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Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Perlman S, Lundvall L, Mitchell RT, Juul A, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Ex vivo culture of human fetal gonads: manipulation of meiosis signalling by retinoic acid treatment disrupts testis development. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:2351-63. [PMID: 26251460 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the effects of experimentally manipulating meiosis signalling by addition of retinoic acid (RA) in cultured human fetal gonads? SUMMARY ANSWER RA-treatment accelerated meiotic entry in cultured fetal ovary samples, while addition of RA resulted in a dysgenetic gonadal phenotype in fetal testis cultures. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY One of the first manifestations of sex differentiation is the initiation of meiosis in fetal ovaries. In contrast, meiotic entry is actively prevented in the fetal testis at this developmental time-point. It has previously been shown that RA-treatment mediates initiation of meiosis in human fetal ovary ex vivo. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a controlled ex vivo study of human fetal gonads treated with RA in 'hanging-drop' tissue cultures. The applied experimental set-up preserves germ cell-somatic niche interactions and the investigated outcomes included tissue integrity and morphology, cell proliferation and survival and the expression of markers of meiosis and sex differentiation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Tissue from 24 first trimester human fetuses was included in this study, all from elective terminations at gestational week (GW) 7-12. Gonads were cultured for 2 weeks with and without addition of 1 µM RA. Samples were subsequently formalin-fixed and investigated by immunohistochemistry and cell counting. Proteins investigated and quantified included; octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), transcription factor AP-2 gamma (AP2γ) (embryonic germ cell markers), SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9 (SOX9), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (immature Sertoli cell markers), COUP transcription factor 2 (COUP-TFII) (marker of interstitial cells), forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) (granulosa cell marker), H2A histone family, member X (γH2AX) (meiosis marker), doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) (meiosis regulator), cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), cleaved Caspase 3 (apoptosis markers) and Ki-67 antigen (Ki-67) (proliferation marker). Also, proliferation was determined using a 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A novel ex vivo 'hanging-drop' culture model for human fetal gonads was successfully established. Continued proliferation of cells without signs of increased apoptosis was observed after 2 weeks of culture. In cultured fetal ovaries treated with RA, an increased number of meiotic germ cells (P < 0.05) and DMRT1-positive oogonia initiating meiosis (P < 0.05) was observed, which is in agreement with a previous study. In fetal testes, RA-treatment resulted in a decreased number of gonocytes (P < 0.05), a reduced percentage of proliferating gonocytes (P < 0.05), altered expression pattern of the somatic cell markers AMH and COUP-TFII, as well as disrupted seminiferous cord structure and testis morphology. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The number of samples included in this study was relatively small due to the limited availability of human fetal tissue. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The hanging-drop culture, similarly to other organ culture approaches, allows studies of germ cell-somatic niche interactions and determination of effects after manipulating specific signalling pathways. Our novel finding of disrupted fetal testis development after treatment with RA indicates that abnormal meiosis regulation can potentially cause gonadal dysgenesis. Further studies will elucidate the exact mechanisms and timing of observed effects. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported in part by an ESPE Research Fellowship, sponsored by Novo Nordisk A/S to A.Jø. Additional funding for this project was obtained from The Research Council of the Capital Region of Denmark (E.R.-D.M.), The Research Fund at Rigshospitalet (A.Ju. and J.E.N.), Familien Erichssens Fund (A.Jø.), Dagmar Marshalls Fund (A.Jø.) and Aase & Ejnar Danielsens Fund (A.Jø.). The authors have no conflicts of interest.
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Rajpert-De Meyts E, Daugaard G, Almstrup K, Jørgensen A, Rørth M, Jørgensen N, von der Maase H, Skakkebaek NE. Increasing international efforts to understand and conquer testicular germ cell cancer. Andrology 2015; 3:1-3. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Winge SB, Nielsen J, Jørgensen A, Owczarek S, Ewen KA, Nielsen JE, Juul A, Berezin V, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Biglycan is a novel binding partner of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3c (FGFR3c) in the human testis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 399:235-43. [PMID: 25260943 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of spermatogonial maintenance in the human testis is currently not well understood. One pathway suggested to be involved is activated by fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), which is expressed in a subset of spermatogonia. FGFR3-activating mutations have been identified in spermatocytic seminoma, thought to originate from clonal expansion of spermatogonia. In this study we aimed to characterize potential binding partners of FGFR3, and specifically its mesenchymal "c" splice isoform, in human spermatogonia. Based on expression patterns and homology to the binding site, we identified FGF1, FGF2, and FGF9 as the best candidates for natural ligands of FGFR3c in the testis. In addition, we screened non-FGF proteins and found that a proteoglycan biglycan (BGN) contains a sequence homologous to the FGFR3c binding site on FGF1, and is expressed in peritubular cells adjacent to FGFR3-expressing spermatogonia. Experiments in a cell-free system confirmed that BGN binds to FGFR3c and FGF1. In conclusion, our findings further clarify the complex regulation of FGFR3c in the human testis. We postulate that BGN is a factor secreted by peritubular cells to modulate FGFR3c signaling and thus contributes to the regulation of spermatogonial maintenance.
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Jørgensen A, Hansen BS, Stanislaus S, Düring S, Jørgensen MB, Pinborg LH, Kondziella D. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is an important differential diagnosis in acute psychiatric disease. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 131:69-70. [PMID: 25338667 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Jørgensen A, Nellemann C, Wohlfahrt-Veje C, Jensen TK, Main KM, Andersen HR. Interaction between paraoxonase 1 polymorphism and prenatal pesticide exposure on metabolic markers in children using a multiplex approach. Reprod Toxicol 2014; 51:22-30. [PMID: 25463530 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal environmental exposures may influence the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases later in life. This study used a multiplex approach to investigate non-fasting serum levels of metabolic markers in a cohort of school-aged children for whom associations between prenatal pesticide exposure and body fat content and blood pressure were previously found to be dependent on paraoxonase1 (PON1) Q192R genotype. In children with the PON1 192 R-allele, leptin, glucagon, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were positively associated with prenatal pesticide exposure. For PON1 192 QQ-homozygote children none of the biomarkers were significantly affected by prenatal pesticide exposure. In children with the R-allele, leptin was associated with both body fat measures and prenatal pesticide exposure and seems to mediate body fat accumulation in exposed children. These findings support our previous results of an adverse cardio-metabolic risk profile associated with prenatal pesticide exposure in children with the PON1 192 R-allele.
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Jørgensen A, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Regulation of meiotic entry and gonadal sex differentiation in the human: normal and disrupted signaling. Biomol Concepts 2014; 5:331-41. [DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2014-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMeiosis is a unique type of cell division that is performed only by germ cells to form haploid gametes. The switch from mitosis to meiosis exhibits a distinct sex-specific difference in timing, with female germ cells entering meiosis during fetal development and male germ cells at puberty when spermatogenesis is initiated. During early fetal development, bipotential primordial germ cells migrate to the forming gonad where they remain sexually indifferent until the sex-specific differentiation of germ cells is initiated by cues from the somatic cells. This irreversible step in gonadal sex differentiation involves the initiation of meiosis in fetal ovaries and prevention of meiosis in the germ cells of fetal testes. During the last decade, major advances in the understanding of meiosis regulation have been accomplished, with the discovery of retinoic acid as an inducer of meiosis being the most prominent finding. Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms regulating meiosis signaling has mainly been established by studies in rodents, while this has not yet been extensively investigated in humans. In this review, the current knowledge about the regulation of meiosis signaling is summarized and placed in the context of fetal gonad development and germ cell differentiation, with emphasis on results obtained in humans. Furthermore, the consequences of dysregulated meiosis signaling in humans are briefly discussed in the context of selected pathologies, including testicular germ cell cancer and some forms of male infertility.
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Jørgensen A, Frikke-Schmidt R, Nordestgaard B, Tybjærg-Hansen A. Loss-of-function mutations in APOC3 and reduced risk of ischemic vascular disease. Atherosclerosis 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Jørgensen A, Young J, Nielsen JE, Joensen UN, Toft BG, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Loveland KL. Hanging drop cultures of human testis and testis cancer samples: a model used to investigate activin treatment effects in a preserved niche. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:2604-14. [PMID: 24781282 PMCID: PMC4021512 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Testicular germ cell tumours of young adults, seminoma or non-seminomas, are preceded by a pre-invasive precursor, carcinoma in situ (CIS), understood to arise through differentiation arrest of embryonic germ cells. Knowledge about the malignant transformation of germ cells is currently limited by the lack of experimental models. The aim of this study was to establish an experimental tissue culture model to maintain normal and malignant germ cells within their niche and allow investigation of treatment effects. Methods: Human testis and testis cancer specimens from orchidectomies were cultured in ‘hanging drops' and effects of activin A and follistatin treatment were investigated in seminoma cultures. Results: Testis fragments with normal spermatogenesis or CIS cells were cultured for 14 days with sustained proliferation of germ cells and CIS cells and without increased apoptosis. Seminoma cultures survived 7 days, with proliferating cells detectable during the first 5 days. Activin A treatment significantly reduced KIT transcript and protein levels in seminoma cultures, thereby demonstrating a specific treatment response. Conclusions: Hanging drop cultures of human testis and testis cancer samples can be employed to delineate mechanisms governing growth of normal, CIS and tumorigenic germ cells retained within their niche.
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Svingen T, Jørgensen A, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Validation of endogenous normalizing genes for expression analyses in adult human testis and germ cell neoplasms. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 20:709-18. [PMID: 24743772 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The measurement of gene expression levels in cells and tissues typically depends on a suitable point of reference for inferring biological relevance. For quantitative (or real-time) RT-PCR assays, the method of choice is often to normalize gene expression data to an endogenous gene that is stably expressed across the samples analysed: a so-called normalizing or housekeeping gene. Although this is a valid strategy, the identification of stable normalizing genes has proved challenging and a gene showing stable expression across all cells or tissues is unlikely to exist. Therefore, it is necessary to define suitable normalizing genes for specific cells and tissues. Here, we report on the performance of a panel of nine commonly employed normalizing genes in adult human testis and testicular pathologies. Our analyses revealed significant variability in transcript abundance for commonly used normalizers, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate normalizing genes as comparative measurements can yield variable results when different normalizing genes are employed. Based on our results, we recommend using RPS20, RPS29 or SRSF4 when analysing relative gene expression levels in human testis and associated testicular pathologies. OCT4 and SALL4 can be used with caution as second-tier normalizers when determining changes in gene expression in germ cells and germ cell tumour components, but the relative transcript abundance appears variable between different germ cell tumour types. We further recommend that such studies should be accompanied by additional assessment of histology and cellularity of each sample.
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Agdestein A, Olsen I, Jørgensen A, Djønne B, Johansen TB. Novel insights into transmission routes of Mycobacterium avium in pigs and possible implications for human health. Vet Res 2014; 45:46. [PMID: 24742183 PMCID: PMC4021465 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-45-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium infection is a severe condition in humans, whereas pigs are often subclinically infected. Pig carcasses represent a possible source of human infection. Faecal excretion of M. avium was recently demonstrated in experimentally infected pigs, along with detection of M. avium in apparently normal lymph nodes. The present study investigates faecal excretion in naturally infected herds and the presence of live mycobacteria in lymph nodes. Two pig herds (A and B), with a history of sporadically suspected M. avium infection were sampled. Herd B used peat, as opposed to Herd A. Samples from peat, sawdust, drinking water, faeces and lymph nodes were collected. Identification of mycobacteria was performed by 16S rDNA sequencing and PCR. Mycobacterium avium isolates were analysed by Multi-Locus Variable Number of Tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA). Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis was detected in samples of faeces, peat and lymph nodes from Herd B, often with identical MLVA profiles. Additionally, other non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were found in the same material. The absence of macroscopic lymph node lesions in the presence of M. avium subsp. hominissuis was frequently demonstrated. In Herd A, only one NTM isolate, which proved not to be M. avium, was found. Faeces might facilitate transmission of M. avium subsp. hominissuis between pigs and maintain the infection pressure in herds. The low incidence of macroscopic lesions together with the massive presence of M. avium subsp. hominissuis in lymph nodes from pigs kept on peat raises questions related to animal husbandry, food safety and human health.
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Macoveanu J, Knorr U, Skimminge A, Søndergaard MG, Jørgensen A, Fauerholdt-Jepsen M, Paulson OB, Knudsen GM, Siebner HR, Kessing LV. Altered reward processing in the orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with depression. Psychol Med 2014; 44:1183-1195. [PMID: 23866315 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291713001815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthy first-degree relatives of patients with major depression (rMD+) show brain structure and functional response anomalies and have elevated risk for developing depression, a disorder linked to abnormal serotonergic neurotransmission and reward processing. METHOD In a two-step functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation, we first evaluated whether positive and negative monetary outcomes were differentially processed by rMD+ individuals compared to healthy first-degree relatives of control probands (rMD-). Second, in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial we investigated whether a 4-week intervention with the selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram had a normalizing effect on behavior and brain responses of the rMD+ individuals. RESULTS Negative outcomes increased the probability of risk-averse choices in the subsequent trial in rMD+ but not in rMD- individuals. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) displayed a stronger neural response when subjects missed a large reward after a low-risk choice in the rMD+ group compared to the rMD- group. The enhanced orbitofrontal response to negative outcomes was reversed following escitalopram intervention compared to placebo. Conversely, for positive outcomes, the left hippocampus showed attenuated response to high wins in the rMD+ compared to the rMD- group. The SSRI intervention reinforced the hippocampal response to large wins. A subsequent structural analysis revealed that the abnormal neural responses were not accounted for by changes in gray matter density in rMD+ individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our study in first-degree relatives of depressive patients showed abnormal brain responses to aversive and rewarding outcomes in regions known to be dysfunctional in depression. We further confirmed the reversal of these aberrant activations with SSRI intervention.
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Hørslev-Petersen K, Hetland ML, Junker P, Pødenphant J, Ellingsen TJ, Ahlqvist P, Lindegaard HM, Linauskas A, Schlemmer A, Dam MY, Hansen I, Lottenburger T, Jørgensen A, Krintel SB, Raun J, Ammitzbøll CG, Johansen JS, Østergaard M, Stengaard-Pedersen K. THU0212 Improved Remission Rates Acquired by Adding Adalimumab to Methotrexate and Intraarticular Glucocorticoid Cannot be Maintained after Withdrawal of Adalimumab. A 2-Year Investigator Initiated Randomised, Controlled Study on Early Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Kristensen DG, Nielsen JE, Jørgensen A, Skakkebæk NE, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Almstrup K. Evidence that active demethylation mechanisms maintain the genome of carcinoma in situ cells hypomethylated in the adult testis. Br J Cancer 2013; 110:668-78. [PMID: 24292451 PMCID: PMC3915112 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developmental arrest of fetal germ cells may lead to neoplastic transformation and formation of germ cell tumours via carcinoma in situ (CIS) cells. Normal fetal germ cell development requires complete erasure and re-establishment of DNA methylation. In contrast to normal spermatogonia, the genome of CIS cells remains unmethylated in the adult testis. We here investigated the possible active and passive pathways that can sustain the CIS genome hypomethylated in the adult testis. METHODS The levels of 5-methyl-cytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxy-methyl-cytosine (5hmC) in DNA from micro-dissected CIS cells were assessed by quantitative measurements. The expression of TET1, TET2, APOBEC1, MBD4, APEX1, PARP1, DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B and DNMT3L in adult testis specimens with CIS and in human fetal testis was investigated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS DNA from micro-dissected CIS cells contained very low levels of 5hmC produced by ten eleven translocation (TET) enzymes. CIS cells and fetal germ cells expressed the suggested initiator of active demethylation, APOBEC1, and the base excision repair proteins MBD4, APEX1 and PARP1, whereas TETs - the alternative initiators were absent. Both maintenance and de novo methyltransferases were detected in CIS cells. CONCLUSION The data are consistent with the presence of an active DNA de-methylation pathway in CIS cells. The hypomethylated genome of CIS cells may contribute to phenotypic plasticity and invasive capabilities of this testicular cancer precursor.
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Blomberg Jensen M, Lieben L, Nielsen JE, Willems A, Jørgensen A, Juul A, Toppari J, Carmeliet G, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Characterization of the testicular, epididymal and endocrine phenotypes in the Leuven Vdr-deficient mouse model: targeting estrogen signalling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 377:93-102. [PMID: 23850520 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D is a key factor for calcium and bone homeostasis, but signalling through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) seems also to be important for testicular function. To test the functional role of vitamin D signalling we examined the male reproductive system of the Leuven Vdr-ablated (Vdr(-/-)) mice, previously established as a model for hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets. We investigated reproductive hormones, changes in gene expression and histological phenotype of eleven Vdr(-/-), eight Vdr(+/-) and nine Vdr(+/+) mice. Testicular and epididymal histology were grossly normal in Vdr(-/-) mice. Accordingly, no differences were found in serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH or testicular expression of Cyp19a1, Ersα, Cyp17a1, Star, Insl3, Inhbb, and Amh. However, a significantly lower ERβ expression was found in testis of Vdr(+/-) and Vdr(-/-) mice, conversely epididymal expressions of ERα and the estrogen-target gene Aqp9 were higher. In conclusion, vitamin D seems dispensable for murine spermatogenesis and sex hormone production, but aberrant estrogen-signalling may elicit some of the VDR-mediated effects on male reproduction.
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Jørgensen A, Blomberg Jensen M, Nielsen JE, Juul A, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Influence of vitamin D on cisplatin sensitivity in testicular germ cell cancer-derived cell lines and in a NTera2 xenograft model. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 136:238-46. [PMID: 23098692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) has anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and pro-differentiating effects in somatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. 1,25(OH)2D3 also augments the anti-tumor effects of several chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin, which may have clinical relevance. Given the pro-differentiation effect of vitamin D recently demonstrated in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), we hypothesized that 1,25(OH)2D3 could be a beneficial adjunctive to existing chemotherapy regime used to treat these tumors. In this study, cell survival effects of 1,25(OH)2D3, another pro-differentiation compound, retinoic acid and cisplatin were investigated in TGCT-derived cell lines in vitro. 1,25(OH)2D3 augmented the effect of cisplatin in an embryonal carcinoma-derived cell line (NTera2), possibly through downregulation of pluripotency genes and simultaneous upregulation of the cell cycle regulators p21, p27, p53, p73 and FOXO1, while no significant effects were found in TCam-2 and 2102Ep cell lines (derived from seminoma and embryonal carcinoma, respectively). Anti-tumor effects of cholecalciferol, 1,25(OH)2D3, and cisplatin were subsequently tested in vivo, in a NTera2 xenograft tumor model in nude mice. In xenograft tumors, co-treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 and cisplatin resulted in downregulation of OCT4 and simultaneous upregulation of p21 and p73, but did not reduce tumor growth significantly more than cisplatin alone. Also, cholecalciferol supplemented diet (1100IU daily) after tumor formation did not increase cisplatin sensitivity in vivo. In conclusion, addition of 1,25(OH)2D3 augmented the antitumor effect of cisplatin monotherapy in vitro, but not in this in vivo testicular germ cell cancer model. Future studies are needed to investigate potential beneficial effects of vitamin D with lower cisplatin doses, and to determine whether 1,25(OH)2D3 may increase cisplatin sensitivity in chemotherapy-resistant TGCTs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.
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Krintel SB, Dehlendorff C, Hetland ML, Hørslev-Petersen K, Andersen KK, Junker P, Pødenphant J, Ellingsen T, Ahlqvist P, Lindegaard HM, Linauskas A, Schlemmer A, Dam MY, Hansen I, Horn HC, Jørgensen A, Raun J, Ammitzbøll CG, Østergaard M, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Johansen JS. SAT0016 Microrna Expression Profiles as Biomarkers for Prediction of Treatment Response to Adalimumab in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.1742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Hørslev-Petersen K, Hetland M, Junker P, Pødenphant J, Ellingsen T, Ahlquist P, Lindegaard H, Linauskas A, Schlemmer A, Dam M, Hansen I, Horn H, Jørgensen A, Krintel S, Raun J, Ammitzbøll C, Johansen J, Østergaard M, Stengaard-Pedersen K. FRI0148 Remission rates increase substantially by adding adalimumab to methotrexate and intra-articular glucocorticoid in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis - 1-year results of investigator-initiated, double-blinded randomized clinical trial (OPERA):. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.2605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Lottrup G, Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Jørgensen N, Duno M, Vinggaard AM, Skakkebæk NE, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Identification of a novel androgen receptor mutation in a family with multiple components compatible with the testicular dysgenesis syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013; 98:2223-9. [PMID: 23589523 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-1278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Androgen signaling via the androgen receptor (AR) is essential for normal testis development and male reproductive functions. We describe a rare family with 3 males affected by a mild disorder of sex determination compatible with testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS), including subfertility, cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and testicular cancer, caused by a novel AR mutation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the phenotype of the affected males, characterize functionally the novel AR mutation, and discuss the significance of partial androgen insufficiency in the pathogenesis of TDS. PARTICIPANTS The proband, his first cousin, and a nephew underwent a detailed clinical investigation including genetic tests, whereas four female members of the family were tested for the specific AR mutation. RESULTS A novel AR mutation, c.2214T>G;p.Ile738Met, was identified in the affected family members. Functional analysis of the mutation in a gene-reporter assay showed a 50% reduction in AR-induced transcriptional activity. The affected males had elevated LH and T in accordance with decreased AR signaling. The histology and immunohistochemical profile of the testis tissue from the 2 patients with testicular cancer showed features consistent with insufficient testis development and TDS. CONCLUSION The presence of all hallmarks of TDS, including germ cell cancer, in a family with a novel AR mutation causing a partial decrease in AR function is in line with the concept that reduced androgen signaling may contribute to the development of TDS. It also seems consistent with the hypothesis that environmental factors interfering with this pathway can play a role in the pathogenesis of TDS.
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Grøntvedt CA, Er C, Gjerset B, Hauge AG, Brun E, Jørgensen A, Lium B, Framstad T. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection in Norwegian swine herds 2009/10: the risk of human to swine transmission. Prev Vet Med 2013; 110:429-34. [PMID: 23490143 PMCID: PMC7132443 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Influenza A viruses cause respiratory infection in humans and pigs, and some serotypes can be transmitted between these species. The emergence of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infections in the spring of 2009 quickly led to a worldwide pandemic in humans, with subsequent introduction of the virus to pig populations. Following a widespread infection in the human population in Norway, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was introduced to the influenza A naïve Norwegian pig population, and within a few months pigs in more than one third of Norwegian swine herds had antibodies against the virus. A cross-sectional study was performed on all swine nucleus and multiplier herds in Norway to analyze risk factors for introduction of infection, and the preventive effects of recommended biosecurity practices. A surveillance program provided information on infection status of the study herds, and a questionnaire was administered to all 118 nucleus and multiplier herds to collect information on herd variables. The surveillance program revealed that pigs in 42% of the herds had antibodies against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. The incidence of serologically positive pigs was similar in both multiplier herds (41%) and closed nucleus herds (43%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that presence of farm staff with influenza-like illness (ILI) (OR = 4.15, CI 1.5–11.4, p = 0.005) and herd size (OR = 1.01, CI 1–1.02, p = 0.009) were risk factors for infection. The rapid and widespread seroconversion for antibodies against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in the Norwegian pig population can be explained by the emergence of a novel virus that is readily transmitted between people and swine in a largely susceptible population of humans, and an entirely naïve population of pigs.
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Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Almstrup K, Toft BG, Petersen BL, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Dysregulation of the mitosis-meiosis switch in testicular carcinoma in situ. J Pathol 2013; 229:588-98. [PMID: 23303528 DOI: 10.1002/path.4154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Revised: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) of young adults arise from the intratubular precursor, carcinoma in situ (CIS). CIS cells are thought to be developmentally arrested and transformed fetal germ cells that survive through childhood and gain invasive capacity after puberty. Given that germ cell neoplasms arise frequently in undervirilized and dysgenetic gonads and the striking physiological difference between meiotic entry in ovaries (fetal life) versus testes (at puberty), this study aimed to investigate whether errors in regulation of meiosis may be implicated in the pathogenesis of CIS or its invasive progression to TGCT. The main focus was on a key sex differentiation and meiosis regulator, DMRT1, which has also been linked to TGCT risk in recent genetic association studies. Expression patterns of DMRT1 and other meiosis regulators (SCP3, DMC1, STRA8, CYP26B1, NANOS2, NANOS3) were investigated in pre- and post-pubertal CIS samples and TGCT by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that meiosis markers and meiosis inhibitors were simultaneously expressed in CIS cells, in both pre- and post-pubertal testis samples. DMRT1 was present in a restricted subset of CIS cells, which was relatively greater in pre-pubertal (27%) compared to adult (2.6%) samples. In contrast to the majority of CIS cells, DMRT1-positive CIS cells in adult testes were not proliferating. DMRT1 and most of the other meiosis regulators were absent or expressed at low levels in invasive TGCT, except in spermatocytic seminoma (not derived from CIS). In conclusion, this study indicates that meiosis signalling is dysregulated in CIS cells and that a key regulator of the mitosis-meiosis switch, DMRT1, is expressed in 'early-stage' CIS cells but is down-regulated with further invasive transformation. Whether this mixed meiosis signalling in CIS cells is caused by insufficient virilization of the fetal somatic niche or a partial post-pubertal maturation remains uncertain and requires further study.
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Lindhardt Johansen M, Hagen CP, Johannsen TH, Main KM, Picard JY, Jørgensen A, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Juul A. Anti-müllerian hormone and its clinical use in pediatrics with special emphasis on disorders of sex development. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:198698. [PMID: 24367377 PMCID: PMC3866787 DOI: 10.1155/2013/198698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Using measurements of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders in pediatric patients requires thorough knowledge on normative values according to age and gender. We provide age- and sex-specific reference ranges for the Immunotech assay and conversion factors for the DSL and Generation II assays. With this tool in hand, the pediatrician can use serum concentrations of AMH when determining the presence of testicular tissue in patients with bilaterally absent testes or more severe Disorders of Sex Development (DSD). Furthermore, AMH can be used as a marker of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in both Turner Syndrome patients and in girls with cancer after treatment with alkylating gonadotoxic agents. Lastly, its usefulness has been proposed in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian granulosa cell tumors and in the evaluation of patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
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Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Blomberg Jensen M, Græm N, Rajpert-De Meyts E. Analysis of meiosis regulators in human gonads: a sexually dimorphic spatio-temporal expression pattern suggests involvement of DMRT1 in meiotic entry. Mol Hum Reprod 2012; 18:523-34. [PMID: 22899867 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gas030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitosis-meiosis switch is a key event in the differentiation of germ cells. In humans, meiosis is initiated in fetal ovaries, whereas in testes meiotic entry is inhibited until puberty. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression pattern of meiosis regulators in human gonads and to investigate a possible role of DMRT1 in the regulation of meiotic entry. The expression pattern of DMRT1, STRA8, SCP3, DMC1, NANOS3, CYP26B1 and NANOS2 was investigated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in a series of human testis samples from fetal life to adulthood, and in fetal ovaries. DMRT1 was expressed in testes throughout development but with marked spatio-temporal changes. At the early fetal period of 8-20 gestational weeks (GW) and at infantile mini-puberty, DMRT1 was predominantly expressed in Sertoli cells, whereas at later stages of gestation (22-40 GW), during childhood and in post-pubertal testes, DMRT1 was most abundant in spermatogonia, except in the A-dark type. In fetal ovaries, DMRT1 was detected in oogonia and oocytes until 20 GW, but was completely down-regulated following meiotic entry. STRA8, SCP3 and DMC1 were expressed mainly in oocytes and spermatogonia in accordance with their role in initiation and progression of meiosis. The putative meiosis inhibitors, CYP26B1 and NANOS2, were primarily expressed in Leydig cells and spermatocytes, respectively. In conclusion, the expression pattern of the investigated meiotic regulators is largely conserved in the human gonads compared with rodents, but with some minor differences, such as a stable expression of CYP26B1 in human fetal ovaries. The sexually dimorphic expression pattern of DMRT1 indicates a similar role in the mitosis-meiosis switch in human gonads as previously demonstrated in mice. The biological importance of the changes in expression of DMRT1 in Sertoli cells remains to be established, but it is consistent with DMRT1 reinforcing the inhibition of meiosis in the testis.
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Reinstrup L, Jørgensen A, Vennervald B, Kristensen T. DNA extraction from dried Schistosoma haematobium eggs isolated on nylon filters. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2012; 106:270-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2011.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2010] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Blomberg Jensen M, Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Bjerrum PJ, Skalkam M, Petersen JH, Egeberg DL, Bangsbøll S, Andersen AN, Skakkebaek NE, Juul A, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Dissing S, Leffers H, Jørgensen N. Expression of the vitamin D metabolizing enzyme CYP24A1 at the annulus of human spermatozoa may serve as a novel marker of semen quality. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 35:499-510. [PMID: 22404291 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2012.01256.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D (VD) is important for male reproduction in mammals and the VD receptor (VDR) and VD-metabolizing enzymes are expressed in human spermatozoa. The VD-inactivating enzyme CYP24A1 titrates the cellular responsiveness to VD, is transcriptionally regulated by VD, and has a distinct expression at the sperm annulus. Here, we investigated if CYP24A1 expression serves as a marker for VD metabolism in spermatozoa, and whether CYP24A1 expression was associated with semen quality. We included 130 men (53 healthy young volunteers and 77 subfertile men) for semen analysis and immunocytochemical (ICC) detection of CYP24A1. Another 40 men (22 young, 18 subfertile) were tested for in vitro effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and sperm motility. Double ICC staining showed that CYP24A1 and VDR were either concomitantly expressed or absent in 80% of the spermatozoa from young men. The median number of CYP24A1-expressing spermatozoa was 1% in subfertile men and thus significantly (p < 0.0005) lower than 25% in spermatozoa from young men. Moreover, CYP24A1 expression correlated positively with total sperm count, -concentration, -motility and -morphology (all p < 0.004), and the percentage of CYP24A1-positive spermatozoa increased (15 vs. 41%, p < 0.0005) after percoll-gradient-centrifugation. We noticed that the presence of >3% CYP24A1-positive spermatozoa distinguished young men from subfertile men with a sensitivity of 66.0%, a specificity of 77.9% and a positive predictive value of 98.3%. Functional studies revealed that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) increased [Ca(2+)](i) and sperm motility in young healthy men, while 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was unable to increase motility in subfertile patients. In conclusion, we suggest that CYP24A1 expression at the annulus may serve as a novel marker of semen quality and an objective proxy for sperm function.
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Zimling ZG, Jørgensen A, Santoni-Rugiu E. The diagnostic value of immunohistochemically detected methylthioadenosine phosphorylase deficiency in malignant pleural mesotheliomas. Histopathology 2012; 60:E96-105. [PMID: 22394205 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04196.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) often causes diagnostic difficulties for pathologists. We assessed whether loss of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), a key enzyme in the intracellular recycling of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) often deleted in MPM, could be detected with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and used as a diagnostic marker for MPM. METHODS AND RESULTS We used IHC to detect MTAP in a cohort of 99 MPMs and 39 reactive mesothelial proliferations (RP) (reactive mesothelial hyperplasia n = 33, reactive pleural fibrosis n = 6). MTAP staining was assessed by an H score. The median H score of the RP cohort was set as a reference point. Cases with H scores below this reference point were considered to have decreased MTAP expression. We found that 64 of 99 (65%) of the investigated MPMs had decreased MTAP expression, while this was only true for nine of 39 (23%) of the RPs (P = 0.001). We further evaluated MTAP expression in a cohort of coagulated pleural effusions from 14 patients with MPM and 20 patients with RP by using a double-staining technique with Wilms tumour 1 (WT1) as a mesothelial marker. In these samples, decreased MTAP expression diagnosed MPM with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 90%. CONCLUSIONS Decreased MTAP expression could potentially be useful in combination with other markers in the diagnosis of MPM.
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Agdestein A, Johansen TB, Kolbjørnsen Ø, Jørgensen A, Djønne B, Olsen I. A comparative study of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis in experimentally infected pigs. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:11. [PMID: 22284630 PMCID: PMC3296603 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (Maa) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (Mah) are opportunistic pathogens that may infect several species, including humans and pigs. Mah is however more frequently isolated from pigs than Maa, and it is unclear if this is due to difference in virulence or in exposure to the two organisms. Clinical isolates of each subspecies were administered perorally to ten domestic pigs, respectively. The animals were sacrificed at six and 12 weeks after inoculation. At necropsy, macroscopic lesions were recorded, and tissue samples were collected for mycobacterial culture, IS1245 real time PCR and histopathological examination. Culturing was also performed on faecal samples collected at necropsy. Results Macroscopic and histopathological lesions were detected in pigs infected with each subspecies, and bacterial growth and histopathological changes were demonstrated, also in samples from organs without gross pathological lesions. Six weeks after inoculation, live Mah was detected in faeces, as opposed to Maa. The presence of live mycobacteria was also more pronounced in Mah infected tonsils. In comparison, the Maa isolate appeared to have a higher ability of intracellular replication in porcine macrophages compared to the Mah isolate. Conclusions The study shows that both subspecies were able to infect pigs. Additionally, the more extensive shedding of Mah might cause pig-to-pig transmission and contribute to the higher incidence of infection caused by this subspecies.
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Alberdi M, Jørgensen A, Law I, Nielsen S, Jørgensen MB. FDG-PET in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2011. [PMCID: PMC3194607 DOI: 10.1186/1546-0096-9-s1-p244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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78
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Agdestein A, Johansen TB, Polaček V, Lium B, Holstad G, Vidanović D, Aleksić-Kovačević S, Jørgensen A, Žultauskas J, Nilsen SF, Djønne B. Investigation of an outbreak of mycobacteriosis in pigs. BMC Vet Res 2011; 7:63. [PMID: 22014189 PMCID: PMC3215643 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-7-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A high proportion of pigs imported to Serbia from a Lithuanian breeding herd reacted positively against avian and/or bovine tuberculin. The pigs were euthanized and lesions characteristic for mycobacterial infection were detected. An investigation of potential mycobacteriosis in the pigs imported to Serbia and the possible source of infection in the Lithuanian herd were therefore initialised. Results Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded lymph nodes from tuberculin positive animals were examined by real-time PCR for IS1245 and IS6110. IS1245 was detected in 55% and IS6110 in 11% of the samples. Seven of the ten IS6110 positive samples were positive for IS1245. Eleven lymph nodes from 10 pigs and 15 environmental samples were collected from the Lithuanian breeding herd and cultured for mycobacteria. M. avium subsp. hominissuis was detected in all lymph nodes and from eight samples of peat and sawdust. Isolates with identical and related IS1245- and IS1311 RFLP profiles were detected from swine and peat. Conclusions This study demonstrated cross reactions between avian and bovine tuberculin in pigs. Real-time PCR indicated infection with M. avium in the Serbian pigs. However, as a small proportion of the lymph nodes were positive for IS6110, infection with bacteria in the M. tuberculosis complex could not be ruled out. Analyses confirmed the presence of M. avium subsp. hominissuis in porcine and environmental samples from the Lithuanian breeding herd. The results indicate peat as a source of M. avium subsp. hominissuis infection in these pigs, and that the pigs imported to Serbia were infected with M. avium subsp. hominissuis.
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79
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Greisen SR, Moller HJ, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Hetland ML, Hørslev-Petersen K, Jørgensen A, Hvid M, Deleuran B. Soluble macrophage-derived CD163 is a marker of disease activity and progression in early rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2011; 29:689-692. [PMID: 21813065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the expression of the soluble form of the resident macrophage marker CD163 (sCD163) and its association with core parameters for disease activity, including radiographic progression in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS In a longitudinal sample set from early RA patients (n=34) we measured plasma levels of sCD163 at initiation of treatment and after 9 months of treatment and correlated levels with disease activity in 28 joints (DAS28), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and total Sharp score (TSS). We also measured plasma levels of sCD163 in 55 healthy volunteers (HV) and in a transverse sample set of chronic (>8 years of disease) RA patients (n=24) and OA patients (n=24) with paired plasma and joint fluid. RESULTS Early RA patients had significantly higher plasma levels of sCD163 (1.69mg/l (1.42-2.10)) (median (IQR)) at baseline than after 9 months of treatment (1.28mg/l (0.963-1.66), p=0.001), but not significantly changed compared with HV (1.66mg/l (1.22-2.02)). In early RA patients, baseline levels of sCD163, correlated with DAS28, CRP and ESR. Interestingly, sCD163 at 9 months was associated with radiographic progression (TSS) between year 0 and 5 (r=0.468, p=0.02). Levels of sCD163 were higher in RA patients, than in OA patients and higher in SF than in plasma. CONCLUSIONS Plasma levels of macrophage derived sCD163 are associated with disease activity and predict radiographic progression in early RA patients, supporting that sCD163 may have a role as a biomarker of disease activity and that resident macrophages are important for joint destruction.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antigens, CD/blood
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/blood
- Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnostic imaging
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Biomarkers/blood
- Blood Sedimentation
- C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
- Denmark
- Disease Progression
- Double-Blind Method
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Early Diagnosis
- Female
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Macrophages/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Osteoarthritis/diagnosis
- Osteoarthritis/immunology
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Radiography
- Receptors, Cell Surface/blood
- Synovial Fluid/immunology
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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80
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Møbjerg N, Halberg KA, Jørgensen A, Persson D, Bjørn M, Ramløv H, Kristensen RM. Survival in extreme environments - on the current knowledge of adaptations in tardigrades. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2011; 202:409-20. [PMID: 21251237 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2011.02252.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tardigrades are microscopic animals found worldwide in aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems. They belong to the invertebrate superclade Ecdysozoa, as do the two major invertebrate model organisms: Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. We present a brief description of the tardigrades and highlight species that are currently used as models for physiological and molecular investigations. Tardigrades are uniquely adapted to a range of environmental extremes. Cryptobiosis, currently referred to as a reversible ametabolic state induced by e.g. desiccation, is common especially among limno-terrestrial species. It has been shown that the entry and exit of cryptobiosis may involve synthesis of bioprotectants in the form of selective carbohydrates and proteins as well as high levels of antioxidant enzymes and other free radical scavengers. However, at present a general scheme of mechanisms explaining this phenomenon is lacking. Importantly, recent research has shown that tardigrades even in their active states may be extremely tolerant to environmental stress, handling extreme levels of ionizing radiation, large fluctuation in external salinity and avoiding freezing by supercooling to below -20 °C, presumably relying on efficient DNA repair mechanisms and osmoregulation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on adaptations found among tardigrades, and presents new data on tardigrade cell numbers and osmoregulation.
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Jørgensen A, Nylund A, Nikolaisen V, Alexandersen S, Karlsbakk E. Real-time PCR detection of Parvicapsula pseudobranchicola (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) in wild salmonids in Norway. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2011; 34:365-71. [PMID: 21401644 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2011.01248.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The myxozoan genus Parvicapsula contains 14 species infecting fish, some of which are known to cause severe disease in farmed and wild salmonids. Parvicapsula pseudobranchicola infections were first reported from seawater-reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in Norway in 2002 and have since then been an increasing problem. The present study describes a Taqman real-time PCR assay for specific detection of P. pseudobranchicola. The Taqman assay targets the 18S rRNA gene of P. pseudobranchicola and is able to detect as few as ten copies of the target sequence. Using the described assay, P. pseudobranchicola was detected in both farmed and wild salmonids, indicating that wild Atlantic salmon, sea trout, Salmo trutta, and Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, may be natural hosts of the parasite. Parvicapsula pseudobranchicola was found in samples from wild salmonids in the far south and the far north of Norway, displaying a wide geographic range of the parasite. Farmed salmonids showed P. pseudobranchicola infection levels many folds higher than that observed for wild sea trout, indicating that farmed Atlantic salmon are subjected to an elevated infection pressure compared with wild salmonids.
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Fazli M, Bjarnsholt T, Kirketerp-Møller K, Jørgensen A, Andersen CB, Givskov M, Tolker-Nielsen T. Quantitative analysis of the cellular inflammatory response against biofilm bacteria in chronic wounds. Wound Repair Regen 2011; 19:387-91. [PMID: 21518086 DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-475x.2011.00681.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wounds are an important problem worldwide. These wounds are characterized by a persistent inflammatory stage associated with excessive accumulation and elevated cell activity of neutrophils, suggesting that there must be a persistent stimulus that attracts and recruits neutrophils to the wound. One such stimulus might be the presence of bacterial biofilms in chronic wounds. In the present study, biopsy specimens from chronic venous leg ulcers were investigated for the detection of bacteria using peptide nucleic acid-based fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The bacteria in the wounds were often situated in large aggregates. To obtain a measure of the cellular inflammatory response against the bacteria in the chronic wounds, the amount of neutrophils accumulated at the site of infection was evaluated through differential neutrophil counting on the tissue sections from wounds containing either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus. The P. aeruginosa-containing wounds had significantly higher numbers of neutrophils accumulated compared with the S. aureus-containing wounds. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the presence of P. aeruginosa biofilms in chronic wounds may be one of the main factors leading to a persistent inflammatory response and impaired wound healing.
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Nielsen JE, Kristensen DM, Almstrup K, Jørgensen A, Olesen IA, Jacobsen GK, Horn T, Skakkebaek NE, Leffers H, Rajpert-De Meyts E. A novel double staining strategy for improved detection of testicular carcinoma in situ cells in human semen samples. Andrologia 2011; 44:78-85. [PMID: 21486421 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01108.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prompted by the recently reported expression of POU5F1 (OCT3/4) in epididymis, a panel of markers for carcinoma in situ (CIS) testis and testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT), including AP-2γ(TFAP2C), NANOG, OCT3/4, KIT, placental-like alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), M2A/PDPN and MAGE-A4 were examined by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridisation in urogenital epithelia, which may interfere with detection of CIS cells in semen. In addition to OCT3/4, the expression of AP-2γ and NANOG or their variants was detected in urogenital epithelia, while other CIS markers, including PLAP/alkaline phosphatase were absent. A combination of immunocytological staining for AP-2γ or OCT3/4 and rapid cytochemical alkaline phosphatase reaction was subsequently developed. This approach was tested in 22 patients with TGCT. In 14 patients (63.6%), double stained cells were found and thus the method was proven suitable for the detection of CIS cells in semen. In conclusion, transcription factors related to pluripotency and undifferentiated state of cells, which most likely have several variants or modifications, are unexpectedly detected using currently available antibodies in urogenital epithelial cells which may be shed into semen. Combining the immunohistochemical nuclear markers with a rapid cytochemical alkaline phosphatase reaction for detection of CIS cells in ejaculates may provide a more reliable diagnostic method.
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Blomberg Jensen M, Andersen CB, Nielsen JE, Bagi P, Jørgensen A, Juul A, Leffers H. Expression of the vitamin D receptor, 25-hydroxylases, 1alpha-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase in the human kidney and renal clear cell cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 121:376-82. [PMID: 20362668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2010.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2009] [Revised: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR), CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 are expressed in the human kidney, but the segmental expression of the 25-hydroxylases is unknown. A comprehensive analysis of CYP2R1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1, VDR and CYP24A1 expression in normal kidney and renal clear cell cancer (CCc) would reveal the segmental location of expression, and clarify whether the reported loss of VDR in CCc is coincident with alterations of vitamin D metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tissue was obtained from nine patients (eight CCc and one atrophic kidney), mRNAs were detected with RT-PCR and in situ hybridisation (ISH), and expression of proteins determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. RESULTS We detected expression of VDR and the vitamin D metabolising enzymes in normal kidney. VDR and CYP27B1 were strongly expressed in proximal tubules, while CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 had a marked expression in distal tubules. In CCc expression was lost for VDR and all the enzymes, except for very few cells expressing all the investigated proteins. CONCLUSION This study shows that VDR and all the vitamin D metabolising enzymes are expressed in the normal kidney. During the malignant transformation to CCc, expression of VDR and the metabolising enzymes is lost, however the implications of this loss are unknown.
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Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Nielsen BF, Morthorst JE, Bjerregaard P, Leffers H. Expression of prostaglandin synthases (pgds and pges) during zebrafish gonadal differentiation. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2010; 157:102-8. [PMID: 20362066 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2010.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed at elucidating whether the expression pattern of the membrane bound form of prostaglandin E2 synthase (pges) and especially the lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (pgds) indicates involvement in gonadal sex differentiation in zebrafish as has previously been found in other species. In mice and chicken, the lipocalin-type Pgds is specifically expressed in pre-Sertoli cells just after Sry and Sox9 and is involved in masculinisation of the developing testis. Furthermore, Pges are implicated in female reproduction including follicular development and ovulation. In this study, a sexually dimorphic expression of pgds was found in gonads of adult zebrafish with expression in testis but not in ovaries. To determine whether the sex-specific expression pattern of pgds was present in gonads of juvenile zebrafish and therefore could be an early marker of sex in zebrafish, we microdissected gonads from four randomly selected individual zebrafish for every second day in the period 2-20 days post hatch (dph) and 0-1 dph. The temporal expression of pgds and pges was investigated in the microdissected gonads, however, no differential expression that could indicate sex-specific difference between individual juvenile zebrafish was observed.
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Brunborg IM, Fossum C, Lium B, Blomqvist G, Merlot E, Jørgensen A, Eliasson-Selling L, Rimstad E, Jonassen CM, Wallgren P. Dynamics of serum antibodies to and load of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in pigs in three finishing herds, affected or not by postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. Acta Vet Scand 2010; 52:22. [PMID: 20302632 PMCID: PMC2852380 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite that PMWS commonly affects pigs aged eight to sixteen weeks; most studies of PMWS have been conducted during the period before transfer to finishing herds. This study focused on PCV2 load and antibody dynamics in finishing herds with different PMWS status. Methods Sequentially collected blood samples from 40 pigs in each of two Swedish (A and B) and one Norwegian (C) finishing herds were analysed for serum PCV2-load and -antibodies and saliva cortisol. The two Swedish herds differed in PMWS status, despite receiving animals from the same sow pool (multi-site production). However, the PMWS-deemed herd (A) had previously also received pigs from the spot market. ResultsThe initial serum PCV2 load was similar in the two Swedish herds. In herd A, it peaked after two weeks in the finishing herd and a high number of the pigs had serum PCV2 levels above 107 per ml. The antibody titres increased continually with exception for the pigs that developed PMWS, that had initially low and then declining antibody levels. Pigs in the healthy herd B also expressed high titres of antibodies to PCV2 on arrival but remained at that level throughout the study whereas the viral load steadily decreased. No PCV2 antibodies and only low amounts of PCV2 DNA were detected in serum collected during the first five weeks in the PMWS-free herd C. Thereafter a peak in serum PCV2 load accompanied by an antibody response was recorded. PCV2 from the two Swedish herds grouped into genotype PCV2b whereas the Norwegian isolate grouped into PCV2a. Cortisol levels were lower in herd C than in herds A and B. Conclusions The most obvious difference between the Swedish finishing herds and the Norwegian herd was the time of infection with PCV2 in relation to the time of allocation, as well as the genotype of PCV2. Clinical PMWS was preceded by low levels of serum antibodies and a high load of PCV2 but did not develop in all such animals. It is notable that herd A became affected by PMWS after errors in management routine, emphasising the importance of proper hygiene and general disease-preventing measures.
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Blomberg Jensen M, Nielsen JE, Jørgensen A, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Kristensen DM, Jørgensen N, Skakkebaek NE, Juul A, Leffers H. Vitamin D receptor and vitamin D metabolizing enzymes are expressed in the human male reproductive tract. HUMAN REPRODUCTION (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2010. [PMID: 20172873 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq024.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human testis, and vitamin D (VD) has been suggested to affect survival and function of mature spermatozoa. Indeed, VDR knockout mice and VD deficient rats show decreased sperm counts and low fertility. However, the cellular response to VD is complex, since it is not solely dependent on VDR expression, but also on cellular uptake of circulating VD and presence and activity of VD metabolizing enzymes. Expression of VD metabolizing enzymes has not previously been investigated in human testis and male reproductive tract. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the expression of VDR, VD activating (CYP2R1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1) and inactivating (CYP24A1) enzymes in the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle (SV), prostate and spermatozoa. METHODS Tissue samples were obtained after orchiectomy (testis n = 13; epididymis n = 7), prostatectomy (prostate n = 5 and SVs n = 3) and semen samples obtained after ejaculation (n = 13). mRNA was detected with RT-PCR and expression of proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS VDR and VD metabolizing enzymes were concomitantly expressed in round and elongated spermatids, vesicles within the caput epididymis, and glandular epithelium of cauda epididymis, SV and prostate. The expression pattern in ejaculated spermatozoa varied, although, concomitant expression of VDR, CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 was observed in neck and midpiece in a subpopulation of mature spermatozoa. CONCLUSION On the basis of the marked expression of VDR and the VD metabolizing enzymes in human testis, ejaculatory tract and mature spermatozoa, we suggest that VD is important for spermatogenesis and maturation of human spermatozoa.
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Blomberg Jensen M, Nielsen JE, Jørgensen A, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Kristensen DM, Jørgensen N, Skakkebaek NE, Juul A, Leffers H. Vitamin D receptor and vitamin D metabolizing enzymes are expressed in the human male reproductive tract. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:1303-11. [PMID: 20172873 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human testis, and vitamin D (VD) has been suggested to affect survival and function of mature spermatozoa. Indeed, VDR knockout mice and VD deficient rats show decreased sperm counts and low fertility. However, the cellular response to VD is complex, since it is not solely dependent on VDR expression, but also on cellular uptake of circulating VD and presence and activity of VD metabolizing enzymes. Expression of VD metabolizing enzymes has not previously been investigated in human testis and male reproductive tract. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the expression of VDR, VD activating (CYP2R1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1) and inactivating (CYP24A1) enzymes in the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle (SV), prostate and spermatozoa. METHODS Tissue samples were obtained after orchiectomy (testis n = 13; epididymis n = 7), prostatectomy (prostate n = 5 and SVs n = 3) and semen samples obtained after ejaculation (n = 13). mRNA was detected with RT-PCR and expression of proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS VDR and VD metabolizing enzymes were concomitantly expressed in round and elongated spermatids, vesicles within the caput epididymis, and glandular epithelium of cauda epididymis, SV and prostate. The expression pattern in ejaculated spermatozoa varied, although, concomitant expression of VDR, CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 was observed in neck and midpiece in a subpopulation of mature spermatozoa. CONCLUSION On the basis of the marked expression of VDR and the VD metabolizing enzymes in human testis, ejaculatory tract and mature spermatozoa, we suggest that VD is important for spermatogenesis and maturation of human spermatozoa.
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Jørgensen A, Nielsen JE, Morthorst JE, Bjerregaard P, Leffers H. Laser capture microdissection of gonads from juvenile zebrafish. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:97. [PMID: 19747405 PMCID: PMC2755477 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investigating gonadal gene expression is important in attempting to elucidate the molecular mechanism of sex determination and differentiation in the model species zebrafish. However, the small size of juvenile zebrafish and correspondingly their gonads complicates this type of investigation. Furthermore, the lack of a genetic sex marker in juvenile zebrafish prevents pooling gonads from several individuals. The aim of this study was to establish a method to isolate the gonads from individual juvenile zebrafish allowing future investigations of gonadal gene expression during sex determination and differentiation. METHODS The laser capture microdissection technique enables isolation of specific cells and tissues and thereby removes the noise of gene expression from other cells or tissues in the gene expression profile. A protocol developed for laser microdissection of human gonocytes was adjusted and optimised to isolate juvenile zebrafish gonads. RESULTS The juvenile zebrafish gonad is not morphologically distinguishable when using dehydrated cryosections on membrane slides and a specific staining method is necessary to identify the gonads. The protocol setup in this study allows staining, identification, isolation and subsequent RNA purification and amplification of gonads from individual juvenile zebrafish thereby enabling gonadal gene expression profiling. CONCLUSION The study presents a protocol for isolation of individual juvenile zebrafish gonads, which will enable future investigations of gonadal gene expression during the critical period of sex differentiation. Furthermore, the presented staining method is applicable to other species as it is directed towards alkaline phosphatase that is expressed in gonocytes and embryonic stem cells, which is conserved among vertebrate species.
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Strand J, Jørgensen A, Tairova Z. TBT pollution and effects in molluscs at US Virgin Islands, Caribbean Sea. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2009; 35:707-711. [PMID: 19201027 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2009.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Revised: 12/04/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
An almost ubiquitous occurrence of imposex and butyltins in the molluscs from US Virgin Islands gives evidence to a widespread contamination with the antifouling agent tributyltin (TBT), which most likely is related to a relatively intense ship traffic. Three different muricid neogastropod species Thais deltoidea, Thais rustica and Purpura patula all seem to have potential as suitable and sensitive bioindicators for assessing levels and effects of TBT pollution in coastal areas including coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. However, considerable interspecies differences in especially accumulation potential of butyltins were seen in this study. Furthermore, a high accumulation potential of TBT in the edible gastropod West Indian topshell (Cittarium pica) was found, despite that no signs of imposex were observed in this archaeogastropod species.
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Aaes-Jørgensen T, Overø KF, Bøgesø KP, Jørgensen A. Pharmacokinetic Studies on Clopenthixol Decanoate; A Comparison with Clopenthixol in Dogs and Rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1977.tb02131.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Levsen A, Jørgensen A, Mo TA. Occurrence of postmortem myoliquefactive kudoosis in Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus L., from the North Sea. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2008; 31:601-611. [PMID: 18482379 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2008.00937.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Members of the myxosporean genus Kudoa occur in various marine teleosts worldwide. Several species are of concern to the fishery and aquaculture industries as they may produce unsightly cysts in the fish host's musculature or are associated with postmortem myoliquefaction of the fish muscle, commonly referred to as 'soft flesh'. This study describes the occurrence and effects on a host of a Kudoa species in Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus, from the northern North Sea. Generalized postmortem myoliquefaction associated with Kudoa sp. occurred in 0.8% of the examined fish, i.e. 11 of 1339 mackerel developed 'soft flesh'. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of myoliquefaction between medium sized (400-600 g) and large mackerel (>600 g). The prevalence reached 8.9% in the latter host size group. No subclinical infections of Kudoa sp. were detected when examining fresh muscle (n = 103) and blood (n = 165) samples for spores using light microscopy. Affected mackerel developed generalized myoliquefaction after 38-56 h post-catch. No inflammatory host response was associated with the presence of plasmodia within single body muscle fibres of 'soft flesh' affected fish. Based on comparison of myxospore dimensions and analysis of the nuclear small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA, the present Kudoa species is assigned to Kudoa thyrsites. However, due to the species' apparently very wide geographical distribution and host range, its varying effect on different fish host species, together with the still unknown life cycle of Kudoa spp., the taxonomic status of K. thyrsites appears not to be fully resolved.
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Jørgensen A, Morthorst JE, Andersen O, Rasmussen LJ, Bjerregaard P. Expression profiles for six zebrafish genes during gonadal sex differentiation. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2008; 6:25. [PMID: 18590525 PMCID: PMC2500022 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-6-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2008] [Accepted: 06/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of sex determination in zebrafish is largely unknown and neither sex chromosomes nor a sex-determining gene have been identified. This indicates that sex determination in zebrafish is mediated by genetic signals from autosomal genes. The aim of this study was to determine the precise timing of expression of six genes previously suggested to be associated with sex differentiation in zebrafish. The current study investigates the expression of all six genes in the same individual fish with extensive sampling dates during sex determination and -differentiation. RESULTS In the present study, we have used quantitative real-time PCR to investigate the expression of ar, sox9a, dmrt1, fig alpha, cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b during the expected sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation period. The expression of the genes expected to be high in males (ar, sox9a and dmrt1a) and high in females (fig alpha and cyp19a1a) was segregated in two groups with more than 10 times difference in expression levels. All of the investigated genes showed peaks in expression levels during the time of sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation. Expression of all genes was investigated on cDNA from the same fish allowing comparison of the high and low expressers of genes that are expected to be highest expressed in either males or females. There were 78% high or low expressers of all three "male" genes (ar, sox9a and dmrt1) in the investigated period and 81% were high or low expressers of both "female" genes (fig alpha and cyp19a1a). When comparing all five genes with expected sex related expression 56% show expression expected for either male or female. Furthermore, the expression of all genes was investigated in different tissue of adult male and female zebrafish. CONCLUSION In zebrafish, the first significant peak in gene expression during the investigated period (2-40 dph) was dmrt1 at 10 dph which indicates involvement of this gene in the early gonadal sex differentiation of males.
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Jørgensen A, Giessing AMB, Rasmussen LJ, Andersen O. Biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine polychaetes. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2008; 65:171-186. [PMID: 18023473 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2007.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2007] [Revised: 09/21/2007] [Accepted: 10/10/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Deposit-feeding polychaetes constitute the dominant macrofauna in marine environments that tend to be depositional centers for organic matter and contaminants. Polychaetes are known to accumulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from both particulate and dissolved phases but less is known about the mechanisms underlying elimination of accumulated PAHs. An important pathway of elimination is through biotransformation which results in increased aqueous solubility of the otherwise hydrophobic PAHs. Biotransformation in marine polychaetes proceeds in a two phased process similar to those well studied in vertebrates, phase I enzymes belonging to the Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme family, along with a few phase II enzymes have been identified in marine polychaetes. In this review we aim at highlighting advances in the mechanistic understanding of PAH biotransformation in marine polychaetes by including data obtained using analytical chemistry and molecular techniques. In marine polychaetes induction of CYP enzyme activity after exposure to PAHs and the mechanism behind this is currently not well established. Conflicting results regarding the inducibility of CYP enzymes from polychaetes have led to the suggestion that induction in polychaetes is mediated through a different mechanistic pathway, which is corroborated by the apparent lack of an AhR homologous in marine polychaetes. Also, none of the currently identified CYP genes from marine polychaetes are isoforms of those regulated by the AhR in vertebrates. Relatively few studies of phase II enzymes in marine polychaetes are currently available and most of these studies have not measured the activity of specific phase II enzymes and identified phase II metabolites but used an extraction technique only allowing determination of the overall amount of phase II metabolites. Studies in insects and various marine invertebrates suggest that in invertebrates, enzymes in the important phase II enzyme family, UDP-glucuronosyl transferases primarily use glucoside as co-substrate as opposed to the vertebrate cosubstrate glucuronic acid. Recent studies in marine polychaetes have however identified glucuronidation of PAHs indicating no mechanistic difference in co-substrate preference among UDP-glucuronosyl transferases between vertebrates and marine polychaetes but it might suggest a mechanistic difference between marine polychaetes and insects.
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Jørgensen A, Andersen O, Bjerregaard P, Rasmussen LJ. Identification and characterisation of an androgen receptor from zebrafish Danio rerio. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2007; 146:561-8. [PMID: 17698417 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2007.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2007] [Revised: 07/05/2007] [Accepted: 07/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Androgens play key roles in vertebrate sex differentiation, gonadal differentiation and sexual behaviour. The action of androgens is primarily mediated through androgen receptors (ARs). The present study describes the isolation, sequencing and initial characterisation of an androgen receptor from zebrafish Danio rerio. The predicted protein of 868 residues has an estimated calculated molecular weight of 96 kDa. The amino acid sequence of the zebrafish AR (zfRA) shows high homology with other vertebrate ARs. The highest overall similarity was 82% to ARs from fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and goldfish (Carassius auratus). Binding assays with zfAR demonstrated high affinity, saturable, single class binding site, with the characteristics of an androgen receptor. Saturation experiments along with subsequent Scatchard analysis determined that the Kd of the zfAR for 3H-testosterone was 2 nM. Androgen binding affinities in competition with 3H-testosterone were: 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone>11-ketotestosterone>testosterone>androstenedione. The deletion of 12 amino acids (zfARd12) in the ligand binding domain of zfAR resulted in impaired binding to the receptor. Therefore, it was not possible to determine Kd for the zfARd12. The characterisation of this zfAR provides a new perspective for understanding the mechanisms underlying androgen actions in a model vertebrate species commonly used for studies investigating potential endocrine disrupters.
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Dencker SJ, Malm U, Jørgensen A, Overø KF. Clopenthixol and flupenthixol depot preparations in outpatient schizophrenics. IV. Serum levels and clinical outcome. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 2007; 279:55-63. [PMID: 6931473 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1980.tb07083.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Two pharmacolkinetic parameters viz. the minimum serum concentration in the dosage interval and the sera under the serum concentration curve have been correlated to 14 parameters for clinical outcome, viz. total points and factor points from the three rating scales, BPRS, CPRS, and side effects scale, in a double blind clinical trial of clopenthixol and flupenthixol depot preparations in outpatient schizophrenics. No statistically significant correlations were observed. It is of some interest, however, that the results suggest that the treatment of individual patients with neurleptics may be adjusted by means of repeated ratings, residual percentage, changes in psychopathology, and determinations of serum concentrations. Our results do not indicate any optimal concentration range for these depot neuroleptics in the maintenance phase of schizophrenia. The so-called therapeutic window as to neuroleptics obviously varies with regard to the phase of the disease as well as the patients' social situation.
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Clausen HV, Larsen LG, Jørgensen A, Bzorek M. The human placenta from heavy smokers: evaluation of vasoactive peptides by immunohistochemistry. APMIS 2007; 115:22-9. [PMID: 17223848 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2007.apm_492.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to demonstrate the expression of nitric oxide converting enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS), and endothelin-1 (Et-1) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placental tissue, and to demonstrate a difference in staining intensity between heavy smokers and non-smokers. Term placentas from pregnancies from otherwise healthy women smoking 15 or more cigarettes per day (heavy smokers) and term placentas from a matching group of non-smokers were included. The antibodies for Et-1 and e-NOS are recommended for cryostat sections. We evaluated the antibodies on paraffin-embedded tissue combined with the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Et-1 and e-NOS were demonstrated in the placental vasculature, the trophoblast, and the amnion. A blinded comparative study showed no reproducible significant differences in the staining intensity of the antigen-antibody reaction to Et-1 and e-NOS between the two groups.
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Stensgaard AS, Jørgensen A, Kabatereine NB, Rahbek C, Kristensen TK. Modeling freshwater snail habitat suitability and areas of potential snail-borne disease transmission in Uganda. GEOSPATIAL HEALTH 2006; 1:93-104. [PMID: 18686235 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2006.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Geographic information system (GIS-based modeling of an intermediate host snail species environmental requirements using known occurrence records can provide estimates of its spatial distribution. When other data are lacking, this can be used as a rough spatial prediction of potential snail-borne disease transmission areas. Furthermore, knowledge of abiotic factors affecting intra-molluscan parasitic development can be used to make "masks" based on remotely sensed climatic data, and these can in turn be used to refine these predictions. We used data from a recent freshwater snail survey from Uganda, environmental data and the genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction (GARP) to map the potential distribution of snail species known to act as intermediate hosts of several human and animal parasites. The results suggest that large areas of Uganda are suitable habitats for many of these snail species, indicating a large potential for disease transmission. The lack of parasitological data still makes it difficult to determine the magnitude of actual disease transmission, but the predicted snail distributions might be used as indicators of potential present and future risk areas. Some of the predicted snail distribution maps were furthermore combined with temperature masks delineating suitable temperature regimes of the parasites they host. This revealed the coinciding suitable areas for snail and parasite, but also areas suitable for host snails, but apparently not for the parasites. Assuming that the developed models correctly reflect areas suitable for transmission, the applied approach could prove useful for targeting control interventions.
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Møllerløkken A, Berge VJ, Jørgensen A, Wisløff U, Brubakk AO. Effect of a short-acting NO donor on bubble formation from a saturation dive in pigs. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2006; 101:1541-5. [PMID: 16857861 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01191.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It has previously been reported that a nitric oxide (NO) donor reduces bubble formation from an air dive and that blocking NO production increases bubble formation. The present study was initiated to see whether a short-acting NO donor (glycerol trinitrate, 5 mg/ml; Nycomed Pharma) given immediately before start of decompression would affect the amount of vascular bubbles during and after decompression from a saturation dive in pigs. A total of 14 pigs (Sus scrofa domestica of the strain Norsk landsvin) were randomly divided into an experimental (n = 7) and a control group (n = 7). The pigs were anesthetized with ketamine and alpha-chloralose and compressed in a hyperbaric chamber to 500 kPa (40 m of seawater) in 2 min, and they had 3-h bottom time while breathing nitrox (35 kPa O(2)). The pigs were all decompressed to the surface (100 kPa) at a rate of 200 kPa/h. During decompression, the inspired Po(2) of the breathing gas was kept at 100 kPa. Thirty minutes before decompression, the experimental group received a short-acting NO donor intravenously, while the control group were given equal amounts of saline. The average number of bubbles seen during the observation period decreased from 0.2 to 0.02 bubbles/cm(2) (P < 0.0001) in the experimental group compared with the controls. The present study gives further support to the role of NO in preventing vascular bubble formation after decompression.
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Jørgensen A, Glessing AMB, Rasmussen LJ, Andersen O. Biotransformation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pyrene in the marine polychaete Nereis virens. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2005; 24:2796-805. [PMID: 16398115 DOI: 10.1897/05-047r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In vivo and in vitro biotransformation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pyrene was investigated in the marine polychaete Nereis virens. Assays were designed to characterize phase I and II enzymes isolated from gut tissue. High-pressure liquid chromatography measurement of 1-hydroxypyrene, pyrene-1-glucuronide, pyrene-1-sulfate, and pyrene-1-glucoside appeared to be a sensitive method for estimating the activity of pyrene hydroxylase, glucuronosyl transferase, and sulfotransferase. Total pyrene in gut tissue after a 5-d exposure to 10 microg/g dry weight pyrene constituted 65% pyrene-l-glucuronide, 12% pyrene-1-sulfate, 2% pyrene-1-glucoside, 4% 1-hydroxypyrene, and 17% pyrene, indicating that glucuronidation is the prominent phase II pathway in this organism. Only pyrene hydroxylase activity was induced significantly after pre-exposure to sediment-associated pyrene (10 microg/g dry wt). Apparent kinetic parameters were determined for all enzymatic reactions. Glucuronidation was confirmed as being the prominent phase II reaction, based on its high apparent maximum velocity (Vmax(a)). Sulfation had the lowest apparent Michaelis constant (Km(a)), indicating high specificity. Apparent kinetic parameters for pyrene hydroxylase activity were changed after induction with pyrene. Induced worms showed increased Vmax(a)) and decreased Km(a) compared to noninduced worms, indicating that the relative amount of the cytochrome P450 enzyme(s) responsible for pyrene hydroxylation is increased. Our findings show that N. virens has a high biotransformation capacity for PAHs, with inducible pyrene hydroxylase activity, and that the most prominent phase II pathway in this organism is glucuronidation.
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