Benzo[a]pyrene evokes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary fibrosis through AhR-mediated Nrf2-p62 signaling

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and its metabolic end product benzo(a)pyren-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), are known toxic environmental pollutants. This study aimed to analyze whether sub-chronic BPDE exposure initiated pulmonary fibrosis and the potential mechanisms. In this work, male C57BL6/J mice were exposed to BPDE by dynamic inhalation exposure for 8 weeks. Our results indicated that sub-chronic BPDE exposure evoked pulmonary fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in mice. Both in vivo and in vitro, BPDE exposure promoted nuclear translocation of Snail. Further experiments indicated that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and p62 were upregulated in BPDE-exposed alveolar epithelial cells. Moreover, Nrf2 siRNA transfection evidently attenuated BPDE-induced p62 upregulation. Besides, p62 shRNA inhibited BPDE-incurred Snail nuclear translocation and EMT. Mechanically, BPDE facilitated physical interaction between p62 and Snail in the nucleus, then repressed Snail protein degradation by p62-dependent autophagy-lysosome pathway, and finally upregulated transcriptional activity of Snail. Additionally, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was activated in BPDE-treated alveolar epithelial cells. Dual-luciferase assay indicated activating AhR could bind to Nrf2 gene promoter. Moreover, pretreatment with CH223191 or α-naphthoflavone (α-NF), AhR antagonists, inhibited BPDE-activated Nrf2-p62 signaling, and alleviated BPDE-induced EMT and pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Taken together, AhR-mediated Nrf2-p62 signaling contributes to BaP-induced EMT and pulmonary fibrosis.