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Kelder J, Pang Y, Dong J, Schaftenaar G, Thomas P. Molecular modeling, mutational analysis and steroid specificity of the ligand binding pocket of mPRα (PAQR7): Shared ligand binding with AdipoR1 and its structural basis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 219:106082. [PMID: 35189329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The 7-transmembrane architecture of adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs), determined from their X-ray crystal structures, was used for homology modeling of another progesterone and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family member, membrane progesterone receptor alpha (mPRα). The mPRα model identified excess positively charged residues on the cytosolic side, suggesting it has the same membrane orientation as AdipoRs with an intracellular N-terminus. The homology model showed identical amino acid residues to those forming the zinc binding pocket in AdipoRs, which strongly implies that zinc is also present in mPRα. The homology model showed a critical H-bond interaction between the glutamine (Q) residue at 206 in the binding pocket and the 20-carbonyl of progesterone. Mutational analysis showed no progesterone binding to the arginine (R) 206 mutant and modeling predicted this was due to the strong positive charge of arginine stabilizing the presence of an oleic acid (C18:1) molecule in the binding pocket, as observed in the X-rays of AdipoRs. High Zn2+ concentrations are predicted to form a salt with the carboxylate group of the oleic acid, thereby eliminating its binding to the free fatty acid (FFA) binding pocket, and allowing progesterone to bind. This is supported by experiments showing 100 µM Zn2+ addition restored [3H]-progesterone binding of the Q206R mutant to levels in WT mPRα and increased [3H]-progesterone binding to mPRγ and AdipoR1 which have arginine residues in this region. The model predicts hydrophobic interactions of progesterone with amino acid residues surrounding the binding pocket, including valine 146 in TM3, which when mutated into a polar serine resulted in a complete loss of [3H]-progesterone binding. The mPRα model showed there is no hydrogen bond donor in the vicinity of the 3-keto group of progesterone and ligand structure-activity studies with 3-deoxy steroids revealed that, unlike the nuclear progesterone receptor, the 3-carbonyl oxygen is not essential for binding to mPRα. Interestingly, the small synthetic AdipoR agonist, AdipoRon, displayed binding affinity for mPRα and mimicked progesterone signaling, whereas D-e-MAPP, a ceramidase inhibitor, blocked progesterone signaling. Thus, critical residues around the binding pocket and steroid structures that bind mPRα, as well as similarities with AdipoRs, can be predicted from the homology model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kelder
- Theoretical & Computational Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Yefei Pang
- University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
| | - Jing Dong
- University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
| | - Gijs Schaftenaar
- Theoretical & Computational Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Thomas
- University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA.
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Kanageswaran N, Nagel M, Scholz P, Mohrhardt J, Gisselmann G, Hatt H. Modulatory Effects of Sex Steroids Progesterone and Estradiol on Odorant Evoked Responses in Olfactory Receptor Neurons. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159640. [PMID: 27494699 PMCID: PMC4975405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of the sex steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol on physiology and behavior during menstrual cycles and pregnancy is well known. Several studies indicate that olfactory performance changes with cyclically fluctuating steroid hormone levels in females. Knowledge of the exact mechanisms behind how female sex steroids modulate olfactory signaling is limited. A number of different known genomic and non-genomic actions that are mediated by progesterone and estradiol via interactions with different receptors may be responsible for this modulation. Next generation sequencing-based RNA-Seq transcriptome data from the murine olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) revealed the expression of several membrane progestin receptors and the estradiol receptor Gpr30. These receptors are known to mediate rapid non-genomic effects through interactions with G proteins. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining results provide evidence for progestin and estradiol receptors in the ORNs. These data support the hypothesis that steroid hormones are capable of modulating the odorant-evoked activity of ORNs. Here, we validated this hypothesis through the investigation of steroid hormone effects by submerged electro-olfactogram and whole cell patch-clamp recordings of ORNs. For the first time, we demonstrate that the sex steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol decrease odorant-evoked signals in the OE and ORNs of mice at low nanomolar concentrations. Thus, both of these sex steroids can rapidly modulate the odor responsiveness of ORNs through membrane progestin receptors and the estradiol receptor Gpr30.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maximilian Nagel
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Cell Physiology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Paul Scholz
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Cell Physiology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia Mohrhardt
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Cell Physiology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Günter Gisselmann
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Cell Physiology, Bochum, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Hanns Hatt
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Cell Physiology, Bochum, Germany
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Lin VHC, Chen JJ, Liao CC, Lee SS, Chien EJ. The rapid immunosuppression in phytohemagglutinin-activated human T cells is inhibited by the proliferative Ca(2+) influx induced by progesterone and analogs. Steroids 2016; 111:71-78. [PMID: 26808612 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone, an endogenous immunomodulator, suppresses human T-cell activation during pregnancy. A sustained Ca(2 +) influx is an important signal for T-cell proliferation after crosslinking of T-cell receptor/CD3 complexes by anti-CD3 antibodies or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Progesterone targets cell membrane sites inducing rapid responses including elevated intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and suppressed T-cell PHA-activated proliferation. Interestingly, both PHA and progesterone induce [Ca(2+)]i elevation, but it remains unclear whether the PHA-induced Ca(2+) influx is affected by progesterone leading to T-cell immunosuppression. Primary T-cells were isolated from human peripheral blood and the quench effect on intracellular fura-2 fluorescence of Mn(2+) was used to explore the responses to Ca(2+) influx with cell proliferation being determined by MTT assay. PHA-stimulated Ca(2+) influx was dose-dependently suppressed by progesterone and its agonist R5020, which correlated with PHA-activated T-cell proliferation inhibition. A similar dose-dependent suppression effect on cellular Ca(2+) influx and proliferation occurred with the TRPC channel inhibitor BTP2 and selective TRPC3 channel inhibitor Pyr3. In addition, two progesterone analogs, Org OD 02-0 and 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP), also produced dose-dependent suppression of Ca(2+) influx, but had no effect on proliferation. Finally, inhibition of PHA-activated T-cell proliferation by progesterone is further suppressed by 20α-OHP, but not by Org OD 02-0. Overall, progesterone and R5020 are able to rapidly decrease PHA-stimulated sustained Ca(2+) influx, probably via blockade of TRPC3 channels, which suppresses T-cell proliferation. Taken together, the roles of progesterone and its analogs regarding the rapid response Ca(2+) influx need to be further explored in relation to cytokine secretion and proliferation in activated T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Hui-Chen Lin
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jiann-Jong Chen
- Department of Nursing, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management, New Taipei City 23143, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chen-Chung Liao
- Proteomics Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shinn-Shing Lee
- Department of Medicine, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 11220, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Eileen Jea Chien
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan, ROC.
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Chien EJ, Hsu CH, Chang VHJ, Lin EPY, Kuo TPT, Chien CH, Lin HY. In human T cells mifepristone antagonizes glucocorticoid non-genomic rapid responses in terms of Na(+)/H(+)-exchange 1 activity, but not ezrin/radixin/moesin phosphorylation. Steroids 2016; 111:29-36. [PMID: 26773750 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) and progesterone have been employed as immunosuppressive agents during pregnancy for many years. Intracellular acidification by GCs is due to a rapid non-genomic inhibition of membrane Na(+)/H(+)-exchange 1 (NHE1) activity and is followed by immunosuppression of PHA-stimulated proliferation. NHE1 is tethered to the cortical actin cytoskeleton through ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins within lipid rafts; these regulate cell shape, migration and resistance to apoptosis. We explored whether mifepristone (RU486), an antagonist of GCs in T cells, is able to completely block rapid non-genomic responses, namely NHE1 activity and the phosphorylation C-terminal residues of ERM proteins at threonine (cp-ERM). GCs stimulate a rapid non-genomic cp-ERM response in cells within 5min. RU486 antagonized the GC-induced rapid decrease in NHE1 activity, and arrested PHA-stimulated T cells at G0/G1 phase but had no effect on the rapid increase in cp-ERM, which persisted for 24h. However, the cp-ERM response was blocked by staurosporine in both resting and GC stimulated cells. The results of RU486 antagonized the GC induced rapid decrease in NHE1 ion transport activity, but not the increase cp-ERM. This suggests that RU486 in T cells exerts its antagonistic effects at NHE1 containing plasma membrane sites and not where cp-ERM links lipid rafts to cortical cytoskeletons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Jea Chien
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Ching-Hui Hsu
- Division of Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Vincent Han-Jhih Chang
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Enoch Pin-Yi Lin
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Trista Pin-Tsun Kuo
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chau-Heng Chien
- Institute and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Yi Lin
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC; Division of Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan, ROC.
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Lissauer D, Eldershaw SA, Inman CF, Coomarasamy A, Moss PAH, Kilby MD. Progesterone promotes maternal-fetal tolerance by reducing human maternal T-cell polyfunctionality and inducing a specific cytokine profile. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:2858-72. [PMID: 26249148 PMCID: PMC4833190 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone is a steroid hormone essential for the maintenance of human pregnancy, and its actions are thought to include promoting maternal immune tolerance of the semiallogenic fetus. We report that exposure of maternal T cells to progesterone at physiological doses induced a unique skewing of the cytokine production profile of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with reductions not only in potentially deleterious IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production but also in IL‐10 and IL‐5. Conversely, production of IL‐4 was increased. Maternal T cells also became less polyfunctional, focussing cytokine production toward profiles including IL‐4. This was accompanied by reduced T‐cell proliferation. Using fetal and viral antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell clones, we confirmed that this as a direct, nonantigen‐specific effect. Yet human T cells lacked conventional nuclear progesterone receptors, implicating a membrane progesterone receptor. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responded to progesterone in a dose‐dependent manner, with subtle effects at concentrations comparable to those in maternal blood, but profound effects at concentrations similar to those at the maternal–fetal interface. This characterization of how progesterone modulates T‐cell function is important in understanding the normal biology of pregnancy and informing the rational use of progesterone therapy in pregnancies at risk of fetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lissauer
- Centre for Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Suzy A Eldershaw
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Charlotte F Inman
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Aravinthan Coomarasamy
- Centre for Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul A H Moss
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark D Kilby
- Centre for Women's and Children's Health, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Schumacher A, Costa SD, Zenclussen AC. Endocrine factors modulating immune responses in pregnancy. Front Immunol 2014; 5:196. [PMID: 24847324 PMCID: PMC4021116 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
How the semi-allogeneic fetus is tolerated by the maternal immune system remains a fascinating phenomenon. Despite extensive research activity in this field, the mechanisms underlying fetal tolerance are still not well understood. However, there are growing evidences that immune–immune interactions as well as immune–endocrine interactions build up a complex network of immune regulation that ensures fetal survival within the maternal uterus. In the present review, we aim to summarize emerging research data from our and other laboratories on immune modulating properties of pregnancy hormones with a special focus on progesterone, estradiol, and human chorionic gonadotropin. These pregnancy hormones are critically involved in the successful establishment, maintenance, and termination of pregnancy. They suppress detrimental maternal alloresponses while promoting tolerance pathways. This includes the reduction of the antigen-presenting capacity of dendritic cells (DCs), monocytes, and macrophages as well as the blockage of natural killer cells, T and B cells. Pregnancy hormones also support the proliferation of pregnancy supporting uterine killer cells, retain tolerogenic DCs, and efficiently induce regulatory T (Treg) cells. Furthermore, they are involved in the recruitment of mast cells and Treg cells into the fetal–maternal interface contributing to a local accumulation of pregnancy-protective cells. These findings highlight the importance of endocrine factors for the tolerance induction during pregnancy and encourage further research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schumacher
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University , Magdeburg , Germany
| | - Serban-Dan Costa
- University Women's Clinic, Otto-von-Guericke University , Magdeburg , Germany
| | - Ana Claudia Zenclussen
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University , Magdeburg , Germany
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