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Christakoudi S, Tsilidis KK, Riboli E. Prospective associations of leucocyte subtypes and obesity with the risk of developing cutaneous malignant melanoma in the UK Biobank cohort. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:625. [PMID: 38783251 PMCID: PMC11112846 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12344-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which is linked to cancer development. Abdominal obesity (a body mass index, ABSI), however, has unusually been associated inversely with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), while general obesity (body mass index, BMI) is associated positively. Leucocytes participate in inflammation and are higher in obesity, but prospective associations of leucocytes with cutaneous malignant melanoma are unclear. METHODS We examined the prospective associations of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts (each individually), as well as the prospective associations of ABSI and BMI, with cutaneous malignant melanoma in UK Biobank. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and explored heterogeneity according to sex, menopausal status, age (≥ 50 years at recruitment), smoking status, ABSI (dichotomised at the median: ≥73.5 women; ≥79.8 men), BMI (normal weight, overweight, obese), and time to diagnosis. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 10.2 years, 2174 CMM cases were ascertained in 398,450 participants. There was little evidence for associations with neutrophil or lymphocyte counts. Monocyte count, however, was associated inversely in participants overall (HR = 0.928; 95%CI: 0.888-0.971; per one standard deviation increase; SD = 0.144*109/L women; SD = 0.169*109/L men), specifically in older participants (HR = 0.906; 95%CI: 0.862-0.951), and more clearly in participants with low ABSI (HR = 0.880; 95%CI: 0.824-0.939), or with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (HR = 0.895; 95%CI: 0.837-0.958 for overweight; HR = 0.923; 95%CI: 0.848-1.005 for obese). ABSI was associated inversely in pre-menopausal women (HR = 0.810; 95%CI: 0.702-0.935; SD = 4.95) and men (HR = 0.925; 95%CI: 0.867-0.986; SD = 4.11). BMI was associated positively in men (HR = 1.148; 95%CI: 1.078-1.222; SD = 4.04 kg/m2). There was little evidence for heterogeneity according to smoking status. The associations with monocyte count and BMI were retained to at least 8 years prior to diagnosis, but the association with ABSI was observed up to 4 years prior to diagnosis and not for longer follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS Monocyte count is associated prospectively inversely with the risk of developing CMM in older individuals, while BMI is associated positively in men, suggesting a mechanistic involvement of factors related to monocytes and subcutaneous adipose tissue in melanoma development. An inverse association with ABSI closer to diagnosis may reflect reverse causality or glucocorticoid resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Christakoudi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Konstantinos K Tsilidis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Elio Riboli
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
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2
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Sarhadi M, Pahlavani E, Hosseini Razavi N, Ghadyani F, Abdollahi Z, Sarhadi S, Sabeti Akbar Abad M, Shahriari H, Majidpour M. IL-18 and CD14 variants in chronic HBV predisposition: a case-control study with in silico analyses focused on transcription and splicing. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024:1-21. [PMID: 38459706 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2024.2326132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a vaccine-avoidable infection, is a health concern worldwide, leading to liver disorders such as acute self-constraint and chronic hepatitis, liver failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma if untreated. 'Immunogeneticprofiling', genetic variations of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines responsible for regulating the immune responses, cause person-to-person differences and impact the clinical manifestation of the disease. The current experimental-bioinformatics research was conducted to examine whether promoteric IL-18-rs187238 C > G and -rs1946518 T > G and intronic CD14-rs2569190 A > G variations are associated with chronic HBV. A total of 400 individuals (200 in each case and control group) participated in the study and were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The data was also assessed bioinformatics-wise for conservation, genomic transcription and splicing, and protein interactions. Findings proposed that unlike the IL-18-rs1946518 T > G and CD14-rs2569190 A > G, the IL-18-rs187238 C > G is a protector against chronic HBV (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.46-0.83, and p = 0.002). The TG/CC/AA, TG/CC/AG, TT/CC/AG, and GG/CC/AA combined genotypes significantly increased chronic HBV risk (p < 0.05), while the IL-18 G/T and G/G haplotypes lessened it (p < 0.05). Moreover, IL-18-rs1946518 T > G is in the protected genomic regions across mammalian species. In contrast to the IL-18-rs1946518 T > G, IL-18-rs187238 C > G is likely to create novel binding sites for transcription factors, and the CD14-rs2569190 A > G presumably changed the ribonucleic acid splicing pattern. More research on larger populations and other ethnicities is required to authenticate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sarhadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Elham Pahlavani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Niloufar Hosseini Razavi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghadyani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular, Faculty of Biology Sciences, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Abdollahi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Sarhadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Sabeti Akbar Abad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Hossein Shahriari
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Majidpour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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3
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Martinez GJ, Appleton M, Kipp ZA, Loria AS, Min B, Hinds TD. Glucocorticoids, their uses, sexual dimorphisms, and diseases: new concepts, mechanisms, and discoveries. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:473-532. [PMID: 37732829 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The normal stress response in humans is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through heightened mechanisms during stress, raising blood levels of the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol. Glucocorticoids are quintessential compounds that balance the proper functioning of numerous systems in the mammalian body. They are also generated synthetically and are the preeminent therapy for inflammatory diseases. They act by binding to the nuclear receptor transcription factor glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which has two main isoforms (GRα and GRβ). Our classical understanding of glucocorticoid signaling is from the GRα isoform, which binds the hormone, whereas GRβ has no known ligands. With glucocorticoids being involved in many physiological and cellular processes, even small disruptions in their release via the HPA axis, or changes in GR isoform expression, can have dire ramifications on health. Long-term chronic glucocorticoid therapy can lead to a glucocorticoid-resistant state, and we deliberate how this impacts disease treatment. Chronic glucocorticoid treatment can lead to noticeable side effects such as weight gain, adiposity, diabetes, and others that we discuss in detail. There are sexually dimorphic responses to glucocorticoids, and women tend to have a more hyperresponsive HPA axis than men. This review summarizes our understanding of glucocorticoids and critically analyzes the GR isoforms and their beneficial and deleterious mechanisms and the sexual differences that cause a dichotomy in responses. We also discuss the future of glucocorticoid therapy and propose a new concept of dual GR isoform agonist and postulate why activating both isoforms may prevent glucocorticoid resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genesee J Martinez
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Malik Appleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Zachary A Kipp
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Analia S Loria
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Booki Min
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Terry D Hinds
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
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4
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Langouche L, Téblick A, Gunst J, Van den Berghe G. The Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical Response to Critical Illness: A Concept in Need of Revision. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:1096-1106. [PMID: 37409973 PMCID: PMC10638597 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Based on insights obtained during the past decade, the classical concept of an activated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in response to critical illness is in need of revision. After a brief central hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activation, the vital maintenance of increased systemic cortisol availability and action in response to critical illness is predominantly driven by peripheral adaptations rather than by an ongoing centrally activated several-fold increased production and secretion of cortisol. Besides the known reduction of cortisol-binding proteins that increases free cortisol, these peripheral responses comprise suppressed cortisol metabolism in liver and kidney, prolonging cortisol half-life, and local alterations in expression of 11βHSD1, glucocorticoid receptor-α (GRα), and FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP51) that appear to titrate increased GRα action in vital organs and tissues while reducing GRα action in neutrophils, possibly preventing immune-suppressive off-target effects of increased systemic cortisol availability. Peripherally increased cortisol exerts negative feed-back inhibition at the pituitary level impairing processing of pro-opiomelanocortin into ACTH, thereby reducing ACTH-driven cortisol secretion, whereas ongoing central activation results in increased circulating pro-opiomelanocortin. These alterations seem adaptive and beneficial for the host in the short term. However, as a consequence, patients with prolonged critical illness who require intensive care for weeks or longer may develop a form of central adrenal insufficiency. The new findings supersede earlier concepts such as "relative," as opposed to "absolute," adrenal insufficiency and generalized systemic glucocorticoid resistance in the critically ill. The findings also question the scientific basis for broad implementation of stress dose hydrocortisone treatment of patients suffering from acute septic shock solely based on assumption of cortisol insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lies Langouche
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arno Téblick
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Gunst
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Van den Berghe
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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5
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Mao L, Wei W, Chen J. Biased regulation of glucocorticoid receptors signaling. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115145. [PMID: 37454592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs), steroid hormones that depend on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding for their action, are essential for regulating numerous homeostatic functions in the body.GR signals are biased, that is, GR signals are various in different tissue cells, disease states and ligands. This biased regulation of GR signaling appears to depend on ligand-induced metameric regulation, protein post-translational modifications, assembly at response elements, context-specific assembly (recruitment of co-regulators) and intercellular differences. Based on the bias regulation of GR, selective GR agonists and modulators (SEGRAMs) were developed to bias therapeutic outcomes toward expected outcomes (e.g., anti-inflammation and immunoregulation) by influencing GR-mediated gene expression. This paper provides a review of the bias regulation and mechanism of GR and the research progress of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Mao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine of Education Ministry, Anhui Cooperative Innovation Center for Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs, Center of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine of Education Ministry, Anhui Cooperative Innovation Center for Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs, Center of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine of Education Ministry, Anhui Cooperative Innovation Center for Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs, Center of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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Huang H, Wang W, Cui Y, Hu CX, Du M. Correlation between nuclear expression of heat shock protein 90 in dermis and glucocorticoid resistance in bullous dermatosis. Steroids 2023; 194:109223. [PMID: 36948346 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND bullous dermatosis is a group of skin diseases that occur on the skin and mucous membrane, with blister and bulla as basic damage, mainly including pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Glucocorticoid (GC) is still the preferred drug for its treatment, but some patients respond poorly to GC and even develop glucocorticoid resistance (GCR). However, at present about the disease the understanding of the mechanisms for GCR is limited. OBJECTIVE This study attempted to investigate the molecular mechanism of GCR in bullous dermatosis with heat shock proteins 90 (HSP90) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as molecular targets. METHODS In this study, flow cytometry was used to measure and analyze the expression of HSP90 and GR in the lesions of patients with glucocorticoid-resistant bullosa dermatosis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to observe the expression distribution and cell localization of HSP90 and GR. RESULTS The expression of HSP90 in skin lesions of GCR group was significantly higher than that of glucocorticoid-sensitive (GCS) group, while the expression level of GR was lower than that of GCS group. In the epidermis, the expression and distribution of HSP90 were not different between the GCR group and the GCS group. And in the dermis, HSP90 and GR were more likely to be expressed in the nucleus in the GCR group. CONCLUSION The overexpression and nuclear distribution of HSP90 may be related to the occurrence of GCR in patients with bullous dermatosis. And this correlation is more likely to occur in the dermis than in the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanming Huang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China; Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenqing Wang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Yu Cui
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Cai-Xia Hu
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ming Du
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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7
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Huang H, Wang W. Molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e13901. [PMID: 36346177 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a powerful anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative drug, glucocorticoid (GC) plays an important role in the treatment of various diseases. However, some patients may experience glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) in clinical, and its molecular mechanism have not been determined. METHODS The authors performed a review of the literature on GCR focusing on mutations in the NR3C1 gene and impaired glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signalling, using METSTR (2000 through May 2022) to identify original articles and reviews on this topic. The search terms included 'glucocorticoid resistance/insensitive', 'steroid resistance/insensitive', 'NR3C1', and 'glucocorticoid receptor'. RESULTS Primary GCR is mainly caused by NR3C1 gene mutation, and 31 NR3C1 gene mutations have been reported so far. Secondary GCR is caused by impaired GC signalling pathways, including decreased expression of GR, impaired nuclear translocation of GR, and impaired binding of GR to GC and GR to target genes. However, the current research is more on the expression level of GR, and there are relatively few studies on other mechanisms. In addition, methods for improving GC sensitivity are rarely reported. CONCLUSION The molecular mechanisms of GCR are complex and may differ in different diseases or different patients. In future studies, when exploring the mechanism of GCR, methods to improve GC sensitivity should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanming Huang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenqing Wang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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8
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T Cell Energy Metabolism Is a Target of Glucocorticoids in Mice, Healthy Humans, and MS Patients. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030450. [PMID: 36766792 PMCID: PMC9914408 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used to treat inflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) by exerting prominent activities in T cells including apoptosis induction and suppression of cytokine production. However, little is known about their impact on energy metabolism, although it is widely accepted that this process is a critical rheostat of T cell activity. We thus tested the hypothesis that GCs control genes and processes involved in nutrient transport and glycolysis. Our experiments revealed that escalating doses of dexamethasone (Dex) repressed energy metabolism in murine and human primary T cells. This effect was mediated by the GC receptor and unrelated to both apoptosis induction and Stat1 activity. In contrast, treatment of human T cells with rapamycin abolished the repression of metabolic gene expression by Dex, unveiling mTOR as a critical target of GC action. A similar phenomenon was observed in MS patients after intravenous methylprednisolon (IVMP) pulse therapy. The expression of metabolic genes was reduced in the peripheral blood T cells of most patients 24 h after GC treatment, an effect that correlated with disease activity. Collectively, our results establish the regulation of T cell energy metabolism by GCs as a new immunomodulatory principle.
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Mitre-Aguilar IB, Moreno-Mitre D, Melendez-Zajgla J, Maldonado V, Jacobo-Herrera NJ, Ramirez-Gonzalez V, Mendoza-Almanza G. The Role of Glucocorticoids in Breast Cancer Therapy. Curr Oncol 2022; 30:298-314. [PMID: 36661673 PMCID: PMC9858160 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive steroid molecules secreted by the adrenal gland and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. GCs present a circadian release pattern under normal conditions; they increase their release under stress conditions. Their mechanism of action can be via the receptor-independent or receptor-dependent pathway. The receptor-dependent pathway translocates to the nucleus, where the ligand-receptor complex binds to specific sequences in the DNA to modulate the transcription of specific genes. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its endogenous ligand cortisol (CORT) in humans, and corticosterone in rodents or its exogenous ligand, dexamethasone (DEX), have been extensively studied in breast cancer. Its clinical utility in oncology has mainly focused on using DEX as an antiemetic to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In this review, we compile the results reported in the literature in recent years, highlighting current trends and unresolved controversies in this field. Specifically, in breast cancer, GR is considered a marker of poor prognosis, and a therapeutic target for the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype, and efforts are being made to develop better GR antagonists with fewer side effects. It is necessary to know the type of breast cancer to differentiate the treatment for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, ER-negative, and TNBC, to implement therapies that include the use of GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma B. Mitre-Aguilar
- Unidad de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran (INCMNSZ), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Daniel Moreno-Mitre
- Centro de Desarrollo de Destrezas Médicas (CEDDEM), Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran (INCMNSZ), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
- Laboratorio de Genomica Funcional del Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico
| | - Vilma Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Epigenetica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico
| | - Nadia J. Jacobo-Herrera
- Unidad de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran (INCMNSZ), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Victoria Ramirez-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Cirugía-Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran (INCMNSZ), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Gretel Mendoza-Almanza
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), Laboratorio de Epigenetica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico
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Ruiz-Conca M, Gardela J, Olvera-Maneu S, López-Béjar M, Álvarez-Rodríguez M. NR3C1 and glucocorticoid-regulatory genes mRNA and protein expression in the endometrium and ampulla during the bovine estrous cycle. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:510-523. [PMID: 36174371 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The bovine reproductive tract exhibits changes during the estrous cycle modulated by the interplay of steroid hormones. Glucocorticoids can be detrimental when stress-induced but are relevant at baseline levels for appropriate reproductive function. Here, an analysis of quantitative real-time PCR was performed to study the bovine glucocorticoid-related baseline gene transcription in endometrial and ampullar tissue samples derived from three time points of the estrous cycle, stage I (Days 1-4), stage III (Days 11-17) and stage IV (Days 18-20). Our results revealed expression differences during stages, as expression observed in the ampulla was higher during the post-ovulatory phase (stage I), including the glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1, and some of its regulators, involved in glucocorticoid availability (HSD11B1 and HSD11B2) and transcriptional actions (FKBP4 and FKBP5). In contrast, in the endometrium, higher expression of the steroid receptors was observed during the late luteal phase (stage III), including ESR1, ESR2, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2, and HSD11B1 expression decreased, while HSD11B2 increased. Moreover, at protein level, FKBP4 was higher expressed during the late luteal phase, and NR3C1 during the pre-ovulatory phase (stage IV). These results suggest that tight regulation of the glucocorticoid activity is promoted in the ampulla, when reproductive events are taking place, including oocyte maturation. Moreover, most expression changes in the endometrium were observed during the late luteal phase, and may be related to the embryonic maternal recognition. In conclusion, the glucocorticoid regulation changes across the estrous cycle and may be playing a role on the reproductive events occurring in the bovine ampulla and endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateo Ruiz-Conca
- Division of Children's and Women Health (BKH), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Jaume Gardela
- Division of Children's and Women Health (BKH), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sergi Olvera-Maneu
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Manel López-Béjar
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Division of Children's and Women Health (BKH), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Spies LML, Verhoog NJD, Louw A. Relative contribution of molecular mechanisms to cumulative ligand-mediated downregulation of GRα. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 602:113-119. [PMID: 35263658 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.02.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Central to the pharmacological use of glucocorticoids (GCs) is the availability of the glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRα). However, chronic GC therapy often results in the ligand-mediated downregulation of the GRα, and the subsequent development of an acquired GC resistance. While studies have demonstrated the dimerization-dependent downregulation of GRα, as well as the molecular mechanisms through which ligand-mediated downregulation occurs, little is known regarding the relative contribution of these molecular mechanisms to the cumulative ligand-mediated downregulation of the receptor, especially within an endogenous system. Thus, to probe this, the current study evaluates the conformational-dependent regulation of GRα protein using mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells containing either wild type GRα (MEFwt) or the dimerization deficient GRα mutant (MEFdim) and inhibitors of transcription, translation, and proteasomal degradation. Results show that the promotion of GRα dimerization increases the downregulation of the receptor via two main mechanisms, proteasomal degradation of the receptor protein, and downregulation of GRwt mRNA transcripts. In contrast, when receptor dimerization is restricted these two mechanisms play a lesser role and results suggest that stabilization of GRα protein by non-coding RNAs may potentially be the major regulatory mechanism. Together, these findings clarify the relative contribution of the molecular mechanisms involved in ligand-mediated downregulation of GRα and provides pharmacological targets for the development of GRα ligands with a more favourable therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee-Maine L Spies
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Van Der Bijl Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.
| | - Nicolette J D Verhoog
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Van Der Bijl Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.
| | - Ann Louw
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Van Der Bijl Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.
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Nicolaides NC, Charmandari E. Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance and Hypersensitivity Syndromes: A 2021 Update. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910839. [PMID: 34639183 PMCID: PMC8509180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are the final products of the neuroendocrine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and play an important role in the stress response to re-establish homeostasis when it is threatened, or perceived as threatened. These steroid hormones have pleiotropic actions through binding to their cognate receptor, the human glucocorticoid receptor, which functions as a ligand-bound transcription factor inducing or repressing the expression of a large number of target genes. To achieve homeostasis, glucocorticoid signaling should have an optimal effect on all tissues. Indeed, any inappropriate glucocorticoid effect in terms of quantity or quality has been associated with pathologic conditions, which are characterized by short-term or long-lasting detrimental effects. Two such conditions, the primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance and hypersensitivity syndromes, are discussed in this review article. Undoubtedly, the tremendous progress of structural, molecular, and cellular biology, in association with the continued progress of biotechnology, has led to a better and more in-depth understanding of these rare endocrinologic conditions, as well as more effective therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C. Nicolaides
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
- Correspondence:
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Sevilla LM, Jiménez-Panizo A, Alegre-Martí A, Estébanez-Perpiñá E, Caelles C, Pérez P. Glucocorticoid Resistance: Interference between the Glucocorticoid Receptor and the MAPK Signalling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10049. [PMID: 34576214 PMCID: PMC8465023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones that signal in virtually all cell types to modulate tissue homeostasis throughout life. Also, synthetic GC derivatives (pharmacological GCs) constitute the first-line treatment in many chronic inflammatory conditions with unquestionable therapeutic benefits despite the associated adverse effects. GC actions are principally mediated through the GC receptor (GR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor. Despite the ubiquitous expression of GR, imbalances in GC signalling affect tissues differently, and with variable degrees of severity through mechanisms that are not completely deciphered. Congenital or acquired GC hypersensitivity or resistance syndromes can impact responsiveness to endogenous or pharmacological GCs, causing disease or inadequate therapeutic outcomes, respectively. Acquired GC resistance is defined as loss of efficacy or desensitization over time, and arises as a consequence of chronic inflammation, affecting around 30% of GC-treated patients. It represents an important limitation in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer, and can be due to impairment of multiple mechanisms along the GC signalling pathway. Among them, activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and/or alterations in expression of their regulators, the dual-specific phosphatases (DUSPs), have been identified as common mechanisms of GC resistance. While many of the anti-inflammatory actions of GCs rely on GR-mediated inhibition of MAPKs and/or induction of DUSPs, the GC anti-inflammatory capacity is decreased or lost in conditions of excessive MAPK activation, contributing to disease susceptibility in tissue- and disease- specific manners. Here, we discuss potential strategies to modulate GC responsiveness, with the dual goal of overcoming GC resistance and minimizing the onset and severity of unwanted adverse effects while maintaining therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Sevilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV)-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Alba Jiménez-Panizo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.J.-P.); (A.A.-M.); (E.E.-P.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Andrea Alegre-Martí
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.J.-P.); (A.A.-M.); (E.E.-P.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Eva Estébanez-Perpiñá
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.J.-P.); (A.A.-M.); (E.E.-P.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Carme Caelles
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paloma Pérez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV)-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
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