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Balasubramonian B, Selcer KW. Steroid sulfatase in mouse liver and testis: Characterization, ontogeny and localization. Steroids 2024; 210:109483. [PMID: 39053631 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109483] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Steroid hormones often circulate in the plasma as inactive sulfated forms, such as estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) converts these steroids into active forms, mainly estrogens, in peripheral tissues. STS is present in most tissues, but it occurs at higher levels in certain organs, notably liver and placenta. In this study, we examined the tissue distribution of STS in a prominent laboratory model, the house mouse (Mus musculus). Tissues included were heart, liver, small intestine, skeletal muscle, and gonads of both sexes. An 3H-estrone-sulfate conversion assay was used to measure STS activity in tissue homogenates and extracts. STS activities were high for hepatic tissue homogenates of both genders. Testicular STS levels were similar to those of liver, while STS activities of ovary, small intestine, heart, and muscle were considerably lower. The specific STS inhibitors, EMATE and STX-64 virtually eliminated STS activity in hepatic microsomes and cytosols, verifying that the observed enzyme activity was due to STS. Enzyme kinetic assays showed Km values of 8.6 µM for liver and 9.1 µM for testis, using E1S as substrate. Hepatic and testicular STS activities, measured in CHAPS-extracted microsome, were low up to 5 weeks of age and were higher through 56 weeks. Western blotting, with a specific STS antibody, confirmed the presence of STS protein (65 Da) in both liver and testis. Immunofluorescence of tissue sections detected the presence of STS protein in hepatocytes, in testicular Leydig cells and in seminiferous tubules (Leydig cells and developing germ cells). These results suggest that STS may have a significant role in testicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyle W Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Balasubramonian B, Selcer KW. The phytochemical curcumin inhibits steroid sulfatase activity in rat liver tissue and NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. Steroids 2023; 191:109163. [PMID: 36581086 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.109163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin is a phytochemical derived from the spice turmeric that is reported to have therapeutic effects. We are studying the enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS), which removes the sulfate group from inactive steroid hormones in peripheral tissues and we were interested in the effect of curcumin on STS activity due to its structural composition (polyphenolic). We sought to determine if curcumin affects STS activity in two model systems, rat liver and NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. STS assays were performed on tissue extracts of rat liver, and on NIH-3T3 microsomes and cells, with and without curcumin. Male and female rat liver extracts contained substantial amounts of STS activity, with males averaging higher (4-11 %) levels. Estradiol inhibited STS activity in livers of both sexes at 20 and 10 µM. Curcumin acted as a competitive inhibitor of STS activity in rat liver extracts, with a Ki of 19.8 µM in males and 9.3 µM in females. Curcumin also inhibited STS activity in NIH-3T3 microsomes at both 20 µM and 10 µM, and in whole NIH-3T3 cells at 20 µM. These data are the first to demonstrate STS inhibition by curcumin. Inhibition of STS results in lower active steroid hormone (estrogens and androgens) levels in tissues, possibly altering modulation of immune responses by these steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyle W Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA.
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Tan R, Ou S, Kang T, Wu W, Xiong L, Zhu T, Zhang L. Altered serum metabolome associated with vascular calcification developed from CKD and the critical pathways. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1114528. [PMID: 37113701 PMCID: PMC10126378 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1114528] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vascular calcification (VC) is more likely to be detected in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. The mechanism of VC development from CKD is different from that for simple VC and has always been a major research area. The aim of this study was to detect alterations in the metabolome during development of VC in CKD and to identify the critical metabolic pathways and metabolites involved in its pathogenesis. Methods Rats in the model group were given an adenine gavage combined with a high-phosphorus diet to imitate VC in CKD. The aorta calcium content was measured and used to divide the model group into a VC group and non-vascular calcification group (non-VC group). The control group was fed a normal rat diet and given a saline gavage. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to determine the altered serum metabolome in the control, VC, and non-VC groups. The identified metabolites were mapped into the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database (https://www.genome.jp/kegg/) for pathway and network analyses. Result There were 14 metabolites that changed significantly in the VC group, with three metabolic pathways playing critical roles in the pathogenesis of VC in CKD: steroid hormone biosynthesis; valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis. Conclusion Our results indicated changes in the expression of steroid sulfatase and estrogen sulfotransferase, and down-regulation of the in situ synthesis of estrogens in the VC group. In conclusion, the serum metabolome alters significantly during the pathogenesis of VC in CKD. The key pathways, metabolites, and enzymes we identified are worth further study and may become a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of VC in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Tan
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Santao Ou
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, China
- Correspondence: Santao Ou
| | - Ting Kang
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Weihua Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tingting Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Liling Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Selcer K, Balasubramonian B, Miller D, Kerr J, DiFrancesco M, Ojha S, Urbano R. Steroid sulfatase in the mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblast cell line: Characterization, and downregulation by glucocorticoids. Steroids 2021; 174:108890. [PMID: 34280393 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2021.108890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones often circulate in the blood as inactive sulfated forms, such as estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) converts these steroids into active forms, mainly estrogens, in peripheral tissues. We have previously characterized STS activity in human and mouse breast and bone tissues, and we have shown that STS can provide estrogens to these tissues from circulating sulfated precursors. This study was designed to characterize STS activity in a mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH-3T3). Using a radioactive estrone sulfate (E1S) conversion assay, we detected STS activity in cultured NIH-3T3 cells. This activity was blocked by the STS inhibitors EMATE and STX-64, indicating authentic STS activity. We also found that microsomes prepared from NIH-3T3 cells had relatively high STS activity and that cytosols had low activity, consistent with the known distribution of this enzyme to the endoplasmic reticulum. Michaelis-Menten analysis of the NIH-3T3 microsomes indicated a Km of 10.9 µM using E1S as substrate. Primary fibroblasts prepared from mouse ears and tails also had measurable STS activity, as indicated by 3H-E1S conversion assay, further supporting the conclusion that fibroblasts possess STS. Furthermore, Western blotting confirmed the presence of immunoreactive STS in NIH-3T3 microsomes. With regard to regulation, treatments of cultured NIH-3T3 cells revealed that cortisol and the synthetic glucocorticoids dexamethasone and prednisolone decreased STS activity, as we have found for cell lines from other tissues. The effect of cortisol was seen at both 10 µM and 1.0 µM but not at 0.1 µM. Western blotting also indicated a decrease in STS immunoreactivity in cortisol-treated microsomes. The reduction in STS activity by dexamethasone in whole cells was reversed by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-486, indicating that glucocorticoid downregulation of STS activity is receptor mediated. An inhibition assay on NIH-3T3 microsomes revealed that STS activity was inhibited significantly by 10 µM estradiol-17β, a known substrate inhibitor of E1S for STS, but not by 10 µM cortisol. This is consistent with the idea that cortisol inhibits STS in NIH-3T3 cells through a regulatory mechanism rather than by substrate inhibition. Our results could have important implications regarding local estrogen production by STS in fibroblasts, which are the most common connective tissue cells in the body, and on possible regulation of local estrogen levels by cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | | | - Dylan Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jade Kerr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mia DiFrancesco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sanjana Ojha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Urbano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Rattanachan ST, Srakaew NLO, Thaitalay P, Thongsri O, Dangviriyakul R, Srisuwan S, Suksaweang S, Widelitz RB, Chuong CM, Srithunyarat T, Kampa N, Kaenkangploo D, Hoisang S, Jittimanee S, Wipoosak P, Kamlangchai P, Yongvanit K, Tuchpramuk P. Development of injectable chitosan/biphasic calcium phosphate bone cement and in vitro and in vivo evaluation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 15:055038. [PMID: 32217815 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ab8441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Injectable biphasic calcium phosphate bone cements (BCPCs) composed of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) have been intensively investigated because of their high rate of biodegradation, bioactivity and osteoconductivity, which can be adjusted by changing the ratio between β-TCP and HA phases after setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 1 wt% chitosan fiber additive with biphasic calcium phosphate as an injectable bone cement both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro evaluation of compressive strength, degradation rate, morphology, and cell and alkaline phosphatase activities was done by comparison with bone cement without β-TCP. The in vivo results for micro-CT scanning and histological examinations for three groups (control, BCPC and commercial biphasic calcium phosphate granules) were characterized and compared. After the addition of 20 wt% β-TCP to calcium phosphate cement, the initial and final setting times of the sample were 3.92 min and 11.46 min, respectively, which were not significantly different from cement without β-TCP. The degradation time of the BCPC material was longer than that of calcium phosphate cement alone. The healing process was significantly faster for BCPC than for the control and commercial product groups. Therefore, this is the first evidence that BCPC is an attractive option for bone surgery due to its faster stimulation of healing and faster degradation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirirat T Rattanachan
- School of Ceramic Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
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Feng Y, Xie Y, Xu M, Li L, Selcer KW, Oberly PJ, Poloyac SM, Wang H, Li C, Dong F, Yu C, Xie W. Hepatic steroid sulfatase critically determines estrogenic activities of conjugated equine estrogens in human cells in vitro and in mice. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:12112-12121. [PMID: 31217279 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs), whose brand name is Premarin, are widely used as a hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) drug to manage postmenopausal symptoms in women. Extracted from pregnant mare urine, CEEs are composed of nearly a dozen estrogens existing in an inactive sulfated form. To determine whether the hepatic steroid sulfatase (STS) is a key contributor to the efficacy of CEEs in HRT, we performed estrogen-responsive element (ERE) reporter gene assay, real-time PCR, and UPLC-MS/MS to assess the STS-dependent and inflammation-responsive estrogenic activity of CEEs in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes. Using liver-specific STS-expressing transgenic mice, we also evaluated the effect of STS on the estrogenic activity of CEEs in vivo We observed that CEEs induce activity of the ERE reporter gene in an STS-dependent manner and that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of STS attenuates CEE estrogenic activity. In hepatocytes, inflammation enhanced CEE estrogenic activity by inducing STS gene expression. The inflammation-responsive estrogenic activity of CEEs, in turn, attenuated inflammation through the anti-inflammatory activity of the active estrogens. In vivo, transgenic mice with liver-specific STS expression exhibited markedly increased sensitivity to CEE-induced estrogenic activity in the uterus resulting from increased levels of liver-derived and circulating estrogens. Our results reveal a critical role of hepatic STS in mediating the hormone-replacing activity of CEEs. We propose that caution needs to be applied when Premarin is used in patients with chronic inflammatory liver diseases because such patients may have heightened sensitivity to CEEs due to the inflammatory induction of STS activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Feng
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Meishu Xu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Linhao Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Kyle W Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282
| | - Patrick J Oberly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Samuel M Poloyac
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Hongbing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Chengjiang Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Fengqin Dong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Chaohui Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
| | - Wen Xie
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261.
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Konings G, Brentjens L, Delvoux B, Linnanen T, Cornel K, Koskimies P, Bongers M, Kruitwagen R, Xanthoulea S, Romano A. Intracrine Regulation of Estrogen and Other Sex Steroid Levels in Endometrium and Non-gynecological Tissues; Pathology, Physiology, and Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:940. [PMID: 30283331 PMCID: PMC6157328 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the intracrine (or local) regulation of estrogen and other steroid synthesis and degradation expanded in the last decades, also thanks to recent technological advances in chromatography mass-spectrometry. Estrogen responsive tissues and organs are not passive receivers of the pool of steroids present in the blood but they can actively modify the intra-tissue steroid concentrations. This allows fine-tuning the exposure of responsive tissues and organs to estrogens and other steroids in order to best respond to the physiological needs of each specific organ. Deviations in such intracrine control can lead to unbalanced steroid hormone exposure and disturbances. Through a systematic bibliographic search on the expression of the intracrine enzymes in various tissues, this review gives an up-to-date view of the intracrine estrogen metabolisms, and to a lesser extent that of progestogens and androgens, in the lower female genital tract, including the physiological control of endometrial functions, receptivity, menopausal status and related pathological conditions. An overview of the intracrine regulation in extra gynecological tissues such as the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, brain, colon and bone is given. Current therapeutic approaches aimed at interfering with these metabolisms and future perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonda Konings
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Linda Brentjens
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bert Delvoux
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Karlijn Cornel
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Marlies Bongers
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Roy Kruitwagen
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Sofia Xanthoulea
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Romano
- GROW–School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Dias NJ, Selcer KW. Steroid sulfatase in the human MG-63 preosteoblastic cell line: Antagonistic regulation by glucocorticoids and NFκB. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 420:85-96. [PMID: 26631368 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Steroid sulfatase (STS) converts sulfated steroids into active forms in cells. Preosteoblastic cells possess STS, but its role and regulation in bone are unclear. We examined STS activity and gene expression during differentiation of human MG-63 preosteoblasts. STS activity and gene expression were decreased during differentiation in cells treated with osteogenic supplement containing dexamethasone (DEX). DEX also inhibited STS activity and expression in undifferentiated cells, and the glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 reversed DEX inhibition of STS. These data may have implications for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. The NFκB activators lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristate acetate increased STS expression in undifferentiated and differentiated MG-63 cells, while the NFκB inhibitor BAY-11-7082 partially blocked these responses. The antagonistic actions of glucocorticoids and NFkB on STS expression are similar to the regulation of inflammatory response proteins. We propose a model of STS regulation whereby inflammation leads to increased STS, resulting in increased estrogen, which modulates the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha J Dias
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kyle W Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Jiang M, Klein M, Zanger UM, Mohammad MK, Cave MC, Gaikwad NW, Selcer KW, Guo Y, He J, Zhang X, Shen Q, Qin W, Li J, Li S, Xie W, Xie W. Inflammatory regulation of steroid sulfatase: A novel mechanism to control estrogen homeostasis and inflammation in chronic liver disease. J Hepatol 2016; 64. [PMID: 26220752 PMCID: PMC4691383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chronic inflammatory liver diseases are associated with estrogen excess and feminization in men, which is thought to be due to compromised liver function to break down estrogens. The goal of this study is to determine whether the inflammatory induction of steroid sulfatase (STS), which converts inactive estrogen sulfates to active estrogens, may have contributed to the estrogen excess in chronic liver disease. METHODS We performed bioinformatic analysis, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and UPLC/MS-MS to analyze hepatic STS expression and serum estrogen levels in patients with chronic liver diseases. The crosstalk between NF-κB pathway and STS-regulated estrogen signaling was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase assay and gene knockdown experiments in human hepatocytes. RESULTS Hepatic STS was induced in patients with chronic inflammatory liver diseases, which was accompanied by increased circulating estrogen levels. The human STS gene, but not the mouse Sts gene, was induced by inflammatory stimuli in hepatic cells. Mechanistically, STS was established as a novel NF-κB target gene, whose induction facilitated the conversion of inactive estrogen sulfates to active estrogens, and consequently attenuated the inflammatory response. In contrast, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of STS or a direct blockade of estrogen signaling sensitized liver cells to the transcriptional activation of NF-κB and inflammatory response, possibly through the inhibition of IκB kinase activation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest a negative feedback loop in chronic inflammatory liver diseases, in which the inflammatory activation of NF-κB induces STS gene expression. The induced STS facilitates the conversion of inactive estrogen sulfates to active estrogens, which in return attenuates the NF-κB-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Jiang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marcus Klein
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich M. Zanger
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mohammad K. Mohammad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Matthew C. Cave
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Nilesh W. Gaikwad
- Department of Nutrition and Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Kyle W. Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yan Guo
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhan He
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiuhui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiujin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Song Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Wen Xie
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Wen Xie
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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10
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Dias NJ, Selcer KW. Steroid sulfatase mediated growth Sof human MG-63 pre-osteoblastic cells. Steroids 2014; 88:77-82. [PMID: 25042472 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone density. Postmenopausal women have low plasma estrogen, but have high levels of conjugated steroids, particularly estrone sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Conversion of these precursors to active estrogens may help maintain bone density in postmenopausal women. The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) converts sulfated steroids into active forms in peripheral tissues. STS occurs in bone, but little is known about its role in bone function. In this study, we investigated STS activity and expression in the human MG-63 pre-osteoblastic cell line. We also tested whether sulfated steroids can stimulate growth of these cells. MG-63 cells and microsomes both possessed STS activity, which was blocked by the STS inhibitors EMATE and 667 Coumate. Further evidence for STS in these cells was provided by RT-PCR, using STS specific primers, which resulted in cDNA products of the predicted size. We then tested for growth of MG-63 cells in the presence of estradiol-17β, E1S and DHEAS. All three steroids stimulated MG-63 cell growth in a steroid-free basal medium. We also tested whether the cell growth induced by sulfated steroids could be blocked using a STS inhibitor (667 Coumate) or using an estrogen receptor blocker (ICI 182,780). Both compounds inhibited E1S-induced cell growth, indicating that E1S stimulates MG-63 cell growth through a mechanism involving both STS and the estrogen receptor. Finally, we demonstrated using RT-PCR that MG-63 cells contain mRNA for both estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta. Our data reveal that STS is present in human pre-osteoblastic bone cells and that it can influence bone cell growth by converting inactive sulfated steroids to estrogenic forms that act via estrogen receptor alpha or beta.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Dias
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - K W Selcer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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