title: Priming effect of benzo[a]pyrene on monocyte oxidative metabolism: possible mechanisms.
abstract: Monocytes, separated from human peripheral blood, were preincubated with different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for 24 h and the production of superoxide ions (O*2-) was then measured using as a stimulating agent phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. A significantly enhanced O*2- production is only observed when the cells are treated with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P); benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene and 3-methylcholanthrene induce a small but not significant increase of O*2-. Anthracene has no effect, while phenanthrene slightly inhibits. The priming activity of B[a]P is unrelated to variations in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), as demonstrated by the inability of B[a]P to increase [Ca2+]i concentration in both monocytes and the promonocytic cell line U937. Furthermore, in monocytes the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin, which can increase [Ca2+]i evokes a differentiation-like event associated with a decrease in the production of superoxide ions. These results further support that the enhancing activity of B[a]P on monocytes superoxide production is not mediated by an increase of [Ca2+]i. In contrast, the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in B[a]P-induced superoxide ion enhancement is suggested by the inhibitory effect of the specific antagonist alpha-naphthoflavone (alphaNF), while the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) is not involved in the phenomenon. Thus, the interaction of B[a]P with its cytosolic receptor and either the metabolism of the compound into reactive intermediates or the over-expression of some unknown genes seem to be involved in an essential step in this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Perugia, Italy. fabirob@krenet.it
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fabiani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Bartolomeo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosignoli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morozzi
mesh_terms: D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009499:Neutral Red; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D004396:Coloring Agents; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013481:Superoxides; D009499:Neutral Red; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D002118:Calcium