice

Chemical carcinogens, such as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine (PhIP), are known to induce mammary carcinomas in mice and rats. In the present study, the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of carcinogen-induced mammary carcinogenesis in heterozygous BALB/c tumor protein p53 (Trp53) knockout mice were examined with reference to published data surrounding human breast cancer. A significantly accelerated induction of mammary carcinomas was observed following a single dose of DMBA (50 mg/kg of body weight at 7 weeks of age), and a modest acceleration was induced by PhIP (50 mg/kg of body weight) administered by gavage 6 times/2 weeks from 7 weeks of age. DMBA-induced mammary carcinomas were histopathologically characterized by distinct biphasic structures with luminal and myoepithelial cells, as well as a frequent estrogen receptor expression, and PhIP-induced carcinomas with solid/microacinar structures consisted of pleomorphic cells. Of note, DMBA-induced mammary carcinomas were characterized by a HRas proto-oncogene (Hras) mutation at codon 61, and gene/protein expression indicating MAPK stimulation. PhIP-induced lesions were suspected to be caused by different molecular mechanisms, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling and/or gene mutation-independent PI3K/AKT signaling activation. In conclusion, the present mouse mammary carcinogenesis models, induced by a combination of genetic and exogenous factors, may be utilized (such as the DMBA-induced model with Trp53 gene function deficiency as a model of adenomyoepithelioma, characterized by distinct biphasic cell constituents and Hras mutations), but PhIP-induced models are required to further analyze the genetic/epigenetic mechanisms promoting mammary carcinomas.     

Purple grape juice inhibits 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis and in vivo DMBA-DNA adduct formation

There has been considerable interest in identifying specific foods and phytochemicals that may have breast cancer preventive properties. Concord grapes are rich in polyphenolic chemicals and anthocyanin pigments that may have biological properties which could suppress cancer such as having antioxidant, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic actions. To determine the potential breast cancer protective action of purple grape juice, we examined the effect of grape juice consumption on the initiation stage of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis and on the in vivo formation of rat mammary DNA adducts in female Sprague–Dawley rats. Consumption of grape juice significantly inhibited mammary tumor mass at termination and the growth of tumors for the first 5 weeks of detectable tumor development. Consumption of grape juice phenolics by rats also significantly inhibited in vivo mammary DMBA-DNA adduct formation by 34 and 56% for animals fed phenolics at 346 and 692 mg/dL, respectively, compared to controls. Mammary 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) levels decreased by 25 and 37%, respectively, but the differences were not statistically significant. Liver DMBA-DNA adducts decreased by 10–30%, while 8-oxo-dG adducts remained unchanged, following grape juice intake. Liver glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly increased following grape juice consumption, but only at the highest level of intake. In addition, liver activities of catalase increased and xanthine oxidase decreased significantly, but only at the highest grape juice dose. Thus, these studies indicate that specific constituents or combinations of phytochemicals in purple grape juice can block the initiation stage of DMBA-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis. This tumor inhibitory effect was associated with a suppression of mammary DMBA-DNA adduct formation, which in part may be explained by increased liver activity of the phase II metabolizing enzyme, glutathione S-transferase. Mammary and liver 8-oxo-dG levels were not significantly altered by grape juice consumption. Thus, grape juice constituents appear to have benefit in decreasing susceptibility of the rat mammary gland to the tumor-initiating action of DMBA.     

Modulation of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced Transmammary Carcinogenesis by Disulfiram and Butylated Hydroxyanisole in Mice

The individual as well as combined chemopreventive actions of disulfiram (DSF) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced transmammary car-cinogenesis in mice were examined. When nursing mothers receiving normal diet were treated with DMBA (1 mg/mouse) on days 6, 8 and 10 postpartum , the tumor incidence in their 50-week-old F₁ progeny was 44.1%. When nursing mothers receiving 0.75% BHA diet, 0.5% DSF diet and 0.75% BHA+0.5% DSF diet were similarly treated with DMBA, the tumor incidences in their 50-week-old F₁ progeny were 14.7% ( P <0.05), 12.5% ( P <0.05) and 5.8% ( P <0.01), respectively. It is concluded that diets containing BHA (0.75%) and DSF (0.5%), singly or in combination, can inhibit trans-mammary carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice.     

Deregulated expression of the PCPH proto-oncogene in rat mammary tumors induced with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

The PCPH proto-oncogene was identified by its frequent activation in Syrian hamster fetal cells exposed to 3-methylcholanthrene. We previously isolated human PCPH cDNA and studied its expression in normal human tissues. We report herein the pattern of PCPH expression in normal rat tissues. Each tissue expressed one major PCPH polypeptide that varied in molecular mass in different tissues. Normal mammary gland expressed a single PCPH polypeptide of 27 kDa. This PCPH form also was expressed in lactating mammary glands but at significantly greater levels. These results suggest the existence of tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms for PCPH expression that may be influenced by the differentiation stage. Our previous studies on the involvement of PCPH in human cancer showed that human breast tumor cell lines have frequent alterations in PCPH, including multiple PCPH polypeptide forms that are not expressed in normal cells. These cell lines also have frequent loss of a 27-kDa form identified as the only PCPH polypeptide expressed by normal human breast epithelial cells. In this study, we found that these same alterations occurred in vivo during mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, in both benign and malignant tumors, indicating that stable changes in PCPH expression took place early in the neoplastic process. Results showed that this experimental system is relevant to human breast carcinogenesis and provides an excellent model to study the molecular basis of the regulation of PCPH expression during normal differentiation and pathologic stages of neoplasia of the mammary gland and to analyze the role of PCPH in the carcinogenic process. Furthermore, the detection of atypical PCPH polypeptides in tumors suggests that PCPH immunodetection may be applied as a diagnostic tool for the early identification of neoplastic breast epithelial cells.     

Gene expression profiling in the mammary gland of rats treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

Identification of molecular markers of early-stage breast cancer development is important for the diagnosis and prevention of the disease. In the present study, we used microarray analysis to examine the differential expression of genes in the rat mammary gland soon after treatment with a known chemical carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), and prior to tumor development. Six weeks after DMBA, differential expression of multiple genes involved in cell growth, differentiation and microtubule dynamics were observed. Gene expression changes were further validated by a combination of techniques, including real-time PCR, RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. An inhibition of differentiation in this early stage was suggested by the lower expression of beta-casein and transferrin and higher expression of hsp27 in glands from DMBA-treated rats. Possible cell cycle deregulation was indicated by an increased expression of cyclin D1 and hsp86, a heat shock protein associated with cyclin D1. Prior to tumor development, DMBA increased cellular proliferation as detected by Ki-67 and stathmin immunostaining in histologically normal mammary gland. Genes regulating microtubule function, including stathmin, Ran, alpha-tubulin and hsp27, were all overexpressed in the mammary gland of DMBA-treated rats, raising the possibility that disruption of microtubule dynamics and abnormal mitosis may be critical events preceding breast cancer development. Several of the altered proteins, including hsp27, hsp86 and stathmin, may ultimately serve as markers of early breast cancer development.     

Specificity of cDNA-expressed human and rodent cytochrome P450s in the oxidative metabolism of the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a potent carcinogen, requires metabolic activation by cytochrome P450s (P450s) to electrophilic metabolites that result in DNA modification, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. In this study, we used eight human forms, four rodent forms, and one rabbit form of P450 expressed from recombinant vaccinia or baculovirus vectors to define their specificity for metabolizing DMBA. Of the eight human P450s, 1A1 was the most active (specific activity = 14.7 nmol/min/nmol of P450) in total metabolism of DMBA and showed approximately 6- to 33-fold more activity than other P450s. 2B6, 2C9, and 1A2 were also capable of metabolizing DMBA (2.0–2.5 nmol/min/nmol of P450), whereas 2C8, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5 exhibited relatively low activities. Among animal P450s, mouse 1A1 exhibited activity similar to that of human 1A1 and had 5.0- to 37-fold more activity than other rodent and rabbit P450s. In regard to enzyme regioselectivity, most human and rodent P450s predominantly formed the 8,9-diol, but human 2B6 and rat 281 preferentially formed the 5,6-diol. In the production of monohydroxymethyl metabolites, all the enzymes yielded more 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7HOM12MBA) than 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7M12HOMBA), except for human 1A1, which presented the reverse selectivity. Human liver microsomes from 10 organ donors were shown to metabolize DMBA and in most circumstances generated the metabolic profile DMBA trans-8,9-dihydrodiol > 7HOM12MBA ≥ DMBA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol ≥ 7,12-dihydroxymethylbenz[a]anthracene > 7M12HOMBA > DMBA trans-3,4-dihydrodiol. Thus, the combined activity of hepatic microsomal 2C9, 1A2, and 2B6 may contribute to the metabolic activation and the metabolism of DMBA in normal human liver. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

     

Chemopreventive efficacy of Moringa oleifera pods against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced hepatic carcinogenesis in mice

Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to initiation and progression of hepatic damage in a variety of liver disorders. Hence there is a great demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera as a hepatoprotective and an antioxidant against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced hepatocellular damage. Single oral administration of DMBA (15 mg/kg) to mice resulted in significantly (p<0.001) depleted levels of xenobiotic enzymes like, cytochrome P450 and b5. DMBA induced oxidative stress was confirmed by decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver tissue. The status of hepatic aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) which is indicative of hepatocellular damage were also found to be decreased in DMBA administered mice. Pretreatment with the Moringa oleifera (200 and 400 mg/kg) orally for 14 days significantly reversed the DMBA induced alterations in the liver tissue and offered almost complete protection. The results from the present study indicate that Moringa oleifera exhibits good hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential against DMBA induced hepatocellular damage in mice that might be due to decreased free radical generation.     

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-DNA adducts in mouse skin, dermis and epidermis

Female NIH Swiss mice were treated topically with either 0.01 or 0.1 μmol 7,12-[³H]dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and DNA was isolated either from the whole skin, the dermis or the epidermis. Levels of binding to DNA and levels of individual adducts formed were similar in all 3 tissue fractions for a given dose of carcinogen with levels for the epidermis being marginally greater than in the other fractions. In all tissue fractions, the syn dihydrodiol epoxide-deoxyribonucleoside adducts were responsible for a greater fraction of total binding at the higher, than at the lower, carcinogen dose. The mechanism of metabolic activation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene for DNA binding is, therefore, qualitatively the same in both the dermis and epidermis. Quantification of adducts suggests some subtle differences between the DMBA activating systems in dermis and epidermis.     

Inhibitory Effects of Dietary Protocatechuic Acid and Costunolide on 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced Hamster Cheek Pouch Carcinogenesis

The modifying effects of dietary exposure to two natural products, protocatechuic acid (PCA) and Costunolide during the development of neoplasms in oral carcinogenesis initiated with 7,12-dimethyl-benz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA) were investigated in male Syrian golden hamsters. All hamsters except those in the test chemical alone and control groups received DMBA (0.5%) in mineral oil to the right buccal pouch 3 times per week for 4 or 6 weeks. At 13 weeks of age, the groups exposed to DMBA were fed diet containing PCA or Costunolide at a dose of 0.2 g/kg diet (200 ppm) for 17 weeks. The other groups consisted of hamsters given mineral oil alone for 6 weeks, or given 200 ppm PCA or Costunolide alone, or untreated. All animals were necropsied at the termination of the experiment (week 24). PCA or costunolide significantly decreased the tumor burden (P<0.001- P <0.05) and the extent of dysplastic areas (%) (P<0.001-P<0.05). PCA significantly decreased the mean number of AgNORs/nucleus (P<0.05). The BrdUrd-labeling index was reduced by dietary administration of test compounds, though not significantly. These results suggest that PCA and costunolide inhibited hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis and such inhibition may be related to suppression of cell proliferation in the buccal mucosa. It was also found that telomerase activity expressed in neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions of hamster buccal pouch epithelium after DMBA treatment correlated with the histopathological degree of malignancy.     

Vanadium chemoprevention of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis: probable involvement of representative hepatic phase I and II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes

Vanadium, a non-platinum group metal and dietary micronutrient, is now proving to act as a promising antitumor agent. The present study was conducted to ascertain its antineoplastic potential against an experimental mammary carcinogenesis. Female Sprague-Dawley rats, at 50 days of age, were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) (0.5mg/100g body weight) by a single tail vein injection in an oil emulsion. Vanadium (ammonium monovanadate) at the concentration of 0.5ppm was supplemented in drinking water and given ad libitum to the experimental group immediately after the carcinogen treatment and it continued until the termination of the study (24 weeks for histological and biochemical observations and 35 weeks for morphological findings). It was found that vanadium treatment brought about a substantial protection against DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis. This was evident from histological findings that showed no sign of hyperplasia or abnormality after vanadium treatment. There was a significant reduction in incidence (P<0.05), total number, multiplicity (P<0.01) and size of palpable mammary tumors and delay in mean latency period of tumor appearance (<0.001) following vanadium supplementation compared to DMBA control. From the cumulative results of various hepatic biochemical indices namely, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione level, superoxide dismutase activity, cytochrome P450 content and glutathione S-transferase activity, the anticarcinogenic potential of vanadium was well reflected through stabilization of these parameters. Results of the study indicate that the anticarcinogenic activity of vanadium during DMBA-initiated mammary carcinogenesis is mediated through alteration of hepatic antioxidant status as well as modulation of phase I and II drug metabolizing enzymes. On the basis of the observed results, vanadium can be considered as a readily available, promising and novel cancer chemopreventive agent.     

Post-initiation treatment of rats with indole-3-carbinol or beta-naphthoflavone does not suppress 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and β-naphthoflavone (β-NF), blocking agents of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mammary gland carcinogenesis, were examined as potential post-initiation suppressing agents. Treatment of female Sprague–Dawley rats with I3C (250 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)), β-NF (20 mg/kg b.w.) or the vehicle ethanol:corn oil (2:3) (2.5 ml/kg b.w.), three times weekly by gavage, started 3 weeks after the initiation with one oral dose of DMBA (20 mg/rat at 7 weeks of age) and continued for up to 12 weeks. I3C- or β-NF- or vehicle-treated groups did not differ significantly in the overall outcome of mammary tumorigenesis including cumulative mammary tumor incidences and multiplicities, latent periods and number and weight of mammary tumors per tumor-bearing rat for malignant, benign and/or malignant + benign tumors. A tendency of the I3C-treated rats to develop fewer mammary adenocarcinomas with a greater average weight per tumor per rat (2.32±1.50 g) than in the β-NF- (1.52±1.58 g) or vehicle- (1.55±1.53 g) treated groups suggests an effect, yet to be confirmed, of I3C on tumor development and growth. A 12-week treatment with I3C or β-NF significantly increased the P450-dependent activities of ethoxy-, methoxy-, benzyloxy- and pentoxy-(with I3C only) resorufin O-dealkylase in hepatic microsomes indicating induction of several P450s. The alterations in the P450 complement may affect endogenous estrogen metabolism and mammary gland and tumor characteristics at the molecular level, e.g. estrogen receptor status and/or proliferative activity, which require further studies.     

Cell mediated immune responses through TLR4 prevents DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis in mice

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activate signals that are critically involved in the initiation of adaptive immune responses and many tumorigenic chemicals have been associated with activation of those pathways. To determine the role of TLR-4 (TLR4) in mammary carcinogenesis, we subjected TLR4 deficient and wild type (WT) mice to oral gavage with carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). TLR4 deficient mice developed more tumors relative to the WT mice. T cells of TLR4 deficient mice produced elevated levels of IL-17 and lower levels of IFN-γ relative to WT mice. IL-12 secreted by CD11c(+) cells was higher in WT mice, whereas greater amounts of IL-23 were produced by CD11c(+) cells from TLR4 deficient mice. Moreover, there was higher incidence of regulatory T cells in TLR4 deficient mice than WT mice. Similarly, various markers of angiogenesis [matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor] were highly expressed in tumors from TLR4 deficient mice than WT mice. The results of this study indicate that TLR4 plays an important role in the prevention of DMBA induced mouse mammary tumorigenesis and efforts to divert the cell-mediated immune response may, therefore, prove to be beneficial in the prevention of mammary tumors.