Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites are anti-estrogenic in a stably transfected human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cell line

Vincent J. Kramer, William G. Helferich, Åke Bergman, Eva Klasson-Wehler, John P. Giesy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Hydroxylated metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (OHCBs) have been identified in blood of marine mammals, fish-eating birds, and humans at concentrations in some cases exceeding those of the unmetabolized polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). OHCBs have been associated with inhibition of vitamin A and thyroxin transport, estrogenicity in a mouse uterotrophic assay, and feminization of male turtle sexual development. OHCBs, representing both environmentally derived and laboratory exposure-derived metabolites, were tested in an in vitro bioassay utilizing an estrogen-responsive human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF7-LUC) stably transfected with a luciferase reporter gene linked to estrogen responsive elements. OHCB activity was tested at three different media concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2), comparing the concentration-response curves using charcoal-stripped medium (0.0009 nM E2), and two physiologically relevant E2 concentrations (0.1 and 1.0 nM E2). Eleven of 13 OHCBs tested were anti-estrogenic. Evidence for an estrogen receptor mediated mechanism of action was apparent for only two OHCBs - 4-OH-2',3,3',4',5,5'-Cl6-biphenyl and 4,4'-(OH)2-3,3',5,5'-Cl4-biphenyl. These two have not been identified in environmental samples. The remaining OHCBs exhibited 'anti-estrogenicity' that was related to their effect on cell viability and, therefore, cannot be described as exhibiting 'hormone disruption' solely by an estrogen receptor mediated mechanism, OHCB anti-estrogenic activity was eliminated in the presence of E2 concentrations normally found in humans, except for 4,4'-(OH)2-3,3',5,5'-Cl4-biphenyl. 4-OH-2',3',4',5'-Cl4-biphenyl and 4-OH-2',4',6'-Cl3-biphenyl were partial estrogen agonists, exhibiting weak estrogenicity in the presence of 0.0009 nM E2 and weak anti-estrogenicity in the presence of 0.1 and 1 nM E2. Human metabolites of PCBs were not estrogenic in MCF7 cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)363-376
Number of pages14
JournalToxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Volume144
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1997
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites are anti-estrogenic in a stably transfected human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cell line'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this