Effects of valproic acid and trichostatin A on chromatin organization and its regulation by epigenetic factors in HepG2 cell grown under hyperglycemic conditions

Orientador: Maria Luiza Silveira MelloTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Diabetes é uma doença complexa com diversos fatores, entre os quais epigenéticos, afetando seu desenvolvimento. Uma estratégia potencial para reverter mudanças epigenéticas associadas a várias doenças é o uso de inibidores de deacetilases de histonas (HDACis). Tem sido relatado o papel de HDACi, como o ácido valproico (VPA) e a tricostatina A (TSA), na redução da glicose plasmática, na melhoria da resistência à insulina e na redução das complicações microvasculares tardias do diabetes, assim como no controle da gliconeogênese. Além disso, HDACis têm sido apontados como novos agentes imunomoduladores, uma vez que apresentam a habilidade de reduzir a severidade de doenças inflamatórias e autoimunes. Tendo em vista que o fígado é um órgão fundamental para o metabolismo de glicose e lipídios, o presente estudo foi desenvolvido em células hepáticas HepG2, modelo usado em estudos do diabetes. Alterações na estrutura cromatínica associadas a mudanças em marcas epigenéticas e na expressão gênica foram avaliadas de maneira a se entender as consequências em larga escala da hiperglicemia, assim como da ação de HDACi nesse contexto. O tratamento com VPA e TSA sob normoglicemia promoveu remodelação cromatínica em células HepG2, identificada através da análise de imagem e da abundância das marcas H3K9ac e H3K9me2. Além disso, constatou-se migração dos sinais de H3K9ac para a periferia nuclear, acompanhada de dissociação das proteínas HP1-? das regiões heterocromáticas e de aumento na frequência de células na fase G1 do ciclo celular. A própria exposição das células à hiperglicemia foi capaz de promover alterações cromatínicas e epigenéticas semelhantes às reportadas acima. Curiosamente, quando as células foram tratadas com VPA e TSA em ambiente hiperglicêmico, os resultados não foram intensificados. Entretanto, apesar da ausência de indução de alterações morfológicas, esses tratamentos trouxeram significado fisiológico, reduzindo a produção de glicose hepática. Conclui-se que o nível de glicose do microambiente afete a maneira como a cromatina de hepatócitos responde aos HDACi e que essas respostas podem se dar mais em função dos domínios e genes diferencialmente regulados do que de uma remodelação global da cromatina. Nesse sentido, uma análise global dos genes potencialmente impactados pelo tratamento com VPA foi realizada por meio de RNA-seq, visando entender os mecanismos de ação que levam à melhoria do estado hiperglicêmico. Através de análises bioinformáticas iniciais, foi associada a ação do VPA com a modulação do sistema complemento e de coagulação. Esses sistemas apresentam origens evolutivas comuns, e entender a comunicação entre essas vias tem implicações clínicas fundamentais no contexto de doenças inflamatórias. A rede de fatores de transcrição que regula a expressão gênica parece ser o ponto de conexão entre as vias metabólicas e do sistema imune; então, compreendê-la melhor, assim como decifrar os padrões de acetilação nesses genes, irá ajudar a completar essas conclusões. Até o momento, foi possível avaliar como a hiperglicemia influencia a textura cromatínica e sua regulação epigenética, assim como desvendar como os HDACis atuam nesse contexto, mitigando a hiperglicemia através da modulação de vias gênicas até então não descritas, o que pode vir a enriquecer as abordagens terapêuticas para o diabetesAbstract: Diabetes is a complex disorder involving several factors in its progression, among which those related with epigenetics control. A potential strategy to reverse epigenetic alterations associated with diseases is the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). HDACis, like valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) have been reported to induce plasmatic glucose reduction, mitigation of insulin resistance and decrease in microvascular late complications, as well as involvement in gluconeogenesis control. Furthermore, HDACis have been revealed as potential immunomodulatory agents, because they are capable of reducing the severity of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Given that the liver is a fundamental organ for lipid and glucose metabolism, this study was developed in the HepG2 hepatocyte cells model. Chromatin structure alterations associated with epigenetic and gene expression changes were evaluated aiming to understand the large-scale consequences of hyperglycemia, and the HDACi action on this context. VPA and TSA treatments in HepG2 cells under normoglycemia promoted chromatin remodeling as assessed by image analysis and evaluation of H3K9ac and H3K9me2 abundance. Simultaneously, H3K9ac marks were found to shift to the nuclear periphery accompanied by HP1 dissociation from the heterochromatin and G1 cell cycle arrest. High glucose per se promoted chromatin and epigenetic changes similar to those described above. Interestingly, these results were not intensified in cells treated with HDACis under hyperglycemic conditions. Nonetheless, despite the absence of morphological changes being promoted, HDACi treatment seems to confer a physiological meaning, through reduction of glucose production. These observations allow us to conclude that the microenvironmental glucose level affects how chromatin responds to HDACis and their action may be more concerned with chromatin domains affected and differently regulated genes not reflecting on global chromatin remodeling. A genome-wide analysis of a multitude of genes potentially influenced by VPA was attempted through RNA-seq, aiming to understand its mechanisms of action on amelioration of the hyperglycemic state. Initial bioinformatics analysis has associated VPA action with complement and coagulation gene modulation. Indeed, complement and coagulation pathways have common evolutionary origins and understanding the crosstalk between these pathways has fundamental clinical implications in the context of inflammatory diseases. The transcription factor network controlling gene expression may be the connecting point between immune system and metabolic pathways and further investigation of these gene regulators as well of the acetylation pattern of gene promoters may better complement present conclusions. Until this moment, the hyperglycemia influence on chromatin texture and epigenetic regulation, as well as unraveling of a new mechanism of mitigation of hyperglycemia have been evaluated to be promoted by VPA, which might improve the therapeutic approaches for diabetesDoutoradoBiologia CelularDoutora em Biologia Celular e Estrutural2012/03238-5FAPESPCAPESCNP

Chromatin remodeling, chromosome abnormalities and cell death under histone deacetylase inhibition in HeLa and 3T3 cells

Orientador: Maria Luiza Silveira MelloDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: O ácido valproico (VPA) é um potente anti-convulsante conhecido como inibidor de deacetilases de histonas (HDACi) de classe I em diversos tipos celulares. Buscando conhecer se a estrutura cromatínica se alteraria quando da ação de HDACi, investigamos a supraorganização cromatínica de células tumorais HeLa e de células NIH 3T3, estas últimas caracterizadas por apresentarem áreas de heterocromatina conspícuas, sob tratamento com VPA. Essas informações foram associadas a da atividade enzimática de HDACs assim como do nível de acetilação das histonas H3 nesses modelos celulares tratados por VPA. As frequências de anomalias cromossômicas, morte celular e índices mitóticos também foram investigados. As células tratadas com VPA nas concentrações 0,05, 0,5 e 1,0 mM por 1-24 h foram submetidas à reação de Feulgen e analisadas através de microespectrofotometria de varredura automática e microscopia óptica. Western blots, análises enzimáticas e ensaio TUNEL também foram utilizados neste estudo. Células tratadas com tricostatina A (TSA), uma HDACi de atividade mais ampla do que o VPA, foram utilizadas como controles positivos. Em todas as condições de tratamento com VPA e TSA foi demonstrada descompactação cromatínica acompanhada de diminuição na atividade de HDACs e aumento na acetilação de histona H3. Essa alteração textural cromatínica também atingiu áreas heterocromáticas de células NIH 3T3. Nenhuma alteração nas frequências de anomalias cromossômicas, índices mitóticos e morte celular foi observada nesses modelos celulares nas condições relatadas, embora tenha ocorrido um aumento de fragmentação de DNA em células HeLa tratadas com VPA por 24 h e por TSA a partir de 4 h. Diminuição na proliferação celular nas células HeLa ocorreu apenas sob tratamento com VPA 5,0 mM por 48 h. Os resultados indicam que o VPA e a TSA promovem remodelação cromatínica em células tumorais HeLa e em células fibroblásticas NIH 3T3, que pode ser atribuída à sua ação de HDACi. Não se pôde descartar, porém, que o VPA atue sobre outras proteínas nucleares, cuja expressão poderia se apresentar diminuída sob sua açãoAbstract: Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent anticonvulsant that inhibits class I histone deacetylases (HDACi) in several cell types. Seeking to know whether the chromatin structure would change when the action of HDACi, we investigated whether VPA would affect chromatin supraorganization of tumoral HeLa cells and NIH 3T3 cells, this latter characterized by presenting areas of conspicuos heterochromatin. This information was associated with enzymatic activity of HDACs as well as the level of H3 histone acetylation in these cell models treated with VPA. The frequency of chromosome abnormalities and cell death and mitotic indices were also investigated. VPA-treated cells at concentration 0.05, 0.5 and 1.0 mM for 1-24 h were subjected to the Feulgen reaction and analysed by automatic scanning microspectrophotometry and optical microscopy. Western blots, enzymatic analysis and TUNEL assay were also performed in this study. Trichostatin A (TSA)-treated cells, an HDACi whose activity is broader than VPA, were used as positive control. Chromatin decondensation was demonstrated under all TSA and VPA treatments and was associated with decrease in HDAC activity and with increase in the level of H3 histone acetylation. This chromatin textural change also affected heterochromatic areas of NIH 3T3 cells. No changes in chromosome abnormalities, mitotic indices or morphologically identified cell death were found in both cellular models with the VPA treatment conditions mentioned above, although there was an increase of DNA fragmentation after a 24 h-VPA treatment and a 4 h-TSA treatment in HeLa cells. Decrease in cell proliferation in HeLa cells ocurred only under a 5.0 mM 48 h-VPA treatment. The results indicate that VPA and TSA promote chromatin remodeling in tumoral HeLa cells and fibroblastic NIH 3T3 cells, which may be attrituted to their HDACi action. It may not be discarded, however, that VPA acts on other nuclear proteins whose expression could be reducted under its actionMestradoBiologia CelularMestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutura

Valproic acid influences the expression of genes implicated with hyperglycaemia-induced complement and coagulation pathways

Because the liver plays a major role in metabolic homeostasis and secretion of clotting factors and inflammatory innate immune proteins, there is interest in understanding the mechanisms of hepatic cell activation under hyperglycaemia and whether this can be attenuated pharmacologically. We have previously shown that hyperglycaemia stimulates major changes in chromatin organization and metabolism in hepatocytes, and that the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) is able to reverse some of these metabolic changes. In this study, we have used RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate how VPA influences gene expression in hepatocytes. Interesting, we observed that VPA attenuates hyperglycaemia-induced activation of complement and coagulation cascade genes. We also observe that many of the gene activation events coincide with changes to histone acetylation at the promoter of these genes indicating that epigenetic regulation is involved in VPA action11CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP304668/2014-12010/50015-6; 2012/03238-5; 2014/10198-5; 2015/10356-2NHMRC; International Joint Program. Professor Sam El-Osta is a National Health and Medical Research Council; Senior Research Fello

Changes In chromatin structure in NIH 3T3 cells induced by valproic acid and Trichostatin A

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOValproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) are known histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) with epigenetic activity that affect chromatin supra-organization, nuclear architecture, and cellular proliferation, particularly in tumor cells. In this study, chromatin remodeling with effects extending to heterochromatic areas was investigated by image analysis in non-transformed NIH 3T3 cells treated for different periods with different doses of VPA and TSA under conditions that indicated no loss of cell viability. Image analysis revealed chromatin decondensation that affected not only euchromatin but also heterochromatin, concomitant with a decreased activity of histone deacetylases and a general increase in histone H3 acetylation. Heterochromatin protein 1-α (HP1-α), identified immunocytochemically, was depleted from the pericentromeric heterochromatin following exposure to both HDACIs. Drastic changes affecting cell proliferation and micronucleation but not alteration in CCND2 expression and in ratios of Bcl-2/Bax expression and cell death occurred following a 48-h exposure of the NIH 3T3 cells particularly in response to higher doses of VPA. Our results demonstrated that even low doses of VPA (0.05 mM) and TSA (10 ng/ml) treatments for 1 h can affect chromatin structure, including that of the heterochromatin areas, in non-transformed cells. HP1-α depletion, probably related to histone demethylation at H3K9me3, in addition to the effect of VPA and TSA on histone H3 acetylation, is induced on NIH 3T3 cells. Despite these facts, alterations in cell proliferation and micronucleation, possibly depending on mitotic spindle defects, require a longer exposure to higher doses of VPA and TSA.Valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) are known histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) with epigenetic activity that affect chromatin supra-organization, nuclear architecture, and cellular proliferation, particularly in tumor cells. In this study, chromatin remodeling with effects extending to heterochromatic areas was investigated by image analysis in non-transformed NIH 3T3 cells treated for different periods with different doses of VPA and TSA under conditions that indicated no loss of cell viability. Image analysis revealed chromatin decondensation that affected not only euchromatin but also heterochromatin, concomitant with a decreased activity of histone deacetylases and a general increase in histone H3 acetylation. Heterochromatin protein 1-α (HP1-α), identified immunocytochemically, was depleted from the pericentromeric heterochromatin following exposure to both HDACIs. Drastic changes affecting cell proliferation and micronucleation but not alteration in CCND2 expression and in ratios of Bcl-2/Bax expression and cell death occurred following a 48-h exposure of the NIH 3T3 cells particularly in response to higher doses of VPA. Our results demonstrated that even low doses of VPA (0.05 mM) and TSA (10 ng/ml) treatments for 1 h can affect chromatin structure, including that of the heterochromatin areas, in non-transformed cells. HP1-α depletion, probably related to histone demethylation at H3K9me3, in addition to the effect of VPA and TSA on histone H3 acetylation, is induced on NIH 3T3 cells. Despite these facts, alterations in cell proliferation and micronucleation, possibly depending on mitotic spindle defects, require a longer exposure to higher doses of VPA and TSA.Valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) are known histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) with epigenetic activity that affect chromatin supra-organization, nuclear architecture, and cellular proliferation, particularly in tumor cells. In this study, chromatin remodeling with effects extending to heterochromatic areas was investigated by image analysis in non-transformed NIH 3T3 cells treated for different periods with different doses of VPA and TSA under conditions that indicated no loss of cell viability. Image analysis revealed chromatin decondensation that affected not only euchromatin but also heterochromatin, concomitant with a decreased activity of histone deacetylases and a general increase in histone H3 acetylation. Heterochromatin protein 1-α (HP1-α), identified immunocytochemically, was depleted from the pericentromeric heterochromatin following exposure to both HDACIs. Drastic changes affecting cell proliferation and micronucleation but not alteration in CCND2 expression and in ratios of Bcl-2/Bax expression and cell death occurred following a 48-h exposure of the NIH 3T3 cells particularly in response to higher doses of VPA. Our results demonstrated that even low doses of VPA (0.05 mM) and TSA (10 ng/ml) treatments for 1 h can affect chromatin structure, including that of the heterochromatin areas, in non-transformed cells. HP1-α depletion, probably related to histone demethylation at H3K9me3, in addition to the effect of VPA and TSA on histone H3 acetylation, is induced on NIH 3T3 cells. Despite these facts, alterations in cell proliferation and micronucleation, possibly depending on mitotic spindle defects, require a longer exposure to higher doses of VPA and TSA.1151119371947FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2010/50015‐6; 2009/11763‐0301943/2009‐5; 471303/2009‐7; 132345/2010‐2; 475261/2012‐

Chromatin remodeling, cell proliferation and cell death in valproic acid-treated HeLa cells.

BACKGROUND: Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent anticonvulsant that inhibits histone deacetylases. Because of this inhibitory action, we investigated whether VPA would affect chromatin supraorganization, mitotic indices and the frequency of chromosome abnormalities and cell death in HeLa cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Image analysis was performed by scanning microspectrophotometry for cells cultivated for 24 h, treated with 0.05, 0.5 or 1.0 mM VPA for 1-24 h, and subjected to the Feulgen reaction. TSA-treated cells were used as a predictable positive control. DNA fragmentation was investigated with the TUNEL assay. Chromatin decondensation was demonstrated under TSA and all VPA treatments, but no changes in chromosome abnormalities, mitotic indices or morphologically identified cell death were found with the VPA treatment conditions mentioned above, although decreased mitotic indices were detected under higher VPA concentration and longer exposure time. The frequency of DNA fragmentation identified with the TUNEL assay in HeLa cells increased after a 24-h VPA treatment, although this fragmentation occurred much earlier after treatment with TSA. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The inhibition of histone deacetylases by VPA induces chromatin remodeling in HeLa cells, which suggests an association to altered gene expression. Under VPA doses close to the therapeutic antiepileptic plasma range no changes in cell proliferation or chromosome abnormalities are elicited. The DNA fragmentation results indicate that a longer exposure to VPA or a higher VPA concentration is required for the induction of cell death

Chromatin Remodeling, Cell Proliferation And Cell Death In Valproic Acid-treated Hela Cells.

Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent anticonvulsant that inhibits histone deacetylases. Because of this inhibitory action, we investigated whether VPA would affect chromatin supraorganization, mitotic indices and the frequency of chromosome abnormalities and cell death in HeLa cells. Image analysis was performed by scanning microspectrophotometry for cells cultivated for 24 h, treated with 0.05, 0.5 or 1.0 mM VPA for 1-24 h, and subjected to the Feulgen reaction. TSA-treated cells were used as a predictable positive control. DNA fragmentation was investigated with the TUNEL assay. Chromatin decondensation was demonstrated under TSA and all VPA treatments, but no changes in chromosome abnormalities, mitotic indices or morphologically identified cell death were found with the VPA treatment conditions mentioned above, although decreased mitotic indices were detected under higher VPA concentration and longer exposure time. The frequency of DNA fragmentation identified with the TUNEL assay in HeLa cells increased after a 24-h VPA treatment, although this fragmentation occurred much earlier after treatment with TSA. The inhibition of histone deacetylases by VPA induces chromatin remodeling in HeLa cells, which suggests an association to altered gene expression. Under VPA doses close to the therapeutic antiepileptic plasma range no changes in cell proliferation or chromosome abnormalities are elicited. The DNA fragmentation results indicate that a longer exposure to VPA or a higher VPA concentration is required for the induction of cell death.6e2914

Differential response of human hepatocyte chromatin to HDAC inhibitors as a function of microenvironmental glucose level

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICODiabetes is a complex multifactorial disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion. Recent observations suggest that the complexity of the disease cannot be entirely accounted for genetic predisposition and a compelling argument for an epigenetic component is rapidly emerging. The use of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) in clinical setting is an emerging area of investigation. In this study, we have aimed to understand and compare the response of hepatocyte chromatin to valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) treatments under normoglycemic or hyperglycemic conditions to expand our knowledge about the consequences of HDACi treatment in a diabetes cell model. Under normoglycemic conditions, these treatments promoted chromatin remodeling, as assessed by image analysis and H3K9ac and H3K9me2 abundance. Simultaneously, H3K9ac marks shifted to the nuclear periphery accompanied by HP1 dissociation from the heterochromatin and a G1 cell cycle arrest. More striking changes in the cell cycle progression and mitotic ratios required drastic treatment. Under hyperglycemic conditions, high glucose per se promoted chromatin changes similar to those promoted by VPA and TSA. Nonetheless, these results were not intensified in cells treated with HDACis under hyperglycemic conditions. Despite the absence of morphological changes being promoted, HDACi treatment seems to confer a physiological meaning, ameliorating the cellular hyperglycemic state through reduction of glucose production. These observations allow us to conclude that the glucose level to which the hepatocytes are subjected affects how chromatin responds to HDACi and their action under high-glucose environment might not reflect on chromatin remodeling. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2257-2265, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Diabetes is a complex multifactorial disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion. Recent observations suggest that the complexity of the disease cannot be entirely accounted for genetic predisposition and a compelling argument for an epigenetic component is rapidly emerging. The use of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) in clinical setting is an emerging area of investigation. In this study, we have aimed to understand and compare the response of hepatocyte chromatin to valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) treatments under normoglycemic or hyperglycemic conditions to expand our knowledge about the consequences of HDACi treatment in a diabetes cell model. Under normoglycemic conditions, these treatments promoted chromatin remodeling, as assessed by image analysis and H3K9ac and H3K9me2 abundance. Simultaneously, H3K9ac marks shifted to the nuclear periphery accompanied by HP1 dissociation from the heterochromatin and a G1 cell cycle arrest. More striking changes in the cell cycle progression and mitotic ratios required drastic treatment. Under hyperglycemic conditions, high glucose per se promoted chromatin changes similar to those promoted by VPA and TSA. Nonetheless, these results were not intensified in cells treated with HDACis under hyperglycemic conditions. Despite the absence of morphological changes being promoted, HDACi treatment seems to confer a physiological meaning, ameliorating the cellular hyperglycemic state through reduction of glucose production. These observations allow us to conclude that the glucose level to which the hepatocytes are subjected affects how chromatin responds to HDACi and their action under high-glucose environment might not reflect on chromatin remodeling.Diabetes is a complex multifactorial disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion. Recent observations suggest that the complexity of the disease cannot be entirely accounted for genetic predisposition and a compelling argument for an epigenetic component is rapidly emerging. The use of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) in clinical setting is an emerging area of investigation. In this study, we have aimed to understand and compare the response of hepatocyte chromatin to valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) treatments under normoglycemic or hyperglycemic conditions to expand our knowledge about the consequences of HDACi treatment in a diabetes cell model. Under normoglycemic conditions, these treatments promoted chromatin remodeling, as assessed by image analysis and H3K9ac and H3K9me2 abundance. Simultaneously, H3K9ac marks shifted to the nuclear periphery accompanied by HP1 dissociation from the heterochromatin and a G1 cell cycle arrest. More striking changes in the cell cycle progression and mitotic ratios required drastic treatment. Under hyperglycemic conditions, high glucose per se promoted chromatin changes similar to those promoted by VPA and TSA. Nonetheless, these results were not intensified in cells treated with HDACis under hyperglycemic conditions. Despite the absence of morphological changes being promoted, HDACi treatment seems to confer a physiological meaning, ameliorating the cellular hyperglycemic state through reduction of glucose production. These observations allow us to conclude that the glucose level to which the hepatocytes are subjected affects how chromatin responds to HDACi and their action under high-glucose environment might not reflect on chromatin remodeling.2311022572265FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2010/50015‐6; 2012/03238‐5475261/2012‐

Sodium valproate and 5-aza-2 '-deoxycytidine differentially modulate DNA demethylation in G1 phase-arrested and proliferative HeLa cells

Sodium valproate/valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR), a DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitor, induce DNA demethylation in several cell types. In HeLa cells, although VPA leads to decreased DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels, the demethylation pathway involved in this effect is not fully understood. We investigated this process using flow cytometry, ELISA, immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and RT-qPCR in G1 phase-arrested and proliferative HeLa cells compared to the presumably passive demethylation promoted by 5-aza-CdR. The results revealed that VPA acts predominantly on active DNA demethylation because it induced TET2 gene and protein overexpression, decreased 5mC abundance, and increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) abundance, in both G1-arrested and proliferative cells. However, because VPA caused decreased DNMT1 gene expression levels, it may also act on the passive demethylation pathway. 5-aza-CdR attenuated DNMT1 gene expression levels but increased TET2 and 5hmC abundance in replicating cells, although it did not affect the gene expression of TETs at any stage of the cell cycle. Therefore, 5-aza-CdR may also function in the active pathway. Because VPA reduces DNA methylation levels in non-replicating HeLa cells, it could be tested as a candidate for the therapeutic reversal of DNA methylation in cells in which cell division is arrested9CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP304668/2014-1; 421299/2018-5; 304668/2014-1sem informação2014/23842-0, 2015/10356-

Valproic acid attenuates hyperglycemia-induced complement and coagulation cascade gene expression

FAPESP – FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOAtherothrombosis remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, but the molecular mechanisms underpinning this remain unresolved. As the liver plays a major role in metabolic homeostasis and secretion of clotting factors and inflammatory innate immune proteins, there is an interest in understanding the mechanisms of hepatic cell activation under hyperglycemia and whether this can be attenuated pharmacologically. We have previously shown that hyperglycemia stimulates major changes in chromatin organisation and metabolism in hepatocytes, and that the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA; IUPAC: 2-propylpentanoic acid) is able to reverse some of these metabolic changes. In this study, we used deep transcriptome sequencing to show that VPA attenuates hyperglycemia-induced activation of complement and coagulation cascade genes. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of VPA protection against hyperglycemia, which might improve the therapeutic approaches for diabetes.127FAPESP – FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP – FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2010/50015-6; 2012/03238-5; 2014/10198-5; 2015/10356-2304668/2014-

DNA Methylation Changes in Valproic Acid-Treated HeLa Cells as Assessed by Image Analysis, Immunofluorescence and Vibrational Microspectroscopy

<div><p>Valproic acid (VPA), a well-known histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been reported to affect the DNA methylation status in addition to inducing histone hyperacetylation in several cell types. In HeLa cells, VPA promotes histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling. However, DNA demethylation was not checked in this cell model for standing effects longer than those provided by histone acetylation, which is a rapid and transient phenomenon. Demonstration of VPA-induced DNA demethylation in HeLa cells would contribute to understanding the effect of VPA on an aggressive tumor cell line. In the present work, DNA demethylation in VPA-treated HeLa cells was assessed by image analysis of chromatin texture, the abundance of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) immunofluorescence signals and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy centered on spectral regions related to the vibration of–CH₃ groups. Image analysis indicated that increased chromatin unpacking promoted by a 4-h-treatment with 1.0 mM VPA persisted for 24 h in the absence of the drug, suggesting the occurrence of DNA demethylation that was confirmed by decreased 5mC immunofluorescence signals. FT-IR spectra of DNA samples from 1 mM or 20 mM VPA-treated cells subjected to a peak fitting analysis of the spectral window for–CH₃ stretching vibrations showed decreased vibrations and energy of these groups as a function of the decreased abundance of 5mC induced by increased VPA concentrations. Only the 20 mM-VPA treatment caused an increase in the ratio of -CH₃ bending vibrations evaluated at 1375 cm^-1 in relation to in-plane vibrations of overall cytosines evaluated at 1492 cm^-1. CH₃ stretching vibrations showed to be more sensitive than–CH₃ bending vibrations, as detected with FT-IR microspectroscopy, for studies aiming to associate vibrational spectroscopy and changes in DNA 5mC abundance.</p></div