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Ciato D, Li R, Monteserin Garcia JL, Papst L, D'Annunzio S, Hristov M, Tichomirowa MA, Belaya Z, Rozhinskaya L, Buchfelder M, Theodoropoulou M, Paez-Pereda M, Stalla GK. Inhibition of Heat Shock Factor 1 Enhances Repressive Molecular Mechanisms on the POMC Promoter. Neuroendocrinology 2019; 109:362-373. [PMID: 30995664 DOI: 10.1159/000500200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cushing's disease (CD) is caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary tumours. They express high levels of heat shock protein 90 and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in comparison to the normal tissue counterpart, indicating activated cellular stress. AIMS Our objectives were: (1) to correlate HSF1 expression with clinical features and hormonal/radiological findings of CD, and (2) to investigate the effects of HSF1 inhibition as a target for CD treatment. PATIENTS/METHODS We examined the expression of total and pSer326HSF1 (marker for its transcriptional activation) by Western blot on eight human CD tumours and compared to the HSF1 status of normal pituitary. We screened a cohort of 45 patients with CD for HSF1 by immunohistochemistry and correlated the HSF1 immunoreactivity score with the available clinical data. We evaluated the effects of HSF1 silencing with RNA interference and the HSF1 inhibitor KRIBB11 in AtT-20 cells and four primary cultures of human corticotroph tumours. RESULTS We show that HSF1 protein is highly expressed and transcriptionally active in CD tumours in comparison to normal pituitary. The immunoreactivity score for HSF1 did not correlate with the typical clinical features of the disease. HSF1 inhibition reduced proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) transcription in AtT-20 cells. The HSF1 inhibitor KRIBB11 suppressed ACTH synthesis from 75% of human CD tumours in primary cell culture. This inhibitory action on Pomc transcription was mediated by increased glucocorticoid receptor and suppressed Nurr77/Nurr1 and AP-1 transcriptional activities. CONCLUSIONS These data show that HSF1 regulates POMC transcription. Pharmacological targeting of HSF1 may be a promising treatment option for the control of excess ACTH secretion in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Ciato
- Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany,
| | - Ran Li
- Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Lilia Papst
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah D'Annunzio
- Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Michael Hristov
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria A Tichomirowa
- Service d'Endocrinologie, Centre Hospitalier du Nord, Ettelbruck, Luxembourg
| | - Zhanna Belaya
- The National Research Centre for Endocrinology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Michael Buchfelder
- Neurochirurgische Klinik, Klinikum der Universität Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marily Theodoropoulou
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcelo Paez-Pereda
- Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Günter Karl Stalla
- Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Medicover Neuroendocrinology, Munich, Germany
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McNamara KM, Kannai A, Sasano H. Possible roles for glucocorticoid signalling in breast cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 466:38-50. [PMID: 28687451 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of breast cancer biology, and our ability to manipulate breast cancers have grown exponentially in the last 20 years. Much of that expansion has focused on the roles of steroids in driving these neoplasms. Initially this research focused on estrogens and progesterone receptors, and more recently on androgen actions in breast cancers. This review aims to make the case for glucocorticoids as the next essential steroid subclass that contributes significantly to our understanding of steroidogenic regulation of these neoplasms. Glucocorticoids have the potential to play multiple roles in the regulation of breast cancers including their control of cellular differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. Beyond this they also act as a master integrator of organ homeostats in relation to such as circadian rhythms and stress responses. Therefore a better understanding of glucocorticoids and breast cancer could help to explain some of the epidemiological links between circadian disruption and/or stress and breast cancer development. Finally glucocorticoids are currently used during chemotherapeutic treatment in breast cancer therapy and yet results of various studies suggest that this may have an adverse impact on treatment success. This review aims to summarise the current evidence for glucocorticoids as actors in breast cancer and then suggest future essential approaches in order to determine the roles of glucocorticoids in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keely M McNamara
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Graduate Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Ayako Kannai
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Graduate Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Graduate Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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3
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Epigenetic modulation of glucocorticoid receptors in posttraumatic stress disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e368. [PMID: 24594779 PMCID: PMC3966043 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Some individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit lower basal salivary cortisol and higher glucocorticoid receptor (GR) sensitivity. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic mechanisms regulate the activity of cortisol and GR. As a means to combine and cross-validate those findings, we compared cortisol, GR expression and promoter methylation levels in peripheral T lymphocytes of healthy controls versus individuals endorsing a diagnosis of lifetime PTSD. Thirty subjects with lifetime (current or remitted) PTSD and 16 subjects never exposed to trauma were recruited. Salivary cortisol was collected at six time points over the course of a single weekday and analyzed utilizing a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay. GR expression (GRtotal, 1B, 1C, 1F and 1H) was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. DNA methylation levels in human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) 1B and 1C variant's promoter were quantified by epityper in T lymphocytes isolated by magnetic-assisted cell sorting. Individuals with lifetime PTSD have lower morning cortisol release, higher mRNA expression of hGRtotal, 1B, and 1C and lower overall methylation levels in hGR 1B and 1C promoters. Cortisol levels were inversely correlated with hGR 1B mRNA expression. Moreover, overall and CpG site-specific methylation levels were inversely correlated with hGRtotal and 1B mRNA expression. There was no difference between current and remitted PTSD across cortisol, GR expression mRNA and DNA methylation data. Traumatic events induce DNA methylation alterations in distinct promoters of hGR with transcriptional modifications that associate with hypoactive hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in individuals with PTSD. Our results also point toward an important role of hGR 1B variant in PTSD.
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Glucocorticoid receptor-beta up-regulation and steroid resistance induction by IL-17 and IL-23 cytokine stimulation in peripheral mononuclear cells. J Clin Immunol 2012; 33:466-78. [PMID: 23160983 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-012-9828-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Most asthmatic patients have well controlled symptoms with regular treatment, but some require much higher doses of inhaled and oral corticosteroids, or in rare cases fail to respond; these patients may present Th-17 cell infiltration and associated cytokines (IL-17A and -F) in the airways, sputum and peripheral blood. Because glucocorticoid receptor-beta (GR-beta) is associated with corticosteroid resistance, we investigated whether Th-17 associated cytokines induce steroid insensitivity in PBMCs via GR-beta up-regulation. METHODS GR-alpha, GR-beta, GILZ and IL-6 expression were analyzed in PBMCs stimulated with IL-2/IL-4, IL-17A/IL-17F and IL-23 cytokines by quantitative RT-PCR. Dexamethasone-inhibition of PHA-induced proliferation and Dexamethasone-induced apoptosis were determined by either (3)H-thymidine or CFSE-labelled cells and by Annexin-V staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS IL-17 and IL-23 cytokines significantly increased GR-beta expression. IL-2/IL-4 significantly decreased GR-alpha expression without affecting GR-beta. IL17, IL-23 and IL2 + 4 stimulations significantly hampered Dexamethasone-inhibition of proliferation (Dex EC(50) for: IL-17A + F = 251 nM; IL-23 = 435 nM; IL2 + 4 = 950 nM; Medium = 90 nM). IL2 + 4 and IL17A + F but not IL-23, significantly hampered Dexamethasone-induced apoptosis (1400 and 320 nM Dex, respectively). Dexamethasone's trans-activation of GILZ and trans-repression of NF-kB-driven IL-6 expression were both inhibited by IL2 + 4; IL17 + IL23 antagonized Dex trans-repression in PBMC from asthmatics. CONCLUSIONS GR-beta up-regulation by IL-17/IL-23 cytokines is associated with induced steroid insensitivity in PBMCs, observed as diminished Dexamethasone's effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis and gene regulation. Steroid resistance induced by IL-2/IL-4 was associated with decreased GR-alpha expression. This study supports the possibility that Th-17 lymphocytes and associated cytokines play a role in the mechanism of steroid hypo-responsiveness in severe asthmatics.
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Monje FJ, Kim EJ, Cabatic M, Lubec G, Herkner KR, Pollak DD. A role for glucocorticoid-signaling in depression-like behavior of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor knock-out mice. Ann Med 2011; 43:389-402. [PMID: 21254899 DOI: 10.3109/07853890.2010.538716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract Background. The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is highly expressed in the limbic system, where it importantly regulates emotional functions and in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, where it is central for the photic resetting of the circadian clock. Mice lacking GRPR presented with deficient light-induced phase shift in activity as well altered emotional learning and amygdala function. The effect of GRPR deletion on depression-like behavior and its molecular signature in the amygdala, however, has not yet been evaluated. Methods. GRPR knock-out mice (GRPR-KO) were tested in the forced-swim test and the sucrose preference test for depression-like behavior. Gene expression in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala was evaluated by micorarray analysis subsequent to laser-capture microdissection-assisted extraction of mRNA. The expression of selected genes was confirmed by RT-PCR. Results. GRPR-KO mice were found to present with increased depression-like behavior. Microarray analysis revealed down-regulation of several glucocorticoid-responsive genes in the basolateral amygdala. Acute administration of dexamethasone reversed the behavioral phenotype and alterations in gene expression. Discussion. We propose that deletion of GRPR leads to the induction of depression-like behavior which is paralleled by dysregulation of amygdala gene expression, potentially resulting from deficient light-induced corticosterone release in GRPR-KO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Monje
- Department of Physiology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Austria
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Van Bogaert T, Vandevyver S, Dejager L, Van Hauwermeiren F, Pinheiro I, Petta I, Engblom D, Kleyman A, Schütz G, Tuckermann J, Libert C. Tumor necrosis factor inhibits glucocorticoid receptor function in mice: a strong signal toward lethal shock. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:26555-67. [PMID: 21646349 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.212365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is an urgent need for a more effective glucocorticoid therapy, for which insights into the molecular mechanisms of GCR are essential. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that TNFα, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator in numerous inflammatory diseases, compromises the protective function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) against TNFα-induced lethal inflammation. Indeed, protection of mice by dexamethasone against TNFα lethality was completely abolished when it was administered after TNFα stimulation, indicating compromised GR function upon TNFα challenge. TNFα-induced GCR was further demonstrated by impaired GR-dependent gene expression in the liver. Furthermore, TNFα down-regulates the levels of both GR mRNA and protein. However, this down-regulation seems to occur independently of GC production, as TNFα also resulted in down-regulation of GR levels in adrenalectomized mice. These findings suggest that the decreased amount of GR determines the GR response and outcome of TNFα-induced shock, as supported by our studies with GR heterozygous mice. We propose that by inducing GCR, TNFα inhibits a major brake on inflammation and thereby amplifies the pro-inflammatory response. Our findings might prove helpful in understanding GCR in inflammatory diseases in which TNFα is intimately involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Van Bogaert
- Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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7
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Taqi MM, Bazov I, Watanabe H, Nyberg F, Yakovleva T, Bakalkin G. Prodynorphin promoter SNP associated with alcohol dependence forms noncanonical AP-1 binding site that may influence gene expression in human brain. Brain Res 2011; 1385:18-25. [PMID: 21338584 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.02.042] [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: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1997794) in promoter of the prodynorphin gene (PDYN) associated with alcohol-dependence may impact PDYN transcription in human brain. To address this hypothesis we analyzed PDYN mRNA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dl-PFC) and hippocampus, both involved in cognitive control of addictive behavior and PDYN promoter SNP genotype in alcohol-dependent and control human subjects. The principal component analysis suggested that PDYN expression in the dl-PFC may be related to alcoholism, while in the hippocampus may depend on the genotype. We also demonstrated that the T, low risk SNP allele resides within noncanonical AP-1-binding element that may be targeted by JUND and FOSB proteins, the dominant AP-1 constituents in the human brain. The T to C transition abrogated AP-1 binding. The impact of genetic variations on PDYN transcription may be relevant for diverse adaptive responses of this gene to alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Mumtaz Taqi
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
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8
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Turner JD, Alt SR, Cao L, Vernocchi S, Trifonova S, Battello N, Muller CP. Transcriptional control of the glucocorticoid receptor: CpG islands, epigenetics and more. Biochem Pharmacol 2010; 80:1860-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2010.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 06/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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9
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Geng CD, Vedeckis WV. A new, lineage specific, autoup-regulation mechanism for human glucocorticoid receptor gene expression in 697 pre-B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Mol Endocrinol 2010; 25:44-57. [PMID: 21084380 DOI: 10.1210/me.2010-0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) steroid hormones induce apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Autoup-regulation of human GC receptor (hGR) levels is associated with sensitivity to GC-mediated apoptosis. Among the major hGR promoters expressed in 697 pre-B-ALL cells (1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D), only promoters 1C and 1D are selectively activated by the hormone. Promoter 1B is unresponsive, and promoter 1A is down-regulated by dexamethasone (Dex) in 697 cells, whereas they are both up-regulated in CEM-C7 T-ALL cells. Autoup-regulation of promoter 1C and 1D in 697 cells requires sequences containing GC response units (GRUs) (1C GRU, -2915/-2956; 1D GRU, -4525/-4559) that were identified previously in CEM-C7 cells. These GRUs potentially bind GR, c-myeloblastosis (c-Myb), and E-twenty six (Ets) proteins; 697 cells express high levels of c-Myb protein, as well as the E-twenty six family protein members, PU.1 and Spi-B. Dex treatment in 697 cells elevates the expression of c-Myb and decreases levels of both Spi-B and PU.1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed the specific recruitment of GR, c-Myb, and cAMP response element-binding protein binding protein to the 1C and 1D GRUs upon Dex treatment, correlating to observed autoup-regulated activity in these two promoters. These data suggest a hormone activated, lineage-specific mechanism to control the autoup-regulation of hGR gene expression in 697 pre-B-ALL cells via steroid-mediated changes in GR coregulator expression. These findings may be helpful in understanding the mechanism that determines the sensitivity of B-ALL leukemia cells to hormone-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-dong Geng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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10
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Van Bogaert T, De Bosscher K, Libert C. Crosstalk between TNF and glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathways. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2010; 21:275-86. [PMID: 20456998 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2010.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
TNF is a Janus-faced protein. It possesses impressive anti-tumor activities, but it is also one of the strongest known pro-inflammatory cytokines, which hampers its use as a systemic anti-cancer agent. TNF has been shown to play a detrimental role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Glucocorticoids are strongly anti-inflammatory and exert their therapeutic effects through binding to their receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor. Therefore, glucocorticoids have been used for over half a century for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, many patients are or become resistant to the therapeutic effects of glucocorticoids. Inflammatory cytokines have been suggested to play an important role in this steroid insensitivity or glucocorticoid resistance. This review aims to highlight the mechanisms of mutual inhibition between TNF and GR signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Van Bogaert
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Belgium
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11
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Hodge DR, Xiao W, Peng B, Cherry JC, Munroe DJ, Farrar WL. Enforced expression of superoxide dismutase 2/manganese superoxide dismutase disrupts autocrine interleukin-6 stimulation in human multiple myeloma cells and enhances dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. Cancer Res 2005; 65:6255-63. [PMID: 16024627 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-4482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autocrine pathways of proliferative and anti-apoptotic growth factors represent a serious impediment to the treatment of many types of tumors. In particular, interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pleiotropic cytokine known to play a critical role in the survival and growth of multiple myeloma cells, participates in an autocrine stimulation loop that serves to inhibit the induction of apoptosis during chemotherapy. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is an important antioxidant enzyme encoded by the SOD2 gene that attenuates oxidative free radicals in the mitochondria by catalyzing the formation of hydrogen peroxide from superoxide radicals. Transcription factor activity and binding is influenced by the oxidative state of cells, and dysregulation of MnSOD levels can result in abnormal patterns of gene expression. In the human multiple myeloma cell line IM-9, an autocrine IL-6 loop exists, which enables the cell to resist the effects of dexamethasone, a common treatment for multiple myeloma. Here, we show that SOD2 expression is epigenetically silenced in IM-9 cells, and replacement of MnSOD reduces cell proliferation and partially restores susceptibility to dexamethasone. The restoration of MnSOD also serves to decrease the expression levels of IL-6 by reducing the ability of activator protein-1, an important mediator of IL-6 expression in multiple myeloma cells, to bind to its enhancer site. These results show the importance of free radical-mediated dysregulation of autocrine growth factor loops in tumor cells and their effect on cell growth and response to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Hodge
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunoregulation, Cytokine Molecular Mechanisms Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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12
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Ladd CO, Thrivikraman KV, Huot RL, Plotsky PM. Differential neuroendocrine responses to chronic variable stress in adult Long Evans rats exposed to handling-maternal separation as neonates. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2005; 30:520-33. [PMID: 15808921 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2004] [Accepted: 12/13/2004] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Burgeoning evidence supports a preeminent role for early- and late-life stressors in the development of physio- and psychopathology. Handling-maternal separation (HMS) in neonatal Long Evans hooded rats leads to stable phenotypes ranging from resilient to vulnerable to later stressor exposure. Handling with 180 min of maternal separation yields a phenotype of stress hyper-responsiveness associated with facilitation of regional CRF neurocircuits and glucocorticoid resistance. This study assessed whether or not prolonged HMS (180 min/day, HMS180) on post-natal days 2-14 sensitizes the adult limbic hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) axis to chronic variable stress (CS) compared to brief HMS (15 min/day, HMS15). We examined regional mRNA densities of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), its receptor CRF1, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR); regional CRF1 and CRF2alpha binding, and pituitary-adrenal responses to an acute air-puff startle (APS) stressor in four groups: HMS15, nonstressed; HMS15, stressed; HMS180, nonstressed; HMS180, stressed. As expected we observed exaggerated pituitary-adrenal responses to APS, increased regional CRF mRNA density, decreased regional CRF1 binding, and decreased cortical GR mRNA density in nonstressed HMS180 vs. HMS15 animals. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, CS decreased pituitary-adrenal reactivity and central amygdala CRF mRNA density in HMS180 rats, while increasing cortical GR mRNA density and CRF1 binding. CS had no effect on the pituitary-adrenal response to APS in HMS15 rats, despite tripling hypothalamic paraventricular CRF mRNA density. The data suggest that many effects of prolonged HMS are reversible in adulthood by CS, while the neuroendocrine adaptations imbued by brief HMS are sufficiently stable to restrain pituitary-adrenal stress responses even following CS.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn/psychology
- Chronic Disease
- Corticosterone/blood
- Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics
- Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Handling, Psychological
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology
- Male
- Maternal Deprivation
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/metabolism
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiopathology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- Random Allocation
- Rats
- Rats, Long-Evans
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/metabolism
- Reflex, Startle/physiology
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Tissue Distribution
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O Ladd
- Stress Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Ste 4105, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Ostrander MM, Richtand NM, Herman JP. Stress and amphetamine induce Fos expression in medial prefrontal cortex neurons containing glucocorticoid receptors. Brain Res 2004; 990:209-14. [PMID: 14568346 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2003.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to stress or amphetamine potently activates the immediate early gene, c-fos, within medial prefrontal cortex neurons, but the phenotype of these neurons is not known. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to determine that a large subpopulation of medial prefrontal cortex cells expressing Fos protein after restraint and amphetamine also co-express nuclear glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). These findings suggest exposure to amphetamine activates the same medial prefrontal cortex regions responsible for integration of responses to stress, and suggest the potential for AP1-glucocorticoid cross-talk in these cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Ostrander
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Med. Sci. Bldg., Rm. G551, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA.
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c-fos reduces corticosterone-mediated effects on neurotrophic factor expression in the rat hippocampal CA1 region. J Neurosci 2003. [PMID: 12853419 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.23-14-06013.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription of neurotrophic factors, i.e., basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is regulated by glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation despite the lack of a classical glucocorticoid response element in their promoter region. A time course for corticosterone (10 mg/kg, s.c.) in adrenalectomized rats revealed a peak hormone effect at the 4 hr time interval for bFGF (110-204% increase), BDNF (53-67% decrease), GR (53-64% decrease), and MR (34-56% decrease) mRNA levels in all hippocampal subregions using in situ hybridization. c-fos mRNA levels were affected exclusively in the dentate gyrus after 50 min to 2 hr (38-46% decrease). Furthermore, it was evaluated whether corticosterone regulation of these genes depends on interactions with the transcription factor complex activator protein-1. c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotides were injected into the dorsal hippocampus of adrenalectomized rats. Corticosterone was given 2 hr later, and the effects on gene expression were measured 4 hr later. In CA1, antisense treatment significantly and selectively enhanced the hormone action on the expression of bFGF (44% enhanced increase) and BDNF (38% enhanced decrease) versus control oligodeoxynucleotide treatment. In addition, an upregulation of c-fos expression (89% increase) was found. There were no effects of c-fos antisense on hippocampal GR and MR expression. Thus it seems that a tonic c-fos mechanism exists within CA1, which reduces GR- and MR-mediated effects on expression of bFGF and BDNF.
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Peltier J, Perez J, Bellocq A, Escoubet B, Fouqueray B, Baud L. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 increases glucocorticoid binding and signaling in macrophages through a Smad- and activated protein-1-mediated process. Kidney Int 2003; 63:2028-36. [PMID: 12753290 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.63.6s.3.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal inflammation is regulated by a network of local and systemic mediators. Of them, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1) and glucocorticoids play an important role in deactivating monocytes/macrophages. We examined the hypothesis that TGF-beta 1 effects may be partially achieved through modulation of the sensitivity of these cells to glucocorticoids. METHODS Human promonocytic U 937 cells differentiated to a mature macrophage-like phenotype were exposed to recombinant TGF-beta 1 before specific binding of [3H] dexamethasone was measured. The expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was examined by RNase protection assay and Western blot analysis. The role of Smad 2/3 and activator protein 1 (AP-1) in the response to TGF-beta 1 was determined by introducing transdominant negative mutants and decoy oligodeoxynucleotides, respectively. RESULTS U 937 cell exposure to TGF-beta 1 caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in [3H] dexamethasone binding to these cells, with a < or =twofold increase in the number of binding sites per cell, without modification of the affinity. The changes in glucocorticoid binding were associated with identical changes in GR protein and mRNA levels, that were explained by an increase in GR gene transcription rather than by posttranscriptional mechanisms. Functional inactivation of Smad 2/3 and AP-1 limited the response to TGF-beta 1, indicating a role for these transcription factors. Finally, increases in glucocorticoid binding to GR were responsible for increases in the ability of GR to transactivate minimal promoters containing glucocorticoid-responsive elements (GRE) [MMTV-Luc and (GRE)2 TK-Luc]. CONCLUSION TGF-beta 1 increases glucocorticoid binding and signaling in inflammatory cells through a Smad 2/3- and AP-1-mediated process. This may represent a new target for intervention to increase glucocorticoid responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Peltier
- Unité INSERM 489/Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Multidisciplinaires, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France
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Terzic N, Vujcic M, Ristic-Fira A, Krstic-Demonacos M, Milanovic D, Kanazir DT, Ruzdijic S. Effects of age and dexamethasone treatment on glucocorticoid response element and activating protein-1 binding activity in rat brain. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2003; 58:297-303. [PMID: 12663692 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/58.4.b297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated gene expression was examined in the brain of young and aged rats. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that DEX treatment led to an increase of glucocorticoid response element (GRE) binding activity in aged rats, whereas in young animals GRE binding activity was decreased. Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed that, in aged animals, the GR mRNA and the GR protein levels were increased on DEX treatment. The binding activity of GRE activating protein-1 (AP-1) site and cross-competition analysis demonstrated specific pattern of expression during the ageing and DEX treatment, suggesting that GR modulates the activity of transcription factors AP-1 (Fos/Jun proteins) through protein-protein interaction. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the composition of transcriptional complexes that bind to GRE and AP-1 regulatory elements changes upon DEX treatment in an age-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Terzic
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia
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Periyasamy S, Sánchez ER. Antagonism of glucocorticoid receptor transactivity and cell growth inhibition by transforming growth factor-beta through AP-1-mediated transcriptional repression. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2002; 34:1571-85. [PMID: 12379279 DOI: 10.1016/s1357-2725(02)00057-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We have examined the interaction of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signal pathways because of their mutual involvement in the regulation of cell growth, development and differentiation. Most studies of this cross-talk event have focused on the effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) on TGF-beta responses. In this work, we show that TGF-beta can antagonize dexamethasone (Dex)-mediated growth suppression in mouse fibrosarcoma L929 cells. TGF-beta also repressed GR-mediated reporter (pMMTV-CAT) gene expression in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC(50) of 5 ng/ml of TGF-beta. Maximal inhibition (76%) was observed at 10 ng/ml of TGF-beta. Conversely, Dex inhibited TGF-beta-mediated promoter (p3TP-Lux) activity in these same cells. As TGF-beta inhibition of GR-mediated gene expression occurred after Dex-mediated nuclear translocation of GR, we conclude that TGF-beta inhibition of GR signaling occurs at the level of GR-mediated transcription activity. However, TGF-beta did not repress GR-mediated gene expression using the pGRE(2)E1B-CAT minimal promoter construct, suggesting that TGF-beta did not inhibit intrinsic GR activity but, rather, required DNA-binding factor(s) distinct from GR. As the MMTV promoter contains several putative AP-1 binding sites, we hypothesized that AP-1, a transcription factor composed of c-jun and c-fos proteins, might be involved in the TGF-beta inhibition of GR functions. Curcumin, a potent inhibitor of AP-1 expression, completely abolished the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on GR-mediated gene expression without affecting GR activity in the absence of TGF-beta, and this drug blocked TGF-beta-induced binding of AP-1 to a response element derived from the MMTV sequence. Furthermore, curcumin abolished TGF-beta inhibition of Dex-induced growth suppression. Taken as a whole, our data suggest that TGF-beta can antagonize the growth inhibitory properties of GR by blocking GR transactivity at complex promoters through a mechanism involving transcriptional repression by DNA-bound AP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumudra Periyasamy
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Ohio, 3035 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
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18
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Abstract
At least three different promoter regions (1A, 1B, and 1C) are involved in the expression of the human GR gene. Promoters 1B and 1C are found in a 2800 bp region of DNA immediately upstream of the exon 1C transcriptional initiation site. Transcripts containing either exon 1B or 1C are expressed in a wide variety of human tissues and cultured cells. Luciferase reporter constructs were created containing promoter 1B plus 1C (-2738 to +19), promoter 1B (-2738 to -1046) alone, or promoter 1C (-1045 to +19) alone. All three constructs were equally effective in driving luciferase expression in HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cells. In Jurkat (human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) cells, constructs containing promoters 1B plus 1C or promoter 1B were equally active, but the promoters 1B plus 1C construct was 35% more active than the promoter 1C construct. However, in HepG2 (human hepatoma) cells, the promoter 1C construct was as effective as promoters 1B plus 1C and more than twice as effective as promoter 1B. Sequences that reside proximal to the exon 1B transcriptional start site included three Sp1 (FP2-FP4) sites. Another site (FP1) contains the sequence TGATAG, which strongly resembles the consensus binding sequence for the GATA family of transcription factors. However, oligonucleotide competition and supershift analysis of FP1 indicates that this site is not a binding site for GATA proteins. These four sites are in addition to three YY1 and one Sp1 sites previously reported in promoter 1B. In HeLa cells, deletion of the three YY1 sites results in only a 30% loss of activity and substantial loss of activity occurs only after deletion of all four Sp1 sites, indicating the critical importance of Sp1 in GR expression in these cells. In contrast, the elimination of the three YY1 sites results in a dramatic decrease in promoter strength in both HepG2 and Jurkat cells (64 and 77%, respectively), while subsequent deletions of promoter elements do not result in substantial changes in promoter activity in these cell lines. This study shows that both promoters 1B and 1C are important for the ubiquitous expression of the human GR gene. Differences in the utilization of these promoters in various cell types are likely a reflection of different promoter availability and/or the levels of specific transcription factors in the cell. This could contribute to tissue-specific expression of GR levels in different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Scott Nunez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Almawi WY, Melemedjian OK. Molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid antiproliferative effects: antagonism of transcription factor activity by glucocorticoid receptor. J Leukoc Biol 2002. [DOI: 10.1189/jlb.71.1.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wassim Y. Almawi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
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Cabral AL, Hays AN, Housley PR, Brentani MM, Martins VR. Repression of glucocorticoid receptor gene transcription by c-Jun. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2001; 175:67-79. [PMID: 11325517 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00396-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of glucocorticoid receptor gene expression by members of the AP-1 family was examined in glucocorticoid-free NIH3T3 cells transfected with the human glucocorticoid receptor gene promoter driving expression of a CAT reporter gene. c-Jun inhibited the promoter activity by 80% and JunB by 30%, whereas c-Fos and JunD had no inhibitory effect. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that c-Jun is unable to efficiently interact with the AP-1-like site present in the human glucocorticoid receptor promoter. Moreover, c-Jun was still able to repress promoter mutants in which the region containing the AP-1-like site was deleted. NIH3T3 cell clones overexpressing c-Jun exhibited lower glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels, which suggests that the murine glucocorticoid receptor gene can also be regulated by AP-1. These results provide a new mechanism for cross-talk between the glucocorticoid receptor and the AP-1 family of transcription factors in the absence of glucocorticoid ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Cabral
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 01509-900, São Paulo, Brazil
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Breslin MB, Vedeckis WV. The human glucocorticoid receptor promoter upstream sequences contain binding sites for the ubiquitous transcription factor, Yin Yang 1. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1998; 67:369-81. [PMID: 10030686 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-0760(98)00138-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) promoter were carried out so as to understand the regulation of GR expression. A -2738 to +19 fragment of the human GR promoter was used to identify important regulatory elements involved in the control in GR expression in NIH 3T3 cells (mouse fibroblasts) and HeLa cells (human cervical carcinoma cells). Important regulatory domains in the distal region of the human GR promoter were identified by sequential 5' end deletion analysis. A region between -2490 and -2025 contributed 50% of the measured transcriptional activity to the promoter. Using DNase I footprint analysis, four sites in this region were identified: -2362 to -2339 (mouse footprint, mFP); -2301 to -2293 (distal YY1, dYY1); -2130 to -2122 (middle YY1, mYY1); and, -2086 to -2078 (proximal YY1, pYY1). Three sites contained an identical core sequence, CCAAGATGG and were identified as Yin Yang 1 (YY1) binding sites. The site located at -2362 to -2339 was footprinted in NIH 3T3 cells only. The sequence of this site is a direct repeat with a 2-nucleotide spacer region, and it does not share homology with any known transcription factor binding sites. Computer analysis of the entire promoter sequence revealed an additional YY1 site located at -260 to -249 (initiator YY1, iYY1) with the sequence CTCCTCCATTTTG. Electrophoretic mobility supershift assays, with an anti-YY1 antibody, were used to confirm YY1 binding to these four putative YY1 binding sites. Site-directed deletion of all three upstream YY1 sites but not the iYY1 site, or the iYY1 site alone, showed a approximately 60% decrease in transcriptional activity of the hGR promoter in HeLa cells but had no effect in NIH 3T3 cells. A similar (50%) decrease in the expression of a full-length hGR/luciferase reporter gene was obtained when HeLa cells were cotransfected with a full-length antisense YY1 expression plasmid. Additionally, a region between -1841 and -1689 contributed to hGR promoter activity in both cell types tested. An Sp1 binding site was identified in this region (-1748 to -1733) by DNase I footprint and mobility supershift analyses. The presence of four YY1 binding sites in the human GR promoter suggests that these sites play a critical role in GR gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Breslin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA
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