1
|
Rulli SB, Ahtiainen P, Ratner LD, Jonas K, Calandra RS, Poutanen M, Huhtaniemi I. Elevated chorionic gonadotropic hormone in transgenic mice induces parthenogenetic activation and ovarian teratomas. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 587:112214. [PMID: 38537882 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Both male and female reproductive functions are impacted by altered gonadotrophin secretion and action, which may also influence the development of endocrine tumours. To ascertain if chronic hypersecretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) contributes to the development of gonadal tumours, double transgenic (TG) mice that overexpress hCGα- and β-subunits were analysed. By the age of two months, ovarian tumours with characteristics of teratomas developed with 100% penetrance. Teratomas were also seen in wild-type ovaries orthotopically transplanted into TG mice, demonstrating an endocrine/paracrine mechanism for the hCG-induced ovarian tumorigenesis. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed oocyte parthenogenetic activation in TG females. In addition, ovaries showed reduced ovulatory gene expression, inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and impaired cumulus cell expansion. Hence, persistently high endocrine hCG activity causes parthenogenetic activation and development of ovarian teratomas, along with altered follicle development and impaired ERK1/2 signalling, offering a novel mechanism associated with the molecular pathogenesis of ovarian teratomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana B Rulli
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland; Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, C1405BCK, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Petteri Ahtiainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura D Ratner
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kim Jonas
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK; Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Population and Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Ricardo S Calandra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland; Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland; Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Simantov T, Pohl A, Tsompanidis A, Weir E, Lombardo MV, Ruigrok A, Smith P, Allison C, Baron-Cohen S, Uzefovsky F. Medical symptoms and conditions in autistic women. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 26:373-388. [PMID: 34184558 PMCID: PMC8814970 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211022091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The sex bias in autism diagnosis suggests the involvement of sex-specific endocrine mechanisms during prenatal development, but these hormones affect health throughout life. Therefore, the current study examined the association of autism and autistic traits with conditions and symptoms related to the sex-steroid system in adult women. In total, 1230 women (361 autistic), aged 15–77 years, reported on autistic traits and medical history. Medical diagnoses and symptoms were grouped by unsupervised factor analysis, and associations with autism diagnosis and autistic traits were explored. Higher rates of reproductive system diagnoses (odds ratio = 1.035, p = 0.024), prediabetes symptoms (odds ratio = 1.319, p = 0.001), irregular puberty onset (odds ratio = 1.458, p = 0.009), and menstrual length (odds ratio = 1.368, p = 0.034) and lower rates of metabolic and vascular conditions (odds ratio = 0.654, p = 0.013) were associated with diagnosis. Reproductive system diagnoses (β = 0.114, p = 0.000), prediabetes symptoms (β = 0.188, p = 0.000), menstrual length (β = 0.071, p = 0.014), irregular puberty onset (β = 0.149, p = 0.000), excessive menstruation symptoms (β = 0.097, p = 0.003), and hyperandrogenism symptoms (β = 0.062, p = 0.040) were also associated with autistic traits. Many of the conditions and symptoms found to be associated with autism or autistic traits are also related to conditions of steroid hormones and, specifically, the sex-steroid system. The study suggests an important role for steroids in autistic women, beyond prenatal development. Clinical implications are discussed.
Collapse
|
3
|
Mouse Models for the Study of Synthesis, Secretion, and Action of Pituitary Gonadotropins. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2016; 143:49-84. [PMID: 27697204 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropins play fundamental roles in reproduction. More than 30years ago, Cga transgenic mice were generated, and more than 20years ago, the phenotypes of Cga null mice were reported. Since then, numerous mouse strains have been generated and characterized to address several questions in reproductive biology involving gonadotropin synthesis, secretion, and action. More recently, extragonadal expression, and in some cases, functions of gonadotropins in nongonadal tissues have been identified. Several genomic and proteomic approaches including novel mouse genome editing tools are available now. It is anticipated that these and other emerging technologies will be useful to build an integrated network of gonadotropin signaling pathways in various tissues. Undoubtedly, research on gonadotropins will continue to provide new knowledge and allow us transcend from benchside to the bedside.
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen J, Shen S, Tan Y, Xia D, Xia Y, Cao Y, Wang W, Wu X, Wang H, Yi L, Gao Q, Wang Y. The correlation of aromatase activity and obesity in women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome. J Ovarian Res 2015; 8:11. [PMID: 25881575 PMCID: PMC4392749 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-015-0139-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the association of aromatase activity assessed by estradiol-to-testosterone ratio (E2/T) with body mass index (BMI) in women. Methods This was a cohort study in five centers for reproductive medicine in China. Data were collected from July 2012 to December 2013. PCOS patients (n = 785) and non PCOS, healthy, age-matched controls (n = 297) were included. Plasma sex hormones including estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by ELISA, together with BMI and E2/T being calculated, on the third day of the menstrual cycle. Aromatase activity in PCOS patients with different BMI, T and E2 levels were compared. Results E2/T was significantly lower (P < 0.05) while BMI was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in PCOS than non-PCOS. No significant difference was observed in E2/T among different BMI subgroups of either PCOS or control. Ovarian aromatase activity was decreased in PCOS patients which was independent of BMI. Hyperestrogen promoted ovarian aromatase activity, while hyperandrogen inhibited such activity, both in a dose-dependent, biphasic manner. Conclusions Ovarian aromatase activity was lower in PCOS, which was independent of BMI. New therapeutic strategies can be developed by targeting aromatase activity for treating PCOS women, especially those with obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- First Clinical Medicine College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Shanmei Shen
- Divisions of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Yong Tan
- First Clinical Medicine College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, China.
| | - Dong Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Yanjie Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Centre of Reproduction, Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Xiaoke Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Hongwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Long Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Qian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Life Science and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| |
Collapse
|