WB-F344 Rat Liver Epithelial Cells Research Articles

Cellular signaling crosstalk between Wnt signaling and gap junctions inbenzo[a]pyrene toxicity.

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is considered a key biological mechanism to maintain homeostasis in cell differentiation and growth. In addition, as another major signaling pathway associated with cell proliferation and differentiation, Wnt/β-catenin signaling appears to trigger several cellular responses against injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a known toxic agent, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), on the regulation and interaction between GJIC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. BaP treatment resulted in GJIC inhibition and decreases the major GJIC protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. We also found BaP-mediated downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling related to the PI3K-Akt pathway. To identify the relationship between GJIC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we treated WB-F344 cells with the Wnt agonist CHIR99021 and found that it inhibited GJIC while causing a significant reduction in Cx43 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, through the repression of promoter activity. This Wnt agonist-mediated GJIC inhibition was confirmed using a small interfering RNA directed against the Wnt antagonist Dact2, indicating that Wnt/β-catenin signaling negatively regulates GJIC. Despite the inverse correlation between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Cx43 promoter activation as indicated by downregulation of β-catenin nuclear translocation and upregulation of Cx43 promoter activation involving HNF3β, BaP treatment decreased the Cx43 protein expression, which was associated with protein degradation, possibly through protein kinase C activation. In conclusion, our results revealed the mechanism of BaP-induced inhibition of GJIC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. More importantly, linking Wnt/β-catenin signaling to Cx protein expression will have profound implications in understanding the relationships among different major signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and differentiation in toxicity.

Bioimpedance Analysis of Epithelial Monolayers after Exposure to Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields.

Exposures to pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are known to affect cell membranes and consequently also cell-cell interactions as well as associated characteristics. Bioimpedance analysis offers direct and non-invasive insights into structural and functional changes of cell membranes and extracellular matrices through a rigorous evaluation of electrical parameters. Accordingly, the multi-frequency impedance of confluent monolayers of rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells was monitored in situ before and after exposure to nanosecond PEFs (nsPEFs). The results were fitted by two Cole models in series to obtain the Cole parameters for the monolayer. For an interpretation of the results, dielectric parameters, were correlated with changes of the TJ protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) and the paracellular permeability of the monolayer Cole parameters in general change as a function of pulse number and time. The findings demonstrate that impedance analysis is an effective method to monitor changes of TJs cell-cell contacts and paracellular permeability and relate them to exposure parameters.

Branched-chain amino acids prevent hepatic fibrosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model.

Oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; leucine, isoleucine, and valine) in patients with liver cirrhosis potentially suppresses the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and improves event-free survival. However, the detailed mechanisms of BCAA action have not been fully elucidated. BCAA were administered to atherogenic and high-fat (Ath+HF) diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model mice. Liver histology, tumor incidence, and gene expression profiles were evaluated. Ath+HF diet mice developed hepatic tumors at a high frequency at 68 weeks. BCAA supplementation significantly improved hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and tumors in Ath+HF mice at 68 weeks. GeneChip analysis demonstrated the significant resolution of pro-fibrotic gene expression by BCAA supplementation. The anti-fibrotic effect of BCAA was confirmed further using platelet-derived growth factor C transgenic mice, which develop hepatic fibrosis and tumors. In vitro, BCAA restored the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated expression of pro-fibrotic genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In hepatocytes, BCAA restored TGF-β1-induced apoptosis, lipogenesis, and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, and inhibited the transformation of WB-F344 rat liver epithelial stem-like cells. BCAA repressed the promoter activity of TGFβ1R1 by inhibiting the expression of the transcription factor NFY and histone acetyltransferase p300. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of BCAA on TGF-β1 signaling was mTORC1 activity-dependent, suggesting the presence of negative feedback regulation from mTORC1 to TGF-β1 signaling. Thus, BCAA induce an anti-fibrotic effect in HSC, prevent apoptosis in hepatocytes, and decrease the incidence of HCC; therefore, BCAA supplementation would be beneficial for patients with advanced liver fibrosis with a high risk of HCC.

Methoxychlor and Vinclozolin Induce Rapid Changes in Intercellular and Intracellular Signaling in Liver Progenitor Cells.

Methoxychlor (MXC) and vinclozolin (VIN) are well-recognized endocrine disrupting chemicals known to alter epigenetic regulations and transgenerational inheritance; however, non-endocrine disruption endpoints are also important. Thus, we determined the effects of MXC and VIN on the dysregulation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. Both chemicals induced a rapid dysregulation of GJIC at non-cytotoxic doses, with 30 min EC50 values for GJIC inhibition being 10 µM for MXC and 126 µM for VIN. MXC inhibited GJIC for at least 24 h, while VIN effects were transient and GJIC recovered after 4 h. VIN induced rapid hyperphosphorylation and internalization of gap junction protein connexin43, and both chemicals also activated MAPK ERK1/2 and p38. Effects on GJIC were not prevented by MEK1/2 inhibitor, but by an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), resveratrol, and in the case of VIN, also, by a p38 inhibitor. Estrogen (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) modulators (estradiol, ICI 182,780, HPTE, testosterone, flutamide, VIN M2) did not attenuate MXC or VIN effects on GJIC. Our data also indicate that the effects were elicited by the parental compounds of MXC and VIN. Our study provides new evidence that MXC and VIN dysregulate GJIC via mechanisms involving rapid activation of PC-PLC occurring independently of ER- or AR-dependent genomic signaling. Such alterations of rapid intercellular and intracellular signaling events involved in regulations of gene expression, tissue development, function and homeostasis, could also contribute to transgenerational epigenetic effects of endocrine disruptors.

Transient suppression of gap junctional intercellular communication after exposure to 100-nanosecond pulsed electric fields

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is an important mechanism that is involved and affected in many diseases and injuries. So far, the effect of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) on the communication between cells was not investigated. An in vitro approach is presented with rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells grown and exposed in a monolayer. In order to observe sub-lethal effects, cells were exposed to pulsed electric fields with a duration of 100ns and amplitudes between 10 and 20kV/cm. GJIC strongly decreased within 15min after treatment but recovered within 24h. Gene expression of Cx43 was significantly decreased and associated with a reduced total amount of Cx43 protein. In addition, MAP kinases p38 and Erk1/2, involved in Cx43 phosphorylation, were activated and Cx43 became hyperphosphorylated. Immunofluorescent staining of Cx43 displayed the disassembly of gap junctions. Further, a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton was observed whereas tight junction protein ZO-1 was not significantly affected. All effects were field- and time-dependent and most pronounced within 30 to 60min after treatment. A better understanding of a possible manipulation of GJIC by nsPEFs might eventually offer a possibility to develop and improve treatments.

Non-dioxin-like organic toxicant PCB153 modulates sphingolipid metabolism in liver progenitor cells: its role in Cx43-formed gap junction impairment.

The non-dioxin-like environmental toxicant 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153), member of a group of persistent organic pollutants wide-spread throughout the environment, reduces gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), an event possibly associated with tumor promotion. Since very few studies have investigated the signaling effectors and mode(s) of action of PCB153, and it is known that the gap junction (GJ) protein Cx43 can be regulated by the bioactive sphingolipid (SL) sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), this in vitro study mainly addresses whether SL metabolism is affected by PCB153 in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. PCB153 treatment obtained significant changes in the S1P/ceramide (Cer) ratio, known to be crucial in determining cell fate. In particular, an increase in S1P at 30min and a decrease of the bioactive lipid at 3h were observed, whereas Cer level increased at 1h and 24h. Notably, a time-dependent modulation of sphingosine kinase (SphK), the enzyme responsible for S1P synthesis, and of its regulators, ERK1/2 and protein phosphatase PP2A, supports the involvement of these signaling effectors in PCB153 toxicity. Electrophysiological analyses, furthermore, indicated that the lipophilic environmental toxicant significantly reduced GJ biophysical properties, affecting both voltage-dependent (such as those formed by Cx43 and/or Cx32) and voltage-independent channels, thereby demonstrating that PCB153 may act differently on GJs formed by distinct Cx isoforms. SphK down-regulation alone induced GJIC impairment, and, when combined with PCB153, the acute effect on GJ suppression was additive. Moreover, after enzyme-specific gene silencing, the SphK1 isoform appears to be responsible for down-regulating Cx43 expression, while being the target of PCB153 at short-term exposure. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence of novel effectors in PCB153 toxic action in rat liver stem-like cells, leading us to consider SLs as potential markers for preventing GJIC deregulation and, thus, the tumorigenic action elicited by this environmental toxicant.

Red paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) and its main carotenoids, capsanthin and β-carotene, prevent hydrogen peroxide-induced inhibition of gap-junction intercellular communication

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of red paprika extract (RPE) and its main carotenoids, namely, capsanthin (CST) and β-carotene (BCT), on the H2O2-induced inhibition of gap-junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells (WB cells). We found that pre-treatment with RPE, CST and BCT protected WB cells from H2O2-induced inhibition of GJIC. RPE, CST and BCT not only recovered connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA expression but also prevented phosphorylation of Cx43 protein by H2O2 treatment. RPE attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK, whereas pre-treatment with CST and BCT only attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and did not affect JNK in H2O2-treated WB cells. RPE, CST and BCT significantly suppressed the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H2O2-treated cells compared to untreated WB cells. These results suggest that dietary intake of red paprika might be helpful for lowering the risk of diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Different induction of LPA receptors by chemical liver carcinogens regulates cellular functions of liver epithelial WB-F344 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6 ) mediates a variety of cellular functions, including cell motility. In the present study, we investigated the effects of LPA receptors on cell motile activity during multi-stage hepatocarcinogenesis in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells treated with chemical liver carcinogens. Cells were treated with a initiator (N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)) and three promoters (phenobarbital (PB), okadaic acid (OA) and clofibrate) every 24 h for 2 days. Cell motile activity was elevated by DEN, correlating with Lpar3 expression. PB, OA, and clofibrate elevated Lpar1 expression and inhibited cell motile activity. To evaluate the effects of long-term treatment on cell motility, cells were treated with DEN and/or PB for at least 6 months. Lpar3 expression and cell motile activity were significantly elevated by the long-term DEN treatment with or without further PB treatment. In contrast, long-term PB treatment with or without further DEN elevated Lpar1 expression and inhibited cell motility. When the synthesis of extracellular LPA was blocked by a potent ATX inhibitor S32826 before cell motility assay, the cell motility induced by DEN and PB was markedly suppressed. These results suggest that activation of the different LPA receptors may regulate the biological functions of cells treated with chemical carcinogens. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Opposite effects of GPR120 and GPR40 on cell motile activity induced by ethionine in liver epithelial cells

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are dietary nutrients which act as ligands for FFAs receptors. G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 are activated by long and medium chain FFAs. In the present study, we investigated the role of the GPR120 and GPR40 in cell motile activity stimulated by ethionine in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. Cells were treated with ethionine at a concentration of 10μM every 24h for 2days. The expression levels of the Gpr120 and Gpr40 genes in WB-F344 cells treated ethionine were significantly higher than those in untreated cells. In cell motility assay, the cell motile activity of WB-F344 cells was markedly elevated by ethionine, compared with untreated cells. To evaluate the effects of GPR120 on the cell motile activity by ethionine, we established GPR120 knockdown cells from WB-F344 cells. The cell motile activity stimulated by ethionine was significantly suppressed by GPR120 knockdown. In addition, a potent GPR40 antagonist GW1100 enhanced the cell motile activity by ethionine. These results suggest that opposite effects of GPR120 and GPR40 may be involved in the cell motile activity stimulated by ethionine in WB-F344 cells.

Role of GPR120 in cell motile activity induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in liver epithelial WB-F344 cells

G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) is identified as a G-protein-coupled receptor for unsaturated long-chain free fatty acids that mediates insulin signaling and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, it has been reported that GPR120 promotes the cell motile activity and angiogenesis in cancer cells. In this study, we assessed the role of GPR120 in the cell motile activity induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. Cells were treated with TPA at a concentration of 5 nM for 72 h. The expression level of the Gpr120 gene was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis. Cells treated with TPA showed the elevated Gpr120 expression, in comparison with untreated cells. In cell motility assays, the cell motile activity of cells treated with TPA was significantly higher than that of untreated cells. To confirm whether GPR120 is involved in the cell motile activity mediated by TPA, we generated GPR120 knockdown cells from WB-F344 cells. The cell motile activity induced by TPA was significantly suppressed by GPR120 knockdown. These results suggest that GPR120 plays an important role in the cell motile activity induced by TPA in WB-F344 cells.

Recovery Effect of Onion Peel Extract against H2O2‐Induced Inhibition of Gap‐Junctional Intercellular Communication is Mediated through Quercetin

Cellular oxidative damage mediated by reactive oxygen species has been reported to inhibit gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). In turn, the inhibition of GJIC can be attenuated by functional food compounds with antioxidant properties. In this study, we compared the protective effects of onion peel extract (OPE) and onion flesh extract (OFE) on oxidative stress-mediated GJIC inhibition, and investigated the mechanisms of action responsible. OPE restored H2 O2 -induced GJIC inhibition to a higher degree than OFE in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. OPE was found to inhibit H2 O2 -induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Cx43. A radical scavenging assay demonstrated superiority of OPE over OFE, suggesting that the observed effects might be mediated via an antioxidant mechanism. Quercetin is the major compound that is likely to be responsible for the protective effect against H2 O2 -mediated GJIC inhibition. This study suggests that OPE, a material often discarded, may be of value for the future development of functional food products. This study demonstrates that onion peel extract (OPE) exhibits a protective effect against the inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) mediated by H2 O2 , which is likely to occur via its antioxidant activity. OPE contains significant concentrations of bioactive phenolic compounds. Reductions in oxidative stress can lead to recovery of GJIC, which has been reported to be implicated in the prevention and treatment of cancers. These findings suggest that onion peel, a common waste product, could be used as potential resources for functional food development. Onion peel could be processed into a quercetin-rich powder or a pill for the prevention of cancer and other oxidative stress-related diseases.

Effects of bisphenol A and 4-nonylphenol on cellular responses through the different induction of LPA receptors in liver epithelial WB-F344 cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via G protein-coupled transmembrane LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6) mediates a variety of cellular functions, including cell proliferation, migration, morphogenesis, and differentiation. Recently, we demonstrated that the different induction of LPA receptors by estrogens regulates cell motile activity of rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. In the present study, to assess whether endocrine disruptors (EDs) are involved in cellular functions through LPA signaling, we measured cell motile activity and LPA receptor expressions in WB-F344 cells treated with bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP). Using quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis, the Lpar1 expression was elevated in BPA-treated cells, whereas the Lpar3 expression was decreased. In contrast, 4-NP increased the Lpar3 expression, but not the Lpar1 and Lpar2. For cell motility assay with a Cell Culture Insert, cell motile activity of BPA-treated cells was significantly lower than that of untreated cells. In contrast, 4-NP markedly enhanced cell motile activity. The effects of BPA and 4-NP on cell motility were inhibited by the Lpar1 or Lpar3 knockdown. These results suggest that BPA and 4-NP may regulate cell motile activity through the different induction of LPA receptors in WB-F344 cells.

Benzo[a]pyrene‐7,8‐diol‐9,10‐epoxide inhibits gap junction intercellular communication via phosphorylation of tumor progression locus 2 in WB‐F344 rat liver epithelial cells

Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (B[a]PDE), a major metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, has been reported to function as a human carcinogen. However, the molecular mechanism of how B[a]PDE regulates signaling pathways during tumor promotion remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of B[a]PDE on the regulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), one of the major carcinogenic processes, and its main regulatory signaling pathways using WB-F344 rat liver epithelial (WB-F344 RLE) cells. Treatment of benzo[a]pyrene or B[a]PDE resulted in GJIC inhibition, and B[a]PDE was more active at lower concentrations than benzo[a]pyrene in the suppression of GJIC. This suggests that B[a]PDE is a stronger GJIC inhibitor. B[a]PDE at 1 µM reversibly inhibited GJIC in WB-F344 RLE cells, which was attributable to hyperphosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43) via phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). We found that B[a]PDE induced phosphorylation of tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2), a direct upstream regulator of MEK. Tpl2 inhibitor recovered B[a]PDE-induced GJIC inhibition and attenuated B[a]PDE-induced MEK/ERK phosphorylation in WB-F344 RLE cells. Collectively, our results suggest that B[a]PDE suppresses GJIC by activating Tpl2 and subsequently the MEK/ERK pathway and Cx43 phosphorylation in WB-F344 RLE cells. These results outline the potential importance of Tpl2 as a novel therapeutic target for B[a]PDE-induced GJIC inhibition during cancer promotion.

Hydrogen peroxide stimulates cell motile activity through LPA receptor-3 in liver epithelial WB-F344 cells

Hydrogen peroxide which is one of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediates a variety of biological responses, including cell proliferation and migration. In the present study, we investigated whether lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling is involved in cell motile activity stimulated by hydrogen peroxide. The rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide at 0.1 or 1μM for 48h. In cell motility assays, hydrogen peroxide treated cells showed significantly high cell motile activity, compared with untreated cells. To measure the expression levels of LPA receptor genes, quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis was performed. The expressions of LPA receptor-3 (Lpar3) in hydrogen peroxide treated cells were significantly higher than those in control cells, but not Lpar1 and Lpar2 genes. Next, to assess the effect of LPA3 on cell motile activity, the Lpar3 knockdown cells from WB-F344 cells were also treated with hydrogen peroxide. The cell motile activity of the knockdown cells was not stimulated by hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, in liver cancer cells, hydrogen peroxide significantly activated cell motility of Lpar3-expressing cells, but not Lpar3-unexpressing cells. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA3 may be mainly involved in cell motile activity of WB-F344 cells stimulated by hydrogen peroxide.

Direct differentiation of hepatic stem-like WB cells into insulin-producing cells using small molecules

Recent evidence suggests that experimental induction of hepatocytes into pancreatic cells provides new cell transplantation therapy prospects for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Stepwise differentiation from rat liver epithelial stem-like WB-F344 cells (WB cells) into functional insulin-secreting cells will identify key steps in β-cell development and may yet prove useful for transplantation therapy for diabetic patients. An essential step in this protocol was the generation of pancreatic precursor cell that express Pdx1 based on induction by a combination of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, trichostatin A, retinoic acid, and a mix of insulin, transferrin and selenite. The Pdx1-expressing cells express other pancreatic markers and contribute to endocrine cells in vitro and in vivo. This study indicates an efficient chemical protocol for differentiating WB cells into functional insulin-producing cells using small molecules, and represents a promising hepatocyte-based treatment for diabetes mellitus.

Regulation of cell motile activity through the different induction of LPA receptors by estrogens in liver epithelial WB-F344 cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) interacts with G protein-coupled transmembrane LPA receptors (LPA receptors; LPA1–LPA6). Recently, we demonstrated that each LPA receptor acts as a positive or negative regulator of cell migration ability. It is known that estrogens indicate a variety of biological functions, including cell motility. In the present study, to assess whether LPA signaling is involved in cell motile activity stimulated by estrogens, we measured cell motile activity and LPA receptor expressions of rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), ethinyl estradiol (EE) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) at concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0μM for 48h. The cell motility of E2 and EE treated cells was significantly higher than that of untreated cells. By contrast, DES markedly inhibited cell motile activity. Using quantitative real time RT–PCR analysis, Lpar1 and Lpar3 expressions in E2 treated cells were significantly higher than those in untreated cells. In EE treated cells, Lpar3 expression was markedly elevated, whereas Lpar1 expression was decreased. On the other hand, Lpar1 expression was significantly increased in DES treated cells. Interestingly, the effects of E2, EE and DES on cell motility were suppressed by Lpar1 or Lpar3 knockdown. These results suggest that the different induction of LPA receptors by estrogens may regulate cell motile activity of WB-F344 cells.

A novel antihepatitis drug, bicyclol, prevents liver carcinogenesis in diethylnitrosamine-initiated and phenobarbital-promoted mice tumor model.

Bicyclol, an antihepatitis drug developed by Chinese scientists, has been shown to prevent the malignant transformation induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. This study provides further evidence on its role as a chemopreventive agent in experimental mice with diethylnitrosamine- (DEN-) initiated and phenobarbital- (PB-) promoted liver carcinoma. Liver tissue and serum were collected. In the two-stage model of hepatocarcinogenesis in mice, oral administration of bicyclol (100, 200 mg/kg) before DEN injection showed significant reduction in the incidence of hepatocellular foci, nodules, or carcinoma. Histopathological examination revealed that there was no hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatoma formation in the mice pretreated with bicyclol (200 mg/kg) at week 20, while the mice treated with DEN/PB developed 33.3% HCC and 55.6% hepatoma. Furthermore, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and α-fetal protein (AFP) in serum significantly increased in the DEN/PB model group in comparison with the control group. Pretreatment with bicyclol showed a marked reduction in the above condition. Bicyclol also decreased the expression of AFP and proliferating cell nuclear antigen level in the liver tissue and attenuated the decrease in body weight. In this study, we also found that 10 weeks after stopping the administration of PB and drugs, the control and bicyclol-treated (200 mg/kg) animals showed no HCC and hepatoma formation at the time of termination whereas DEN/PB-induced mice developed 100% hepatoma and 50% HCC. These results further indicate that bicyclol has the chemopreventive potential for liver carcinogenesis induced by carcinogens.

Examing the calcium response of white matter glia cells with calcium imaging

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are dietary nutrients which act as ligands for FFAs receptors. G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 are activated by long and medium chain FFAs. In the present study, we investigated the role of the GPR120 and GPR40 in cell motile activity stimulated by ethionine in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. Cells were treated with ethionine at a concentration of 10 μM every 24 h for 2 days. The expression levels of the Gpr120 and Gpr40 genes in WB-F344 cells treated ethionine were significantly higher than those in untreated cells. In cell motility assay, the cell motile activity of WB-F344 cells was markedly elevated by ethionine, compared with untreated cells. To evaluate the effects of GPR120 on the cell motile activity by ethionine, we established GPR120 knockdown cells from WB-F344 cells. The cell motile activity stimulated by ethionine was significantly suppressed by GPR120 knockdown. In addition, a potent GPR40 antagonist GW1100 enhanced the cell motile activity by ethionine. These results suggest that opposite effects of GPR120 and GPR40 may be involved in the cell motile activity stimulated by ethionine in WB-F344 cells.

Induction of lysophosphatidic acid receptor-3 by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate stimulates cell migration of rat liver cells

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) which is one of tumor promoting agents stimulates cell migration ability of several tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated whether lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors are involved in cell migration of rat liver cells stimulated by TPA. The rat liver epithelial WB-F344 and hepatoma RH7777 cells were treated by TPA for 48 h. The expression levels of LPA receptor genes in those cells were measured by real-time reverse transcription (RT)–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The expressions of the LPA receptor-3 ( Lpar3) gene were significantly elevated in WB-F344 and RH7777 cells treated by TPA, but not Lpar1 and Lpar2 genes. In cell migration assay, TPA treatment showed markedly high cell migration in both cells. The pretreatment with inhibitors of Gi protein suppressed those migration abilities. We next generated the Lpar3 knockdown cells from WB-F344 cells and investigated the effect on cell migration. Interestingly, the cell migration of the knockdown cells was not stimulated by TPA. These results suggest that TPA-stimulated cell migration of rat liver cells may be mainly dependent on the LPA 3-mediated effect.

Inhibition of gap junctional Intercellular communication in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by triphenyltin chloride through MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways

BackgroundOrganotin compounds (OTCs) have been widely used as stabilizers in the production of plastic, agricultural pesticides, antifoulant plaints and wood preservation. The toxicity of triphenyltin (TPT) compounds was known for their embryotoxic, neurotoxic, genotoxic and immunotoxic effects in mammals. The carcinogenicity of TPT was not well understood and few studies had discussed the effects of OTCs on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of cells.MethodIn the present study, the effects of triphenyltin chloride (TPTC) on GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells were evaluated, using the scrape-loading dye transfer technique.ResultsTPTC inhibited GJIC after a 30-min exposure in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor did not modify the response, but the specific MEK 1 inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 decreased substantially the inhibition of GJIC by TPTC. After WB-F344 cells were exposed to TPTC, phosphorylation of Cx43 increased as seen in Western blot analysis.ConclusionsThese results show that TPTC inhibits GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by altering the Cx43 protein expression through both MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways.