1
|
Koppan M, Nagy Z, Bosnyak I, Reglodi D. Female reproductive functions of the neuropeptide PACAP. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:982551. [PMID: 36204113 PMCID: PMC9531758 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.982551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide originally isolated as a hypothalamic peptide. It has a widespread distribution in the body and has a diverse spectrum of actions. Among other processes, PACAP has been shown to be involved in reproduction. In this review we summarize findings related to the entire spectrum of female reproduction. PACAP is a regulatory factor in gonadal hormone production, influences follicular development and plays a role in fertilization and embryonic/placental development. Furthermore, PACAP is involved in hormonal changes during and after birth and affects maternal behavior. Although most data come from cell cultures and animal experiments, increasing number of evidence suggests that similar effects of PACAP can be found in humans. Among other instances, PACAP levels show changes in the serum during pregnancy and birth. PACAP is also present in the human follicular and amniotic fluids and in the milk. Levels of PACAP in follicular fluid correlate with the number of retrieved oocytes in hyperstimulated women. Human milk contains very high levels of PACAP compared to plasma levels, with colostrum showing the highest concentration, remaining steady thereafter for the first 7 months of lactation. All these data imply that PACAP has important functions in reproduction both under physiological and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Department of Physiology, University of Pecs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Inez Bosnyak
- Department of Anatomy, ELKH-PTE PACAP Research Group and Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dora Reglodi
- Department of Anatomy, ELKH-PTE PACAP Research Group and Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Dora Reglodi,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Toth D, Szabo E, Tamas A, Juhasz T, Horvath G, Fabian E, Opper B, Szabo D, Maugeri G, D'Amico AG, D'Agata V, Vicena V, Reglodi D. Protective Effects of PACAP in Peripheral Organs. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:377. [PMID: 32765418 PMCID: PMC7381171 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide widely distributed in the nervous system, where it exerts strong neuroprotective effects. PACAP is also expressed in peripheral organs but its peripheral protective effects have not been summarized so far. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to review the existing literature regarding the cytoprotective effects of PACAP in non-neuronal cell types, peripheral tissues, and organs. Among others, PACAP has widespread expression in the digestive system, where it shows protective effects in various intestinal pathologies, such as duodenal ulcer, small bowel ischemia, and intestinal inflammation. PACAP is present in both the exocrine and endocrine pancreas as well as liver where it reduces inflammation and steatosis by interfering with hepatic pathology related to obesity. It is found in several exocrine glands and also in urinary organs, where, with its protective effects being mainly published regarding renal pathologies, PACAP is protective in numerous conditions. PACAP displays anti-inflammatory effects in upper and lower airways of the respiratory system. In the skin, it is involved in the development of inflammatory pathology such as psoriasis and also has anti-allergic effects in a model of contact dermatitis. In the non-neuronal part of the visual system, PACAP showed protective effects in pathological conditions of the cornea and retinal pigment epithelial cells. The positive role of PACAP has been demonstrated on the formation and healing processes of cartilage and bone where it also prevents osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis development. The protective role of PACAP was also demonstrated in the cardiovascular system in different pathological processes including hyperglycaemia-induced endothelial dysfunction and age-related vascular changes. In the heart, PACAP protects against ischemia, oxidative stress, and cardiomyopathies. PACAP is also involved in the protection against the development of pre-senile systemic amyloidosis, which is presented in various peripheral organs in PACAP-deficient mice. The studies summarized here provide strong evidence for the cytoprotective effects of the peptide. The survival-promoting effects of PACAP depend on a number of factors which are also shortly discussed in the present review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denes Toth
- Department of Forensic Medicine, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Edina Szabo
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Andrea Tamas
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamas Juhasz
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Horvath
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Eszter Fabian
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balazs Opper
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dora Szabo
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Grazia Maugeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata G. D'Amico
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D'Agata
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Viktoria Vicena
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dora Reglodi
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Dora Reglodi
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lack of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) Disturbs Callus Formation. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 71:1543-1555. [PMID: 31808034 PMCID: PMC8349325 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01448-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a naturally secreted signaling peptide and has important regulatory roles in the differentiation of the central nervous system and its absence results in disorders in femur development. PACAP has an important function in prevention of oxidative stress or mechanical stress in chondrogenesis but little is known about its function in bone regeneration. A new callus formation model was set to investigate its role in bone remodeling. Fracturing was 5 mm distal from the proximal articular surface of the tibia and the depth was 0.5 mm. Reproducibility of callus formation was investigated with CT 3, 7, and 21 days after the operation. Absence of PACAP did not alter the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activation in PACAP KO healing process. In developing callus, the expression of collagen type I increased in wild-type (WT) and PACAP KO mice decreased to the end of healing process. Expression of the elements of BMP signaling was disturbed in the callus formation of PACAP KO mice, as bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) and 6 showed an early reduction in bone regeneration. However, elevated Smad1 expression was demonstrated in PACAP KO mice. Our results indicate that PACAP KO mice show various signs of disturbed bone healing and suggest PACAP compensatory and fine tuning effects in proper bone regeneration.
Collapse
|
4
|
Santucci-Pereira J, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Afanasyeva Y, Zhong H, Slifker M, Peri S, Ross EA, López de Cicco R, Zhai Y, Nguyen T, Sheriff F, Russo IH, Su Y, Arslan AA, Bordas P, Lenner P, Åhman J, Landström Eriksson AS, Johansson R, Hallmans G, Toniolo P, Russo J. Genomic signature of parity in the breast of premenopausal women. Breast Cancer Res 2019; 21:46. [PMID: 30922380 PMCID: PMC6438043 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-019-1128-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Full-term pregnancy (FTP) at an early age confers long-term protection against breast cancer. Previously, we reported that a FTP imprints a specific gene expression profile in the breast of postmenopausal women. Herein, we evaluated gene expression changes induced by parity in the breast of premenopausal women. Methods Gene expression profiling of normal breast tissue from 30 nulliparous (NP) and 79 parous (P) premenopausal volunteers was performed using Affymetrix microarrays. In addition to a discovery/validation analysis, we conducted an analysis of gene expression differences in P vs. NP women as a function of time since last FTP. Finally, a laser capture microdissection substudy was performed to compare the gene expression profile in the whole breast biopsy with that in the epithelial and stromal tissues. Results Discovery/validation analysis identified 43 differentially expressed genes in P vs. NP breast. Analysis of expression as a function of time since FTP revealed 286 differentially expressed genes (238 up- and 48 downregulated) comparing all P vs. all NP, and/or P women whose last FTP was less than 5 years before biopsy vs. all NP women. The upregulated genes showed three expression patterns: (1) transient: genes upregulated after FTP but whose expression levels returned to NP levels. These genes were mainly related to immune response, specifically activation of T cells. (2) Long-term changing: genes upregulated following FTP, whose expression levels decreased with increasing time since FTP but did not return to NP levels. These were related to immune response and development. (3) Long-term constant: genes that remained upregulated in parous compared to nulliparous breast, independently of time since FTP. These were mainly involved in development/cell differentiation processes, and also chromatin remodeling. Lastly, we found that the gene expression in whole tissue was a weighted average of the expression in epithelial and stromal tissues. Conclusions Genes transiently activated by FTP may have a role in protecting the mammary gland against neoplastically transformed cells through activation of T cells. Furthermore, chromatin remodeling and cell differentiation, represented by the genes that are maintained upregulated long after the FTP, may be responsible for the lasting preventive effect against breast cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-019-1128-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Santucci-Pereira
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,New York University Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yelena Afanasyeva
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Hua Zhong
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Michael Slifker
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Suraj Peri
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Eric A Ross
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Ricardo López de Cicco
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Yubo Zhai
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Theresa Nguyen
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Fathima Sheriff
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Irma H Russo
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Yanrong Su
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Alan A Arslan
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Pal Bordas
- Sunderby Hospital, Luleå and the Norrbotten Mammography Screening Program, Luleå, Sweden.,Departments of Radiation Sciences and Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Per Lenner
- Departments of Radiation Sciences and Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Janet Åhman
- Sunderby Hospital, Luleå and the Norrbotten Mammography Screening Program, Luleå, Sweden
| | | | | | - Göran Hallmans
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Paolo Toniolo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Jose Russo
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center - Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, P2051, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Horvath G, Nemeth J, Brubel R, Opper B, Koppan M, Tamas A, Szereday L, Reglodi D. Occurrence and Functions of PACAP in the Placenta. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-35135-3_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
|
6
|
Kvarik T, Mammel B, Reglodi D, Kovacs K, Werling D, Bede B, Vaczy A, Fabian E, Toth G, Kiss P, Tamas A, Ertl T, Gyarmati J, Atlasz T. PACAP Is Protective in a Rat Model of Retinopathy of Prematurity. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 60:179-85. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0797-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
|
7
|
Coradini D, Boracchi P, Oriana S, Biganzoli E, Ambrogi F. Epithelial cell identity in hyperplastic precursors of breast cancer. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2015; 34:121-9. [PMID: 25962646 PMCID: PMC4593345 DOI: 10.1186/s40880-015-0004-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Introduction In the adult human breast, hyperplastic enlarged lobular unit (HELU) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) are two common abnormalities that frequently coexist with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). For this reason, they have been proposed as the early steps in a biological continuum toward breast cancer. Methods We investigated in silico the expression of 369 genes experimentally recognized as involved in establishing and maintaining epithelial cell identity and mammary gland remodeling, in HELUs or ADHs with respect to the corresponding patient-matched normal tissue. Results Despite the common luminal origin, HELUs and ADHs proved to be characterized by distinct gene profiles that overlap for 5 genes only. While HELUs were associated with the overexpression of progesterone receptor (PGR), ADHs were characterized by the overexpression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) coupled with the overexpression of some proliferation-associated genes. Conclusions This unexpected finding contradicts the notion that in differentiated luminal cells the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) is dissociated from cell proliferation and suggests that the establishing of an ER-dependent signaling is able to sustain cell proliferation in an autocrine manner as an early event in tumor initiation. Although clinical evidence indicates that only a fraction of HELUs and ADHs evolve to invasive cancer, present findings warn that exposure to synthetic progestins, frequently administered as hormone-replacement therapy, and estrogens, when abnormally produced by adipose cells and persistently present in the stroma surrounding the mammary gland, may cause these hyperplastic lesions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danila Coradini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, University of Milan, Via Vanzetti 5, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Boracchi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, University of Milan, Via Vanzetti 5, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Saro Oriana
- Senology Center, Ambrosiana Clinic, Cesano Boscone, Milan, 20090, Italy.
| | - Elia Biganzoli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, University of Milan, Via Vanzetti 5, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Federico Ambrogi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, University of Milan, Via Vanzetti 5, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rotunno M, Sun X, Figueroa J, Sherman ME, Garcia-Closas M, Meltzer P, Williams T, Schneider SS, Jerry DJ, Yang XR, Troester MA. Parity-related molecular signatures and breast cancer subtypes by estrogen receptor status. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:R74. [PMID: 25005139 PMCID: PMC4227137 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Relationships of parity with breast cancer risk are complex. Parity is associated with decreased risk of postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast tumors, but may increase risk for basal-like breast cancers and early-onset tumors. Characterizing parity-related gene expression patterns in normal breast and breast tumor tissues may improve understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying this complex pattern of risk. METHODS We developed a parity signature by analyzing microRNA microarray data from 130 reduction mammoplasty (RM) patients (54 nulliparous and 76 parous). This parity signature, together with published parity signatures, was evaluated in gene expression data from 150 paired tumors and adjacent benign breast tissues from the Polish Breast Cancer Study, both overall and by tumor estrogen receptor (ER) status. RESULTS We identified 251 genes significantly upregulated by parity status in RM patients (parous versus nulliparous; false discovery rate = 0.008), including genes in immune, inflammation and wound response pathways. This parity signature was significantly enriched in normal and tumor tissues of parous breast cancer patients, specifically in ER-positive tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our data corroborate epidemiologic data, suggesting that the etiology and pathogenesis of breast cancers vary by ER status, which may have implications for developing prevention strategies for these tumors.
Collapse
|
9
|
Horvath G, Reglodi D, Brubel R, Halasz M, Barakonyi A, Tamas A, Fabian E, Opper B, Toth G, Cohen M, Szereday L. Investigation of the possible functions of PACAP in human trophoblast cells. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 54:320-30. [PMID: 24874580 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0337-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an endogenous neuropeptide having a widespread distribution both in the nervous system and peripheral organs including the female reproductive system. Both the peptide and its receptors have been shown in the placenta but its role in placental growth, especially its human aspects, remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PACAP on invasion, proliferation, cell survival, and angiogenesis of trophoblast cells. Furthermore, cytokine production was investigated in human decidual and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. For in vitro studies, human invasive proliferative extravillous cytotrophoblast (HIPEC) cells and HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cells were used. Both cell types were used for testing the effects of PACAP on invasion and cell survival in order to investigate whether the effects of PACAP in trophoblasts depend on the examined cell type. Invasion was studied by standardized invasion assay. PACAP increased proliferation in HIPEC cells, but not in HTR-8 cells. Cell viability was examined using MTT test, WST-1 assay, and annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry assay. Survival of HTR-8/SVneo cells was studied under oxidative stress conditions induced by hydrogen peroxide. PACAP as pretreatment, but not as co-treatment, significantly increased the number of surviving HTR-8 cells. Viability of HIPEC cells was investigated using methotrexate (MTX) toxicity, but PACAP1-38 could not counteract its toxic effect. Angiogenic molecules were determined both in the supernatant and the cell lysate by angiogenesis array. In the supernatant, we found that PACAP decreased the secretion of various angiogenic markers, such as angiopoietin, angiogenin, activin, endoglin, ADAMTS-1, and VEGF. For the cytokine assay, human decidual and peripheral blood lymphocytes were separated and treated with PACAP1-38. Th1 and Th2 cytokines were analyzed with CBA assay and the results showed that there were no significant differences in control and PACAP-treated cells. In summary, PACAP seems to play various roles in human trophoblast cells, depending on the cell type and microenvironmental influences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Horvath
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE "Lendulet" PACAP Research Team, University of Pecs, Szigeti u 12, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Barton M, Santucci-Pereira J, Russo J. Molecular pathways involved in pregnancy-induced prevention against breast cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:213. [PMID: 25540638 PMCID: PMC4261797 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy produces a protective effect against breast cancer in women who had their first full term pregnancy (FTP) in their middle twenties. The later in life the first delivery occurs, the higher the risk of breast cancer development. Also, transiently during the postpartum period, the risk of developing breast cancer increases. This transient increased risk is taken over by a long-lasting protective period. The genomic profile of parous women has shown pregnancy induces a long-lasting "genomic signature" that explains the preventive effect on breast cancer. This signature reveals that chromatin remodeling is the driver of the differentiation process conferred by FTP. The chromatin remodeling process may be the ultimate step mediating the protection of the breast against developing breast cancer in post-menopausal years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Barton
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julia Santucci-Pereira
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jose Russo
- The Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- *Correspondence: Jose Russo, The Irma H Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Avenue, Room P2037, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|