Overexpression of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and/or catalase accelerates benzo(a)pyrene detoxification by upregulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in mouse endothelial cells

A reduction in endogenously generated reactive oxygen species in vivo delays benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-accelerated atherosclerosis, as revealed in hypercholesterolemic mice overexpressing Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and/or catalase. To understand the molecular events involved in this protective action, we studied the effects of Cu/Zn-SOD and/or catalase overexpression on BaP detoxification and on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression and its target gene expression in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs). Our data demonstrate that overexpression of Cu/Zn-SOD and/or catalase leads to an 18- to 20-fold increase in the expression of AhR protein in MAECs. After BaP exposure, the amount of AhR binding to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 promoter was significantly greater, and the concentrations of BaP reactive intermediates were significantly less in MAECs overexpressing Cu/Zn-SOD and/or catalase than in wild-type cells. In addition, the BaP-induced CYP1A1 and 1B1 protein levels and BaP-elevated glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were significantly higher in these transgenic cells, in parallel with elevated GSTp1, CYP1A1, and CYP1B1 mRNA levels, compared to wild-type MAECs. Moreover, knockdown of AhR with RNA interference diminished the Cu/Zn-SOD and catalase enhancement of CYP1A1 expression, GST activity, and BaP detoxification. These data demonstrate that overexpression of Cu/Zn-SOD and/or catalase is associated with upregulation of AhR and its target genes, such as xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.