Melissa R. Schisler

Dose-response and operational thresholds/NOAELs for in vitro mutagenic effects from DNA-reactive mutagens, MMS and MNU.

The dose-response relationships for in vitro mutagenicity induced by methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) or methylnitrosourea (MNU) in L5178Y mouse lymphoma (ML) cells were examined. DNA adducts (N7-methylguanine, N7MeG and O(6)-methylguanine, O(6)MeG) were quantified as biomarkers of exposure. Both endpoints were assessed using 5replicates/dose (4-h treatment) with MMS or MNU (0.0069-50muM), or vehicle (1% DMSO). Mutant frequency (MF) (thymidine kinase (TK) locus) was determined using the soft agar cloning methodology and a 2-day expression period; in addition, microwell and Sequester-Express-Select (SES) methods were used for MMS. Isolated DNA was acid-hydrolyzed, and adducts quantified by LC/ESI-MS/MS, using authentic and internal standards. MF dose-responses were analyzed using several statistical approaches, all of which confirmed that a threshold dose-response model provided the best fit. NOAELs for MF were 10muM MMS and 0.69muM MNU, based on ANOVA and Dunnetts test (p<0.05). N7MeG adducts were present in all cell samples, including solvent-control cells, and were increased over control levels in cells treated with >/=10muM MMS or 3.45muM MNU. O(6)MeG levels were only quantifiable at >/=10muM MNU; O(6)MeG was not quantifiable in control or MMS-treated cells at current detection limits. Thus, (1) cells treated with </=0.69muM MNU or </=10muM MMS did not demonstrate increases in TK(-) MF, but did demonstrate quantifiable levels of N7MeG adducts; and (2) the levels of N7MeG adducts did not correlate with induced MF, as MNU-treated cells had fewer N7MeG adducts but higher MF compared with MMS-treated cells, for quasi-equimolar doses. Taken together, these results demonstrate operational thresholds, defined as the highest dose for which the response is not significantly (statistically or biologically) distinguishable from the control/background values, for induction of mutations and N7MeG adducts in ML cells treated with MMS or MNU, and a lack of correlation between induced MF and levels of N7MeG adducts.

Quantitation of glutathione by liquid chromatography/positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. It is present in practically all cells and has several important roles, such as preventing the oxidation of the sulfhydryl groups of proteins within a cell. Evidence for GSH deficiency or depletion has been found in a variety of diseases and toxicity-related studies, including diabetes and induction of oxidative stress to form reactive oxygen species which cause DNA, lipid, and protein oxidations. A simple, selective, and sensitive analytical method for measuring low levels of GSH in biological fluids would therefore be desirable to conduct GSH deficiency or depletion-related mechanistic toxicity studies. Here a method for both low- and high-level quantitation of GSH from cultured cells and rat liver tissues via liquid chromatography/positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) has been developed. The lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method was 5 ng/mL. The method is linear over a wide dynamic concentration range of 5.0 to 5000.0 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient R2 > 0.99. The intra-day assay precision relative standard deviation (RSD) values for all quality control (QC) samples were < or =16.31%, with accuracy values ranging from 94.13 to 97.80%. The inter-day assay precision RSD values for all QC samples were < or =15.94%, with accuracy values ranging from 94.51 to 100.29%. With this method, low levels of GSH from diethyl maleate (DEM)-treated mouse lymphoma cells, and GSH in rat liver tissues, were quantified.

Characterization of Nuclear Receptor-Mediated Murine Hepatocarcinogenesis of the Herbicide Pronamide and its Human Relevance

The key events responsible for mouse liver tumors induced by a pesticide (viz., pronamide) were investigated in a series of studies employing molecular, biochemical, cellular, and apical endpoints. Based on these studies, it was demonstrated that the liver tumors were mediated by a mode of action (MoA) involving nuclear receptors (NRs) through the following key events: (1) CAR and PPAR-α receptor activation, (2) increased hepatocellular proliferation, eventually leading to (3) hepatocellular tumors. Specifically, gene expression analysis indicated robust, simultaneous coactivation of the CAR and PPAR-α NRs, as indicated by the induction of hepatic Cyp2b10 and Cyp4a10 transcripts, in response to dietary administration of pronamide to mice. The presence of hepatocellular hypertrophy and peroxisome proliferation was indicative of the activation of these two NRs at carcinogenic dose levels. Demonstrated induction of Cyp2b10 gene and protein, however, was not accompanied by enhancement of the corresponding enzyme activity (7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD)), suggesting that pronamide administration resulted in mechanism-based (suicide) inhibition of the enzyme in vivo. This was confirmed with an in vitro assay for suicide inhibition, where pronamide and/or its metabolites irreversibly inhibited Cyp2b10-mediated PROD activity. Analysis of hepatocellular proliferation via BrdU incorporation indicated a clear dose- and duration-related induction of S-phase DNA synthesis only in animals treated at and above the carcinogenic dose level. The available MoA data were evaluated for weight-of-evidence based upon the Bradford Hill criteria, followed by a human relevance framework. The conclusion from this evaluation is that pronamide-induced mouse liver tumors occur via an NR-mediated MoA involving CAR and PPAR-α activation and this MoA is not relevant to humans based on qualitative/quantitative differences between mice and humans.

Influence of counting methodology on erythrocyte ratios in the mouse micronucleus test.

The mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test is widely used to investigate the potential interaction of a test substance with chromosomes or mitotic apparatus of replicating erythroblasts. In addition to the primary endpoint, micronucleated erythrocyte frequency, the proportion of immature erythrocytes is measured to assess the influence of treatment on erythropoiesis. The guideline recommendation for an acceptable limit of the immature erythrocyte fraction of not < 20% of the controls was based on traditional scoring methods that consider RNA content. Flow‐based sample analysis (e.g., MicroFlow®) characterizes a subpopulation of RNA‐containing reticulocytes (RETs) based on CD71 (transferrin receptor) expression. As CD71+ cells represent a younger cohort of RETs, we hypothesized that this subpopulation may be more responsive than the RNA+ fraction for acute exposures. This study evaluated RET population in the peripheral blood of two strains of mice treated by oral gavage with three clastogens (cyclophosphamide, N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea, and methyl methanesulfonate). Although CD71+ frequencies correlated with RNA‐based counts, the relative treatment‐related reductions were substantially greater. Accordingly, when using the flow cytometry‐based CD71+ values for scoring RETs in an acute treatment design, it is suggested that a target value ≥ 5% CD71+ reticulocytes (i.e., 95% depression in reticulocytes proportion) be considered as acceptable for a valid assay. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:222–228, 2013.

Quantitation of methylated hemoglobin adducts in a signature peptide from rat blood by liquid chromatography/negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Hemoglobin adducts are often used as biomarkers for exposure to reactive chemicals in toxicology studies. Therefore, fast, sensitive, accurate, and reproducible methods for quantifying these protein adducts are key to evaluate test material dosimetry. A methodology has been developed for the quantitation of methylated hemoglobin adducts isolated from rats exposed to the model alkylating agent: methyl methane sulfonate (MMS). After 4 days of MMS exposure by oral gavage, hemoglobin was isolated from rat blood and digested with trypsin. The tryptic digestion solution was used for the adducted hemoglobin signature peptide quantitation via liquid chromatography/negative tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS). The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for the methylated hemoglobin beta chain N-terminal signature peptide (MeVHLTDAEK) was 1.95 ng/mL (5.9 pmol/mg globin). The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 1.95 to 625 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient R2 >0.998, accuracy of 85.8 to 119.3%, and precision of 0.9 to 19.4%.

Evaluation of potential endocrine activity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid using in vitro assays

The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was evaluated in five in vitro screening assays to assess the potential for interaction with the androgen, estrogen and steroidogenesis pathways in the endocrine system. The assays were conducted to meet the requirements of the in vitro component of Tier 1 of the United States Environmental Protection Agencys Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), and included assays for estrogen receptor (ER) binding (rat uterine cytosol ER binding assay), ER-mediated transcriptional activation (HeLa-9903-ERα transactivation assay), androgen receptor (AR) binding (rat prostate cytosol AR binding assay), aromatase enzymatic activity inhibition (recombinant human CYP19 aromatase inhibition assay), and interference with steroidogenesis (H295R steroidogenesis assay). Results from these five assays demonstrated that 2,4-D does not have the potential to interact in vitro with the estrogen, androgen, or steroidogenesis pathways. These in vitro data are consistent with a corresponding lack of endocrine effects observed in apical in vivo animal studies, and thus provide important supporting data valuable in a comprehensive weight of evidence evaluation indicating a low potential of 2,4-D to interact with the endocrine system.

In Vitro Mouse Lymphoma (L5178Y Tk +/− -3.7.2C) Forward Mutation Assay

The in vitro mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) is one of the most widely practiced assays in genetic toxicology. MLA detects forward mutations at the thymidine kinase (Tk) locus of the L5178Y (Tk (+/-) -3.7.2C) cell line derived from a mouse thymic lymphoma. This assay is capable of detecting a wide range of genetic events including point mutations, deletions (intragenic) and multilocus, chromosomal rearrangements, mitotic recombination, and nondisjunction. There are two equally accepted versions of the assay, one using soft agar cloning and the second method using liquid media cloning in 96-microwell plates. There are two morphologically distinct types of mutant colonies recovered in the MLA: small- and large-colony mutants. The induction of small-colony mutants is associated with chemicals inducing gross chromosomal aberrations whereas the induction of large mutant colonies is generally associated with chemicals inducing point mutations. The source and karyotype of the cell line as well as the culture conditions are important variables that could influence the assay performance. The assay when performed according to the standards recommended by the International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing is capable of providing valuable genotoxicity hazard information as part of the overall safety assessment process of various classes of test substances.

A novel approach for concurrent quantitation of glutathione, glutathione disulfide, and 2-hydroxyethylated glutathione in lungs of mice exposed to ethylene oxide, using liquid chromatography-positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

Glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and 2-hydroxyethylated glutathione (HESG) are important biomarkers for exploring the genotoxicity mechanism of ethylene oxide (EO) or ethylene in vivo. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous determination of GSH, GSSG and HESG in mouse lung tissues after inhalation exposure to EO. The lower limit of quantitation for all these biomarkers was 0.002 µg/mL. The linearity of the calibration curves for all analytes was >0.998. The intra-day assay precision relative standard deviation (RSD) values for quality control samples for all analytes were ≤12.8% with accuracy values ranging from 87.2 to 113%. The inter-day assay precision (RSD) values for all analytes were ≤13.1% with accuracy values ranging from 86.9 to 103%. This method was applied to concurrently determine the levels of GSH, GSSG and HESG in lung samples isolated from mouse after 4-week inhalation exposure to EO at 0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 ppm.

Dose–Response for Multiple Biomarkers of Exposure and Genotoxic Effect Following Repeated Treatment of Rats with the Alkylating Agents, MMS and MNU

The nature of the dose-response relationship for various in vivo endpoints of exposure and effect were investigated using the alkylating agents, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and methylnitrosourea (MNU). Six male F344 rats/group were dosed orally with 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 25 or 50mg/kg bw/day (mkd) of MMS, or 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 25 or 50 mkd of MNU, for 4 consecutive days and sacrificed 24h after the last dose. The dose-responses for multiple biomarkers of exposure and genotoxic effect were investigated. In MMS-treated rats, the hemoglobin adduct level, a systemic exposure biomarker, increased linearly with dose (r (2) = 0.9990, P < 0.05), indicating the systemic availability of MMS; however, the N7MeG DNA adduct, a target exposure biomarker, exhibited a non-linear dose-response in blood and liver tissues. Blood reticulocyte micronuclei (MN), a genotoxic effect biomarker, exhibited a clear no-observed-genotoxic-effect-level (NOGEL) of 5 mkd as a point of departure (PoD) for MMS. Two separate dose-response models, the Lutz and Lutz model and the stepwise approach using PROC REG both supported a bilinear/threshold dose-response for MN induction. Liver gene expression, a mechanistic endpoint, also exhibited a bilinear dose-response. Similarly, in MNU-treated rats, hepatic DNA adducts, gene expression changes and MN all exhibited clear PoDs, with a NOGEL of 1 mkd for MN induction, although dose-response modeling of the MNU-induced MN data showed a better statistical fit for a linear dose-response. In summary, these results provide in vivo data that support the existence of clear non-linear dose-responses for a number of biologically significant events along the pathway for genotoxicity induced by DNA-reactive agents.

Genetic damage, but limited evidence of oxidative stress markers in diethyl maleate-induced glutathione depleted mouse lymphoma L5178Y (TK+/-) cell cultures

Depletion of glutathione (GSH) in cells exposed to certain xenobiotics has been proposed to result in oxidative stress, which could lead to damage of cellular macromolecules such as proteins, lipids, and DNA. Diethyl maleate (DEM) is known to conjugate with GSH and rapidly lower cellular GSH levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of DEM-induced GSH depletion on various genotoxicity and gene expression end points in mouse lymphoma L5178Y (TK+/-) cell cultures. Cells were exposed to DEM for 4 h at concentrations of 0, 6.7, 13.5, 26.9, 53.8, 107.6, 215.3, and 430.6 µg/mL (0.039–2.5 mM). Genotoxicity was evaluated by examining the induction of in vitro micronuclei (20 h post-treatment) and DNA strand breaks as measured by comet (immediately following treatment), and correlating these observations to cellular GSH levels. In the current study, GSH was decreased more than 50% at the lowest test concentration (6.7 µg/mL) and more than 95% at ≥ 107.6 µg/mL. A significant increase in micronuclei and DNA strand breaks was observed at concentrations of ≥ 26.9 µg/mL. Gene expression of seven apoptosis and oxidative-stress related genes showed significant alterations in only three genes only at the highest test concentration. Quantifiable levels of 8-OH-dG (≥ 2 adducts per 1 × 108 NT) were not detected at any treatment concentration. These results demonstrate an association between DEM-induced genotoxicity and GSH depletion in mouse lymphoma L5178Y (TK+/-) cells, but not with other oxidative markers.