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Witt ST, Brown A, Gravelsins L, Engström M, Classon E, Lykke N, Åvall-Lundqvist E, Theodorsson E, Ernerudh J, Kjölhede P, Einstein G. Gray matter volume in women with the BRCA mutation with and without ovarian removal: evidence for increased risk of late-life Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Menopause 2024; 31:608-616. [PMID: 38688467 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000002361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ovarian removal prior to spontaneous/natural menopause (SM) is associated with increased risk of late life dementias including Alzheimer's disease. This increased risk may be related to the sudden and early loss of endogenous estradiol. Women with breast cancer gene mutations (BRCAm) are counseled to undergo oophorectomy prior to SM to significantly reduce their risk of developing breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers. There is limited evidence of the neurological effects of ovarian removal prior to the age of SM showing women without the BRCAm had cortical thinning in medial temporal lobe structures. A second study in women with BRCAm and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) noted changes in cognition. METHODS The present, cross-sectional study examined whole-brain differences in gray matter (GM) volume using high-resolution, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging in women with BRCAm and intact ovaries (BRCA-preBSO [study cohort with BRCA mutation prior to oophorectomy]; n = 9) and after surgery with (BSO + estradiol-based therapy [ERT]; n = 10) and without (BSO; n = 10) postsurgical estradiol hormone therapy compared with age-matched women (age-matched controls; n = 10) with their ovaries. RESULTS The BRCA-preBSO and BSO groups showed significantly lower GM volume in the left medial temporal and frontal lobe structures. BSO + ERT exhibited few areas of lower GM volume compared with age-matched controls. Novel to this study, we also observed that all three BRCAm groups exhibited significantly higher GM volume compared with age-matched controls, suggesting continued plasticity. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides evidence, through lower GM volume, to support both the possibility that the BRCAm, alone, and early life BSO may play a role in increasing the risk for late-life dementia. At least for BRCAm with BSO, postsurgical ERT seems to ameliorate GM losses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alana Brown
- Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Elisabet Classon
- Department of Acute Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nina Lykke
- Thematic Studies, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Åvall-Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology in Linköping and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Preben Kjölhede
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Sato K, Takayama KI, Inoue S. Expression and function of estrogen receptors and estrogen-related receptors in the brain and their association with Alzheimer's disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1220150. [PMID: 37469978 PMCID: PMC10352578 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1220150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While estrogens are well known for their pivotal role in the female reproductive system, they also play a crucial function in regulating physiological processes associated with learning and memory in the brain. Moreover, they have neuroprotective effects in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Importantly, AD has a higher incidence in older and postmenopausal women than in men, and estrogen treatment might reduce the risk of AD in these women. In general, estrogens bind to and activate estrogen receptors (ERs)-mediated transcriptional machineries, and also stimulate signal transduction through membrane ERs (mERs). Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), which share homologous sequences with ERs but lack estrogen-binding capabilities, are widely and highly expressed in the human brain and have also been implicated in AD pathogenesis. In this review, we primarily provide a summary of ER and ERR expression patterns in the human brain. In addition, we summarize recent studies on their role in learning and memory. We then review and discuss research that has elucidated the functions and importance of ERs and ERRs in AD pathogenesis, including their role in Aβ clearance and the reduction of phosphorylated tau levels. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying ER- and ERR-mediated transcriptional machineries and their functions in healthy and diseased brains would provide new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Furthermore, exploring the potential role of estrogens and their receptors, ERs, in AD will facilitate a better understanding of the sex differences observed in AD, and lead to novel sex-specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Sato
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Tokyo, Japan
- Integrated Research Initiative for Living Well with Dementia (IRIDE), TMIG, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Takayama
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Qu N, Wang XM, Zhang T, Zhang SF, Li Y, Cao FY, Wang Q, Ning LN, Tian Q. Estrogen Receptor α Agonist is Beneficial for Young Female Rats Against Chronic Unpredicted Mild Stress-Induced Depressive Behavior and Cognitive Deficits. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 77:1077-1093. [PMID: 32804146 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women are reported more likely to develop depression and dementia. However, the involved mechanism is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE Here, we clarified the role of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in depression and cognitive deficit in young female rats. METHODS After being exposed to 7-weeks' chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS), the depression resilient rats (Res rats) and depressed rats (Dep rats) were selected according to their records in sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and open field test. Their cognition abilities were tested by Morris water maze. Proteomic assay, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, immunohistochemical, and Nissl staining were also used to understand the involved mechanism. RESULTS Compared with control rats and Res rats, Dep rats showed cognitive deficits and hippocampal impairments revealed by proteomic data, neuron losses, increased cleaved caspase-3, β-catenin phosphorylation, and glycogen synthase kinase3β (GSK3β) activation. As ERα, but not ERβ, was found declined in hippocampi of Dep rats, 4,4k,4a-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) trisphenol (PPT, an ERα agonist, 1 mg/kg/day), was used to treat Dep rats (Dep + PPT). Twenty days later, the depressive behaviors, cognition deficits, and hippocampal neuron loss were rescued in Dep + PPT rats. Furthermore, Res and Dep + PPT rats had higher levels of β-catenin combined with ERα and lower levels of β-catenin combined with GSK3β than Dep rats in hippocampi. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated hippocampal ERα is an important pro-resilient factor in CUMS-induced depressive behaviors and cognitive deficits. It was also given that the neuroprotection afforded by hippocampal ERα/Wnt interactions have significant implications for cognition and emotion in young females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Qu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Wang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Fang Zhang
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Li
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Fu-Yuan Cao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin-Na Ning
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Pathology, Gannan Medical University Pingxiang Hospital, Pingxiang, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Viejo L, Noori A, Merrill E, Das S, Hyman BT, Serrano-Pozo A. Systematic review of human post-mortem immunohistochemical studies and bioinformatics analyses unveil the complexity of astrocyte reaction in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 48:e12753. [PMID: 34297416 PMCID: PMC8766893 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Reactive astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have traditionally been demonstrated by increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity; however, astrocyte reaction is a complex and heterogeneous phenomenon involving multiple astrocyte functions beyond cytoskeletal remodelling. To better understand astrocyte reaction in AD, we conducted a systematic review of astrocyte immunohistochemical studies in post-mortem AD brains followed by bioinformatics analyses on the extracted reactive astrocyte markers. METHODS NCBI PubMed, APA PsycInfo and WoS-SCIE databases were interrogated for original English research articles with the search terms 'Alzheimer's disease' AND 'astrocytes.' Bioinformatics analyses included protein-protein interaction network analysis, pathway enrichment, and transcription factor enrichment, as well as comparison with public human -omics datasets. RESULTS A total of 306 articles meeting eligibility criteria rendered 196 proteins, most of which were reported to be upregulated in AD vs control brains. Besides cytoskeletal remodelling (e.g., GFAP), bioinformatics analyses revealed a wide range of functional alterations including neuroinflammation (e.g., IL6, MAPK1/3/8 and TNF), oxidative stress and antioxidant defence (e.g., MT1A/2A, NFE2L2, NOS1/2/3, PRDX6 and SOD1/2), lipid metabolism (e.g., APOE, CLU and LRP1), proteostasis (e.g., cathepsins, CRYAB and HSPB1/2/6/8), extracellular matrix organisation (e.g., CD44, MMP1/3 and SERPINA3), and neurotransmission (e.g., CHRNA7, GABA, GLUL, GRM5, MAOB and SLC1A2), among others. CTCF and ESR1 emerged as potential transcription factors driving these changes. Comparison with published -omics datasets validated our results, demonstrating a significant overlap with reported transcriptomic and proteomic changes in AD brains and/or CSF. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic review of the neuropathological literature reveals the complexity of AD reactive astrogliosis. We have shared these findings as an online resource available at www.astrocyteatlas.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Viejo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Charlestown, MA, USA.,Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ayush Noori
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Charlestown, MA, USA.,Harvard College, Cambridge, MA, USA.,MIND Data Science Lab, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Emily Merrill
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Charlestown, MA, USA.,MIND Data Science Lab, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sudeshna Das
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Charlestown, MA, USA.,MIND Data Science Lab, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Charlestown, MA, USA.,Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Charlestown, MA, USA.,Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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Rana AK, Sharma S, Singh D. Differential activation of Gsk-3β in the cortex and the hippocampus induces cognitive and behavioural impairments in middle-aged ovariectomized rat. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2020; 4:100019. [PMID: 35755628 PMCID: PMC9216607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2020.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3β) aberration act as a crucial pathogenic factor in several neurological conditions. However its role in menopause associated behavioural impairments is still not unclear. The present study was designed to understand the role of Gsk-3β in the progression of neurobehavioural impairments in middle-aged ovariectomized (ovx) rats. The animals showed a significant impairment in spatial and recognition memory, along with anxiety and depression-like behaviour following 22 weeks of ovx. The genomic expression of ERα, ERβ, Nrf2, HO-1, TNFα, and IL-6 was altered in both the cortex and the hippocampus of ovx rats. Protein expression of p-Gsk-3β(Ser9) was significantly downregulated in the cortex after ovx. However, the hippocampus showed a surprisingly opposite trend in the levels of p-Gsk-3β(Ser9) as that of the cortex. Differential activation of Gsk-3β and its downstream proteins such as β-catenin and p-mTOR were also altered following ovx. The study concluded that differential activation of Gsk-3β, along with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the cortex and the hippocampus, leads to the induction of cognitive and behaviour impairments in ovx rats. Cognitive and behaviour impairment was displayed by rats after ovariectomy (ovx). Estrogen receptors differentially expressed in the cortex and the hippocampus region of ovx rats. Differential activation of Gsk-3β was observed in the cortex and the hippocampus after ovx. Expression of β-catenin and p-mTOR also altered in both the regions of the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar Rana
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Supriya Sharma
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Damanpreet Singh
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Corresponding author. Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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6
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Deems NP, Leuner B. Pregnancy, postpartum and parity: Resilience and vulnerability in brain health and disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100820. [PMID: 31987814 PMCID: PMC7225072 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Risk and resilience in brain health and disease can be influenced by a variety of factors. While there is a growing appreciation to consider sex as one of these factors, far less attention has been paid to sex-specific variables that may differentially impact females such as pregnancy and reproductive history. In this review, we focus on nervous system disorders which show a female bias and for which there is data from basic research and clinical studies pointing to modification in disease risk and progression during pregnancy, postpartum and/or as a result of parity: multiple sclerosis (MS), depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In doing so, we join others (Shors, 2016; Galea et al., 2018a) in aiming to illustrate the importance of looking beyond sex in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Deems
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Wei Y, Zhou J, Wu J, Huang J. ERβ promotes Aβ degradation via the modulation of autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:565. [PMID: 31332160 PMCID: PMC6646346 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1786-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly. Beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide accumulation is considered as a primary cause of AD pathogenesis, with defective autophagy in patients' brains. Enhanced autophagic activity has been reported to promote Aβ clearance in vitro and in vivo models. Meanwhile, there is growing evidence that estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is a viable therapeutic target that can ameliorate the pathological features associated with AD. Very little is known about the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between ERβ, autophagy, and Aβ degradation in AD. This study aims to uncover whether ERβ participates in autophagy and promotes extracellular Aβ1-42 degradation through the autophagy-lysosome system. Here we find that overexpression of ERβ caused autophagic activation as seen by increased microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II), SQSTM1 (sequestosome 1) degradation, LC3 punctate distribution, autophagosome, and autolysosome accumulation. In addition, we show that ERβ could induce autophagy through direct protein-protein interaction with ATG7 (E1-like enzyme). Furthermore, ERβ-mediated decrease in Aβ1-42 was blocked by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) in SH-SY5Y cells and the HEK293T (AβPPsw) model. Aβ1-42 or CQ induced cytotoxicity was restored by a selective ERβ activator diarylpropionitrile (DPN). Collectively, these data indicate that overexpression of ERβ exerts a neuroprotective effect through interacting with ATG7 protein and further enhances autophagy-lysosomal activity for Aβ1-42 clearance at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jun Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jian Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Martin-Jiménez C, Gaitán-Vaca DM, Areiza N, Echeverria V, Ashraf GM, González J, Sahebkar A, Garcia-Segura LM, Barreto GE. Astrocytes Mediate Protective Actions of Estrogenic Compounds after Traumatic Brain Injury. Neuroendocrinology 2019; 108:142-160. [PMID: 30391959 DOI: 10.1159/000495078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem. It may result in severe neurological disabilities and in a variety of cellular metabolic alterations for which available therapeutic strategies are limited. In the last decade, the use of estrogenic compounds, which activate protective mechanisms in astrocytes, has been explored as a potential experimental therapeutic approach. Previous works have suggested estradiol (E2) as a neuroprotective hormone that acts in the brain by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs). Several steroidal and nonsteroidal estrogenic compounds can imitate the effects of estradiol on ERs. These include hormonal estrogens, phytoestrogens and synthetic estrogens, such as selective ER modulators or tibolone. Current evidence of the role of astrocytes in mediating protective actions of estrogenic compounds after TBI is reviewed in this paper. We conclude that the use of estrogenic compounds to modulate astrocytic properties is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Martin-Jiménez
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diana Milena Gaitán-Vaca
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia Areiza
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Valentina Echeverria
- Universidad San Sebastián, Fac. Cs de la Salud, Concepción, Chile
- Research and Development Service, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, Florida, USA
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Janneth González
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - George E Barreto
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia,
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Fang YY, Zeng P, Qu N, Ning LN, Chu J, Zhang T, Zhou XW, Tian Q. Evidence of altered depression and dementia-related proteins in the brains of young rats after ovariectomy. J Neurochem 2018; 146:703-721. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Yan Fang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Peng Zeng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Na Qu
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Lin-Na Ning
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Jiang Chu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Xin-Wen Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology; School of Basic Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Institute for Brain Research; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
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10
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Knowledge-Based Neuroendocrine Immunomodulation (NIM) Molecular Network Construction and Its Application. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23061312. [PMID: 29848990 PMCID: PMC6099962 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence shows that the neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) network plays an important role in maintaining and modulating body function and the homeostasis of the internal environment. The disequilibrium of NIM in the body is closely associated with many diseases. In the present study, we first collected a core dataset of NIM signaling molecules based on our knowledge and obtained 611 NIM signaling molecules. Then, we built a NIM molecular network based on the MetaCore database and analyzed the signaling transduction characteristics of the core network. We found that the endocrine system played a pivotal role in the bridge between the nervous and immune systems and the signaling transduction between the three systems was not homogeneous. Finally, employing the forest algorithm, we identified the molecular hub playing an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), based on the NIM molecular network constructed by us. The results showed that GSK3B, SMARCA4, PSMD7, HNF4A, PGR, RXRA, and ESRRA might be the key molecules for RA, while RARA, STAT3, STAT1, and PSMD14 might be the key molecules for AD. The molecular hub may be a potentially druggable target for these two complex diseases based on the literature. This study suggests that the NIM molecular network in this paper combined with the forest algorithm might provide a useful tool for predicting drug targets and understanding the pathogenesis of diseases. Therefore, the NIM molecular network and the corresponding online tool will not only enhance research on complex diseases and system biology, but also promote the communication of valuable clinical experience between modern medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
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Song X, Liu B, Cui L, Zhou B, Liu L, Liu W, Yao G, Xia M, Hayashi T, Hattori S, Ushiki-Kaku Y, Tashiro SI, Ikejima T. Estrogen Receptors Are Involved in the Neuroprotective Effect of Silibinin in Aβ 1-42-Treated Rats. Neurochem Res 2018; 43:796-805. [PMID: 29397533 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-2481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a cascade of pathologic changes. A widely discussed theory indicates that amyloid β (Aβ) peptides are the causative agents of AD. Silibinin, a flavonoid derived from milk thistle, is well known for its hepato-protective activities and we have reported the neuroprotective effects of silibinin. In this study, we investigated the role of estrogen receptors (ERs) in silibinin's neuroprotective effect on Aβ1-42-injected rats. Results of Morris water maze and novel object-recognition tests demonstrated that silibinin significantly attenuated Aβ1-42-induced memory impairment. Silibinin attenuated ERs and PI3K-Akt pathways, as well as modulated mitogen-activated protein kinases in the hippocampus of Aβ1-42-injected rats. Taken together, silibinin is a potential candidate in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Song
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China.,Medical Research Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Bo Liu
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Lingyu Cui
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Biao Zhou
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Lu Liu
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Guodong Yao
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery (Ministry of Education), Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Mingyu Xia
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Toshihiko Hayashi
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Shunji Hattori
- Nippi Research Institute of Biomatrix, Toride, Ibaraki, 302-0017, Japan
| | - Yuko Ushiki-Kaku
- Nippi Research Institute of Biomatrix, Toride, Ibaraki, 302-0017, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Tashiro
- Department of Medical Education & Primary Care, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kajiicho 465, Kamikyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takashi Ikejima
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China.
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12
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Schupf N, Lee JH, Pang D, Zigman WB, Tycko B, Krinsky-McHale S, Silverman W. Epidemiology of estrogen and dementia in women with Down syndrome. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 114:62-68. [PMID: 28843780 PMCID: PMC5748249 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of investigation have shown a protective role for estrogen in Alzheimer's disease through a number of biological actions. This review examines studies of the role of estrogen-related factors in age at onset and risk for Alzheimer's disease in women with Down syndrome, a population at high risk for early onset of dementia. The studies are consistent in showing that early age at menopause and that low levels of endogenous bioavailable estradiol in postmenopausal women with Down syndrome are associated with earlier age at onset and overall risk for dementia. Polymorphisms in genes associated with estrogen receptor activity and in genes for estrogen biosynthesis affecting endogenous estrogen are related to age at onset and cumulative incidence of dementia, and may serve as biomarkers of risk. To date, no clinical trials of estrogen or hormone replacement therapy (ERT/HRT) have been published for women with Down syndrome. While findings from clinical trials of ERT or HRT for dementia have generally been negative among women in the neurotypical population, the short interval between menopause and onset of cognitive decline, together with a more positive balance between potential benefits and risks, suggests an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of ERT/HRT for delaying or preventing dementia in this high risk population, although questions concerning the optimal formulation and timing of the hormone therapy are not yet resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Joseph H Lee
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Deborah Pang
- Department of Psychology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Warren B Zigman
- Department of Psychology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sharon Krinsky-McHale
- Department of Psychology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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13
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Scudiero R, Verderame M. Gene expression profile of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in rat brain during aging and following high fat diet. C R Biol 2017; 340:372-378. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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Gujski M, Pinkas J, Wierzbińska-Stępniak A, Owoc A, Bojar I. Does genetic testing for ERα gene polymorphisms provide new possibilities of treatment for cognitive function disorders in postmenopausal women? Arch Med Sci 2017; 13:1224-1232. [PMID: 28883865 PMCID: PMC5575213 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2016.62451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is commonly considered that cognitive abilities decrease with age, especially with respect to processing and psychomotor speed. It is an interesting issue whether, apart from the ageing process, the undergoing of menopause itself deteriorates cognitive functions, compared to women at reproductive age. Hopes for improvement of cognitive functions were pinned on the use of menopausal hormone therapy. However, the results of studies concerning the effect of hormone replacement therapy on cognition proved to be contradictory. It seems that the essence of the problem is more complicated than only estrogen deficiency. It is suggested that estrogen receptor α (ERα) polymorphism may be responsible for the differences in the effect of estrogens on cognitive processes. The article presents current knowledge concerning the effect of estrogens on the central nervous system, especially the role of ERα polymorphism, with respect to foreseeing benefits from the use of exogenous estrogens for cognitive functions. At the present stage of research, ERα appears to be poorly specific; nevertheless, it may be an important instrument for the classification of peri- and post-menopausal patients in the group where therapy with the use of estrogens may bring about benefits in terms of prevention and treatment of cognitive disorders. It also seems necessary to conduct prophylactic, screening examination of cognitive functions in post-menopausal women, in order to identify those at risk of the development of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Gujski
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Pinkas
- School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Alfred Owoc
- Center for Public Health and Health Promotion, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Bojar
- Department for Woman Health, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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15
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Honma N, Saji S, Mikami T, Yoshimura N, Mori S, Saito Y, Murayama S, Harada N. Estrogen-Related Factors in the Frontal Lobe of Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Importance of Body Mass Index. Sci Rep 2017; 7:726. [PMID: 28389656 PMCID: PMC5429714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00815-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogens play a physiologically important role in the brain, but controversies exist regarding the association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and estrogens. Estrogen-related factors were comprehensively examined in frontal lobe tissues from autopsied AD patients, and compared with controls. Concentrations of estrogens, expression of estrogen receptors (ERs), and estrogen-metabolizing enzymes (EMEs) which are important for determining the peripheral estrogen concentrations, were examined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Body mass index (BMI), known to correlate with the serum estrogen concentrations, was also taken into consideration. There were no significant differences in estrogen concentrations or each EME level between the two groups in both the cortex and white matter, whereas glial nuclear ER-β expression was significantly lower in white matter from the AD group than the control group (Allred score, 3.2 ± 0.3 and 6.5 ± 0.3, respectively. P < 0.0001). Estrogen concentrations were found to closely correlate with BMI, particularly in controls. ER-β loss in the white matter from the AD group suggests the necessity of studying the effects of estrogens on glias as well as neurons in the etiology of AD. The correlation between BMI and estrogen concentrations in the frontal lobe suggests the importance of non-brain sources of estrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Honma
- Department of Pathology, Toho University School of Medicine, Omori-Nishi 5-21-16, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan.
| | - Shigehira Saji
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fukushima Medical University, Hikariga-oka 1, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tetuo Mikami
- Department of Pathology, Toho University School of Medicine, Omori-Nishi 5-21-16, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
| | - Noriko Yoshimura
- Department of Biochemistry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Dengakugakubo 1-98, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Seijiro Mori
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Sakaecho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Yuko Saito
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Ogawa-Higashi 4-1-1, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8551, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murayama
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Sakaecho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Harada
- Department of Biochemistry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Dengakugakubo 1-98, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan
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16
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Uchoa MF, Moser VA, Pike CJ. Interactions between inflammation, sex steroids, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 43:60-82. [PMID: 27651175 PMCID: PMC5123957 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder for which there are no effective strategies to prevent or slow its progression. Because AD is multifactorial, recent research has focused on understanding interactions among the numerous risk factors and mechanisms underlying the disease. One mechanism through which several risk factors may be acting is inflammation. AD is characterized by chronic inflammation that is observed before clinical onset of dementia. Several genetic and environmental risk factors for AD increase inflammation, including apolipoprotein E4, obesity, and air pollution. Additionally, sex steroid hormones appear to contribute to AD risk, with age-related losses of estrogens in women and androgens in men associated with increased risk. Importantly, sex steroid hormones have anti-inflammatory actions and can interact with several other AD risk factors. This review examines the individual and interactive roles of inflammation and sex steroid hormones in AD, as well as their relationships with the AD risk factors apolipoprotein E4, obesity, and air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana F Uchoa
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - V Alexandra Moser
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Christian J Pike
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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17
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Zhao L, Woody SK, Chhibber A. Estrogen receptor β in Alzheimer's disease: From mechanisms to therapeutics. Ageing Res Rev 2015; 24:178-90. [PMID: 26307455 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionally affects women and men. The female susceptibility for AD has been largely associated with the loss of ovarian sex hormones during menopause. This review examines the current understanding of the role of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the regulation of neurological health and its implication in the development and intervention of AD. Since its discovery in 1996, research conducted over the last 15-20 years has documented a great deal of evidence indicating that ERβ plays a pivotal role in a broad spectrum of brain activities from development to aging. ERβ genetic polymorphisms have been associated with cognitive impairment and increased risk for AD predominantly in women. The role of ERβ in the intervention of AD has been demonstrated by the alteration of AD pathology in response to treatment with ERβ-selective modulators in transgenic models that display pronounced plaque and tangle histopathological presentations as well as learning and memory deficits. Future studies that explore the potential interactions between ERβ signaling and the genetic isoforms of human apolipoprotein E (APOE) in brain aging and development of AD-risk phenotype are critically needed. The current trend of lost-in-translation in AD drug development that has primarily been based on early-onset familial AD (FAD) models underscores the urgent need for novel models that recapitulate the etiology of late-onset sporadic AD (SAD), the most common form of AD representing more than 95% of the current human AD population. Combining the use of FAD-related models that generally have excellent face validity with SAD-related models that hold more reliable construct validity would together increase the predictive validity of preclinical findings for successful translation into humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
| | - Sarah K Woody
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Anindit Chhibber
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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18
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Xiong Y, Liu F, Liu D, Huang H, Wei N, Tan L, Chen J, Man H, Gong C, Lu Y, Wang J, Zhu L. Opposite effects of two estrogen receptors on tau phosphorylation through disparate effects on the miR-218/PTPA pathway. Aging Cell 2015; 14:867-77. [PMID: 26111662 PMCID: PMC4568974 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The two estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, mediate the diverse biological functions of estradiol. Opposite effects of ERα and ERβ have been found in estrogen-induced cancer cell proliferation and differentiation as well as in memory-related tasks. However, whether these opposite effects are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear. Here, we find that ERα and ERβ play contrasting roles in regulating tau phosphorylation, which is a pathological hallmark of AD. ERα increases the expression of miR-218 to suppress the protein levels of its specific target, protein tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα). The downregulation of PTPα results in the abnormal tyrosine hyperphosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (resulting in activation) and protein phosphatase 2A (resulting in inactivation), the major tau kinase and phosphatase. Suppressing the increased expression of miR-218 inhibits the ERα-induced tau hyperphosphorylation as well as the PTPα decline. In contrast, ERβ inhibits tau phosphorylation by limiting miR-218 levels and restoring the miR-218 levels antagonized the attenuation of tau phosphorylation by ERβ. These data reveal for the first time opposing roles for ERα and ERβ in AD pathogenesis and suggest potential therapeutic targets for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan‐Si Xiong
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Fang‐Fang Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Dan Liu
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
- Department of Genetics School of Basic Medicine Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- Sino‐Canada Collaborative Platform on Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
| | - He‐Zhou Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Lu Tan
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Jian‐Guo Chen
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
- Department of Pharmacology School of Basic Medicine Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Heng‐Ye Man
- Department of Biology Boston University Boston MA 02215USA
| | - Cheng‐Xin Gong
- Department of Neurochemistry Inge Grundke‐Iqbal Research Floor New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities Staten Island NY 10314USA
| | - Youming Lu
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Jian‐Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Ling‐Qiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
- Sino‐Canada Collaborative Platform on Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
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19
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Qu N, Zhou XY, Han L, Wang L, Xu JX, Zhang T, Chu J, Chen Q, Wang JZ, Zhang Q, Tian Q. Combination of PPT with LiCl Treatment Prevented Bilateral Ovariectomy-Induced Hippocampal-Dependent Cognition Deficit in Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 53:894-904. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-9050-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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20
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Chakrabarti M, Haque A, Banik NL, Nagarkatti P, Nagarkatti M, Ray SK. Estrogen receptor agonists for attenuation of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Brain Res Bull 2014; 109:22-31. [PMID: 25245209 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent results from laboratory investigations and clinical trials indicate important roles for estrogen receptor (ER) agonists in protecting the central nervous system (CNS) from noxious consequences of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative processes in several CNS disorders including spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with activation of microglia and astrocytes, which drive the resident neuroinflammatory response. During neurodegenerative processes, activated microglia and astrocytes cause deleterious effects on surrounding neurons. The inhibitory activity of ER agonists on microglia activation might be a beneficial therapeutic option for delaying the onset or progression of neurodegenerative injuries and diseases. Recent studies suggest that ER agonists can provide neuroprotection by modulation of cell survival mechanisms, synaptic reorganization, regenerative responses to axonal injury, and neurogenesis process. The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions of ER agonists are mediated mainly via two ERs known as ERα and ERβ. Although some studies have suggested that ER agonists may be deleterious to some neuronal populations, the potential clinical benefits of ER agonists for augmenting cognitive function may triumph over the associated side effects. Also, understanding the modulatory activities of ER agonists on inflammatory pathways will possibly lead to the development of selective anti-inflammatory molecules with neuroprotective roles in different CNS disorders such as SCI, MS, PD, and AD in humans. Future studies should be concentrated on finding the most plausible molecular pathways for enhancing protective functions of ER agonists in treating neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative injuries and diseases in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinmay Chakrabarti
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Azizul Haque
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Naren L Banik
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Swapan K Ray
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Columbia, SC 29209, USA.
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21
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Acosta JI, Hiroi R, Camp BW, Talboom JS, Bimonte-Nelson HA. An update on the cognitive impact of clinically-used hormone therapies in the female rat: models, mazes, and mechanisms. Brain Res 2013; 1514:18-39. [PMID: 23333453 PMCID: PMC3739440 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In women, ovarian hormone loss associated with menopause has been related to cognitive decline. Hormone therapy (HT) may ameliorate some of these changes. Understanding the cognitive impact of female steroids, including estrogens, progestogens, and androgens, is key to discovering treatments that promote brain health in women. The preclinical literature has presented elegant and methodical experiments allowing a better understanding of parameters driving the cognitive consequences of ovarian hormone loss and HT. Animal models have been a valuable tool in this regard, and will be vital to future discoveries. Here, we provide an update on the literature evaluating the impact of female steroid hormones on cognition, and the putative mechanisms mediating these effects. We focus on preclinical work that was done with an eye toward clinical realities. Parameters that govern the cognitive efficacy of HT, from what we know thus far, include but are not limited to: type, dose, duration, and route of HT, age at HT initiation, timing of HT relative to ovarian hormone loss, memory type examined, menopause history, and hormone receptor status. Researchers have identified intricate relationships between some of these factors by studying their individual effects on cognition. As of late, there is increased focus on studying interactions between these variables as well as multiple hormone types when administered concomitantly. This is key to translating preclinical data to the clinic, wherein women typically have concurrent exposure to endogenous ovarian hormones as well as exogenous combination HTs, which include both estrogens and progestins. Gains in understanding the parameters of HT effects on cognition provide exciting novel avenues that can inform clinical treatments, eventually expanding the window of opportunity to optimally enhance cognition and brain health in aging women. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Hormone Therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J I Acosta
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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Tirado OM, Selva DM, Toràn N, Suárez-Quian CA, Jansen M, McDonnell DP, Reventós J, Munell F. Increased Expression of Estrogen Receptor β in Pachytene Spermatocytes After Short-Term Methoxyacetic Acid Administration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 25:84-94. [PMID: 14662790 DOI: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2004.tb02762.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of primary spermatocytes by apoptosis occurs during normal spermatogenesis, as well as in several pathological conditions, including exposure to specific testicular toxicants. The mechanisms that regulate the death and survival of primary spermatocytes, however, are still not well understood. The recent localization of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) and P450 aromatase in pachytene spermatocytes suggests a role for estrogens in this step of spermatogenesis. Using a well-known model of pachytene spermatocyte apoptosis in adult rats consisting of the administration of methoxyacetic acid (MAA), we investigated the participation of ERbeta during the initial phase of apoptosis, prior to germ cell loss. Adult rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of MAA, and DNA laddering analysis confirmed apoptotic cell death in the testis. In enriched germ cell fractions and testis from MAA-treated animals, ERbeta mRNA increased significantly at 3 and 6 hours, respectively. Next, stage-specific induction of ERbeta mRNA was demonstrated by use of laser capture microdissection of seminiferous tubules in combination with semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The ERbeta protein also increased significantly after 6 hours and was mainly immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of pachytene spermatocytes of afflicted tubules. The cytoplasmic localization was confirmed by Western blot analysis of isolated cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of testicular extracts. Finally, the MAA activation of ERbeta was tested in vitro in HepG2 cells cotransfected with ERbeta and a reporter construct that contained a consensus estrogen responsive element. Addition of MAA at similar doses used in vivo elicited a similar estrogenic activation as did estradiol at 1 nmol/L concentration. The present results raise the possibility that cytoplasmic ERbeta participates in the apoptotic process of pachytene spermatocytes induced by MAA. Whether MAA interacts with ERbeta in the cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes, preventing the progression of the first meiotic division, however, remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar M Tirado
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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Foster TC. Role of estrogen receptor alpha and beta expression and signaling on cognitive function during aging. Hippocampus 2012; 22:656-69. [PMID: 21538657 PMCID: PMC3704216 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This review presents evidence for the idea that the expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ) interacts with the level of estradiol (E2) to influence the etiology of age-related cognitive decline and responsiveness to E2 treatments. There is a nonmonotonic dose response curve for E2 influences on behavior and transcription. Evidence is mounting to indicate that the dose response curve is shifted according to the relative expression of ERα and ERβ. Recent work characterizing age-related changes in the expression of ERα and ERβ in the hippocampus, as well as studies using mutant mice, and viral mediated delivery of estrogen receptors indicate that an age-related shift in ERα/ERβ expression, combined with declining gonadal E2 can impact transcription, cell signaling, neuroprotection, and neuronal growth. Finally, the role of ERα/ERβ on rapid E2 signaling and synaptogenesis as it relates to hippocampal aging is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0244, USA.
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Zhao Q, Lee JH, Pang D, Temkin A, Park N, Janicki SC, Zigman WB, Silverman W, Tycko B, Schupf N. Estrogen receptor-Beta variants are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in women with down syndrome. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2012; 32:241-9. [PMID: 22156442 PMCID: PMC3250648 DOI: 10.1159/000334522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined the relation of polymorphisms in the gene for the estrogen receptor-beta (ESR2) to the risk of AD in women with Down syndrome. METHODS Two hundred and forty-nine women with Down syndrome, 31-70 years of age and nondemented at baseline, were followed at 14- to 18-month intervals for 4 years. Women were genotyped for 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ESR2 gene, and their association with AD incidence was examined. RESULTS Among postmenopausal women, we found a 2-fold increase in the risk of AD for women carrying 1 or 2 copies of the minor allele at 3 SNPs in introns seven (rs17766755) and six (rs4365213 and rs12435857) and 1 SNP in intron eight (rs4986938) of ESR2. CONCLUSION These findings support a role for estrogen and its major brain receptors in modulating susceptibility to AD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Joseph H. Lee
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Deborah Pang
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, N.Y
| | - Alexis Temkin
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Naeun Park
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Sarah C. Janicki
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Warren B. Zigman
- Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, N.Y
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,*Nicole Schupf, PhD, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, PO Box 16, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 (USA), Tel. +1 212 305 2381, E-Mail
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Arevalo MA, Diz-Chaves Y, Santos-Galindo M, Bellini MJ, Garcia-Segura LM. Selective oestrogen receptor modulators decrease the inflammatory response of glial cells. J Neuroendocrinol 2012; 24:183-90. [PMID: 21564348 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02156.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation comprises a feature of many neurological disorders that is accompanied by the activation of glial cells and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Such activation is a normal response oriented to protect neural tissue and it is mainly regulated by microglia and astroglia. However, excessive and chronic activation of glia may lead to neurotoxicity and may be harmful for neural tissue. The ovarian hormone oestradiol exerts protective actions in the central nervous system that, at least in part, are mediated by a reduction of reactive gliosis. Several selective oestrogen receptor modulators may also exert neuroprotective effects by controlling glial inflammatory responses. Thus, tamoxifen and raloxifene decrease the inflammatory response caused by lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial endotoxin, in mouse and rat microglia cells in vitro. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are also able to reduce microglia activation in the brain of male and female rats in vivo after the peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide. In addition, tamoxifen decreases the microglia inflammatory response induced by irradiation. Furthermore, treatment with tamoxifen and raloxifene resulted in a significant reduction of the number of reactive astrocytes in the hippocampus of young, middle-aged and older female rats after a stab wound injury. Tamoxifen, raloxifene and the new selective oestrogen receptor modulators ospemifene and bazedoxifene decrease the expression and release of interleukine-6 and interferon-γ inducible protein-10 in cultured astrocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide. Ospemifene and bazedoxifene exert anti-inflammatory effects in astrocytes by a mechanism involving classical oestrogen receptors and the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 transactivation. These data suggest that oestrogenic compounds are candidates to counteract brain inflammation under neurodegenerative conditions by targeting the production and release of pro-inflammatory molecules by glial cells.
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Abstract
A promising strategy to delay and perhaps prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to identify the age-related changes that put the brain at risk for the disease. A significant normal age change known to result in tissue-specific dysfunction is the depletion of sex hormones. In women, menopause results in a relatively rapid loss of estradiol and progesterone. In men, aging is associated with a comparatively gradual yet significant decrease in testosterone. We review a broad literature that indicates age-related losses of estrogens in women and testosterone in men are risk factors for AD. Both estrogens and androgens exert a wide range of protective actions that improve multiple aspects of neural health, suggesting that hormone therapies have the potential to combat AD pathogenesis. However, translation of experimental findings into effective therapies has proven challenging. One emerging treatment option is the development of novel hormone mimetics termed selective estrogen and androgen receptor modulators. Continued research of sex hormones and their roles in the aging brain is expected to yield valuable approaches to reducing the risk of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Barron
- USC Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 153-8902 Japan
| | - Christian J. Pike
- USC Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
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27
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Barron AM, Pike CJ. Sex hormones, aging, and Alzheimer's disease. Front Biosci (Elite Ed) 2012. [PMID: 22201929 DOI: 10.2741/434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A promising strategy to delay and perhaps prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to identify the age-related changes that put the brain at risk for the disease. A significant normal age change known to result in tissue-specific dysfunction is the depletion of sex hormones. In women, menopause results in a relatively rapid loss of estradiol and progesterone. In men, aging is associated with a comparatively gradual yet significant decrease in testosterone. We review a broad literature that indicates age-related losses of estrogens in women and testosterone in men are risk factors for AD. Both estrogens and androgens exert a wide range of protective actions that improve multiple aspects of neural health, suggesting that hormone therapies have the potential to combat AD pathogenesis. However, translation of experimental findings into effective therapies has proven challenging. One emerging treatment option is the development of novel hormone mimetics termed selective estrogen and androgen receptor modulators. Continued research of sex hormones and their roles in the aging brain is expected to yield valuable approaches to reducing the risk of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Barron
- USC Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
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Smith YR, Bowen L, Love TM, Berent-Spillson A, Frey KA, Persad CC, Reame NK, Koeppe RA, Zubieta JK. Early initiation of hormone therapy in menopausal women is associated with increased hippocampal and posterior cingulate cholinergic activity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011; 96:E1761-70. [PMID: 21865354 PMCID: PMC3205894 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2011-0351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The role of ovarian hormones in maintaining neuronal integrity and cognitive function is still debated. This study was undertaken to clarify the potential relationship between postmenopausal hormone use and the cholinergic system. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that early initiated hormone therapy (HT) preserves the cholinergic system and that estrogen therapy (ET) would be associated with higher levels of acetylcholinesterase activity in the posterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus compared to estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) or no HT. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a cross-sectional study at a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS Fifty postmenopausal women (age, 65.2 ± 0.7 yr) with early long-term HT (n = 34; 13 ET and 21 EPT) or no HT (n = 16) participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS There were no interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE We measured cholinergic activity (acetylcholinesterase) in the hippocampus and posterior cingulate brain regions as measured by N-[(11)C]methylpiperidin-4-yl propionate and positron emission tomography as a marker of cholinergic function. RESULTS Significant effects of treatment on cholinergic activity measures were obtained in the left hippocampus (F = 3.56; P = 0.04), right hippocampus (F = 3.42; P = 0.04), and posterior cingulate (F = 3.76; P = 0.03). No significant effects were observed in a cortical control region. Post hoc testing identified greater cholinergic activity in the EPT group compared to the no-HT group in the left hippocampus (P = 0.048) and posterior cingulate (P = 0.045), with a nonstatistically significant trend in the right hippocampus (P = 0.073). CONCLUSIONS A differential effect of postmenopausal ET and EPT on cholinergic neuronal integrity was identified in postmenopausal women. The findings are consistent with a preservation of cholinergic neuronal integrity in the EPT group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda R Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Health Systems, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Room L4224 Women's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0276, USA.
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Higaki S, Takumi K, Itoh M, Watanabe G, Taya K, Shimizu K, Hayashi M, Oishi T. Response of ERβ and aromatase expression in the monkey hippocampal formation to ovariectomy and menopause. Neurosci Res 2011; 72:148-54. [PMID: 22051040 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2011.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 10/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the expression of estrogen-related substances in monkeys' brains at the menopausal transition, when estrogen deficit starts to occur, have not yet been examined thoroughly. In the present study, we immunohistochemically investigated the expression levels of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and aromatase (local estrogen synthesizing enzyme) in the hippocampal formation of premenopausal, menopausal, and ovariectomized premenopausal monkeys. In all monkeys tested, ERβ immunoreactivity was observed in interneurons located in the subiculum and the Ammon's horn, and most of these ERβ-immunoreactive neurons coexpressed a GABAergic neuron marker, parvalbumin. In the menopausal monkeys who exhibited a decline in estrogen concentration, hippocampal ERβ was highly upregulated, while aromatase expression was not markedly changed. By contrast, aromatase in the ovariectomized monkeys was significantly upregulated, while ERβ expression was not changed. In the brains of ovariectomized and menopausal monkeys, depletion of ovary-derived estrogen brought about different reactions which may be attributed to the senescence of brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Higaki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Aichi 484-8506, Japan
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Fenzi F, Rizzzuto N. Estrogen receptors localization in the spinal trigeminal nucleus: an immunohistochemical study in humans. Eur J Pain 2011; 15:1002-7. [PMID: 21640622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2011.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Revised: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence for estrogenic modulation of neurotransmission within the trigeminal pain pathway. It is also likely that the effects of estrogens may be influenced by the presence and localization of estrogen receptors (ERs) in a given brain area. To date, human data on the localization of ERs in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (STN), a key brain region in craniofacial nociception, are lacking. To ascertain whether ERs are expressed in the human STN, we performed immunohistochemical analysis on medulla oblongata samples taken from eight adult subjects (three men and five women; age range, 23-71 years) who had died from causes unrelated to neurologic or endocrine diseases. Paraffin-embedded sections at the level of the subnucleus caudalis and interpolaris were incubated with anti-estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and anti-estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) antibodies. ERα immunoreactivity was detected in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neuronal and glial cells in the STN and in the nerve fibers within the spinal trigeminal tract in all eight subjects; ERβ immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm of neuronal cells in five subjects. This study is the first to provide evidence in humans that ER immunoreactivity is detectable on neuronal and glial cells of the STN. The two ER subtypes exhibited different expression patterns, with higher expression levels of ERα than ERβ. The presence of ER-containing cells in the STN suggests that estrogens may directly affect trigeminal neuron excitability in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Fenzi
- Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Zimmerman ME, Lipton RB, Santoro N, McConnell DS, Derby CA, Katz MJ, Baigi K, Saunders-Pullman R. Endogenous estradiol is associated with verbal memory in nondemented older men. Brain Cogn 2011; 76:158-65. [PMID: 21354686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2011.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Revised: 11/18/2010] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between endogenous hormones and cognitive function in nondemented, ethnically-diverse community-dwelling older men enrolled in the Einstein Aging Study (EAS). All eligible participants (185 men, mean age=81 years) received neuropsychological assessment (Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT), Logical Memory (LM), Trail Making Test B (TMTB), block design (BD)) and provided blood samples for hormonal assays (total estradiol, total testosterone, calculated free testosterone index). Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, education, body mass index, and cardiovascular comorbidities indicated that men with high levels of total estradiol demonstrated better FCSRT verbal memory performance (β=0.17, p<0.02) compared to men with lower levels of total estradiol. The results remained unchanged when the model was further adjusted for ethnicity. We did not detect an association between testosterone and cognitive performance. These findings indicate that high levels of total estradiol in older men are associated with better performance on a cue-based, controlled learning test of verbal memory that is a sensitive predictor of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly E Zimmerman
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Microarray analysis on human neuroblastoma cells exposed to aluminum, β(1-42)-amyloid or the β(1-42)-amyloid aluminum complex. PLoS One 2011; 6:e15965. [PMID: 21298039 PMCID: PMC3029275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A typical pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the appearance in the brain of senile plaques made up of β-amyloid (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles. AD is also associated with an abnormal accumulation of some metal ions, and we have recently shown that one of these, aluminum (Al), plays a relevant role in affecting Aβ aggregation and neurotoxicity. Methodology In this study, employing a microarray analysis of 35,129 genes, we investigated the effects induced by the exposure to the Aβ1–42-Al (Aβ-Al) complex on the gene expression profile of the neuronal-like cell line, SH-SY5Y. Principal Findings The microarray assay indicated that, compared to Aβ or Al alone, exposure to Aβ-Al complex produced selective changes in gene expression. Some of the genes selectively over or underexpressed are directly related to AD. A further evaluation performed with Ingenuity Pathway analysis revealed that these genes are nodes of networks and pathways that are involved in the modulation of Ca2+ homeostasis as well as in the regulation of glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Conclusions and Significance Aβ-Al appears to be largely involved in the molecular machinery that regulates neuronal as well as synaptic dysfunction and loss. Aβ-Al seems critical in modulating key AD-related pathways such as glutamatergic transmission, Ca2+ homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal apoptosis.
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Actions of estrogens on glial cells: Implications for neuroprotection. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2010; 1800:1106-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2009] [Revised: 09/29/2009] [Accepted: 10/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Cerciat M, Unkila M, Garcia-Segura LM, Arevalo MA. Selective estrogen receptor modulators decrease the production of interleukin-6 and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 by astrocytes exposed to inflammatory challenge in vitro. Glia 2010; 58:93-102. [PMID: 19533603 DOI: 10.1002/glia.20904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Expression of proinflammatory molecules by glial cells is involved in the pathophysiological changes associated with chronic neurological diseases. Under pathological conditions, astrocytes release a number of proinflammatory molecules, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10). The ovarian hormone estradiol exerts protective effects in the central nervous system that, at least in part, may be mediated by a reduction of local inflammation. This study was designed to assess whether estradiol affects the production of IL-6 and IP-10 by primary cultures of newborn mice astrocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin known to cause neuroinflammation. In addition, the possible anti-inflammatory effect of several selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) was also assessed. LPS induced an increase in the expression of IL-6 and IP-10 mRNA levels in astrocytes and an increase in IL-6 and IP-10 protein levels in the culture medium. These effects of LPS were impaired by estradiol and by the four SERMs tested in our study: tamoxifen, raloxifene, ospemifene, and bazedoxifene. All SERMs tested showed a similar effect on IL-6 and IP-10 mRNA levels, but raloxifene and ospemifene were more effective than tamoxifen and bazedoxifene in reducing protein levels in LPS-treated cultures. Finally, we report that news SERMs, ospemifene and bazedoxifene, exert anti-inflammatory actions by a mechanism involving classical estrogen receptors and by the inhibition of LPS-induced NFkappaB p65 transactivation. The results suggest that estrogenic compounds may be candidates to counteract brain inflammation under neurodegenerative conditions by targeting the production and release of proinflammatory molecules by astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cerciat
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Sasso-Cerri E. Enhanced ERbeta immunoexpression and apoptosis in the germ cells of cimetidine-treated rats. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:127. [PMID: 19922658 PMCID: PMC2785817 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cimetidine, refereed as antiandrogenic drug, causes hormonal changes in male patients such as increased testosterone and FSH levels. In the rat testis, structural alterations in the seminiferous tubules have been related to germ cell loss and Sertoli cell death by apoptosis. Regarding the important role of Sertoli cells in the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, via aromatase, the immunoexpression of estrogen receptors-beta (ERbeta) was evaluated in the germ cells of untreated and treated rats with cimetidine. A relationship between ERbeta immunoreactivity and apoptosis was also investigated in the germ cells of damaged tubules. METHODS Immunohistochemistry for detection of ERbeta and TUNEL method were performed in testicular sections of adult male rats treated with 50 mg/Kg of cimetidine (CmG) or saline solution (CG) for 52 days. RESULTS In CG, a cytoplasmic immunoexpression for ERbeta was observed in spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and spermatids. An evident ERbeta immunoreactivity was always observed in the flagellum and residual bodies of late spermatids. In CmG, the cytoplasm or cytoplasm and nuclei of germ cells of the damaged tubules by cimetidine showed enhanced ERbeta immunostaining. TUNEL-labeling was usually observed in the same germ cell types exhibiting enhanced ERbeta immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION The presence of ERbeta immunolabeling in the flagellum and residual bodies of spermatids reinforces the role of estrogen in spermiogenesis. The overexpression of ERbeta in the germ cells of CmG could be related to a possible interference of cimetidine on tubular androgenization and/or on the intratubular aromatase due to Sertoli cell damage. The parallelism between ERbeta overexpression and apoptosis indicates a participation of ERbeta on germ cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela Sasso-Cerri
- Department of Morphology, Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Dental School of São Paulo State University, Rua Humaitá, 1680, CEP: 14801-903, Araraquara (São Paulo), Brazil.
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Heron PM, Turchan-Cholewo J, Bruce-Keller AJ, Wilson ME. Estrogen receptor alpha inhibits the estrogen-mediated suppression of HIV transcription in astrocytes: implications for estrogen neuroprotection in HIV dementia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2009; 25:1071-81. [PMID: 19886840 PMCID: PMC2828252 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2009.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteins including Tat are produced by HIV-infected astrocytes and secreted into the brain resulting in extensive neuronal damage that contributes to the pathogenesis of HIV dementia. The neuroprotective hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2) is known to negatively regulate the HIV transcriptional promoter in human fetal astrocytes (SVGA cell line) in a Tat-dependent manner. In the present study we extended our investigation in HIV-infected SVGA cells and found a reduction in HIV p24 levels following E2 treatment in comparison to control. Although many E2-mediated events occur through estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), we found low levels of ERalpha mRNA and failed to detect ERalpha protein in SVGA cells. Paradoxically, when ERalpha was overexpressed the E2-mediated decrease in Tat transactivation of the promotor was prevented. To determine whether ERalpha expression is altered in the human brain following HIV infection, postmortum hippocampal tissue was obtained from cognitively normal HIV- and HIV+ patients, patients diagnosed with either mild cognitive/motor disorder (MCMD) or HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for ERalpha and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) showed that ERalpha mRNA levels were not significantly different between groups, while GFAP increased in the hippocampus in the HIV+ compared to the HIV- group and was decreased in the MCMD and HAD subgroups compared to HIV+ controls. Notably the ratio of ERalpha-positive reactive astrocytes to total reactive astrocytes increased and significantly correlated with the severity of cognitive impairment following HIV infection. The data suggest that E2 would have the most dramatic effect in reducing HIV transcription early in the disease process when the subpopulation of astrocytes expressing ERalpha is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M. Heron
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298
| | - Jadwiga Turchan-Cholewo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298
| | - Annadora J. Bruce-Keller
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298
- Current address: Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808
| | - Melinda E. Wilson
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298
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Ramírez CM, González M, Díaz M, Alonso R, Ferrer I, Santpere G, Puig B, Meyer G, Marin R. VDAC and ERα interaction in caveolae from human cortex is altered in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Cell Neurosci 2009; 42:172-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2009.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2009] [Revised: 06/23/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Pike CJ, Carroll JC, Rosario ER, Barron AM. Protective actions of sex steroid hormones in Alzheimer's disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2009; 30:239-58. [PMID: 19427328 PMCID: PMC2728624 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2009.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 373] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2009] [Revised: 04/25/2009] [Accepted: 04/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with age-related loss of sex steroid hormones in both women and men. In post-menopausal women, the precipitous depletion of estrogens and progestogens is hypothesized to increase susceptibility to AD pathogenesis, a concept largely supported by epidemiological evidence but refuted by some clinical findings. Experimental evidence suggests that estrogens have numerous neuroprotective actions relevant to prevention of AD, in particular promotion of neuron viability and reduction of beta-amyloid accumulation, a critical factor in the initiation and progression of AD. Recent findings suggest neural responsiveness to estrogen can diminish with age, reducing neuroprotective actions of estrogen and, consequently, potentially limiting the utility of hormone therapies in aged women. In addition, estrogen neuroprotective actions are also modulated by progestogens. Specifically, continuous progestogen exposure is associated with inhibition of estrogen actions whereas cyclic delivery of progestogens may enhance neural benefits of estrogen. In recent years, emerging literature has begun to elucidate a parallel relationship of sex steroid hormones and AD risk in men. Normal age-related testosterone loss in men is associated with increased risk to several diseases including AD. Like estrogen, testosterone has been established as an endogenous neuroprotective factor that not only increases neuronal resilience against AD-related insults, but also reduces beta-amyloid accumulation. Androgen neuroprotective effects are mediated both directly by activation of androgen pathways and indirectly by aromatization to estradiol and initiation of protective estrogen signaling mechanisms. The successful use of hormone therapies in aging men and women to delay, prevent, and or treat AD will require additional research to optimize key parameters of hormone therapy and may benefit from the continuing development of selective estrogen and androgen receptor modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Pike
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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Estradiol and neurodegenerative oxidative stress. Front Neuroendocrinol 2008; 29:463-75. [PMID: 18275991 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2007.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2007] [Revised: 12/20/2007] [Accepted: 12/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol is a potent preventative against neurodegenerative disease, in part, by activating antioxidant defense systems scavenging reactive oxygen species, limiting mitochondrial protein damage, improving electron transport chain activity and reducing mitochondrial DNA damage. Estradiol also increases the activity of complex IV of the electron transport chain, improving mitochondrial respiration and ATP production under normal and stressful conditions. However, the high oxidative cellular environment present during neurodegeneration makes estradiol a poor agent for treatment of existing disease. Oxidative stress stimulates the production of the hydroperoxide-dependent hydroxylation of estradiol to the catecholestrogen metabolites, which can undergo reactive oxygen species producing redox cycling, setting up a self-generating toxic cascade offsetting any antioxidant/antiapoptotic effects generated by the parent estradiol. Additional disease-induced factors can further perpetuate this cycle. For example dysregulation of the catecholamine system could alter catechol-O-methyltransferase-catalyzed methylation, preventing removal of redox cycling catecholestrogens from the system enhancing pro-oxidant effects of estradiol.
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Sakuma S, Tokuhara D, Hattori H, Matsuoka O, Yamano T. Expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in reactive astrocytes at the male rat hippocampus after status epilepticus. Neuropathology 2008; 29:55-62. [PMID: 18627487 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2008.00946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen is neuroprotective against status epilepticus (SE)-induced hippocampal damage in female animals. In male animals, estrogen is converted from testosterone via aromatization the activity of which is upregulated by brain damage. However, it is controversial whether estrogen is neuroprotective or neuroinvasive against male hippocampal damage after SE. In order to understand the role of estrogen, it is important to elucidate the distribution manner of estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and beta as the targets of estrogen. In this study, we examined the time course changes of ERs in adult male rat hippocampus after SE using anti-ERalpha antibodies (MC-20 and PA1-309) and anti-ERbeta antibodies (PA1-310B and PA1-311). In control rats, both ERalpha and beta were expressed in the pyramidal cells predominantly at CA1 and CA3. ERalpha was expressed in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, whereas ERbeta was expressed in the cytoplasm of the pyramidal cells. After SE, according to the pyramidal cell loss at CA1, the number of ERalpha- and beta-immunoreactive pyramidal cells decreased up to day 21. On the other hand, reactive astrocytes, which newly appeared after SE and formed gliosis at CA1, were confirmed to express both ERs in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and process. There were no differences in immunoreactivity between antibodies. Our results indicate that endogenous estrogen affects the pyramidal cells through ERalpha and beta under normal circumstances in adult male rats, whereas the targets of estrogen shift to the reactive astrocytes through ERalpha and beta after SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Sakuma
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
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Effects of estrogen receptor agonists on regulation of the inflammatory response in astrocytes from young adult and middle-aged female rats. J Neuroimmunol 2008; 195:47-59. [PMID: 18328572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2007] [Revised: 01/11/2008] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen has been shown to attenuate the inflammatory response following injury or lipopolysaccharide treatment in several organ systems. Estrogen's actions are transduced through two estrogen receptor sub-types, estrogen receptor (ER) -alpha and estrogen receptor-beta, whose actions may be overlapping or independent of each other. The present study examined the effects of ERalpha- and ERbeta-specific ligands in regulating the inflammatory response in primary astrocyte cultures. Pre-treatment with 17beta-estradiol (ERalpha/ERbeta agonist), HPTE (ERalpha agonist/ERbeta antagonist) and DPN (ERbeta agonist) led to attenuation of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and MMP-9 in astrocyte media derived from young adult (3-4 mos.) and reproductive senescent female (9-11 mos., acyclic) astrocyte cultures, while pretreatment with PPT (ERalpha agonist) attenuated IL-1beta (but not MMP-9) in both young and senescent-derived astrocyte cultures. Our previous work determined that 17beta-estradiol was unable to attenuate the LPS-induced increase in IL-1beta in olfactory bulb primary microglial cultures derived from either young adult or reproductive senescent females. In young adult-derived microglial cultures, the LPS-induced increase in IL-1beta was not attenuated by pre-treatment with 17beta-estradiol, PPT or HPTE. Interestingly, the ERbeta agonist, DPN significantly decreased IL-1beta following LPS treatment in young adult-derived microglia. Thus while both microglia and astrocytes synthesize and release inflammatory mediators, the present data shows that compounds which bind ERbeta are more effective in attenuating proinflammatory cytokines in both cell types and may therefore be a more effective agent for future therapeutic use.
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Schupf N, Lee JH, Wei M, Pang D, Chace C, Rong C, Zigman WB, Tycko B, Silverman W. Estrogen receptor-alpha variants increase risk of Alzheimer's disease in women with Down syndrome. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2008; 25:476-82. [PMID: 18408366 PMCID: PMC2430887 DOI: 10.1159/000126495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2008] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two tightly linked polymorphisms (PvuII and XbaI) in the first intron of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), the gene for ER-alpha, have been reported to influence estrogen receptor expression and may influence the risk of AD. METHODS We examined the relation of polymorphisms in ESR1 to the risk of AD in women with Down syndrome. The subjects (181 women with DS, 41-78 years of age) were followed at 14- to 18-month intervals. Information from cognitive assessments, caregiver interviews, medical record reviews and neurological examinations was used to classify dementia. Genomic DNA was genotyped for 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the upstream region and the first exon/intron of the ESR1 gene. Their association with dementia risk was evaluated, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS Women with at least 1 copy of the C allele at rs2234693 (PvuII) and those homozygous for the C allele at rs2077647 had an almost 3-fold increase in the risk of AD, compared with women without the C allele. The increased risks were independent of the apolipoprotein E genotype. CONCLUSION These findings support a role for estrogen receptor activity in the development of AD in women with Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, G.H. Sergievsky Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Joseph. H. Lee
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y., G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y., Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Michelle Wei
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Deborah Pang
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y., Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, N.Y
| | - Constance Chace
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y., Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Cheng Rong
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Warren B. Zigman
- Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, N.Y
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Guzmán CB, Zhao C, Deighton-Collins S, Kleerekoper M, Benjamins JA, Skafar DF. Agonist activity of the 3-hydroxy metabolites of tibolone through the oestrogen receptor in the mouse N20.1 oligodendrocyte cell line and normal human astrocytes. J Neuroendocrinol 2007; 19:958-65. [PMID: 18001325 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2007.01611.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
17beta-oestradiol (E(2)) may have a beneficial impact on the development of age-related diseases, in part through alpha and beta oestrogen receptors (ER) in glia. Tibolone, a synthetic steroid, could influence glial-mediated neuroprotection if agonist oestrogenic activity is demonstrable. We used the N20.1 mouse oligodendrocyte cell line as a glial cell model to evaluate the response of ERalpha and ERbeta through oestrogen-response element (ERE) and AP-1-driven reporters to E(2), 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT) and to two tibolone metabolites, 3alpha-hydroxytibolone (3alpha-OH-Tib) and 3beta-hydroxytibolone (3beta-OH-Tib). In addition, we tested the activity of these same ligands through the endogenous ERalpha in human normal astrocytes. Because endogenous ER was not detected in the N20.1 cells, we tested the ability of exogenous ER to activate transcription in response to ligands (100 nM) using a transient cotransfection assay with an ERalpha expression vector. To test the antagonist activity of 3alpha-OH-Tib and 3beta-OH-Tib, we used them in combination with E(2) (10(-8) M), at concentrations of 10(-7) M and 10(-6) M. The human normal astrocytes were treated similarly, with the exception that no ER-encoding DNA was used. Specific ER ligand mediated activity was shown using the E(2) antagonist ICI 182 780 and the pSG5 empty vector. E(2), 3alpha-OH-Tib, and 3beta-OH-Tib stimulated ERalpha on an ERE-promoter at each concentration (P < 0.001) but not at an AP-1-driven promoter. 4OHT was an effective antagonist, but did not exhibit agonist activity on the ERE-driven promoter. 4OHT was an effective agonist through ERalpha on an AP-1-driven promoter. 3alpha-OH-Tib and 3beta-OH-Tib were not effective antagonists of E(2). Both metabolites acted through the ER because the addition of an E(2) antagonist blocked their activity. These results show that 3alpha-OH-Tib and 3beta-OH-Tib exert agonist activity, yet lack antagonist or additive activity, through the ERalpha and ERbeta on an ERE-driven but not on an AP-1-driven promoter in a glial cell model and in normal human astrocytes. This contrasts with the effects of 4OHT, which exerted little or no agonist activity, but reduced E(2)-stimulated activity through ERalpha on the ERE, in the same cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C B Guzmán
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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González M, Cabrera-Socorro A, Pérez-García CG, Fraser JD, López FJ, Alonso R, Meyer G. Distribution patterns of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in the human cortex and hippocampus during development and adulthood. J Comp Neurol 2007; 503:790-802. [PMID: 17570500 DOI: 10.1002/cne.21419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the developing and adult human brain has not been clearly established, although estrogens are crucial for neuronal differentiation, synapse formation, and cognitive functions. By using immunohistochemistry, we have studied the distribution of ER alpha and ER beta in human cerebral cortex and hippocampus from early prenatal stages to adult life. ER alpha was detected in the cortex at 9 gestational weeks (GW), with a high expression in proliferating zones and the cortical plate. The staining intensity decreased gradually during prenatal development but increased again from birth to adulthood. In contrast, ER beta was first detected at 15 GW in proliferating zones, and at 16/17 GW, numerous ER beta immunopositive cells were also observed in the cortical plate. ER beta expression persisted in the adult cortex, being widely distributed throughout cortical layers II-VI. In addition, from around 15 GW to adulthood, ER alpha and ER beta were expressed in human hippocampus mainly in pyramidal cells of Ammon's horn and in the dentate gyrus. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in the adult cerebral cortex and hippocampus revealed lower protein expression of ER alpha compared with ER beta. Double immunostaining showed that during fetal life both ERs are expressed in neurons as well as in radial glia, although only ER alpha is expressed in the Cajal-Retzius neurons of the marginal zone. These observations demonstrate that the expression of ER alpha and ER beta displays different spatial-temporal patterns during human cortical and hippocampal development and suggest that both ERs may play distinct roles in several processes related to prenatal brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam González
- Department of Human Anatomy, University of La Laguna School of Medicine and Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Tenerife, Spain
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Yaffe K, Lindquist K, Sen S, Cauley J, Ferrell R, Penninx B, Harris T, Li R, Cummings SR. Estrogen receptor genotype and risk of cognitive impairment in elders: findings from the Health ABC study. Neurobiol Aging 2007; 30:607-14. [PMID: 17889406 PMCID: PMC2826192 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2007] [Revised: 08/03/2007] [Accepted: 08/09/2007] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether variants in the estrogen receptors 1 (alpha) and 2 (beta) (ESR1 and ESR2) genes are associated with cognitive impairment in non-demented elderly men and women. BACKGROUND Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on ESR1 and ESR2 genes have been associated with a range of hormone sensitive diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis. Genetic variations in ESR may also influence cognitive aging but are less studied, especially among men. METHODS We studied 2527 participants enrolled in an ongoing prospective study of community-dwelling elders. Four SNPs from ESR1 and four from ESR2 were analyzed. We measured cognitive function with the Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination (3MS) at baseline and biannually; cognitive impairment was defined as a decline of five or more points over 4 years. We calculated odds of developing cognitive impairment across SNPs using gender-stratified logistic regression and adjusted analyses for age, education, baseline 3MS score and in addition for race. RESULTS One thousand three hundred and forty-three women (mean age 73.4) and 1184 men (mean age 73.7) comprised our cohort. Among women, after multivariate adjustment, two of the ESR1 SNPs (rs8179176, rs9340799) and two of the ESR2 SNPs (rs1256065, rs1256030) were associated with likelihood of developing cognitive impairment, although the association for rs8179176 was of trend level significance. In men, one of the ESR1 SNPs (rs728524) and two of the ESR2 (rs1255998, rs1256030) were associated with cognitive impairment. Further adjustment for race attenuated the results somewhat. There was no association between any ESR SNP and level of bioavailable estradiol but testosterone level did vary among two of the SNPs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION We found that among non-demented community elders, several SNPs in the ESR1 and ESR2 genes were associated with risk of developing cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that estrogen receptor genetic variants may play a role in cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Yaffe
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
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Yaffe K, Barnes D, Lindquist K, Cauley J, Simonsick EM, Penninx B, Satterfield S, Harris T, Cummings SR. Endogenous sex hormone levels and risk of cognitive decline in an older biracial cohort. Neurobiol Aging 2006; 28:171-8. [PMID: 17097195 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2006] [Revised: 09/09/2006] [Accepted: 10/04/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older women treated with conjugated estrogens may have an increased risk of dementia, but the effect of naturally occurring sex hormones on cognition is not certain. METHODS Bioavailable estradiol and free testosterone level were obtained from 792 (55% men, 51% black) participants. We assessed cognition with the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS), Selective Reminding Test (SRT) and CLOX 1 at baseline and 2 years later. RESULTS Women in the lowest estradiol tertile were more likely than those in the highest tertile to decline (> or = 1.0 S.D. of change) on 3MS (25% versus 9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-9.6) and on SRT (28% versus 12%, adjusted OR [95% CI] = 3.3 [1.4-7.9]) but not CLOX 1. There was a borderline association between low estradiol tertile and decline on SRT in men (22% versus 14%, adjusted OR [95% CI] = 1.9 [0.9-3.9]). Testosterone level was not associated with decline in cognition in either men or women. Findings did not differ by race. CONCLUSIONS Older women with low estradiol levels were more likely to experience decline in global cognitive function and verbal memory, and a similar trend was observed for verbal memory in men. This supports the hypothesis that endogenous sex hormones may play an important role in the maintenance of cognitive function in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Yaffe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
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Ishunina TA, Fischer DF, Swaab DF. Estrogen receptor alpha and its splice variants in the hippocampus in aging and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2006; 28:1670-81. [PMID: 17010478 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2006] [Revised: 07/04/2006] [Accepted: 07/21/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and experimental studies show that estrogens can have beneficial effects on hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions that may be mediated by estrogen receptor (ER)alpha. We investigated whether menopause and Alzheimer's disease (AD) cause changes in this ER subtype. Immunocytochemical staining of ERalpha, aromatase and Golgi complex (GC) was performed on paraffin embedded hippocampal tissue from women of the pre-, peri- and postmenopausal age. Canonical ERalpha mRNA amplicons, ERalpha splice variants (del.2, del.4, del.7, MB1) and aromatase transcripts were measured by Q-PCR in frozen hippocampal samples of AD and matched control cases. Nuclear ERalpha, aromatase and the GC enhanced during aging in women indicating availability of locally synthesized estrogens that may up-regulate ERalpha by which neuronal metabolism can be augmented in the hippocampus after the menopause. In AD cases canonical and alternatively spliced ERalpha mRNA, and aromatase gene expression were down-regulated suggesting a deficit in local estrogen levels and diminished signalling through ERalpha. The major ERalpha splice variants in the hippocampus were found to be MB1 and del.4. A novel ERalpha isoform TADDI was isolated and sequenced from two female patients. It lacks 31 bp at the junction between exons 3 and 4 with an insertion of 13 nucleotides from the middle of the exon 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana A Ishunina
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Szymczak S, Kalita K, Jaworski J, Mioduszewska B, Savonenko A, Markowska A, Merchenthaler I, Kaczmarek L. Increased estrogen receptor beta expression correlates with decreased spine formation in the rat hippocampus. Hippocampus 2006; 16:453-63. [PMID: 16526034 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens play an important role in the brain function acting through two receptor types, ERalpha and ERbeta, both well-recognized as transcription factors. In this study, we investigated the ERbeta mRNA and protein levels in the rat hippocampus by using two in vivo models that are known to affect synapse formation. Natural estrous-proestrous cycle was used as a model in which a marked decrease in the density of hippocampal synapses was previously observed between proestrus and estrus. We have found that ERbeta mRNA and protein were displayed in high levels in the estrus and in low levels in the proestrous phase. By applying kainic acid (KA) to adult rats, we demonstrated that up-regulation of ERbeta mRNA and protein in hippocampal CA regions was vulnerable to KA-induced excitotoxicity. Furthermore, we note a concomitant decrease of ERbeta in the excitotoxicity-resistant denate gyrus that undergoes intense plastic changes, including synaptogenesis. These data suggested that decreases in ERbeta expression correlated with increase in synapse formation. This notion has been tested in vitro in hippocampal cultures, in which overexpression of ERbeta by means of gene transfection resulted in the lowering of the dendritic spine density that was elevated by estrogen. In summary, our results suggest that ERbeta inhibits synapse formation in hippocampal neurons.
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von Arnim CAF, Verstege E, Etrich SM, Riepe MW. Mechanisms of hypoxic tolerance in presymptomatic APP23 transgenic mice. Mech Ageing Dev 2006; 127:109-14. [PMID: 16274726 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2005.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2004] [Revised: 02/22/2005] [Accepted: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the B6-Tg (ThylAPP)23Sdz (APP23tg) transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease hypoxic tolerance is impaired prior to amyloid deposition. We therefore investigated mechanisms known to mediate resistance to hypoxic episodes in presymptomatic APP23tg and appropriate control strains. The mRNA expression levels in the hippocampus of adenosine receptor subtypes A1 and A3, estrogen receptors alpha and beta, progesterone receptor, and neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase were investigated with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Mice were pretreated in vivo with a low dose of 3-nitropropionate, an inhibitor of succinic dehydrogenase, known to mediate hypoxic tolerance within 1h. We found increased expression levels in presymptomatic, untreated APP23tg animals of adenosine A3 receptor mRNA and estrogen receptor alpha mRNA. In addition, we observed an increase in nNOS expression levels upon mild cellular hypoxia induced by 3-NP in transgenic but not in wild-type animals. We conclude that overexpression of human APP results in differential expression of receptors conferring hypoxic tolerance prior to amyloid deposition. Up-regulation of nNOS expression levels upon hypoxic challenge in APP23tg transgenic animals may therefore reflect a selective vulnerability in these animals even before amyloid deposition.
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50
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Zhao L, Brinton RD. Estrogen receptor β as a therapeutic target for promoting neurogenesis and preventing neurodegeneration. Drug Dev Res 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/ddr.20049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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