Suppression of Hepatic CYP3A4 Expression and Activity by 3-Methylcholanthrene in Humanized PXR-CAR-CYP3A4/3A7 Mice

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, thereby triggering a range of biologic responses, exemplified by the induction of CYP1A1 PAHs can also regulate the expression of members of the CYP3A subfamily, with reports of mainly suppressive effects on mouse hepatic Cyp3a11 expression, but paradoxically both inductive and suppressive effects on human hepatic CYP3A4 expression. Understanding the regulation of CYP3A4 expression by PAHs is important because of the widespread exposure of humans to these chemicals and the central role of the CYP3A4 enzyme in the metabolism of clinically important drugs and endogenous substances. The present study used 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) as a model PAH to characterize the in vivo regulation of CYP3A4 expression and activity in humanized pregnane X receptor-constitutive androstane receptor-CYP3A4/3A7 mice. Adult mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection with MC (80 mg/kg), or corn oil vehicle, and euthanized 24 or 72 hours later. As a positive control response, pronounced induction of hepatic Cyp1a1 by MC was confirmed at both time points in males and females at the mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity levels. Basal hepatic CYP3A4 expression and activity were significantly higher in female versus male mice. MC treatment suppressed hepatic CYP3A4 in female mice at 72 hours postdosing at the mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity levels. A similar response was observed in male mice, although the suppression of CYP3A4 protein levels did not achieve statistical significance. This mouse model will facilitate further studies of the mechanisms and consequences of CYP3A4 suppression by PAHs.