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Wu G, Dong Y, Hu Q, Ma H, Xu Q, Xu K, Chen H, Yang Z, He M. HGH1 and the immune landscape: a novel prognostic marker for immune-desert tumor microenvironment identification and immunotherapy outcome prediction in human cancers. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:1969-1985. [PMID: 37811868 PMCID: PMC10761050 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2260163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
HGH1 homolog, a protein-coding gene, plays a crucial role in human growth and development. However, its role in human cancer remains unclear. For the first time, this study comprehensively evaluated the potential involvement of HGH1 in cancer prognosis and immunological function. To achieve this, data from various databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype Tissue Expression, Cancer Cell Lineage Encyclopedia, Human Protein Atlas, cBioPortal, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier, were collated, as well as from one large clinical study, three immunotherapy cohorts and in vitro experiments. This study aims to elucidate the role of HGH1 expression in cancer prognosis and immune response. Our findings revealed a significant association between increased HGH1 expression and a worse prognosis across various cancer types. Predominantly, copy number variations were identified as the most common genetic mutations. Additionally, HGH1 was observed to not only regulate cell cycle-related functions to promote cell proliferation but also influence autoimmunity-related functions within both the innate and adaptive immune systems, along with other relevant immune-related signaling pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis and gene set variation analysis were used to substantiate these findings. HGH1 overexpression contributed to an immune-deficient (immune-desert) tumor microenvironment, which was characterized by a significant expression of immune-related features such as immune-related gene and pathway expression and the number of immune-infiltrating cells. Furthermore, the correlation between HGH1 expression and tumor mutational burden in four cancers and microsatellite instability in eight cancers was observed. This suggests that HGH1 has potential as an immunotherapeutic target. Immunotherapy data analysis supports this notion, demonstrating that patients with low HGH1 expression treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors exhibit improved survival rates and a higher likelihood of responding to immunotherapy than patients with high HGH1 expression. Collectively, these findings highlight the significant role of HGH1 in human cancers, illuminating its involvement in tumorigenesis and cancer immunity. Elevated HGH1 expression was identified to be indicative of an immune-desert tumor microenvironment. Consequently, the targeting of HGH1, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, holds promise for enhancing therapeutic outcomes in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gujie Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yipeng Dong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Hu
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Huiyun Ma
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qun Xu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Xu
- Department of Chemotherapy, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Yang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Min He
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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2
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Urhan E, Karaca Z, Unuvar GK, Gundogan K, Unluhizarci K. Investigation of pituitary functions after acute coronavirus disease 2019. Endocr J 2022; 69:649-658. [PMID: 34987144 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej21-0531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mainly involves the lungs, it also affects many systems. The hypothalamic/pituitary axis is vulnerable to hypoxia, hypercoagulation, endothelial dysfunction and autoimmune changes induced by COVID-19 infection. Given that there is no extensive investigation on this issue, we investigated the pituitary functions three to seven months after acute COVID-19 infection. Forty-three patients after diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and 11 healthy volunteers were included in the study. In addition to the basal pituitary hormone levels, growth hormone (GH) and hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axes were evaluated by glucagon stimulation test (GST) and low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, respectively. The peak cortisol responses to low-dose ACTH test were insufficient in seven (16.2%) patients. Twenty (46.5%) and four (9.3%) patients had inadequate GH and cortisol responses to GST, respectively. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) values were also lower than age and sex-matched references in four (9.3%) patients. The peak GH responses to GST were lower in the patient group when compared to the control group. Other abnormalities were mild thyroid-stimulating hormone elevation in four (9.3%) patients, mild prolactin elevation in two (4.6%) patients and central hypogonadism in four (9.3%) patients. Mean total testosterone values were lower in male patients when compared to male controls; however, the difference was not significant. These findings suggest that COVID-19 infection may affect pituitary functions, particularly the HPA and GH axes. These insufficiencies should be kept in mind in post-COVID follow-up. Long-term data are needed to determine whether these deficiencies are permanent or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Urhan
- Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Zuleyha Karaca
- Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Gamze Kalin Unuvar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Kursat Gundogan
- Department of Intensive Care, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Kursad Unluhizarci
- Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
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3
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Qian Y, Berryman DE, Basu R, List EO, Okada S, Young JA, Jensen EA, Bell SRC, Kulkarni P, Duran-Ortiz S, Mora-Criollo P, Mathes SC, Brittain AL, Buchman M, Davis E, Funk KR, Bogart J, Ibarra D, Mendez-Gibson I, Slyby J, Terry J, Kopchick JJ. Mice with gene alterations in the GH and IGF family. Pituitary 2022; 25:1-51. [PMID: 34797529 PMCID: PMC8603657 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-021-01191-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Much of our understanding of GH's action stems from animal models and the generation and characterization of genetically altered or modified mice. Manipulation of genes in the GH/IGF1 family in animals started in 1982 when the first GH transgenic mice were produced. Since then, multiple laboratories have altered mouse DNA to globally disrupt Gh, Ghr, and other genes upstream or downstream of GH or its receptor. The ability to stay current with the various genetically manipulated mouse lines within the realm of GH/IGF1 research has been daunting. As such, this review attempts to consolidate and summarize the literature related to the initial characterization of many of the known gene-manipulated mice relating to the actions of GH, PRL and IGF1. We have organized the mouse lines by modifications made to constituents of the GH/IGF1 family either upstream or downstream of GHR or to the GHR itself. Available data on the effect of altered gene expression on growth, GH/IGF1 levels, body composition, reproduction, diabetes, metabolism, cancer, and aging are summarized. For the ease of finding this information, key words are highlighted in bold throughout the main text for each mouse line and this information is summarized in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. Most importantly, the collective data derived from and reported for these mice have enhanced our understanding of GH action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanrong Qian
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Darlene E Berryman
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Reetobrata Basu
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Edward O List
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Shigeru Okada
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan A Young
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Jensen
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Translational Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Stephen R C Bell
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Prateek Kulkarni
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | | | - Patricia Mora-Criollo
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Translational Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Samuel C Mathes
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Alison L Brittain
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Mat Buchman
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Emily Davis
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Kevin R Funk
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Jolie Bogart
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Diego Ibarra
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Isaac Mendez-Gibson
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Julie Slyby
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Joseph Terry
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - John J Kopchick
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
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4
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Wang W, Duan X, Huang Z, Pan Q, Chen C, Guo L. The GH-IGF-1 Axis in Circadian Rhythm. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:742294. [PMID: 34566581 PMCID: PMC8458700 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.742294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Organisms have developed common behavioral and physiological adaptations to the influence of the day/night cycle. The CLOCK system forms an internal circadian rhythm in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) during light/dark input. The SCN may synchronize the growth hormone (GH) secretion rhythm with the dimming cycle through somatostatin neurons, and the change of the clock system may be related to the pulsatile release of GH. The GH-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis and clock system may interact further on the metabolism through regulatory pathways in peripheral organs. We have summarized the current clinical and animal evidence on the interaction of clock systems with the GH-IGF-1 axis and discussed their effects on metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihao Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoye Duan
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengxiang Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Qi Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lixin Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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5
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Yang M, Lin X, Segers F, Suganthan R, Hildrestrand GA, Rinholm JE, Aas PA, Sousa MML, Holm S, Bolstad N, Warren D, Berge RK, Johansen RF, Yndestad A, Kristiansen E, Klungland A, Luna L, Eide L, Halvorsen B, Aukrust P, Bjørås M. OXR1A, a Coactivator of PRMT5 Regulating Histone Arginine Methylation. Cell Rep 2021; 30:4165-4178.e7. [PMID: 32209476 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidation resistance gene 1 (OXR1) protects cells against oxidative stress. We find that male mice with brain-specific isoform A knockout (Oxr1A-/-) develop fatty liver. RNA sequencing of male Oxr1A-/- liver indicates decreased growth hormone (GH) signaling, which is known to affect liver metabolism. Indeed, Gh expression is reduced in male mice Oxr1A-/- pituitary gland and in rat Oxr1A-/- pituitary adenoma cell-line GH3. Oxr1A-/- male mice show reduced fasting-blood GH levels. Pull-down and proximity ligation assays reveal that OXR1A is associated with arginine methyl transferase PRMT5. OXR1A-depleted GH3 cells show reduced symmetrical dimethylation of histone H3 arginine 2 (H3R2me2s), a product of PRMT5 catalyzed methylation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of H3R2me2s shows reduced Gh promoter enrichment. Finally, we demonstrate with purified proteins that OXR1A stimulates PRMT5/MEP50-catalyzed H3R2me2s. Our data suggest that OXR1A is a coactivator of PRMT5, regulating histone arginine methylation and thereby GH production within the pituitary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyi Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Xiaolin Lin
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Filip Segers
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Per Arne Aas
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mirta M L Sousa
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility-PROMEC, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the Central Norway Regional Health Authority, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sverre Holm
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils Bolstad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - David Warren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rolf K Berge
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rune F Johansen
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arne Yndestad
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Arne Klungland
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luisa Luna
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Eide
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Halvorsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Aukrust
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Magnar Bjørås
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
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6
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Jin Y, Jarmasz JS, Cattini PA. Dexamethasone Rescues an Acute High-Fat Diet-Induced Decrease in Human Growth Hormone Gene Expression in Male Partially Humanized CD-1 Mice. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:543-552. [PMID: 33687272 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2020.6293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity in puberty, already a time of insulin resistance, increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Human (h) growth hormone (GH) levels also peak during puberty, where it contributes to growth and energy homeostasis through positive effects on maintaining pancreatic β cell mass. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of overeating and obesity on hGH production in puberty. Three days of overeating in young male adults or high-fat diet (HFD) in pubescent male transgenic (171hGH/CS) CD-1 mice containing the hGH gene (hGH-N) results in excess insulin and a decrease in hGH production. This reduction in these mice occurred during the light phase of the daily cycle, and was associated with decreased availability of the clock-related transcription factor Brain and Muscle ARNT-Like 1 (Bmal1). However, the HFD-induced decrease in hGH-N expression was blocked by forced daily swim activity, which is expected to increase glucocorticoid (GC) levels. The aim of the study was to assess whether GCs, specifically daily injections with a pharmacological dose of dexamethasone (DEX) in the light or dark phase of the daily cycle, can limit the negative effect of HFD for 3 days on hGH-N expression in male 171hGH/CS mice. DEX treatment increased or rescued hGH-N RNA levels, and was associated with elevated Bmal1 transcripts when assessed 12 h after final treatment, and at a time when serum corticosterone levels were suppressed >90%. In addition, a diet-dependent effect on hGH-N RNA levels was observed at 36 h after final treatment, but only in the light stage, presumably due to residual effects of DEX treatment and/or recovery of endogenous corticosterone levels. This is the first evidence for a direct effect of GCs on hGH-N expression in vivo and the ability to potentially limit the negative effect of overeating/obesity on hGH production in puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jessica S Jarmasz
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Peter A Cattini
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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7
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Jarmasz JS, Jin Y, Vakili H, Cattini PA. Sleep deprivation and diet affect human GH gene expression in transgenic mice in vivo. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:1135-1147. [PMID: 33112821 PMCID: PMC7774756 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Human (h) growth hormone (GH) production studies are largely limited to effects on secretion. How pituitary hGH gene (hGH-N/GH1) expression is regulated is important in our understanding of the role hGH plays in physiology and disease. Here we assess for the first time the effect of sleep deprivation (SD) and high-fat diet (HFD) on hGH-N expression in vivo using partially humanized 171hGH/CS transgenic (TG) mice, and attempted to elucidate a role for DNA methylation. Activation of hGH-N expression requires interactions between promoter and upstream locus control region (LCR) sequences including pituitary-specific hypersensitive site (HS) I/II. Both SD and diet affect hGH secretion, but the effect of SD on hGH-N expression is unknown. Mice fed a HFD or regular chow diet for 3 days underwent SD (or no SD) for 6 h at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 3. Serum and pituitaries were assessed over 24 h at 6-h intervals beginning at ZT 14. SD and HFD caused significant changes in serum corticosterone and insulin, as well as hGH and circadian clock-related gene RNA levels. No clear association between DNA methylation and the negative effects of SD or diet on hGH RNA levels was observed. However, a correlation with increased methylation at a CpG (cytosine paired with a guanine) in a putative E-box within the hGH LCR HS II was suggested in situ. Methylation at this site also increased BMAL1/CLOCK-related nuclear protein binding in vitro. These observations support an effect of SD on hGH synthesis at the level of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Jarmasz
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Correspondence should be addressed to J S Jarmasz:
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Hana Vakili
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Peter A Cattini
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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8
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Gujral J, Yau M, Yang AC, Kastury R, Romero CJ, Wallach E, Wilkes M, Costin G, Rapaport R. Primary Cortisol Deficiency and Growth Hormone Deficiency in a Neonate With Hypoglycemia: Coincidence or Consequence? J Endocr Soc 2019; 3:838-846. [PMID: 30963141 PMCID: PMC6447946 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortisol and growth hormone (GH) deficiencies are causes of neonatal hypoglycemia. When they coexist, a pituitary disorder is suspected. We present an infant with hypoglycemia in whom an ACTH receptor defect was associated with transient GH deficiency. A full-term boy with consanguineous parents presented with hypoglycemia (serum glucose 18 mg/dL) at 4 hours of life with undetectable serum cortisol (<1 μg/dL). Examination showed diffuse hyperpigmentation with normal male genitalia. Patient developed hyperbilirubinemia and elevated transaminase levels. GH levels of 6.8 ng/mL and 7.48 ng/mL during episodes of hypoglycemia, peak of 9.2 ng/mL with glucagon stimulation, and undetectable IGF-1 suggested GH deficiency. Thyroid function, prolactin, and gonadotropins were normal. Baseline ACTH was elevated at 4868 pg/mL, whereas serum cortisol remained undetectable with ACTH stimulation. Hydrocortisone replacement resulted in normalization of blood glucose and cholestasis with decline in ACTH level. GH therapy was not initiated, given improvement in cholestasis and euglycemia. An ACTH receptor defect was confirmed with molecular genetic testing that revealed homozygosity for a known mutation of the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) gene. At 12 weeks, a random GH level was 10 ng/mL. IGF-1 was 75 ng/mL and 101 ng/mL at 7 and 9 months, respectively. This report describes glucocorticoid deficiency from an MC2R mutation associated with GH deficiency. With glucocorticoid replacement, GH secretion normalized. Our findings are consistent with a previously stated hypothesis that physiologic glucocorticoid levels may be required for optimal GH secretion [1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Gujral
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Mabel Yau
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Amy C Yang
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rama Kastury
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Christopher J Romero
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Elizabeth Wallach
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Meredith Wilkes
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Gertrude Costin
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Robert Rapaport
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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9
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Jin Y, Vakili H, Liu SY, Menticoglou S, Bock ME, Cattini PA. Chromosomal architecture and placental expression of the human growth hormone gene family are targeted by pre-pregnancy maternal obesity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2018; 315:E435-E445. [PMID: 29763375 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00042.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The human (h) placental lactogenic hormone chorionic somatomammotropin (CS) is highly produced during pregnancy and acts as a metabolic adaptor in response to maternal insulin resistance. Maternal obesity can exacerbate this "resistance", and a >75% decrease in CS RNA levels was observed in term placentas from obese vs. lean women. The genes coding for hCS ( hCS-A and hCS-B) and placental growth hormone ( hGH-V) as well as the hCS-L pseudogene and pituitary growth hormone (GH) gene ( hGH-N) are located at a single locus on chromosome 17. Three remote hypersensitive sites (HS III-V) located >28 kb upstream of hGH-N as well as local hCS gene promoter and enhancer regions are implicated in hCS gene expression. A placenta-specific chromosomal architecture, including interaction between HS III-V and hCS but not hGH gene promoters, was detected in placentas from lean women (BMI <25 kg/m2) by using the chromosome conformation capture assay. This architecture was disrupted by pre-pregnancy maternal obesity (BMI >35 kg/m2), resulting in a predominant interaction between HS III and the hGH-N promoter, which was also observed in nonplacental tissues. This was accompanied by a decrease in hCS levels, which was consistent with reduced RNA polymerase II and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β association with individual hCS promoter and enhancer sequences, respectively. Thus, pre-pregnancy maternal obesity disrupts the placental hGH/CS gene locus chromosomal architecture. However, based on data from obese women who develop GDM, insulin treatment partially recapitulates the chromosomal architecture seen in lean women and positively affects hCS production, presumably facilitating prolactin receptor-related signaling by hCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
| | - Hana Vakili
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science and Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital , Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - Song Yan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
| | - Savas Menticoglou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
| | - Margaret E Bock
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
| | - Peter A Cattini
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
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Cattini PA, Bock ME, Jin Y, Zanghi JA, Vakili H. A useful model to compare human and mouse growth hormone gene chromosomal structure, expression and regulation, and immune tolerance of human growth hormone analogues. Growth Horm IGF Res 2018; 42-43:58-65. [PMID: 30227383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2018.09.001] [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: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human (h) pituitary growth hormone (GH) is both physiologically and clinically important. GH reaches its highest circulatory levels in puberty, where it contributes to energy homeostasis and somatogenic growth. GH also helps to maintain tissues and organs and, thus, health and homeostasis. A reduction in the rate of hGH production begins in middle age but if GH insufficiency occurs this may result in tissue degenerative and metabolic diseases. As a consequence, hGH is prescribed under conditions of GH deficiency and, because of its lipolytic activity, stimulation of hGH release has also been used to treat obesity. However, studies of normal GH production and particularly synthesis versus secretion are not feasible in humans as they require sampling normal pituitaries from living subjects. Furthermore, human (or primate) GH structure and, as such, regulation and potential function, is distinct from non-primate rodent GH. As a result, most information about hGH regulation comes from measurements of secreted levels of GH in humans. Thus, partially humanized hGH transgenic mice, generated containing fragments of human chromosome 17 that include the intact hGH gene locus and many thousands of flanking base pairs as well as the endogenous mouse (m) GH gene provide a potentially useful model. Here we review this mouse model in terms of its ability to allow comparison of hGH versus mGH gene expression, and specifically: (i) GH locus structure as well as regulated and rhythmic expression; (ii) their ability to model a clinical assessment of hGH production in response to overeating and hyperinsulinemia as well as a possible effect of exercise, and (iii) their hGH-related immune tolerance and thus potential for testing hGH-related analogue immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Cattini
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Margaret E Bock
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Hana Vakili
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX, USA
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11
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Vázquez-Borrego MC, Gahete MD, Martínez-Fuentes AJ, Fuentes-Fayos AC, Castaño JP, Kineman RD, Luque RM. Multiple signaling pathways convey central and peripheral signals to regulate pituitary function: Lessons from human and non-human primate models. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 463:4-22. [PMID: 29253530 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The anterior pituitary gland is a key organ involved in the control of multiple physiological functions including growth, reproduction, metabolism and stress. These functions are controlled by five distinct hormone-producing pituitary cell types that produce growth hormone (somatotropes), prolactin (lactotropes), adrenocorticotropin (corticotropes), thyrotropin (thyrotropes) and follicle stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone (gonadotropes). Classically, the synthesis and release of pituitary hormones was thought to be primarily regulated by central (neuroendocrine) signals. However, it is now becoming apparent that factors produced by pituitary hormone targets (endocrine and non-endocrine organs) can feedback directly to the pituitary to adjust pituitary hormone synthesis and release. Therefore, pituitary cells serve as sensors to integrate central and peripheral signals in order to fine-tune whole-body homeostasis, although it is clear that pituitary cell regulation is species-, age- and sex-dependent. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive, general overview of our current knowledge of both central and peripheral regulators of pituitary cell function and associated intracellular mechanisms, focusing on human and non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Vázquez-Borrego
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital (HURS), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - M D Gahete
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital (HURS), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - A J Martínez-Fuentes
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital (HURS), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - A C Fuentes-Fayos
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital (HURS), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - J P Castaño
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital (HURS), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - R D Kineman
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research and Development Division, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - R M Luque
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital (HURS), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 14004 Cordoba, Spain.
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12
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Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA. Evidence for a Circadian Effect on the Reduction of Human Growth Hormone Gene Expression in Response to Excess Caloric Intake. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:13823-33. [PMID: 27151213 PMCID: PMC4919464 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.722744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhythmicity of biological functions is fundamental for optimal adaptations to environmental cues. Growth hormone (GH) is a major metabolic homeostatic factor that is secreted with a circadian pattern, but whether it is synthesized rhythmically is unknown. We used transgenic mice containing the human (h) GH gene (hGH1) locus to investigate the rhythmicity of hGH synthesis and secretion and to show that RNA and secreted protein levels oscillate over a 24-h cycle. Analysis of hGH1 promoter sequences revealed an enhancer motif (E-box) element that binds the circadian transcriptional machinery (Bmal1 and Clock). Furthermore, Bmal1/Clock were able to transactivate the hGH1 promoter, and mutation of this E-box element adversely affected basal activity after gene transfer. The ability of Bmal1 to bind the hGH1 promoter region containing the E-box element was confirmed in the hGH1 transgenic mouse pituitary in situ Occupancy was reduced in mice fed a high fat diet during the light (inactive) stage of the daily cycle in mice and corresponded to a decrease in hGH1 RNA levels. The decreases in occupancy and RNA levels were not seen, however, during the dark (active) stage. A chromatin loop required for efficient postnatal hGH1 expression was negatively affected by the high fat diet in the light but not dark stage similar to the pattern observed with Bmal1 association with the promoter region. This is the first evidence that hGH synthesis follows a diurnal rhythm and of dynamic associations of the circadian machinery with a component of a chromosomal structure of the hGH1 locus that is essential for efficient expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Vakili
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine and
| | - Yan Jin
- Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Peter A Cattini
- Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
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13
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Oviduct-specific expression of human neutrophil defensin 4 in lentivirally generated transgenic chickens. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127922. [PMID: 26020529 PMCID: PMC4447378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of oviduct-specific recombinant proteins in transgenic chickens is a promising technology for the production of therapeutic biologics in eggs. In this study, we constructed a lentiviral vector encoding an expression cassette for human neutrophil defensin 4 (HNP4), a compound that displays high activity against Escherichia coli, and produced transgenic chickens that expressed the recombinant HNP4 protein in egg whites. After the antimicrobial activity of the recombinant HNP4 protein was tested at the cellular level, a 2.8-kb ovalbumin promoter was used to drive HNP4 expression specifically in oviduct tissues. From 669 injected eggs, 218 chickens were successfully hatched. Ten G0 roosters, with semens identified as positive for the transgene, were mated with wild-type hens to generate G1 chickens. From 1,274 total offspring, fifteen G1 transgenic chickens were positive for the transgene, which was confirmed by PCR and Southern blotting. The results of the Southern blotting and genome walking indicated that a single copy of the HNP4 gene was integrated into chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 of the chickens. As expected, HNP4 expression was restricted to the oviduct tissues, and the levels of both transcriptional and translational HNP4 expression varied greatly in transgenic chickens with different transgene insertion sites. The amount of HNP4 protein expressed in the eggs of G1 and G2 heterozygous transgenic chickens ranged from 1.65 μg/ml to 10.18 μg/ml. These results indicated that the production of transgenic chickens that expressed HNP4 protein in egg whites was successful.
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14
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Hattori Y, Takeda T, Fujii M, Taura J, Ishii Y, Yamada H. Dioxin-induced fetal growth retardation: the role of a preceding attenuation in the circulating level of glucocorticoid. Endocrine 2014; 47:572-80. [PMID: 24723259 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-014-0257-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Exposure of pregnant rats to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) at a low dose causes developmental disorders such as growth retardation and sexual immaturity in their pups. Our previous studies have demonstrated that TCDD attenuates the expression of pituitary luteinizing hormone in fetuses, resulting in the impairment of sexual behavior after they reach maturity. In this study, we focused on growth disturbance and investigated whether TCDD affects the expression of growth hormone (GH), another pituitary hormone which is essential for normal development in perinatal pups. The result showed that maternal exposure to TCDD (1 µg/kg) at gestational day (GD) 15 reduced the fetal expression of GH from the onset at GD18. In accordance with this, TCDD attenuated the pup weight during the perinatal period. We then examined the effect of TCDD on the serum concentration of corticosterone, which plays a key role in the proliferation of GH-producing cells, and found that TCDD reduces the circulating level of corticosterone in the mothers at GD18 and the male fetuses at GD19. The reduction in fetuses seems to be due to increased inactivation rather than reduced synthesis, because TCDD induces the fetal expression of hepatic enzymes participating in the metabolism of glucocorticoids without changing the expression of steroidogenic proteins in the pituitary-adrenal axis. Supplying corticosterone to TCDD-exposed mothers restored or tended to restore a TCDD-induced reduction in pup weight as well as the levels of pituitary GH mRNA and serum GH. These results suggest that TCDD lowers GH expression and growth retardation owing, at least partially, to a reduction in the circulating level of glucocorticoid in pregnant mothers and their fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Hattori
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
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15
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Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA. Energy homeostasis targets chromosomal reconfiguration of the human GH1 locus. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:5002-12. [PMID: 25295535 DOI: 10.1172/jci77126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Levels of pituitary growth hormone (GH), a metabolic homeostatic factor with strong lipolytic activity, are decreased in obese individuals. GH declines prior to the onset of weight gain in response to excess caloric intake and hyperinsulinemia; however, the mechanism by which GH is reduced is not clear. We used transgenic mice expressing the human GH (hGH) gene, GH1, to assess the effect of high caloric intake on expression as well as the local chromosome structure of the intact GH1 locus. Animals exposed to 3 days of high caloric intake exhibited hyperinsulinemia without hyperglycemia and a decrease in both hGH synthesis and secretion, but no difference in endogenous production of murine GH. Efficient GH1 expression requires a long-range intrachromosomal interaction between remote enhancer sequences and the proximal promoter region through "looping" of intervening chromatin. High caloric intake disrupted this interaction and decreased both histone H3/H4 hyperacetylation and RNA polymerase II occupancy at the GH1 promoter. Incorporation of physical activity muted the effects of excess caloric intake on insulin levels, GH1 promoter hyperacetylation, chromosomal architecture, and expression. These results indicate that energy homeostasis alters postnatal hGH synthesis through dynamic changes in the 3-dimensional chromatin structure of the GH1 locus, including structures required for cell type specificity during development.
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16
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Jakob S, Schraut KG, Schmitt AG, Scholz CJ, Ortega G, Steinbusch HW, Lesch KP, van den Hove DLA. Differential effects of prenatal stress in female 5-HTT-deficient mice: towards molecular mechanisms of resilience. Dev Neurosci 2014; 36:454-64. [PMID: 25195605 DOI: 10.1159/000363695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress (PS) exposure is known to increase the risk of developing emotional disorders like major depression in later life. However, some individuals do not succumb to adversity following developmental stress exposure, a phenomenon referred to as resilience. To date, the molecular mechanisms explaining why some subjects are vulnerable and others more resilient to PS are far from understood. Recently, we have shown that the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene may play a modulating role in rendering individuals susceptible or resilient to PS. However, it is not clear which molecular players are mediating the interaction between PS and the 5-Htt genotype in the context of vulnerability and resilience to PS. For this purpose, we performed a microarray study with the help of Affymetrix GeneChip® Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array, in which we separated wild-type and heterozygous 5-Htt-deficient (5-Htt+/-) PS offspring into susceptible and resilient offspring according to their performance in the forced swim test. Performance-oriented LIMMA analysis on the mRNA expression microarray data was followed by subsequent Spearman's correlation analysis linking the individual qRT-PCR mRNA expression data to various anxiety- and depression-related behavioral and neuroendocrine measures. Results indicate that, amongst others, Fos-induced growth factor (Figf), galanin receptor 3 (Galr3), growth hormone (Gh) and prolactin (Prl) were differentially expressed specifically in resilient offspring when compared to controls, and that the hippocampal expression of these genes showed several strong correlations with various measures of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (re)activity. In conclusion, there seems to be an intricate interplay between the expression of Figf, Galr3, Gh and Prl and neuroendocrine regulation, which may be critical in mediating resilience to PS exposure. More insight into the exact role of these molecular players may significantly enhance the development of new treatment strategies for stress-related emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissi Jakob
- Department of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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17
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Alatzoglou KS, Webb EA, Le Tissier P, Dattani MT. Isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in childhood and adolescence: recent advances. Endocr Rev 2014; 35:376-432. [PMID: 24450934 DOI: 10.1210/er.2013-1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) in childhood is a multistep process involving clinical history, examination with detailed auxology, biochemical testing, and pituitary imaging, with an increasing contribution from genetics in patients with congenital GHD. Our increasing understanding of the factors involved in the development of somatotropes and the dynamic function of the somatotrope network may explain, at least in part, the development and progression of childhood GHD in different age groups. With respect to the genetic etiology of isolated GHD (IGHD), mutations in known genes such as those encoding GH (GH1), GHRH receptor (GHRHR), or transcription factors involved in pituitary development, are identified in a relatively small percentage of patients suggesting the involvement of other, yet unidentified, factors. Genome-wide association studies point toward an increasing number of genes involved in the control of growth, but their role in the etiology of IGHD remains unknown. Despite the many years of research in the area of GHD, there are still controversies on the etiology, diagnosis, and management of IGHD in children. Recent data suggest that childhood IGHD may have a wider impact on the health and neurodevelopment of children, but it is yet unknown to what extent treatment with recombinant human GH can reverse this effect. Finally, the safety of recombinant human GH is currently the subject of much debate and research, and it is clear that long-term controlled studies are needed to clarify the consequences of childhood IGHD and the long-term safety of its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki S Alatzoglou
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group (K.S.A., E.A.W., M.T.D.), Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, and Birth Defects Research Centre (P.L.T.), UCL Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom; and Faculty of Life Sciences (P.L.T.), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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18
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Vakili H, Jin Y, Menticoglou S, Cattini PA. CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and downstream human placental growth hormone genes are targets for dysregulation in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:22849-61. [PMID: 23782703 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.474999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic somatomammotropin (CS) and placental growth hormone variant (GH-V) act as metabolic adaptors in response to maternal insulin resistance, which occurs in "normal" pregnancy. Maternal obesity can exacerbate this "resistance," suggesting that CS, GH-V, or transcription factors that regulate their production might be targets. The human CS genes, hCS-A and hCS-B, flank the GH-V gene. A significant decrease in pre-term placental CS/GH-V RNA levels was observed in transgenic mice containing the CS/GH-V genes in a model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced maternal obesity. Similarly, a decrease in CS/GH-V RNA levels was detected in term placentas from obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m(2)) versus lean (BMI 20-25 kg/m(2)) women. A specific decrease in transcription factor CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) RNA levels was also seen with obesity; C/EBPβ is required for mouse placenta development and is expressed, like CS and GH-V, in syncytiotrophoblasts. Binding of C/EBPβ to the CS gene downstream enhancer regions, which by virtue of their position distally flank the GH-V gene, was reduced in placenta chromatin from mice on a HFD and in obese women; a corresponding decrease in RNA polymerase II associated with CS/GH-V promoters was also observed. Detection of decreased endogenous CS/GH-V RNA levels in human placental tumor cells treated with C/EBPβ siRNA is consistent with a direct effect. These data provide evidence for CS/GH-V dysregulation in acute HFD-induced obesity in mouse pregnancy and chronic obesity in human pregnancy and implicate C/EBPβ, a factor associated with CS regulation and placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Vakili
- Department of Physiology, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0J9, Canada
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19
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Abstract
Glucocorticoids modulate the secretion of growth hormone (GH) by various and competing effects on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The final effects of this modulation depend on hormone concentrations and the duration of exposure. The traditional hypothesis is that chronically raised levels of glucocorticoids suppress the secretion of GH. However, a functional impairment of the GH reserve might also be observed in patients with low levels of glucocorticoids, such as those with secondary hypoadrenalism, which is consistent with the model of biphasic dose-dependent effects of glucocorticoids on the somatotropic axis. This Review updates our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of glucocorticoids on the secretion of GH and the clinical implications of the dual action of glucocorticoids on the GH reserve in humans. This Review will also address the potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications of GH for patients with a deficiency or excess of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gherardo Mazziotti
- Department of Medicine, Endocrine and Bone Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Carlo Poma of Mantua, 46100 Mantua, Italy
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20
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Vakili H, Cattini PA. The hidden but positive role for glucocorticoids in the regulation of growth hormone-producing cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 363:1-9. [PMID: 22910554 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Revised: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) is a prominent metabolic factor that is targeted by glucocorticoids; however, their role in GH production remains controversial. This is explained in part by discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo, short-term versus long-term exposure and even species-specific effects. The prevailing view, however, is that glucocorticoids are negative modulators of growth and GH production. An examination of recent findings from elegant avian and gene ablation in mice studies as well as clinical case reports, suggests this is not the case. The evidence suggests that the effect of glucocorticoids on growth and GH production can be uncoupled, and reveals they play a crucial and positive role in maturation of functional somatotrophs, the GH-producing cells of the anterior pituitary. Here, we provide an overview and insights into the possible roles of glucocorticoids in the development of somatotrophs before birth as well as regulation of GH production in infancy (neonatal) and adulthood (postnatal). A fully functional glucocorticoid-signaling pathway appears to be required for establishment of somatotrophs before birth, and glucocorticoids continue to be required for maintenance of GH production in the newborn. There is evidence to suggest progenitor somatotrophs may persist after birth, and perhaps account for the ability of glucocorticoid therapy to correct some cases of GH deficiency as a result of compromised glucocorticoid signaling. Finally, there is support for positive regulation of avian, murine and human GH gene activation and/or expression by glucocorticoids, however, there appears to be no common mechanism and the contribution of direct versus indirect effects remains unclear. Thus, our observations reveal a largely hidden face of glucocorticoids, specifically, a positive role in somatotroph development and GH gene activation/expression, which may enable us to better understand the differential effect of glucocorticoids on growth and GH production in human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Vakili
- Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, Canada.
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21
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Current world literature. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2012; 19:328-37. [PMID: 22760515 DOI: 10.1097/med.0b013e3283567080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA. Negative regulation of human growth hormone gene expression by insulin is dependent on hypoxia-inducible factor binding in primary non-tumor pituitary cells. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:33282-92. [PMID: 22833680 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.380949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin controls growth hormone (GH) production at multiple levels, including via a direct effect on pituitary somatotrophs. There are no data, however, on the regulation of the intact human (h) GH gene (hGH1) by insulin in non-tumor pituitary cells, but the proximal promoter region (nucleotides -496/+1) responds negatively to insulin in transfected pituitary tumor cells. A DNA-protein interaction was also induced by insulin at nucleotides -308/-235. Here, we confirmed the presence of a hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) binding site within these sequences (-264/-259) and investigated whether HIF-1 is associated with insulin regulation of "endogenous" hGH1. In the absence of primary human pituitary cells, transgenic mice expressing the intact hGH locus in a somatotroph-specific manner were generated. A significant and dose-dependent decrease in hGH and mouse GH RNA levels was detected in primary pituitary cell cultures from these mice with insulin treatment. Increasing HIF-1α availability with a hypoxia mimetic significantly decreased hGH RNA levels and was accompanied by recruitment of HIF-1α to the hGH1 promoter in situ as seen with insulin. Both inhibition of HIF-1 DNA binding by echinomycin and RNA interference of HIF-1α synthesis blunted the negative effect of insulin on hGH1 but not mGH. The insulin response is also sensitive to histone deacetylase inhibition/trichostatin A and associated with a decrease in H3/H4 hyperacetylation in the proximal hGH1 promoter region. These data are consistent with HIF-1-dependent down-regulation of hGH1 by insulin via chromatin remodeling specifically in the proximal promoter region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Vakili
- Department of Physiology, Division of Endocrine and Metabolic diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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