Mezerein Research Articles

Consumption of reduced-energy/low-fat diet or constant-energy/high-fat diet during mezerein treatment inhibited mouse skin tumor promotion.

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that promotion of two-stage skin carcinogenesis in the SENCAR mouse model was inhibited in mice fed energy-restricted/low-fat diets, and elevated in mice fed high-fat diets. Studies reported here describe the influence of dietary energy restriction from fat and carbohydrate (ER) or high-fat (HF) diet on early promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and on late promotion by mezerein (MEZ). Female SENCAR mice were initiated topically with 10 nmol 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in 0.2 ml acetone at 9 weeks of age. For the following 2 weeks they received 3.2 nmol TPA in 0.2 ml acetone twice weekly, and for the next 16 weeks they received 10 nmol MEZ in 0.2 ml acetone twice weekly. All mice were fed control diet before TPA began and following the final MEZ treatment. Control mice received the control diet (c) throughout TPA and MEZ (C/C). The six experimental groups received: (1) ER diet throughout TPA and MEZ treatment (ER/ER); (2) HF diet throughout TPA and MEZ treatment (HF/HF); (3) ER during TPA (ER/C); (4) ER during MEZ (C/ER); (5) HF diet during TPA (HF/C); or (6) HF diet during MEZ (C/HF). Papilloma incidence and multiplicity, and carcinoma incidence were similarly reduced in the mice fed ER diet during MEZ (ER/ER and C/ER groups). In comparing the HF groups, papilloma multiplicity was highest in the HF/C group, intermediate in the C/C and lowest in the C/HF groups, but papilloma and carcinoma incidences were not modified by the HF diet protocols. Papilloma regression was greater in the C/HF group (27%, 4 regressions/15 tumor-bearing mice) than in the controls (0/18) during weeks 21-23, immediately following the end of MEZ treatment (P < 0.05).

SEM studies of comparative membrane remodeling by endocytosis in toad urinary bladders following withdrawal of ADH and MZ

Vasopressin (ADH) and mezerein (MZ) induce transmembrane water flow through water channels inserted into the apical plasma membrane. The water channels are then recycled into the cytosol during retrieval following withdrawal of vasopressin or mezerein. Previously, we demonstrated that membrane retrieval occurs within 5 min following withdrawal ofADH or MZ even after stimulation for 15 or 10 min respectively. The apical membranes appear to undergo remodeling prior to a complete membrane restoration. The loss in microstructure are restricted to the mucosal face of the apical membrane. However, little is known about the apical membrane recycling process during probnged periods of hormone stimulation. We currently report on surface membrane remodelling in toad urinary bladders following prolonged stimulation with ADH and subsequent retrieval following removal of hormone.Toads, Bufo marinus, were doubly pithed and the urinary bladders were removed and suspended as sacs with an imposed osmotic gradient (1/10 diluted Ringer's solution). Some tissues were retained in ADH 100 mU/ml for 60 min with no change in buffer and then fixed.

SEM studies of membrane endocytosis in toad urinary bladders following withdrawal of mezerein

Vasopressin (ADH), enhances fluid reabsorption through a complex process of water channel insertion into the apical membrane and retrieval during hormonal removal. These water channel membranes are thought to internalize by endocytosis resulting in down-regulation of the apical membrane permeability. ADH V1-receptors, like ADH V2-receptors, increased water flow, when mezerein (MZ), an activator of protein Kinase C, was added to the mucosal surface. This is accompanied by the activation of several protein Kinase C isozymes, as determined by protein A-immunogold labeling. However, little is known about the surface ultrastructural changes accompanying membrane retrieval in amphibian bladder tissues following removal of hormone. We reported an apparent membrane internalization process using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) following withdrawal of ADH. The current report is concerned with time-response surface studies of the apical membrane internalization process following withdrawal of MZ, and the role of protein Kinase C in this process.

Further studies on the influence of initiation dose on papilloma growth and progression during two-stage carcinogenesis in SENCAR mice.

The present study was designed to further evaluate the growth and progression of papillomas to squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in groups of animals receiving initiating doses of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) producing relatively low papilloma yields following long term promotion (60 weeks) with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). For comparison, groups of animals were initiated with various doses of DMBA and then promoted with mezerein (MEZ), benzoyl peroxide (BzPo) and chrysarobin (CHRY). Following initiation, groups of female SENCAR mice received the following promoter doses: TPA (1.0 or 2.0 micrograms per mouse); MEZ (2.0 micrograms per mouse); BzPo (20.0 mg per mouse); and CHRY (52.8 micrograms per mouse). The maximum papilloma to SCC conversion ratio obtained with TPA in the current study was 0.32. This value was in the range of maximum conversion ratios obtained with the other compounds: MEZ, 0.40; CHRY, 0.32 and BzPo, 0.19. In general, the highest papilloma to SCC conversion ratios observed with TPA as the promoter were obtained in groups that received the lowest doses of DMBA and had relatively low papilloma burdens. A comparison of papilloma to SCC conversion in groups of mice promoted with TPA, MEZ or CHRY and having similar papilloma yields, revealed very similar conversion ratios. Comparison of the BzPo group with a similar papilloma yield indicated that the conversion ratio was slightly lower with this promoter. The present results indicate that in mice promoted with TPA and having relatively low papilloma numbers, a larger proportion of these papillomas progress to SCCs during continued promoter treatment. Furthermore, the results suggest that papillomas behave similarly in their ability to progress to SCCs regardless of the promoter used when comparing groups of mice with similar tumor numbers. The data are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms for the observed results.

Improved antiproliferative effect of cisplatin combined with phorbol ester. An in vitro study.

A combination of cisplatin (DDP) and tumor promoter phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or nonphorboid tumor promoter mezerein (MEZ) were tested by 5-bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and 3,4,5-dimethylthiazol-2,5-disphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays for their antiproliferative actions. DDP and TPA showed a synergistic effect at concentrations where the single drug did not show any significant action. The BrdU assay seemed to be more sensitive than the MTT assay in measuring these drug effects. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor number and affinity on treated cells were not altered as showed by 125I-EGF-receptor assay. EGF stimulation experiments suggested an inhibition of receptor-mediated signal transduction by TPA.

Morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells by mezerein

Mezerein (MEZ) has been described as a weak complete tumor promoter but an effective stage II promoter in the mouse skin initiation-promotion tumor model. In this study MEZ produced a strong transformation response when tested under code in the Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) clonal morphological transformation assay. Using a standard 7-day exposure protocol designed to detect complete carcinogens, MEZ was active at non-toxic concentrations, producing a linear response between 0.3 – 10 ng/ml in a log-log plot of transformation activity versus concentration. These concentrations were in the same range as those which had been shown to elicit promotion activity in several in vitro cell culture systems. Our data suggest that the SHE assay has the ability to detect some tumor promoters under the same conditions used to test for complete carcinogens. The possibility that MEZ may possess in vivo carcinogenic activity cannot be excluded.

151. Multistep model of terminal differentiation in human melanoma cells treated with the combination of recombinant human fibroblast Interferon (IFN-β) and mezerein (MEZ)

151. Multistep model of terminal differentiation in human melanoma cells treated with the combination of recombinant human fibroblast Interferon (IFN-β) and mezerein (MEZ)

Effect of protein kinase C activating agents on respiratory glycoconjugate release from feline airways

Abnormal regulation of airway glycoprotein secretion may underlie many respiratory diseases. Experimental activation of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of cytosolic enzymes has been shown to induce a secretory response in many tissues. To estimate the effect of PKC activation on airway secretion, alteration in the amount of radiolabeled respiratory glycoconjugate (RGC) released into culture media was determined following feline airway explant exposure to PKC activating agents. Exposure to two known activators of PKC, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and mezerein (MEZ), resulted in profound increases in respiratory glycoconjugate release over a seven day experimental period. The response evolved over several hours and was dose dependent. Maximal RGC release, 90% above control, occurred 2 days after exposure to either PMA or MEZ. Pharmacological inhibition of the PKC effect using two PKC inhibitors, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine and sphingosine, resulted in dose-dependent antagonism of the maximal PMA (10(-7) M)-stimulated RGC release, suggesting altered PKC activity was responsible for augmenting RGC release. Since altered arachidonic acid metabolism has been implicated in mediating some PKC effects, eicosanoids were assayed in airway explant supernatants following PMA exposure. Enhanced release of both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathway products was detected by radioimmunoassay. Cotreatment of explants with PMA and an inhibitor of oxidative arachidonic acid metabolism, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, blocked RGC release. These data demonstrate prolonged augmentation of respiratory glycoconjugate release from airway explants following exposure to PKC-activating agents.

Role of PKC isozymes in water transport in toad urinary bladder

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, when activated, are translocated to particulate membrane fractions for transport to the apical membrane surface in a variety of cell types. Evidence of PKC translocation was demonstrated in human megakaryoblastic leukemic cells, and in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, using FTTC immunofluorescent antibody labeling techniques. Recently, we reported immunogold localizations of PKC subtypes I and II in toad urinary bladder epithelia, following 60 min stimulation with Mezerein (MZ), a PKC activator, or antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Localization of isozyme subtypes I and n was carried out in separate grids using specific monoclonal antibodies with subsequent labeling with 20nm protein A-gold probes. Each PKC subtype was found to be distributed singularly and in discrete isolated patches in the cytosol as well as in the apical membrane domains. To determine if the PKC isozymes co-localized within the cell, a double immunogold labeling technique using single grids was utilized.

Evidence that protein kinase C regulates allosensitized T lymphocyte function

The role of second messengers in the response of alloactivated T cells to growth factors (e.g., interleukin-2) is unknown. We have previously found that intracellular calcium may be an important T-cell alloactivation marker. To determine whether protein kinase C (PKC) is also involved in allosensitized T cell function, we studied the effects of the PKC agonists phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), mezerein (MEZ), and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) and the PKC antagonists phloretin and d-sphingosine on the in vitro proliferation and migration of allosensitized cells from a C57BL/6 anti-DBA/2J mixed leukocyte culture (MLC). At 0.01–1.0 μg/ml, PMA, a potent stimulant of PKC, exerted profound stimulatory effects on secondary MLC supernatant (2° SN)-induced proliferation of allosensitized T cells (132–200% increase, P < 0.01). Both MEZ and OAG are less potent activators of PKC than PMA but also stimulated T cell proliferation (132–152% of control, P < 0.01). The PKC antagonists phloretin and d-sphingosine both inhibited proliferation by >50% at 1.0–10.0 μ M ( P < 0.01). Further experiments showed that these agents exert similar effects on in vitro T cell locomotion in a Boyden chamber assay. These data indicate that PKC activation may be an important component of allosensitized T cell proliferation and locomotion and may constitute a pathway by which T cell function may be modified in the allograft response.

S/RV Cri-ba, a hairless mouse strain sensitive to skin tumorigenesis by suboptimal doses of 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a]anthracene, initiation-promotion and two stage promotion protocols

Susceptibility of hairless inbred S/RV Cri-ba or Bare mice to skin tumor development with suboptimal doses of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), DMBA-TPA two stage protocol and two stage promotion using 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as sub-stage 1 promoter and mezerein (MEZ) or phorbol retinoate acetate (PRA) as substage 2 promoter was determined. A single application of 40 or 20 nmol DMBA induced 4–5 papillomas per mouse 40 weeks after initiation while no tumors appeared after similar treatment with 10 or 4 nmol DMBA. Dose response studies for DMBA initiation revealed that 10 nmol DMBA dose saturated the sites for initiation in the resting epidermis. In two stage promotion experiments, MEZ was found to be a potent stage 2 promoter, while PRA acted as a weak complete promoter.

Role of protein kinase C in IFN-mediated Ly-6E antigen induction.

The YAC T cell lymphoma normally does not express Ly-6E mRNA or Ly-6E surface molecules but can be induced to do so on incubation with either IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha/beta. This system afforded a model to assess the possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in IFN-mediated Ly-6E induction. First, we used various pharmacologic agents known to interfere with the function of PKC or other kinases. The PKC inhibitors H-7 and phloretin were found to block Ly-6E induction by IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha/beta both at the mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases (HA1004), of myosin L chain kinase (ML-9, A-3) or of calmodulin (R24157, W-7) failed to suppress this induction. Next, we investigated the effects of the PKC activators PMA and mezerein (MEZ) on Ly-6E expression. Although neither PMA nor MEZ by themselves could induce Ly-6E in YAC cells, both agents enhanced by up to fivefold the induction of Ly-6 mRNA and Ly-6E surface expression triggered by IFN-gamma. However, the induction of Ly-6E expression caused by IFN-alpha/beta was only marginally increased by cotreatment of YAC cells with PMA or MEZ. Altogether, these observations demonstrate that PKC or a related kinase is involved in the transduction mechanisms that lead to Ly-6E induction. However, activation of PKC is not sufficient for this induction and requires other unidentified signal(s) provided by IFN. Our data also indicate that IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha/beta induce Ly-6E through overlapping but distinct intracellular pathways with different sensitivities to PKC activators.

Modulation of the antigenic phenotype of human melanoma cells by differentiation-inducing and growth-suppressing agents.

Tumor cells often display alterations in their normal program of cellular differentiation. A promising approach for the treatment of cancer involves the induction of terminal differentiation and a loss of proliferative capacity in cancer cells. In human melanoma cells, the combination of mezerein (MEZ) and fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta), results in a rapid and irreversible suppression of cell growth with a concomitant increase in the synthesis of melanin. The induction of terminal differentiation is associated with alterations in the expression of several cellular genes, including fibronectin, ISG-15 and ISG-54, and changes in the expression of specific cell surface antigens, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and HLA Class I antigens. In the HO-1 human melanoma cell line, induction of terminal differentiation by MEZ plus IFN-beta results in an induction and/or increased expression of ICAM-1, HLA Class I antigens and HLA Class II antigens. IFN-beta and MEZ alone can modulate expression of these antigens to a lower extent than does the combination of compounds. Induction of terminal differentiation and the irreversible suppression of cell growth is not a prerequisite for antigenic modulation in HO-1 cells. This is indicated by the inability of immune interferon (IFN-gamma), a strong inducer of ICAM-1, HLA Class I antigens and HLA Class II antigens synthesis, or the combination of IFN-beta plus IFN-gamma which synergistically but reversibly suppresses HO-1 growth, to induce melanin synthesis or terminal differentiation in HO-1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of retinoic acid on epiderma DNA synthesis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, mezerein or ethylphenylpropiolate in hairless mice

We examined the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on epidermal DNA synthesis, induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a strong tumor promoter; mezerein (MEZ), a strong second stage promoter or ethylphenylpropiolate (EPP), a weak tumor promoter. RA reduced the initial wave of epidermal DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner after a single application of TPA, MEZ or EPP. Doses of RA that maximally depressed epidermal DNA synthesis after single applications had an unexpected stimulatory effect when given as five applications over a period of 2 weeks. This might be due to synergistic actions of RA, since RA per se was mitogenic after repeated applications. However, the non-stimulatory 17 nmol dose of RA potentiated DNA synthesis in MEZ-treated epidermis to the same degree as the stimulatory 170 nmol dose did in TPA-treated epidermis. We therefore suggested that the potentiation of DNA synthesis seen in the long-term study could be mainly due to compensatory growth as a response to initial inhibition. Some observations distinguished the actions of RA in TPA- or MEZ-treated epidermis on the one hand from those in EPP-treated epidermis on the other: the dose of RA needed for inhibition was much larger in EPP-treated epidermis; the combination of RA and EPP was toxic, as observed in the long-term study; further reduction of the specific activity of DNA/labeling index (SA/LI) ratio was only demonstrated in TPA- or MEZ-treated epidermis. Compared with controls the epidermal SA/LI ratio was depressed after TPA, MEZ or EPP, indicating that the increased number of basal cells with DNA synthesis (LI) displayed a depressed rate of DNA synthesis.

Contribution of the vasopressin V1 receptor to its hydrosmotic response

Toad urinary bladder epithelial cells grown in culture (primary) show a significant increase in water-soluble inositol phosphates when treated with 10(-8) M vasopressin (AVP), but not with (1-deamino-8-D-arginine)vasopressin (dDAVP), a V2-agonist. The increase in inositol phosphates was blocked by the V1-antagonist, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP, suggesting a V1-coupled phosphoinositide breakdown. The V1-antagonist had no effect on basal adenylate cyclase activity nor on that stimulated by AVP. However, the V1-antagonist was found to attenuate the hydrosmotic response of AVP, suggesting some role of the V1-receptor cascade in the water flow response. Mezerein (MZ), a non-phorbol activator of protein kinase C (PKC) increased osmotic water flow when added to the mucosal surface. The response was less in magnitude and occurred over a longer period (90 min) than that observed with AVP. In an attempt to emulate the V1-response, activation of PKC, and an increase in intracellular calcium, toad bladders were incubated with MZ and the calcium ionophore A23187 (IP). It was found that IP enhanced the water flow response to MZ at all times measured. Mz and IP were also found to enhance cAMP-mediated water flow, suggesting that apical membrane permeability may be regulated in part through V1-receptor stimulation and its respective second messengers. Collectively, these observations suggest that the V1 receptor may play a role not only as part of a negative feedback system, but also as an integral component of the enhanced water permeability that occurs at the apical membrane.

Differential Stimulation of Mononuclear Phagocyte IL 1 Production and Oxidative Burst by Tumor-Promoting and Non-Tumor-Promoting Agents

Adherent bone marrow, spleen and peritoneal mouse macrophages, as well as human peripheral blood monocytes were exposed in vitro to the phorbol ester derivatives 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), phorbol-13-monoacetate (PA), phorbol-12-myristate (PM), phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA), phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDBu), TPA-20 aldehyde (TPA-AL), phorbol 12-retinoate 13-acetate (PRA), 4-alpha TPA (α-TPA) and to mezerein (MEZ) and aplysiatoxin (APL). The triggered macrophages/monocytes were tested for the production of an IL 1-like activity by the thymocyte proliferation assay and for H 2O 2 generation in a quantitative method which is based on the H 2O 2-mediated and horseradish peroxidase-dependent oxidation of phenol red. The results showed that strong first stage and second stage tumor promoters such as TPA, PDBu, PRA, MEZ and APL are also strong stimulators of IL 1 and H 2O 2 generation, whereas weak tumor promoters exhibited a low, if any, effect at all. The afore-described findings lend support to the idea that chronic inflammatory phagocytes might play a role in the tumor promoting process by furnishing both carcinogenic and growth factors at the site of tumor origin.

Second stage tumor promoters: Differences in biological potency and phorbol ester receptor affinity in C6 cells

We have shown that the second stage tumor promoters mezerein (MEZ) and phorbol 12-retinoate 13-acetate (PRA) inhibit the glucocorticoid-induced increase in glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity in C6 rat glioma cells with ED 50-values of 3.9 and 2.9 nM, respectively. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was 10-fold less potent. MEZ was likewise more potent than PMA for inhibition of cAMP formation in response to isoproterenol. Binding competition studies using [ 3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([ 3H]PDBu) yielded apparent K i -values for MEZ and PRA of 50–70 nM. The large difference between the biological potencies of MEZ and PRA and their affinity for the major phorbol ester receptor suggest they may be acting through a more complicated mechanism in these cells.

Effects of combined treatment with interferon and mezerein on melanogenesis and growth in human melanoma cells.

We have analyzed the effects of various human interferons produced in bacteria and the antileukemic compound mezerein (MEZ) on growth and melanogenesis in human melanoma cells. In four human melanoma cell lines, recombinant human fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta) was more active than recombinant human leukocyte interferons (IFN-alpha A, IFN-alpha D, or IFN-alpha A/D (Bgl] in inhibiting cellular proliferation. When monolayer cultures were exposed to 1000 IU/ml IFN-beta for four days the degree of growth inhibition in the different melanoma cell lines varied between 94 and 26%. Similarly, four days growth in medium containing 10 ng/ml MEZ resulted in either no inhibition of growth or as much as 53% inhibition of growth, depending on the specific melanoma cell line tested. MEZ induced dendrite-like processes, cytoplasmic projections morphologically similar to those normally found in neurons and melanocytes, in all four melanoma cell lines, whereas none of the interferons tested had this effect. The combination of interferon and MEZ resulted in a dramatic inhibition in cellular proliferation in all four melanoma cell lines. When cell extracts were assayed for melanin content, a marker of melanoma cell differentiation, the combination of IFN-beta and MEZ resulted in higher levels of melanin than with either agent alone. Dendrite-like formation was also prominent in the cultures treated with this combination. These results indicate that the antiproliferative effect of interferon toward human melanoma dells can be enhanced by treatment with MEZ and that this effect is associated with an enhancement of terminal differentiation.

Induction of dark keratinocytes by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and mezerein as an indicator of tumor-promoting efficiency.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and mezerein (MZ) are diterpene esters of similar structure and approximately equipotent on a molar basis as far as their hyperplasiogenic, inflammatory, and induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity effects in mouse skin are concerned. On the other hand, TPA is much more effective than MZ as a tumor promoter. The percentage of dark basal keratinocytes was determined in the interfollicular epidermis (IFE) of mice topically treated with 1, 2, or 4 microgram of either TPA or MZ in a single application and studied at 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144 h thereafter. The results showed that TPA induced 2 to 3 times more dark cells than MZ in the IFE as well as in the infundibular portion of the hair follicle. The latter epithelium presented a larger number of dark keratinocytes than the IFE in all experimental and control situations, and the differences between the effects of TPA and MZ were even greater in the infundibular epidermis than in the IFE. TPA induced an increase of 5 to 11 times over the control number of dark cells (approximately 2% in IFE), reaching maximum values of 21% in the basal layer 24 h after topical application of 4 microgram of TPA. MZ only produced a 3- to 6-fold increment. The labeling indices of the basal layer and of the dark basal cells were markedly and similarly increased with both compounds. The different dark-cell inducing characteristics seem to be the only detectable difference in early effects produced by TPA and MZ and would point to the importance of the production of the dedifferentiated dark cells during early stages of tumor promotion.