title: Histopathological and molecular changes during apoptosis produced by 7H-dibenzo[c,g]-carbazole in mouse liver.
abstract: The topical administration of 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (7H-DBC) at very low but repeated doses causes genotoxic effects such as DNA adduct formation and produces hepatocellular apoptosis in mouse liver. The purpose of this work was to investigate the alterations in gene expression and protein levels of biomarkers associated with the p53 pathway in mouse liver after exposure to cumulative low doses of 7H-DBC by skin paint applications. The compound was administered topically at the dose of 13.35 microg per animal every 2 days to give either 6, 8, 10, or 12 applications. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after the different treatments. The apoptotic index increased with the number of applications, with a major proportion of apoptotic cells in the periportal areas. A significant increase of Bax mRNA and protein expression was observed after the 8th application whereas the expression of mRNA levels of Fas and p53 did not show significant differences between treated and control animals. Nuclear staining of p53 was detected in hepatocyte nuclei showing the activation of this protein. Later in the apoptosis process we observed the up-regulation of TGF-beta1 in parenchymal cells. In addition to the induction of the p53 apoptosis pathway in vivo by 7H-DBC, we have observed molecular changes related to cell proliferation such as the overexpression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2.
authors.affiliation: Sanofi-Synthelabo Recherche, Toxicology Department, 2-8 route de Rouen, 78440 Porcheville, France. minma@unizar.es
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martín-Burriel
authors.forename: Nigel O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Roome
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dorchies
authors.forename: Annick
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prenez
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
chemical_list: C494827:Bax protein, mouse; D002227:Carbazoles; D002273:Carcinogens; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C508961:Tgfb1 protein, mouse; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C013478:7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole