Mkp-1 is required for chemopreventive activity of butylated hydroxyanisole and resveratrol against colitis-associated colon tumorigenesis

Many dietary compounds show promising protective activity against colon cancer by activating nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Recently, we reported that mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (Mkp-1) exhibits crosstalk with the Nrf2 signaling pathway, protecting against intestinal inflammation. Here, we present evidence that Mkp-1 is required for the chemopreventive action of the Nrf2 activators butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and resveratrol (RSV). In an azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium model of colitis-associated tumorigenesis, Mkp-1-/- mice exhibited a phenotype similar to Nrf2-/- mice with significantly more tumors than WT mice. Tumors from Mkp-1-/- mice exhibited higher levels of macrophage infiltration than those from WT mice. This was accompanied by increased expression of nitrotyrosine and p53BP1, markers of oxidative stress and DNA damage, respectively. Moreover, dietary suppression of tumorigenesis using BHA (0.5%) or RSV (300 ppm) supplementation was achieved in WT but not in Mkp-1-/- mice. In adenomas from WT mice, the expression of Mkp-1 was markedly lower than in adjacent normal tissue, concomitant with the down-regulation of Nrf2 and its target genes. Our data revealed that Mkp-1 is required in the protective role of Nrf2 signaling against colitis-associated tumorigenesis.