Skip to main content
Log in

Inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication between Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate (NTA)

  • Published:
Cell Biology and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate, two apparently nongenotoxic carcinogens, were tested for effects on gap-junctional communication between Chinese hamster V79 lung fibroblasts. Both compounds inhibited gap-junctional communication in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibiting effects of these chemicals on gap-junctional communication in vitro correlate with their tumor-promoting activity. Such results further support the hypothesis that inhibition of gap-junctional communication is an in vitro biomarker for some tumor-promoting chemicals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CAS:

Chemical Abstracts Service

DEHP:

di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

GJIC:

gap-junctional intercellular communication

NTA:

trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate

References

  • AMES, B.N., MCCANN, J. and YAMASAKI, E. (1975). Methods for detecting carcinogens and mutagens with the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome mutagenicity test. Mut. Res. 31: 347–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • ANDEREGG, G. (1982). Critical survey of stability constants of NTA complexes. Pure Appl. Chem. 54: 2693–2758.

    Google Scholar 

  • ANDERSON, R.L., BISHOP, W.E. and CAMPBELL, R.L. (1985). A review of the environmental and mammalian toxicology of nitrilotriacetic acid. Crit. Revs. Toxicol. 15:1–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • BORA, K.C. (1975). Effects of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) on chromosome replication and structure in human cells. Mut. Res. 31:325.

    Google Scholar 

  • BOHRMAN, J.S., BURG, J.R., ELMORE, E., GULATI, D.K., BARFKNECHT, T.R., NIEMEIER, R.W., DAMES, B.L., TORAASON, M. and LANGENBACH, R. (1988). Interlaboratory studies with the Chinese hamster V79 cell metabolic cooperation assay to detect tumor-promoting agents. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. 12:33–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • BUTTERWORTH, B.E., BERMUDEZ, E., SMITH-OLIVER, T., EARLE, L., CATTLEY, R., MARTIN, J., POPP, J.A., STROM, S., JIRTLE, R. and MICHALOPOULOS, G. (1984). Lack of genotoxic activity of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in rat and human hepatocytes. Carcinogenesis. 5:1329–1335.

    Google Scholar 

  • DHHS. (1982). Environmental Health Perspectives. Vol. 45: Phthalate Esters. USDHHS, Pub. No. (NIH) 82-218.

  • DORMAN, B.H. and BOREIKO, C.J. (1983). Limiting factors of the V79 cell metabolic cooperation assay for tumor promoters. Carcinogenesis. 4:873–877.

    Google Scholar 

  • DUNKEL, V.C. and SIMON, V.F. (1980). Mutagenic activity of chemicals previously tested for carcinogenicity in the National Cancer Institute bioassay program.In: Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Carcinogen Screening Tests. (R. Monsanto, H. Bartsch and I. Tomatis, eds). pp 283–302. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Scientific Pub. 27. Lyon.

    Google Scholar 

  • ELMORE, E., KORYTYNSKI, E.A. and SMITH, M.P. (1985). Tests with the Chinese hamster V79 inhibition of metabolic cooperation assay. In: Progress in Mutation Research (J. Ashby and F.J. DeSerres, eds), Vol. 5, pp 597–612. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, and World Health Organization, Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • GOYER, R.A., FALK, H.L., HOGAN, M., FELDMAN, D.D. and RICHTER, W. (1981). Renal tumors in rats given trisodium nitrilotriacetic acid in drinking water for 2 years. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 66:869–880.

    Google Scholar 

  • HECKER, E., FUSENIG, N.E., KUNZ, W., MARKS, F. and THIELMANN, H.W. (eds). (1982). Carcinogenesis — A Comprehensive Survey. Vol. 7: Cocarcinogenic and Biological Effects of Tumor Promoters. Raven Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • HIASA, Y., KITAHORI, Y., KONISHI, N., ENORKI, N., SHIMOYAMA, T. and MIYAMSHIRO, A. (1984). Trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate: Promoting effects on the development of renal tubular cell tumors in rats treated with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 72:483–488.

    Google Scholar 

  • IARC. (1982). IARC monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. Vol. 29: Some industrial chemicals and dyestuffs. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lyon.

    Google Scholar 

  • JäCKH, R., RHODES, C., GRASSO, P. and CARTER, J.T. (1984). Genotoxicity studies on di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and adipate and toxicity studies on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the rat and the marmoset. Fd. Chem. Toxicol. 20:151–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • JONE, C., TROSKO, J.E., AYLSWORTH, C.F., PARKER, L. and CHANG, C.-C. (1985). Further characterization of the in vitro assay for inhibitors of metabolic cooperation in the Chinese hamster V79 cell line. Carcinogenesis. 6:361–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • KIHLMAN, B.A. (1971). Root tips for studying the effects of chemicals on chromosomes. In: Chemical Mutagens: Principles and Methods for Their Detection. Vol. 2 (A. Hollaender, ed). pp 489–514. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • KIRBY, P.E., PIZZARELLO, R.F., LAWLOR, T.E., HAWORTH, S.R. and HODGSON, J.E. (1983). Evaluation of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and its major metabolites in the Ames test and the L5178Y mouse lymphoma mutagenicity assay. Environ. Mutagenesis. 5:657–663.

    Google Scholar 

  • KITAHORI, Y., KONISHI, N., SHIMOYAMA, T. and HIASA, Y. (1985). Dose-dependent promoting effect of trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate on urinary bladder carcinogenesis in Wistar rats pretreated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 76:818–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • KLUWE, W.M., HASEMAN, J.K. and HUFF, J.E. (1983). The carcinogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in perspective. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health. 12:159–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • KORNBRUST, D.K., BARFKNECHT, T.R., INGRAM, P. and SHELBURNE, J.D. (1984). Effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on DNA repair and lipid peroxidation in rat hepatocytes and on metabolic cooperation in Chinese hamster V79 cells. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health. 13:99–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • MALCOLM, A.R. and MILLS, L.J. (1982). Mutation induction and inhibition of metabolic cooperation by 4-chlorobiphenyl and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in V79 cells. Environ. Mutagenesis. 4:418–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • MALCOLM, A.R., MILLS, L.J. and McKENNA, E.J. (1983). Inhibition of metabolic cooperation between Chinese hamster V79 cells by tumor promoters and other chemicals. In: Cellular Systems for Toxicity Testing. (G.M. Williams, V.C. Dunkel, and V.A. Ray, eds). Annals New York Acad. Sci. 407:448–450.

  • MALCOLM, A.R. and MILLS, L.J. (1985). Effects of structurally diverse chemicals on metabolic cooperation in vitro. In: Toxicity Testing: New Approaches and Their Application to Human Risk Assessment (A.P. Li, T.L. Blank, K.D. Flaherty, W.E. Ribelin, and A.G.E. Wilson, eds). pp 79–91. Raven Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • MALCOLM, A.R., MILLS, L.J. and McKENNA, E.J. (1985a). Effects of phorbol myristate acetate, phorbol dibutyrate, ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, phenol, and seven metabolites of phenol on metabolic cooperation between Chinese hamster V79 lung fibroblasts. Cell Biol. Toxicol. 1:269–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • MALCOLM, A.R., MILLS, L.J. and TROSKO, J.E. (1985b). Effects of ethanol, phenol, formaldehyde, and selected metabolites on metabolic cooperation between Chinese hamster V79 lung fibroblasts. In: Carcinogenesis — A Comprehensive Survey. Vol. 8: Cancer of the Respiratory Tract: Predisposing Factors (M.J. Mass, D.G. Kaufman, J.M. Siegfried, V.E. Steele, and S. Nesnow, eds). pp 305–318. Raven Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • MALCOLM, A.R. and MILLS, L.J. (1986). Effects of sodium cyclamate and sodium chloride on metabolic cooperation between Chinese hamster V79 lung fibroblasts. The Toxicologist. 6:237.

    Google Scholar 

  • MASS, M.J., KAUFMAN, D.J., SIEGFRIED, J.M., STEELE, V.E. and NESNOW, S. (eds). (1985). Carcinogenesis — A Comprehensive Survey. Vol. 8: Cancer of the Respiratory Tract: Predisposing Factors. Raven Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • MURRAY, A.W. and FITZGERALD, D.J. (1979). Tumor promoters inhibit metabolic cooperation in co-cultures of epidermal and 3T3 cells. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 91:395–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • NCI. (1977). Bioassays of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and nitrilotriacetic acid, trisodium salt monohydrate (Na3NTA.H2O) for possible carcinogenicity (NCI-CG-TR-6), DHEW Pub. No. (NIH) 77–806, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • NORTHUP, S., MARTIS, L., ULBRICHT, R., GARBER, J., MIRIPOL, J. and SCHMITZ, T. (1982). Comment on the carcinogenic potential of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health. 10:493–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • NTP. (1982). Carcinogenesis bioassay of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (CAS No. 117–81–7) in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice (feed study). NTP-80–37, NIH Pub. 82–1773, National Toxicology Program, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC.

    Google Scholar 

  • PHILLIPS, B.J., JAMES, T.E.B. and GANGOLLI, S.D. (1982). Genotoxicity studies of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and its metabolites in CHO cells. Mut. Res. 102:297–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • PITOT, H. (1985). Fundamentals of Oncology. 3rd edition. Marcell-Dekker, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • POPP, J.A., GARVEY, L.K., HAMM, T.E. and SWENBERG, J.A. (1985). Lack of hepatic promotional activity by the peroxisomal proliferating hepatocarcinogen di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. Carcinogenesis. 6:141–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • ROSE, B. and LOEWENSTEIN, W.R. (1975). Permeability of cell junctions depends on local cytoplasmic calcium activity. Nature. 254:250–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • RUBIN, M. and MARTELL, A.E. (1980). The implications of trace metal nitrilotriacetic acid speciation on its environmental impact and toxicology. Biol. Trace Element Res. 2:1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • SLAGA, T.J. (ed). (1983). Mechanisms of Tumor Promotion. Vol. I: Tumor Promotion in Internal Organs. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • SLAGA, T.J. (ed). (1984). Mechanisms of Tumor Promotion. Vol. II: Tumor Promotion and Skin Carcinogenesis. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • TANAKA, T., MORI, H. and WILLIAMS, G.M. (1987). Enhancement of dimethylnitrosamine-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis in hamsters by subsequent administration of carbon tetrachloride but not phenobarbital or PSP1-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. Carcinogenesis 8:1171–1178.

    Google Scholar 

  • THOMAS, J.A. and THOMAS, M.J. (1984). Biological effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and other phthalic acid esters. Crit. Revs. Toxicol. 13:283–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • TOMITA, I., NAKAMURA, Y., TOKI, N. and INUI, I. (1982). Mutagenic/carcinogenic potential of DEHP and MEHP. Environ. Health Perspect. 45:119–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • TROSKO, K.E., YOTTI, L.P., DAWSON, B. and CHANG, C-C. (1981). In vitro assay for tumor promoters. In: Short-Term Tests for Chemical Carcinogens (H.F. Stich and R.H.C. San, eds). pp 420–427. springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • TROSKO, J.E., YOTTI, L.P., WARREN, S.T., TSUSHIMOTO, G. and CHANG, C.-C. (1982). Inhibition of cell-cell communication by tumor promoters. In: Carcinogenesis — A Comprehensive Survey. Vol. 7: Cocarcinogenesis and Biological Effects of Tumor Promoters. (E. Hecker, W. Kunz, N.E. Fusenig, F. Marks, and W. Thielmann, eds). pp 565–585. Raven Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • WARD, J.M., RICE, J.M., CREASIA, D., LYNCH, P. and RIGGS, C. (1983). Dissimilar patterns of promotion by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and phenobarbital of hepatocellular neoplasia initiated by diethylnitrosamine in B6C3F1 mice. Carcinogenesis. 4:1021–1029.

    Google Scholar 

  • WILLIAMS, G.M., MARUYAMA, H. and TANAKA, T. (1987). Lack of rapid initiating, promoting or sequential syncarcinogenic effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in rat liver carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 8:875–880.

    Google Scholar 

  • YOTTI, L.P., CHANG, C.-C. and TROSKO, J.E. (1979). Elimination of metabolic cooperation in Chinese hamster cells by a tumor promoter. Science. 306:1089–1091.

    Google Scholar 

  • ZEIGER, E., HAWORTH, S., MORTELMANS, K. and SPECK, W. (1985). Mutagenicity testing of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and related chemicals in Salmonella. Environ. Mutagenesis. 7:213–232.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Malcolm, A.R., Mills, L.J. Inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication between Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate (NTA). Cell Biol Toxicol 5, 145–153 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122649

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122649

Key words

Navigation