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Bakhshi P, Ho JQ, Zanganeh S. Sex-specific outcomes in cancer therapy: the central role of hormones. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 6:1320690. [PMID: 38362126 PMCID: PMC10867131 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2024.1320690] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones play a pivotal role in modulating various physiological processes, with emerging evidence underscoring their influence on cancer progression and treatment outcomes. This review delves into the intricate relationship between sex hormones and cancer, elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms and their clinical implications. We explore the multifaceted roles of estrogen, androgens, and progesterone, highlighting their respective influence on specific cancers such as breast, ovarian, endometrial, and prostate. Special attention is given to estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) tumors, androgen receptor signaling, and the dual role of progesterone in both promoting and inhibiting cancer progression. Clinical observations reveal varied treatment responses contingent upon hormonal levels, with certain therapies like tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and anti-androgens demonstrating notable success. However, disparities in treatment outcomes between males and females in hormone-sensitive cancers necessitate further exploration. Therapeutically, the utilization of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during cancer treatments presents both potential risks and benefits. The promise of personalized therapies, tailored to an individual's hormonal profile, offers a novel approach to optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Concurrently, the burgeoning exploration of new drugs and interventions targeting hormonal pathways heralds a future of more effective and precise treatments for hormone-sensitive cancers. This review underscores the pressing need for a deeper understanding of sex hormones in cancer therapy and the ensuing implications for future therapeutic innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Bakhshi
- Research and Development, MetasFree Biopharmaceutical Company, Mansfield, MA, United States
| | - Jim Q. Ho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Steven Zanganeh
- Research and Development, MetasFree Biopharmaceutical Company, Mansfield, MA, United States
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2
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Kulkarni PP, Ekhlak M, Dash D. Non-canonical non-genomic morphogen signaling in anucleate platelets: a critical determinant of prothrombotic function in circulation. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:13. [PMID: 38172855 PMCID: PMC10763172 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01448-y] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating platelets derived from bone marrow megakaryocytes play a central role in thrombosis and hemostasis. Despite being anucleate, platelets express several proteins known to have nuclear niche. These include transcription factors and steroid receptors whose non-genomic functions are being elucidated in platelets. Quite remarkably, components of some of the best-studied morphogen pathways, namely Notch, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), and Wnt have also been described in recent years in platelets, which regulate platelet function in the context of thrombosis as well as influence their survival. Shh and Notch pathways in stimulated platelets establish feed-forward loops of autocrine/juxtacrine/paracrine non-canonical signaling that helps perpetuate thrombosis. On the other hand, non-canonical Wnt signaling is part of a negative feedback loop for restricting platelet activation and possibly limiting thrombus growth. The present review will provide an overview of these signaling pathways in general. We will then briefly discuss the non-genomic roles of transcription factors and steroid receptors in platelet activation. This will be followed by an elaborate description of morphogen signaling in platelets with a focus on their bearing on platelet activation leading to hemostasis and thrombosis as well as their potential for therapeutic targeting in thrombotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paresh P Kulkarni
- Center for Advanced Research on Platelet Signaling and Thrombosis Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Mohammad Ekhlak
- Center for Advanced Research on Platelet Signaling and Thrombosis Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Debabrata Dash
- Center for Advanced Research on Platelet Signaling and Thrombosis Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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3
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Hoffmann JP, Liu JA, Seddu K, Klein SL. Sex hormone signaling and regulation of immune function. Immunity 2023; 56:2472-2491. [PMID: 37967530 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Immune responses to antigens, including innocuous, self, tumor, microbial, and vaccine antigens, differ between males and females. The quest to uncover the mechanisms for biological sex differences in the immune system has intensified, with considerable literature pointing toward sex hormonal influences on immune cell function. Sex steroids, including estrogens, androgens, and progestins, have profound effects on immune function. As such, drastic changes in sex steroid concentrations that occur with aging (e.g., after puberty or during the menopause transition) or pregnancy impact immune responses and the pathogenesis of immune-related diseases. The effect of sex steroids on immunity involves both the concentration of the ligand and the density and distribution of genomic and nongenomic receptors that serve as transcriptional regulators of immune cellular responses to affect autoimmunity, allergy, infectious diseases, cancers, and responses to vaccines. The next frontier will be harnessing these effects of sex steroids to improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Hoffmann
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer A Liu
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kumba Seddu
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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4
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Rodríguez FM, Huber E, Cattaneo Moreyra ML, Amweg AN, Notaro US, Recce S, Ormaechea N, Ortega HH, Salvetti NR, Rey F. Association of glucocorticoid receptor expression with key members of the insulin signaling pathway and heat shock proteins in the bovine ovary. Theriogenology 2023; 211:241-247. [PMID: 37677868 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.08.023] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) act through their receptor (GR) as regulators in different biological processes such as reproduction. In the absence of GCs, the GR remains inactive in the cytoplasm by associating with heat shock proteins (HSPs), which act as molecular chaperones, among which the most relevant are HSP90 and HSP70. Cytoplasmic GC-activated GR mediates non-genomic effects, interacting with members of signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, which participates in several metabolic processes, including the insulin signaling pathway. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible associations between the cytoplasmic GR and the main intermediates of the insulin signaling pathway and HSP90 and HSP70 in ovaries of dairy cows. To this end, the protein expression of cytoplasmic GR, key members of the insulin signaling pathway, and HSPs was evaluated in ovarian preovulatory follicles of non-lactating Holstein cows in proestrus. Positive associations were observed between protein expression of GR and HSP90, IRS1, pIRS1, PI3K and pAkt (p < 0.05; β > 0) in granulosa cells of dominant follicles of dairy cows. Instead, in theca cells, no associations were observed between protein expression of GR and members of the insulin signaling pathway or HSPs. These data provide evidence of the possible association between the non-genomic mechanisms of action of the GR and the insulin signaling pathway in the bovine ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - E Huber
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - M L Cattaneo Moreyra
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A N Amweg
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - U S Notaro
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - S Recce
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - N Ormaechea
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - H H Ortega
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - N R Salvetti
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - F Rey
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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5
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Nahmias-Blank D, Maimon O, Meirovitz A, Sheva K, Peretz-Yablonski T, Elkin M. Excess body weight and postmenopausal breast cancer: Emerging molecular mechanisms and perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 96:26-35. [PMID: 37739109 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Postmenopausal, obese women have a significantly higher risk of developing estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors, that are resistant to therapies and are associated with higher recurrence and death rates. The global prevalence of overweight/obese women has reached alarming proportions and with postmenopausal ER+ breast carcinoma (BC) having the highest incidence among the three obesity-related cancers in females (i.e., breast, endometrial and ovarian), this is of significant concern. Elucidation of the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-cancerous action of obesity in ER+BC is therefore critical for disease prevention and novel treatment initiatives. Interestingly, accumulating data has shown opposing relationships between obesity and cancer in either pre- or post-menopausal women. Excess body weight is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and a decreased risk in pre-menopausal women. Moreover, excess adiposity during early life appears to be protective against postmenopausal breast cancer, including both ER+ and ER negative BC subtypes. Overall, estrogen-dependent mechanisms have been implicated as the main driving force in obesity-related breast tumorigenesis. In the present review we discuss the epidemiologic and mechanistic aspects of association between obesity and breast tumors after menopause, mainly in the context of hormone dependency. Molecular and cellular events underlying this association present as potential avenues for both therapeutic intervention as well as the prevention of BC-promoting processes linked to excess adiposity, which is proving to be vital in an increasingly obese global population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Nahmias-Blank
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofra Maimon
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Amichay Meirovitz
- Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Be'er Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Kim Sheva
- Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Be'er Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Tamar Peretz-Yablonski
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Michael Elkin
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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6
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Parsons EC, Hoffmann R, Baillie GS. Revisiting the roles of cAMP signalling in the progression of prostate cancer. Biochem J 2023; 480:1599-1614. [PMID: 37830741 PMCID: PMC10586777 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and one of the top causes of death in men worldwide. Development and function of both normal prostate cells and early-stage prostate cancer cells are dependent on the cross-talk between androgen signalling systems and a variety of other transduction pathways which drive differentiation of these cells towards castration-resistance. One such signalling pathway is the ubiquitous cAMP signalling axis which functions to activate spatially restricted pools of cAMP effectors such as protein kinase A (PKA). The importance of both PKA and cAMP in the development of prostate cancer, and their interactions with the androgen receptor, were the focus of a review by Merkle and Hoffmann in 2010. In this updated review, we revisit this topic with analysis of current PKA-related prostate cancer literature and introduce novel information on the relevance of another cAMP effector, the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C. Parsons
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, U.K
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Oncology, Philips Research Eindhoven, High Tech Campus 34, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K
| | - George S. Baillie
- School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K
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7
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Holme JA, Vondráček J, Machala M, Lagadic-Gossmann D, Vogel CFA, Le Ferrec E, Sparfel L, Øvrevik J. Lung cancer associated with combustion particles and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - The roles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115801. [PMID: 37696458 PMCID: PMC10543654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is the leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking, contributing to 20% of all lung cancer deaths. Increased risk associated with living near trafficked roads, occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, indoor coal combustion and cigarette smoking, suggest that combustion components in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), may be central drivers of lung cancer. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) and increase PAH metabolism, formation of reactive metabolites, oxidative stress, DNA damage and mutagenesis. Lung cancer tissues from smokers and workers exposed to high combustion PM levels contain mutagenic signatures derived from PAHs. However, recent findings suggest that ambient air PM2.5 exposure primarily induces lung cancer development through tumor promotion of cells harboring naturally acquired oncogenic mutations, thus lacking typical PAH-induced mutations. On this background, we discuss the role of AhR and PAHs in lung cancer development caused by air pollution focusing on the tumor promoting properties including metabolism, immune system, cell proliferation and survival, tumor microenvironment, cell-to-cell communication, tumor growth and metastasis. We suggest that the dichotomy in lung cancer patterns observed between smoking and outdoor air PM2.5 represent the two ends of a dose-response continuum of combustion PM exposure, where tumor promotion in the peripheral lung appears to be the driving factor at the relatively low-dose exposures from ambient air PM2.5, whereas genotoxicity in the central airways becomes increasingly more important at the higher combustion PM levels encountered through smoking and occupational exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørn A Holme
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eric Le Ferrec
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Lydie Sparfel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Johan Øvrevik
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway.
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8
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Belluti S, Imbriano C, Casarini L. Nuclear Estrogen Receptors in Prostate Cancer: From Genes to Function. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4653. [PMID: 37760622 PMCID: PMC10526871 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogens are almost ubiquitous steroid hormones that are essential for development, metabolism, and reproduction. They exert both genomic and non-genomic action through two nuclear receptors (ERα and ERβ), which are transcription factors with disregulated functions and/or expression in pathological processes. In the 1990s, the discovery of an additional membrane estrogen G-protein-coupled receptor augmented the complexity of this picture. Increasing evidence elucidating the specific molecular mechanisms of action and opposing effects of ERα and Erβ was reported in the context of prostate cancer treatment, where these issues are increasingly investigated. Although new approaches improved the efficacy of clinical therapies thanks to the development of new molecules targeting specifically estrogen receptors and used in combination with immunotherapy, more efforts are needed to overcome the main drawbacks, and resistance events will be a challenge in the coming years. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art on ERα and ERβ mechanisms of action in prostate cancer and promising future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (C.I.)
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (C.I.)
| | - Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Ospedale di Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy
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9
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Ebata A, Suzuki T, Shoji-Harada N, Hamanaka Y, Miyashita M, Iwabuchi E, Takagi K, Miki Y, Tada H, Ishida T. Immunolocalization of Cytoplasmic ER in ER-negative Breast Carcinoma as a Potent Favorable Prognostic Predictor. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2023; 56:59-66. [PMID: 37680573 PMCID: PMC10480483 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.23-00016] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that estrogen receptor (ER) has extranuclear signaling functions in addition to classical genomic pathway, and estrogenic actions have been reported in ER-negative breast carcinoma cells. However, significance of cytoplasmic-ER immunoreactivity has not been reported in ER-negative breast carcinoma tissues. We immunolocalized cytoplasmic ER in 155 ER-negative breast carcinoma tissues and evaluated its clinicopathological significance including the prognosis. As a comparative cohort set, we also used 142 ER-positive breast carcinomas. Cytoplasmic-ER immunoreactivity was detected in the carcinoma cells, but not in the non-neoplastic mammary epithelium. Cytoplasmic-ER immunoreactivity was positive in the 35 out of 155 (23%) ER-negative breast carcinoma cases, whereas it was detected only in 2 out of 142 (1.4%) ER-positive cases. Cytoplasmic ER status was positively associated with cytoplasmic-PR status, but inversely associated with Ki67 labeling index or distant free-relapse survival rate. Moreover, cytoplasmic-ER status turned out to be an independent good prognostic factor for both distant relapse-free survival and breast cancer specific survival. These findings suggested that cytoplasmic ER plays important roles in the ER-negative breast carcinoma, and cytoplasmic ER is a potent good prognostic factor. Among the ER-negative breast cancer patients, clinical benefit of chemotherapy may be limited in the cytoplasmic-ER positive cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Ebata
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980–8574, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Narumi Shoji-Harada
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980–8574, Japan
| | - Yohei Hamanaka
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980–8574, Japan
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Minoru Miyashita
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980–8574, Japan
| | - Erina Iwabuchi
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takagi
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Science and Welfare, Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tada
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980–8574, Japan
| | - Takanori Ishida
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980–8574, Japan
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Deploey N, Van Moortel L, Rogatsky I, Peelman F, De Bosscher K. The Biologist's Guide to the Glucocorticoid Receptor's Structure. Cells 2023; 12:1636. [PMID: 37371105 PMCID: PMC10297449 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121636] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as a glucocorticoid (GC)-responsive transcription factor. GR can halt inflammation and kill off cancer cells, thus explaining the widespread use of glucocorticoids in the clinic. However, side effects and therapy resistance limit GR's therapeutic potential, emphasizing the importance of resolving all of GR's context-specific action mechanisms. Fortunately, the understanding of GR structure, conformation, and stoichiometry in the different GR-controlled biological pathways is now gradually increasing. This information will be crucial to close knowledge gaps on GR function. In this review, we focus on the various domains and mechanisms of action of GR, all from a structural perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Deploey
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Moortel
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inez Rogatsky
- Hospital for Special Surgery Research Institute, The David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Center, New York, NY 10021, USA;
- Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Frank Peelman
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Starska-Kowarska K. Role of Vitamin D in Head and Neck Cancer-Immune Function, Anti-Tumour Effect, and Its Impact on Patient Prognosis. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112592. [PMID: 37299554 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) describes a heterogeneous group of human neoplasms of the head and neck with high rates of morbidity and mortality, constituting about 3% of all cancers and ~1.5% of all cancer deaths. HNSCC constituted the seventh most prevalent human malignancy and the most common human cancer in the world in 2020, according to multi-population observations conducted by the GLOBOCAN group. Since approximately 60-70% of patients present with stage III/IV neoplastic disease, HNSCC is still one of the leading causes of death in cancer patients worldwide, with an overall survival rate that is too low, not exceeding 40-60% of these patients. Despite the application of newer surgical techniques and the implementation of modern combined oncological treatment, the disease often follows a fatal course due to frequent nodal metastases and local neoplastic recurrences. The role of micronutrients in the initiation, development, and progression of HNSCC has been the subject of considerable research. Of particular interest has been vitamin D, the pleiotropic biologically active fat-soluble family of secosteroids (vitamin-D-like steroids), which constitutes a key regulator of bone, calcium, and phosphate homeostasis, as well as carcinogenesis and the further development of various neoplasms. Considerable evidence suggests that vitamin D plays a key role in cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, immunity, and cellular metabolism. A number of basic science, clinical, and epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin D has multidirectional biological effects and influences anti-cancer intracellular mechanisms and cancer risk, and that vitamin D dietary supplements have various prophylactic benefits. In the 20th century, it was reported that vitamin D may play various roles in the protection and regulation of normal cellular phenotypes and in cancer prevention and adjunctive therapy in various human neoplasms, including HNSCC, by regulating a number of intracellular mechanisms, including control of tumour cell expansion and differentiation, apoptosis, intercellular interactions, angio- and lymphogenesis, immune function, and tumour invasion. These regulatory properties mainly occur indirectly via epigenetic and transcriptional changes regulating the function of transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, non-coding RNA (ncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRs) through protein-protein interactions and signalling pathways. In this way, calcitriol enhances intercellular communication in cancer biology, restores the connection with the extracellular matrix, and promotes the epithelial phenotype; it thus counteracts the tumour-associated detachment from the extracellular matrix and inhibits the formation of metastases. Furthermore, the confirmation that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is present in many human tissues confirmed the physiopathological significance of vitamin D in various human tumours. Recent studies indicate quantitative associations between exposure to vitamin D and the incidence of HNC, i.e., cancer risk assessment included circulating calcidiol plasma/serum concentrations, vitamin D intake, the presence of the VDR gene polymorphism, and genes involved in the vitamin D metabolism pathway. Moreover, the chemopreventive efficacy of vitamin D in precancerous lesions of the head and neck and their role as predictors of mortality, survival, and recurrence of head and neck cancer are also widely discussed. As such, it may be considered a promising potential anti-cancer agent for developing innovative methods of targeted therapy. The proposed review discusses in detail the mechanisms regulating the relationship between vitamin D and HNSCC. It also provides an overview of the current literature, including key opinion-forming systematic reviews as well as epidemiological, prospective, longitudinal, cross-sectional, and interventional studies based on in vitro and animal models of HNSCC, all of which are accessible via the PubMed/Medline/EMBASE/Cochrane Library databases. This article presents the data in line with increasing clinical credibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Starska-Kowarska
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, EnelMed Center Expert, Lodz, Drewnowska 58, 91-001 Lodz, Poland
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12
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Clusan L, Ferrière F, Flouriot G, Pakdel F. A Basic Review on Estrogen Receptor Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076834. [PMID: 37047814 PMCID: PMC10095386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the deadliest among women worldwide. Estrogen signaling is closely associated with hormone-dependent breast cancer (estrogen and progesterone receptor positive), which accounts for two-thirds of tumors. Hormone therapy using antiestrogens is the gold standard, but resistance to these treatments invariably occurs through various biological mechanisms, such as changes in estrogen receptor activity, mutations in the ESR1 gene, aberrant activation of the PI3K pathway or cell cycle dysregulations. All these factors have led to the development of new therapies, such as selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), or combination therapies with cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 or PI3K inhibitors. Therefore, understanding the estrogen pathway is essential for the treatment and new drug development of hormone-dependent cancers. This mini-review summarizes current literature on the signalization, mechanisms of action and clinical implications of estrogen receptors in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Clusan
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - François Ferrière
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Gilles Flouriot
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Farzad Pakdel
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
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13
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Hu M, Zhang Y, Lu Y, Han J, Guo T, Cui P, Brännström M, Shao LR, Billig H. Regulatory mechanisms of HMGB1 and its receptors in polycystic ovary syndrome-driven gravid uterine inflammation. FEBS J 2023; 290:1874-1906. [PMID: 36380688 PMCID: PMC10952262 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16678] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is critical for inflammatory homeostasis and successful pregnancy, and there is a strong association among elevated levels of HMGB1, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), chronic inflammation and pregnancy loss. However, the mechanisms responsible for PCOS-driven regulation of uterine HMGB1 and its candidate receptors [toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4] and inflammatory responses during pregnancy remain unclear. In this study, we found a gestational stage-dependent decrease in uterine HMGB1 and TLR4 protein abundance in rats during normal pregnancy. We demonstrated that increased expression of HMGB1, TLR2 and TLR4 proteins was associated with activation of inflammation-related signalling pathways in the gravid uterus exposed to 5α-dihydrotestosterone and insulin, mimicking the clinical features (hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance) of PCOS and this elevation was completely inhibited by treatment with the androgen receptor (AR) antagonist flutamide. Interestingly, acute exposure to lipopolysaccharide suppressed HMGB1, TLR4 and inflammation-related protein abundance but did not affect androgen levels or AR expression in the gravid uterus with viable fetuses. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, in addition to being localized predominately in the nuclear compartment, HMGB1 immunoreactivity was also detected in the cytoplasm in the PCOS-like rat uterus, PCOS endometrium and pregnant rat uterus with haemorrhagic and resorbed fetuses, possibly via activation of nuclear factor κB signalling. These results suggest that both AR-dependent and AR-independent mechanisms contribute to the modulation of HMGB1/TLR2/TLR4-mediated uterine inflammation. We propose that the elevation of HMGB1 and its receptors and disruption of the pro-/anti-inflammatory balance in the gravid uterus may participate in the pathophysiology of PCOS-associated pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hu
- Department of Traditional Chinese MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityChina
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western MedicineGuangzhou Medical UniversityChina
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgSweden
| | - Yuehui Zhang
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgSweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated HospitalHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Yaxing Lu
- Department of Traditional Chinese MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityChina
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western MedicineGuangzhou Medical UniversityChina
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated HospitalHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Tingting Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated HospitalHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Peng Cui
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgSweden
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChina
| | - Mats Brännström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgSweden
| | - Linus R. Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgSweden
| | - Håkan Billig
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgSweden
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Arnal JF, Fontaine C, Adlanmerini M, Lenfant F. Special issue on non-genomic actions of nuclear receptors: An evolutionary and physiological perspective. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 564:111884. [PMID: 36739891 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111884] [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: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Arnal
- I2MC, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1297, University of Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France; Faculté de Santé, Département médecine, maïeutique et paramédical et Explorations Fonctionnelles Physiologiques, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Coralie Fontaine
- I2MC, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1297, University of Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France.
| | - Marine Adlanmerini
- I2MC, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1297, University of Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France
| | - Françoise Lenfant
- I2MC, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1297, University of Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France
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15
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Souza DS, Macheroni C, Pereira GJS, Vicente CM, Porto CS. Molecular regulation of prostate cancer by Galectin-3 and estrogen receptor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1124111. [PMID: 36936148 PMCID: PMC10020622 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1124111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among men worldwide. This cancer is hormone-dependent; therefore, androgen, estrogen, and their receptors play an important role in development and progression of this disease, and in emergence of the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins which are frequently altered (upregulated or downregulated) in a wide range of tumors, participating in different stages of tumor development and progression, but the molecular mechanisms which regulate its expression are still poorly understood. This review provides an overview of the current and emerging knowledge on Galectin-3 in cancer biology with focus on prostate cancer and the interplay with estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathways, present in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. We suggest a molecular mechanism where ER, Galectin-3 and β-catenin can modulate nuclear transcriptional events, such as, proliferation, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Despite a number of achievements in targeted therapy for prostate cancer, CRPC may eventually develop, therefore new effective drug targets need urgently to be found. Further understanding of the role of Galectin-3 and ER in prostate cancer will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer development and the future treatment of this disease.
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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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17
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Żmijewski MA. Nongenomic Activities of Vitamin D. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14235104. [PMID: 36501134 PMCID: PMC9737885 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D shows a variety of pleiotropic activities which cannot be fully explained by the stimulation of classic pathway- and vitamin D receptor (VDR)-dependent transcriptional modulation. Thus, existence of rapid and nongenomic responses to vitamin D was suggested. An active form of vitamin D (calcitriol, 1,25(OH)2D3) is an essential regulator of calcium-phosphate homeostasis, and this process is tightly regulated by VDR genomic activity. However, it seems that early in evolution, the production of secosteroids (vitamin-D-like steroids) and their subsequent photodegradation served as a protective mechanism against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress. Consequently, direct cell-protective activities of vitamin D were proven. Furthermore, calcitriol triggers rapid calcium influx through epithelia and its uptake by a variety of cells. Subsequently, protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3) was described as a membrane vitamin D receptor responsible for rapid nongenomic responses. Vitamin D was also found to stimulate a release of secondary massagers and modulate several intracellular processes-including cell cycle, proliferation, or immune responses-through wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SSH), STAT1-3, or NF-kappaB pathways. Megalin and its coreceptor, cubilin, facilitate the import of vitamin D complex with vitamin-D-binding protein (DBP), and its involvement in rapid membrane responses was suggested. Vitamin D also directly and indirectly influences mitochondrial function, including fusion-fission, energy production, mitochondrial membrane potential, activity of ion channels, and apoptosis. Although mechanisms of the nongenomic responses to vitamin D are still not fully understood, in this review, their impact on physiology, pathology, and potential clinical applications will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał A Żmijewski
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, PL-80211 Gdańsk, Poland
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18
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Combinatorial Therapy of Cancer: Possible Advantages of Involving Modulators of Ionic Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112703. [PMID: 35681682 PMCID: PMC9179511 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer, which is a major health problem, is a complex disease. Currently, the main treatment methods are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and biological therapies. The latter include hormonal therapies, inhibitors of growth-promoting tyrosine kinase enzymes, and immunotherapy which aims to activate the immune system to destroy tumors. Whilst all these methods work, efficacy is often limited in time (with tumors gradually becoming resistant to treatment). Furthermore, undesirable side effects, which can seriously curtail quality of life, are common. Consequently, in addition to new treatment modalities constantly being developed, it is even more expedient to make existing therapies more effective by combining them with each other or with other agents. Here, we evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of combining conventional cancer treatments with modulators of ionic mechanisms, mainly channels that permeate sodium, calcium and potassium. We conclude, in every case, that such combinations can produce improved outcome by making given treatments more effective and reducing the undesirable side effects. In addition, ionic modulators by themselves can exert anti-cancer effects. Abstract Cancer is a global health problem that 1 in 2–3 people can expect to experience during their lifetime. Several different modalities exist for cancer management, but all of these suffer from significant shortcomings in both diagnosis and therapy. Apart from developing completely new therapies, a viable way forward is to improve the efficacy of the existing modalities. One way is to combine these with each other or with other complementary approaches. An emerging latter approach is derived from ionic mechanisms, mainly ion channels and exchangers. We evaluate the evidence for this systematically for the main treatment methods: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies (including monoclonal antibodies, steroid hormones, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy). In surgery, the possible systemic use of local anesthetics to suppress subsequent relapse is still being discussed. For all the other methods, there is significant positive evidence for several cancers and a range of modulators of ionic mechanisms. This applies also to some of the undesirable side effects of the treatments. In chemotherapy, for example, there is evidence for co-treatment with modulators of the potassium channel (Kv11.1), pH regulation (sodium–hydrogen exchanger) and Na+-K+-ATPase (digoxin). Voltage-gated sodium channels, shown previously to promote metastasis, appear to be particularly useful for co-targeting with inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, especially epidermal growth factor. It is concluded that combining current orthodox treatment modalities with modulators of ionic mechanisms can produce beneficial effects including (i) making the treatment more effective, e.g., by lowering doses; (ii) avoiding the onset of resistance to therapy; (iii) reducing undesirable side effects. However, in many cases, prospective clinical trials are needed to put the findings firmly into clinical context.
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Plasma Proteomics in Healthy Subjects with Differences in Tissue Glucocorticoid Sensitivity Identifies A Novel Proteomic Signature. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010184. [PMID: 35052863 PMCID: PMC8773719 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant inter-individual variation in terms of susceptibility to several stress-related disorders, such as myocardial infarction and Alzheimer’s disease, and therapeutic response has been observed among healthy subjects. The molecular features responsible for this phenomenon have not been fully elucidated. Proteomics, in association with bioinformatics analysis, offer a comprehensive description of molecular phenotypes with clear links to human disease pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative plasma proteomics analysis of glucocorticoid resistant and glucocorticoid sensitive healthy subjects and provide clues of the underlying physiological differences. For this purpose, 101 healthy volunteers were given a very low dose (0.25 mg) of dexamethasone at midnight, and were stratified into the 10% most glucocorticoid sensitive (S) (n = 11) and 10% most glucocorticoid resistant (R) (n = 11) according to the 08:00 h serum cortisol concentrations determined the following morning. One month following the very-low dose dexamethasone suppression test, DNA and plasma samples were collected from the 22 selected individuals. Sequencing analysis did not reveal any genetic defects in the human glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene. To investigate the proteomic profile of plasma samples, we used Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and found 110 up-regulated and 66 down-regulated proteins in the S compared to the R group. The majority of the up-regulated proteins in the S group were implicated in platelet activation. To predict response to cortisol prior to administration, a random forest classifier was developed by using the proteomics data in order to distinguish S from R individuals. Apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) and gelsolin (GSN) were the most important variables in the classification, and warrant further investigation. Our results indicate that a proteomics signature may differentiate the S from the R healthy subjects, and may be useful in clinical practice. In addition, it may provide clues of the underlying molecular mechanisms of the chronic stress-related diseases, including myocardial infarction and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Gao L, Gao H, Wang W. Androgens improve ovarian follicle function impaired by glucocorticoids through an androgen-IGF1-FSH synergistic effect. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:951928. [PMID: 36339442 PMCID: PMC9627217 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.951928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
High concentrations of glucocorticoids caused by chronic stress are known to affect ovarian function and cause diminished ovarian reserve. Androgens are essential for early-stage ovarian follicle development, but the effects and mechanisms of androgens on follicle development under chronic stress remain unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of high concentrations of glucocorticoids on the function of in vitro cultured ovarian cells and mouse early-stage ovarian follicles and to validate the hypothesis that androgen-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synergistic signaling helps to ameliorate the damage caused by high concentrations of glucocorticoids. KGN cells (human granulosa cell line) and mouse primary cells were treated with different concentrations of glucocorticoids, and the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and sex hormone secretion were detected. The effects of glucocorticoid and androgens on IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) and FSH receptor (FSHR) expression in KGN cells were detected by Western blot. Steroidogenic synthase expressions under androgens and androgen-IGF1-FSH combination treatment were examined by qPCR after manipulation using low and high concentrations of glucocorticoids. The mechanism of androgen regulation of IGF1R and FSHR was explored by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR. Damage of glucocorticoids and the treatment effects of androgens were further validated in mouse ovarian follicles cultured in vitro. The results demonstrated that prolonged treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids reduced cell viability of granulosa cells, inhibited their sex hormone secretion, and impaired their sensitivity to IGF1 and FSH signaling by affecting IGF1R and FSHR functions. Androgens at an appropriate dose range improved early-stage follicle development and their hormone secretion under high-dose glucocorticoid treatment, which was related to increased transcription of Igf1r and Fshr. This work showed that excessive glucocorticoids impaired ovarian function and validated that balanced concentrations of androgens synergized with IGF1 and FSH to improve the function of early-stage ovarian follicles under conditions of chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Gao
- Department of Integrated Traditional & Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional & Western Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongna Gao
- Department of Integrated Traditional & Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional & Western Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional & Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional & Western Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenjun Wang,
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21
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Pecci A, Ogara MF, Sanz RT, Vicent GP. Choosing the right partner in hormone-dependent gene regulation: Glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors crosstalk in breast cancer cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1037177. [PMID: 36407312 PMCID: PMC9672667 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1037177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) belong to a large family of ligand-activated nuclear receptors that share certain characteristics and possess others that make them unique. It was thought for many years that the specificity of hormone response lay in the ligand. Although this may be true for pure agonists, the natural ligands as progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol present a broader effect by simultaneous activation of several SHRs. Moreover, SHRs share structural and functional characteristics that range from similarities between ligand-binding pockets to recognition of specific DNA sequences. These properties are clearly evident in progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR); however, the biological responses triggered by each receptor in the presence of its ligand are different, and in some cases, even opposite. Thus, what confers the specificity of response to a given receptor is a long-standing topic of discussion that has not yet been unveiled. The levels of expression of each receptor, the differential interaction with coregulators, the chromatin accessibility as well as the DNA sequence of the target regions in the genome, are reliable sources of variability in hormone action that could explain the results obtained so far. Yet, to add further complexity to this scenario, it has been described that receptors can form heterocomplexes which can either compromise or potentiate the respective hormone-activated pathways with its possible impact on the pathological condition. In the present review, we summarized the state of the art of the functional cross-talk between PR and GR in breast cancer cells and we also discussed new paradigms of specificity in hormone action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adali Pecci
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Adali Pecci, ; Guillermo Pablo Vicent,
| | - María Florencia Ogara
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosario T. Sanz
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillermo Pablo Vicent
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Adali Pecci, ; Guillermo Pablo Vicent,
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Structure, Activity, and Function of PRMT1. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111147. [PMID: 34833023 PMCID: PMC8619983 DOI: 10.3390/life11111147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PRMT1, the major protein arginine methyltransferase in mammals, catalyzes monomethylation and asymmetric dimethylation of arginine side chains in proteins. Initially described as a regulator of chromatin dynamics through the methylation of histone H4 at arginine 3 (H4R3), numerous non-histone substrates have since been identified. The variety of these substrates underlines the essential role played by PRMT1 in a large number of biological processes such as transcriptional regulation, signal transduction or DNA repair. This review will provide an overview of the structural, biochemical and cellular features of PRMT1. After a description of the genomic organization and protein structure of PRMT1, special consideration was given to the regulation of PRMT1 enzymatic activity. Finally, we discuss the involvement of PRMT1 in embryonic development, DNA damage repair, as well as its participation in the initiation and progression of several types of cancers.
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