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Mubeen A, Parra-Herran C. FOXL2: a gene central to ovarian function. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:798-801. [PMID: 37798106 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-208827] [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] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The FOXL2 (forkhead box L2) gene is located on chromosome 3 and encodes for forkhead box (FOX) family of transcription factors which play a critical role in various biological processes. Germline FOXL2 mutations have been identified in blepharophimosis/ptosis/epicanthus inversus syndrome. The somatic missense mutation in FOXL2 (FOXL2 C134W) is now known to be the defining molecular feature of adult-type granulosa cell tumour of the ovary, present in over 90% of cases of this tumour type. Immunohistochemistry for FOXL2 is used as a marker of sex cord-stromal differentiation. However, expression is not restricted to lesions harbouring FOXL2 mutations, and it is positive in a variety of sex cord-stromal proliferations other than adult-type granulosa cell tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysha Mubeen
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Carlos Parra-Herran
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Castets S, Roucher-Boulez F, Saveanu A, Mallet-Motak D, Chabre O, Amati-Bonneau P, Bonneau D, Girardin C, Morel Y, Villanueva C, Brue T, Reynaud R, Nicolino M. Hypopituitarism in Patients with Blepharophimosis and FOXL2 Mutations. Horm Res Paediatr 2021; 93:30-39. [PMID: 32454486 DOI: 10.1159/000507249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FOXL2 is the gene involved in blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). There have been few single case reports of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) with this syndrome, and Foxl2 is known to be involved in pituitary development in mice. Our aim was to analyze the prevalence of FOXL2 gene alteration in a series of patients with congenital hypopituitarism and eyelid anomalies. METHODS FOXL2 was analyzed in 10 patients with hypopituitarism (ranging from isolated GHD to complete pituitary hormone deficiency) and eyelid anomalies (typical BPES in 4 patients and milder anomalies in 6 patients). In patients with an FOXL2 mutation, we ruled out other possible molecular explanations by analyzing a panel of 20 genes known to be associated with hypopituitarism, and a candidate gene approach was used for patients without an FOXL2mutation. RESULTS Three patients had an FOXL2mutation. All 3 had typical BPES. Their pituitary phenotype varied from GHD to complete pituitary hormone deficiency and their pituitary morphology ranged from normal to an interrupted pituitary stalk. No mutations were found in genes previously associated with hypopituitarism. CONCLUSION Our study shows that some patients with BPES have hypopituitarism with no molecular explanation other than FOXL2 mutation. This points toward an involvement of FOXL2 in human pituitary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Castets
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Service d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Bron, France, .,Aix-Marseille Université, AP-HM, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares D'origine Hypophysaire HYPO, Marseille, France,
| | - Florence Roucher-Boulez
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire Grand Est, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes Rénales Musculaires et Mucoviscidose, Bron, France.,Centre de Référence du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandru Saveanu
- Aix-Marseille Université, AP-HM, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares D'origine Hypophysaire HYPO, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, MMG, U 1251, Marseille, France
| | - Delphine Mallet-Motak
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire Grand Est, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes Rénales Musculaires et Mucoviscidose, Bron, France.,Centre de Référence du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France
| | - Olivier Chabre
- CHU de Grenoble Alpes et Université Grenoble Alpes, CS 10217 38043, Service d'Endocrinologie, Grenoble, France
| | - Patrizia Amati-Bonneau
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Université et Hôpital d'Angers, Angers, France.,Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Université et Hôpital d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Dominique Bonneau
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Université et Hôpital d'Angers, Angers, France.,Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Université et Hôpital d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Celine Girardin
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Yves Morel
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire Grand Est, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes Rénales Musculaires et Mucoviscidose, Bron, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Carine Villanueva
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Service d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Bron, France.,Centre de Référence du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France
| | - Thierry Brue
- Aix-Marseille Université, AP-HM, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares D'origine Hypophysaire HYPO, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, MMG, U 1251, Marseille, France
| | - Rachel Reynaud
- Aix-Marseille Université, AP-HM, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares D'origine Hypophysaire HYPO, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, MMG, U 1251, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Nicolino
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Service d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Bron, France.,Centre de Référence du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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3
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Ghatnatti V, Vastrad B, Patil S, Vastrad C, Kotturshetti I. Identification of potential and novel target genes in pituitary prolactinoma by bioinformatics analysis. AIMS Neurosci 2021; 8:254-283. [PMID: 33709028 PMCID: PMC7940115 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2021014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary prolactinoma is one of the most complicated and fatally pathogenic pituitary adenomas. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism that drives the initiation, progression, and metastasis of pituitary prolactinoma. The aim of the present study was to identify the key genes and signaling pathways associated with pituitary prolactinoma using bioinformatics analysis. Transcriptome microarray dataset GSE119063 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Limma package in R software was used to screen DEGs. Pathway and Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were conducted to identify the biological role of DEGs. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and analyzed by using HIPPIE database and Cytoscape software. Module analyses was performed. In addition, a target gene-miRNA regulatory network and target gene-TF regulatory network were constructed by using NetworkAnalyst and Cytoscape software. Finally, validation of hub genes by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 989 DEGs were identified, including 461 up regulated genes and 528 down regulated genes. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in the retinoate biosynthesis II, signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, ALK2 signaling events, vitamin D3 biosynthesis, cell cycle and aurora B signaling. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in the sensory organ morphogenesis, extracellular matrix, hormone activity, nuclear division, condensed chromosome and microtubule binding. In the PPI network and modules, SOX2, PRSS45, CLTC, PLK1, B4GALT6, RUNX1 and GTSE1 were considered as hub genes. In the target gene-miRNA regulatory network and target gene-TF regulatory network, LINC00598, SOX4, IRX1 and UNC13A were considered as hub genes. Using integrated bioinformatics analysis, we identified candidate genes in pituitary prolactinoma, which might improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pituitary prolactinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Ghatnatti
- Department of Endocrinology, J N Medical College, Belagavi and KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research 590010, Karnataka, India
| | - Basavaraj Vastrad
- Department of Biochemistry, Basaveshwar College of Pharmacy, Gadag, Karnataka 582103, India
| | - Swetha Patil
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, J N Medical College, Belagavi and KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research 590010, Karnataka, India
| | - Chanabasayya Vastrad
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Chanabasava Nilaya, Bharthinagar, Dharwad 580001, Karanataka, India
| | - Iranna Kotturshetti
- Department of Ayurveda, Rajiv Gandhi Education Society's Ayurvedic Medical College, Ron 562209, Karanataka, India
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4
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A Morphologic and Immunohistochemical Comparison of Nuclear β-Catenin Expressing Testicular Sertoli Cell Tumors and Pancreatic Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasms Supporting Their Continued Separate Classification. Am J Surg Pathol 2020; 44:1082-1091. [PMID: 32604170 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Some recent reports suggested that many Sertoli cell tumors, not otherwise specified (SCTs-NOS) of the testis were analogs of the solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas. One of the most relied on pieces of information for this assertion was the shared occurrence in both neoplasms of exon 3 mutations of the CTNNB1 gene, which was reflected by nuclear β-catenin expression. We, therefore, compared the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of 18 SCTs-NOS with strong, diffuse nuclear β-catenin expression with 16 SPNs that also showed such positivity. Although there were clear similarities in the light microscopic features of these neoplasms, there were also significant differences that included, in SCT-NOS and SPN, respectively: hollow tubules (53% vs. 0%), sheet-like growth (44% vs. 94%), circumscription (79% vs. 25%), corded or trabecular patterns (81% vs. 31%), formation of papillae or pseudopapillae (24% vs. 69%), growth in nests or clusters (94% vs. 50%), perivascular pseudorosettes (13% vs. 56%), and rhabdoid cytology (6% vs. 50%). Commonly shared morphologic features included signet-ring cells, pale or foamy cytoplasm, myxoid stroma, cyst formation, perivascular hyalinization, and globular or band-like basement membrane deposits. On immunohistochemical study, sex cord markers were frequently positive in SCTs-NOS (steroidogenic factor-1-94%; FOXL2-87%; SOX9-69%; calretinin-60%; Wilms tumor-1-38%; inhibin-29%) whereas all of these markers were negative in the SPNs. We conclude that even though SCT-NOS and SPN share some morphologic features and nuclear immunoreactivity for β-catenin, there remain differences, both morphologically and immunohistochemically, between these neoplasms to the degree that SCT-NOS should not be equated with pancreatic SPN.
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5
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Li R, Wu SP, Zhou L, Nicol B, Lydon JP, Yao HHC, DeMayo FJ. Increased FOXL2 expression alters uterine structures and functions†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:951-965. [PMID: 32948877 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) regulates sex differentiation and reproductive function. Elevated levels of this transcription factor have been observed in the diseases of the uterus, such as endometriosis. However, the impact of elevated FOXL2 expression on uterine physiology remains unknown. In order to determine the consequences of altered FOXL2 in the female reproductive axis, we generated mice with over-expression of FOXL2 (FOXL2OE) by crossing Foxl2LsL/+ with the Progesterone receptor Pgrcre model. FOXL2OE uterus showed severe morphological abnormality including abnormal epithelial stratification, blunted adenogenesis, increased endometrial fibrosis, and disrupted myometrial morphology. In contrast, increasing FOXL2 levels specifically in uterine epithelium by crossing the Foxl2LsL/+ with the lactoferrin Ltficre mice resulted in the eFOXL2OE mice with uterine epithelial stratification but without defects in endometrial fibrosis and adenogenesis, demonstrating a role of the endometrial stroma in the uterine abnormalities of the FOXL2OE mice. Transcriptomic analysis of 12 weeks old Pgrcre and FOXL2OE uterus at diestrus stage showed multiple signaling pathways related with cellular matrix, wnt/β-catenin, and altered cell cycle. Furthermore, we found FOXL2OE mice were sterile. The infertility was caused in part by a disruption of the hypophyseal ovarian axis resulting in an anovulatory phenotype. The FOXL2OE mice failed to show decidual responses during artificial decidualization in ovariectomized mice demonstrating the uterine contribution to the infertility phenotype. These data support that aberrantly increased FOXL2 expressions in the female reproductive tract can disrupt ovarian and uterine functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Li
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - San-Pin Wu
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Lecong Zhou
- Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Barbara Nicol
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - John P Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Humphrey H-C Yao
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Francesco J DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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6
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Pierini S, Tanyi JL, Simpkins F, George E, Uribe-Herranz M, Drapkin R, Burger R, Morgan MA, Facciabene A. Ovarian granulosa cell tumor characterization identifies FOXL2 as an immunotherapeutic target. JCI Insight 2020; 5:136773. [PMID: 32814714 PMCID: PMC7455139 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.136773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) are rare ovarian malignancies. Due to the lack of effective treatment in late relapse, there is a clear unmet need for novel therapies. Forkhead Box L2 (FOXL2) is a protein mainly expressed in granulosa cells (GC) and therefore is a rational therapeutic target. Since we identified tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as the main immune population within GCT, TILs from 11 GCT patients were expanded, and their phenotypes were interrogated to determine that T cells acquired late antigen-experienced phenotypes and lower levels of PD1 expression. Importantly, TILs maintained their functionality after ex vivo expansion as they vigorously reacted against autologous tumors (100% of patients) and against FOXL2 peptides (57.1% of patients). To validate the relevance of FOXL2 as a target for immune therapy, we developed a plasmid DNA vaccine (FoxL2–tetanus toxin; FoxL2-TT) by fusing Foxl2 cDNA with the immune-enhancing domain of TT. Mice immunization with FoxL2-TT controlled growth of FOXL2-expressing ovarian (BR5) and breast (4T1) cancers in a T cell–mediated manner. Combination of anti–PD-L1 with FoxL2-TT vaccination further reduced tumor progression and improved mouse survival without affecting the female reproductive system and pregnancy. Together, our results suggest that FOXL2 immune targeting can produce substantial long-term clinical benefits. Our study can serve as a foundation for trials testing immunotherapeutic approaches in patients with ovarian GCT. FOXL2 may serve as a immunotherapeutic target for tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in ovarian granulosa cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pierini
- Department of Radiation Oncology and.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Janos L Tanyi
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fiona Simpkins
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erin George
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mireia Uribe-Herranz
- Department of Radiation Oncology and.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert Burger
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark A Morgan
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrea Facciabene
- Department of Radiation Oncology and.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Recent Progress in Stem Cell Research of the Pituitary Gland and Pituitary Adenoma. ENDOCRINES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines1010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine and anti-tumoral therapy have been developed through understanding tissue stem cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The concept of tissue stem cells has been applied to the pituitary gland (PG). Recently, PG stem cells (PGSCs) were successfully differentiated from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, showing an in vivo therapeutic effect in a hypopituitary model. Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are common intracranial neoplasms that are generally benign, but treatment resistance remains a major concern. The concept of CSCs applies to PA stem cells (PASCs). Genetic alterations in human PGSCs result in PASC development, leading to treatment-resistant PAs. To determine an efficient treatment against refractory PAs, it is of paramount importance to understand the relationship between PGSCs, PASCs and PAs. The goal of this review is to discuss several new findings about PGSCs and the roles of PASCs in PA tumorigenesis.
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Xiong Z, Li X, Yang Q. PTTG has a Dual Role of Promotion-Inhibition in the Development of Pituitary Adenomas. Protein Pept Lett 2019; 26:800-818. [PMID: 37020362 DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190722145449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene (PTTG) of human is known as a checkpoint gene in the middle and late stages of mitosis, and is also a proto-oncogene that promotes cell cycle progression. In the nucleus, PTTG works as securin in controlling the mid-term segregation of sister chromatids. Overexpression of PTTG, entering the nucleus with the help of PBF in pituitary adenomas, participates in the regulation of cell cycle, interferes with DNA repair, induces genetic instability, transactivates FGF-2 and VEGF and promotes angiogenesis and tumor invasion. Simultaneously, overexpression of PTTG induces tumor cell senescence through the DNA damage pathway, making pituitary adenoma possessing the potential self-limiting ability. To elucidate the mechanism of PTTG in the regulation of pituitary adenomas, we focus on both the positive and negative function of PTTG and find out key factors interacted with PTTG in pituitary adenomas. Furthermore, we discuss other possible mechanisms correlate with PTTG in pituitary adenoma initiation and development and the potential value of PTTG in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zujian Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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9
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Joshi H, Vastrad B, Vastrad C. Identification of Important Invasion-Related Genes in Non-functional Pituitary Adenomas. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 68:565-589. [PMID: 30982163 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01318-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are locally invasive with high morbidity. The objective of this study was to diagnose important genes and pathways related to the invasiveness of NFPAs and gain more insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of NFPAs. The gene expression profiles of GSE51618 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database with 4 non-invasive NFPA samples, 3 invasive NFPA samples, and 3 normal pituitary gland samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are screened between invasive NFPA samples and normal pituitary gland samples, followed by pathway and ontology (GO) enrichment analyses. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and analyzed for these DEGs, and module analysis was performed. In addition, a target gene-miRNA network and target gene-TF (transcription factor) network were analyzed for these DEGs. A total of 879 DEGs were obtained. Among them, 439 genes were upregulated and 440 genes were downregulated. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the upregulated genes were significantly enriched in cysteine biosynthesis/homocysteine degradation (trans-sulfuration) and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, while the downregulated genes were mainly associated with docosahexaenoate biosynthesis III (mammals) and chemokine signaling pathway. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the upregulated genes were significantly enriched in animal organ morphogenesis, extracellular matrix, and hormone activity, while the downregulated genes were mainly associated with leukocyte chemotaxis, dendrites, and RAGE receptor binding. Subsequently, ESR1, SOX2, TTN, GFAP, WIF1, TTR, XIST, SPAG5, PPBP, AR, IL1R2, and HIST1H1C were diagnosed as the top hub genes in the upregulated and downregulated PPI networks and modules. In addition, HS3ST1, GPC4, CCND2, and SCD were diagnosed as the top hub genes in the upregulated and downregulated target gene-miRNA networks, while CISH, ISLR, UBE2E3, and CCNG2 were diagnosed as the top hub genes in the upregulated and downregulated target gene-TF networks. The new important DEGs and pathways diagnosed in this study may serve key roles in the invasiveness of NFPAs and indicate more molecular targets for the treatment of NFPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish Joshi
- Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center, Hubli, Karnataka, 5800029, India
| | - Basavaraj Vastrad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, SET'S College of Pharmacy, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580002, India
| | - Chanabasayya Vastrad
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Chanabasava Nilaya, Bharthinagar, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580001, India.
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Ovarian stromal cells as a source of cancer-associated fibroblasts in human epithelial ovarian cancer: A histopathological study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205494. [PMID: 30304016 PMCID: PMC6179287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are a major component of cancer tissue and known to contribute to cancer progression. However, it remains unknown whether they are derived from local fibroblasts or of other origin. This study was designed to identify the contribution of local stromal cells to cancer stroma in human epithelial ovarian cancer. Seventy-six cases of surgically resected primary ovarian carcinoma (48 cases confined to the ovaries and 28 cases with distant metastases) and 17 cases of secondary ovarian tumor (e.g. colon cancer metastasized to the ovary) were enrolled in this study. The tissues were immunostained for forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2), a transcription factor crucial for ovarian development and function, and markers for cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and inflammatory cells. Under normal condition, FOXL2 expression was restricted to ovarian stromal cells and some other types of cells in female genital tracts and never found in other sites of the body. FOXL2-positive cells were found in all primary and secondary tumors in the ovary, and were the dominant stromal cells in most cases. In contrast, only a few FOXL2-positive cells were found in peritoneal seeding sites of four serous carcinoma cases, and all the other tumors at extraovarian sites had no FOXL2-positive cells. FOXL2-positive cells in the ovarian lesion variably expressed CAFs markers, such as alpha-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast activating protein, as determined by double immunostaining. Background inflammation, but not histological subtype or origin of the neoplasm seemed to correlate with the proportion of FOXL2-positive cells. These results suggest that ovarian stromal cells are the main source of cancer stroma in the ovary but do not seem to move to distant sites via circulation together with tumor cells. Our results also support the hypothesis that cancer-associated fibroblasts may originate locally, which was previously demonstrated using animal models.
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Dong J, Wang R, Ren G, Li X, Wang J, Sun Y, Liang J, Nie Y, Wu K, Feng B, Shang Y, Fan D. HMGA2-FOXL2 Axis Regulates Metastases and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Chemoresistant Gastric Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:3461-3473. [PMID: 28119367 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-2180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Chemoresistance is the main cause of treatment failure in cancer and is associated with distant metastases and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study was aimed to explore the mechanism of metastases and EMT in chemoresistant gastric cancer.Experimental Design: A key molecular pathway was identified via gene profiling and a bioinformatic analysis in a chemoresistant gastric cancer model. The roles of FOXL2, HMGA2, and ITGA2 were validated via loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments in vitro and in an orthotopic gastric cancer animal model. The regulation of FOXL2 by HMGA2 was explored via immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. The expression of these proteins in gastric cancer tissues was examined by IHC.Results: HMGA2 and FOXL2 directly regulated the metastasis and EMT of chemoresistant gastric cancer. The interaction between HMGA2 and pRb facilitated the transactivation of FOXL2 by E2F1, and ITGA2 was the downstream effector of the HMGA2-FOXL2 pathway. HMGA2, FOXL2, and ITGA2 were associated with the TNM classification and staging of gastric cancer and were increased in metastatic lymph nodes and distant metastases. Increased HMGA2, FOXL2, and ITGA2 levels were associated with reduced overall survival periods of patients with gastric cancer.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the transactivation of FOXL2 driven by interactions between HMGA2 and pRb might exert critical effects on the metastases and EMT of chemoresistant gastric cancer. Blocking the HMGA2-FOXL2-ITGA2 pathway could serve as a new strategy for gastric cancer treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); 3461-73. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqiang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gui Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yongzhan Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kaichun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Yulong Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Daiming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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12
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Fortin J, Ongaro L, Li Y, Tran S, Lamba P, Wang Y, Zhou X, Bernard DJ. Minireview: Activin Signaling in Gonadotropes: What Does the FOX say… to the SMAD? Mol Endocrinol 2015; 29:963-77. [PMID: 25942106 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The activins were discovered and named based on their abilities to stimulate FSH secretion and FSHβ (Fshb) subunit expression by pituitary gonadotrope cells. According to subsequent in vitro observations, activins also stimulate the transcription of the GnRH receptor (Gnrhr) and the activin antagonist, follistatin (Fst). Thus, not only do activins stimulate FSH directly, they have the potential to regulate both FSH and LH indirectly by modulating gonadotrope sensitivity to hypothalamic GnRH. Moreover, activins may negatively regulate their own actions by stimulating the production of one of their principal antagonists. Here, we describe our current understanding of the mechanisms through which activins regulate Fshb, Gnrhr, and Fst transcription in vitro. The activin signaling molecules SMAD3 and SMAD4 appear to partner with the winged-helix/forkhead transcription factor, forkhead box L2 (FOXL2), to regulate expression of all 3 genes. However, in vivo data paint a different picture. Although conditional deletion of Foxl2 and/or Smad4 in murine gonadotropes produces impairments in FSH synthesis and secretion as well as in pituitary Fst expression, Gnrhr mRNA levels are either unperturbed or increased in these animals. Surprisingly, gonadotrope-specific deletion of Smad3 alone or with Smad2 does not impair FSH production or fertility; however, mice harboring these mutations may express a DNA binding-deficient, but otherwise functional, SMAD3 protein. Collectively, the available data firmly establish roles for FOXL2 and SMAD4 in Fshb and Fst expression in gonadotrope cells, whereas SMAD3's role requires further investigation. Gnrhr expression, in contrast, appears to be FOXL2, SMAD4, and, perhaps, activin independent in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Fortin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Stella Tran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Pankaj Lamba
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J.F., L.O., Y.L., S.T., P.L., Y.W., X.Z., D.J.B.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1Y6; The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (J.F.), Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C1; Diabetes Center (S.T.), Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Psychiatry (P.L.), St Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan 48154
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13
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Fortin J, Boehm U, Deng CX, Treier M, Bernard DJ. Follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis and fertility depend on SMAD4 and FOXL2. FASEB J 2014; 28:3396-410. [PMID: 24739304 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-249532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is an essential regulator of gonadal function and fertility. Loss-of-function mutations in the FSHB/Fshb gene cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in humans and mice. Both gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and activins, members of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily, stimulate FSH synthesis; yet, their relative roles and mechanisms of action in vivo are unknown. Here, using conditional gene-targeting, we show that the canonical mediator of TGFβ superfamily signaling, SMAD4, is absolutely required for normal FSH synthesis in both male and female mice. Moreover, when the Smad4 gene is ablated in combination with its DNA binding cofactor Foxl2 in gonadotrope cells, mice make essentially no FSH and females are sterile. Indeed, the phenotype of these animals is remarkably similar to that of Fshb-knockout mice. Not only do these results establish SMAD4 and FOXL2 as essential master regulators of Fshb transcription in vivo, they also suggest that activins, or related ligands, could play more important roles in FSH synthesis than GnRH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Fortin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada;
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Saarland School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Chu-Xia Deng
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and
| | - Mathias Treier
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada;
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14
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Bernard DJ, Tran S. Mechanisms of activin-stimulated FSH synthesis: the story of a pig and a FOX. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:78. [PMID: 23426431 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.107797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Activins were discovered and, in fact, named more than a quarter century ago based on their abilities to stimulate pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and secretion. However, it is only in the last decade that we have finally come to understand their underlying mechanisms of action in gonadotroph cells. In this minireview, we chronicle the research that led to the recent discovery of forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) as an essential mediator of activin-regulated FSH beta subunit (Fshb) transcription in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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15
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Tran S, Zhou X, Lafleur C, Calderon MJ, Ellsworth BS, Kimmins S, Boehm U, Treier M, Boerboom D, Bernard DJ. Impaired fertility and FSH synthesis in gonadotrope-specific Foxl2 knockout mice. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 27:407-21. [PMID: 23340250 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in pituitary FSH synthesis or action cause infertility. However, causes of FSH dysregulation are poorly described, in part because of our incomplete understanding of mechanisms controlling FSH synthesis. Previously, we discovered a critical role for forkhead protein L2 (FOXL2) in activin-stimulated FSH β-subunit (Fshb) transcription in immortalized cells in vitro. Here, we tested the hypothesis that FOXL2 is required for FSH synthesis in vivo. Using a Cre/lox approach, we selectively ablated Foxl2 in murine anterior pituitary gonadotrope cells. Conditional knockout (cKO) mice developed overtly normally but were subfertile in adulthood. Testis size and spermatogenesis were significantly impaired in cKO males. cKO females exhibited reduced ovarian weight and ovulated fewer oocytes in natural estrous cycles compared with controls. In contrast, ovaries of juvenile cKO females showed normal responses to exogenous gonadotropin stimulation. Both male and female cKO mice were FSH deficient, secondary to diminished pituitary Fshb mRNA production. Basal and activin-stimulated Fshb expression was similarly impaired in Foxl2 depleted primary pituitary cultures. Collectively, these data definitively establish FOXL2 as the first identified gonadotrope-restricted transcription factor required for selective FSH synthesis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Tran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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16
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Davis SW, Ellsworth BS, Peréz Millan MI, Gergics P, Schade V, Foyouzi N, Brinkmeier ML, Mortensen AH, Camper SA. Pituitary gland development and disease: from stem cell to hormone production. Curr Top Dev Biol 2013; 106:1-47. [PMID: 24290346 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416021-7.00001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many aspects of pituitary development have become better understood in the past two decades. The signaling pathways regulating pituitary growth and shape have emerged, and the balancing interactions between the pathways are now appreciated. Markers for multipotent progenitor cells are being identified, and signature transcription factors have been discovered for most hormone-producing cell types. We now realize that pulsatile hormone secretion involves a 3D integration of cellular networks. About a dozen genes are known to cause pituitary hypoplasia when mutated due to their essential roles in pituitary development. Similarly, a few genes are known that predispose to familial endocrine neoplasia, and several genes mutated in sporadic pituitary adenomas are documented. In the next decade, we anticipate gleaning a deeper appreciation of these processes at the molecular level, insight into the development of the hypophyseal portal blood system, and evolution of better therapeutics for congenital and acquired hormone deficiencies and for common craniopharyngiomas and pituitary adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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17
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Chesnokova V, Zonis S, Wawrowsky K, Tani Y, Ben-Shlomo A, Ljubimov V, Mamelak A, Bannykh S, Melmed S. Clusterin and FOXL2 act concordantly to regulate pituitary gonadotroph adenoma growth. Mol Endocrinol 2012; 26:2092-103. [PMID: 23051594 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary tumors grow slowly and despite their high prevalence are invariably benign. We therefore studied mechanisms underlying pituitary tumor growth restraint. Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG), the index human securin, a hallmark of pituitary tumors, triggers pituitary cell proliferation and murine pituitary tumor development. We show that human gonadotroph cell pituitary tumors, unlike other secreting tumor types, express high levels of gonadotroph-specific forkhead transcription factor FOXL2, and both PTTG and Forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2) stimulate gonadotroph clusterin (Clu) expression. Both Clu RNA isoforms are abundantly expressed in these nonhormone-secreting human tumors, and, when cultured, these tumor cells release highly abundant levels of secreted Clu. FOXL2 directly stimulates the Clu gene promoter, and we show that PTTG triggers ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase/IGF-I/p38MAPK DNA damage/chromosomal instability signaling, which in turn also induces Clu expression. Consequently, Clu restrains pituitary cell proliferation by inducing cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p16 and p27, whereas Clu deletion down-regulates p16 and p27 in the Clu(-/-) mouse pituitary. FOXL2 binds and suppresses the PTTG promoter, and Clu also suppresses PTTG expression, thus neutralizing protumorigenic PTTG gonadotroph tumor cell properties. In vivo, murine gonadotroph LβT2 tumor cell xenografts overexpressing Clu and FOXL2 both grow slower and elicit smaller tumors. Thus, gonadotroph tumor cell proliferation is determined by the interplay between cell-specific FOXL2 with PTTG and Clu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Chesnokova
- Pituitary Center, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
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18
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Bilezikjian LM, Justice NJ, Blackler AN, Wiater E, Vale WW. Cell-type specific modulation of pituitary cells by activin, inhibin and follistatin. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 359:43-52. [PMID: 22330643 PMCID: PMC3367026 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Revised: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Activins are multifunctional proteins and members of the TGF-β superfamily. Activins are expressed locally in most tissues and, analogous to the actions of other members of this large family of pleiotropic factors, play prominent roles in the regulation of diverse biological processes in both differentiated and embryonic stem cells. They have an essential role in maintaining tissue homeostasis in the adult and are known to contribute to the developmental programs in the embryo. Activins are further implicated in the growth and metastasis of tumor cells. Through distinct modes of action, inhibins and follistatins function as antagonists of activin and several other TGF-β family members, including a subset of BMPs/GDFs, and modulate cellular responses and the signaling cascades downstream of these ligands. In the pituitary, the activin pathway is known to regulate key aspects of gonadotrope functions and also exert effects on other pituitary cell types. As in other tissues, activin is produced locally by pituitary cells and acts locally by exerting cell-type specific actions on gonadotropes. These local actions of activin on gonadotropes are modulated by the autocrine/paracrine actions of locally secreted follistatin and by the feedback actions of gonadal inhibin. Knowledge about the mechanism of activin, inhibin and follistatin actions is providing information about their importance for pituitary function as well as their contribution to the pathophysiology of pituitary adenomas. The aim of this review is to highlight recent findings and summarize the evidence that supports the important functions of activin, inhibin and follistatin in the pituitary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M Bilezikjian
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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19
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Repetto E, Briata P, Kuziner N, Harfe BD, McManus MT, Gherzi R, Rosenfeld MG, Trabucchi M. Let-7b/c enhance the stability of a tissue-specific mRNA during mammalian organogenesis as part of a feedback loop involving KSRP. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002823. [PMID: 22844247 PMCID: PMC3405994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene silencing mediated by either microRNAs (miRNAs) or Adenylate/uridylate-rich elements Mediated mRNA Degradation (AMD) is a powerful way to post-transcriptionally modulate gene expression. We and others have reported that the RNA–binding protein KSRP favors the biogenesis of select miRNAs (including let-7 family) and activates AMD promoting the decay of inherently labile mRNAs. Different layers of interplay between miRNA– and AMD–mediated gene silencing have been proposed in cultured cells, but the relationship between the two pathways in living organisms is still elusive. We conditionally deleted Dicer in mouse pituitary from embryonic day (E) 9.5 through Cre-mediated recombination. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcriptase–PCR revealed that Dicer is essential for pituitary morphogenesis and correct expression of hormones. Strikingly, αGSU (alpha glycoprotein subunit, common to three pituitary hormones) was absent in Dicer-deleted pituitaries. αGSU mRNA is unstable and its half-life increases during pituitary development. A transcriptome-wide analysis of microdissected E12.5 pituitaries revealed a significant increment of KSRP expression in conditional Dicer-deleted mice. We found that KSRP directly binds to αGSU mRNA, promoting its rapid decay; and, during pituitary development, αGSU expression displays an inverse temporal relationship to KSRP. Further, let-7b/c downregulated KSRP expression, promoting the degradation of its mRNA by directly binding to the 3′UTR. Therefore, we propose a model in which let-7b/c and KSRP operate within a negative feedback loop. Starting from E12.5, KSRP induces the maturation of let-7b/c that, in turn, post-transcriptionally downregulates the expression of KSRP itself. This event leads to stabilization of αGSU mRNA, which ultimately enhances the steady-state expression levels. We have identified a post-transcriptional regulatory network active during mouse pituitary development in which the expression of the hormone αGSU is increased by let7b/c through downregulation of KSRP. Our study unveils a functional crosstalk between miRNA– and AMD–dependent gene regulation during mammalian organogenesis events. Pituitary gland development has served as a powerful model system by providing insights into the molecular strategies that underlie emergence of distinct cell types from a common primordium during organogenesis, permitting the discovery of novel regulatory mechanisms. Adenylate/uridylate–rich elements Mediated Degradation (AMD) is a central post-transcriptional mechanism to control the half-life of labile transcripts that contributes to their temporal and spatial expression regulation during tissue differentiation and development. Here, we report that the targeted deletion of Dicer in developing mouse pituitary reveals a role of miRNAs in regulating mRNA stability networks through a direct expression control of the AU-rich element mediated degradation regulator, KSRP. KSRP in turn directly regulates the stability of alpha glycoprotein subunit mRNA, common to three pituitary hormones, ultimately leading to an upregulation of its steady-state level expression. These findings define a hierarchical mechanism by which the upregulation of specific miRNAs controls the expression of KSRP and the subsequence decay rate of its target labile mRNAs during mammalian organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Repetto
- INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Team 10 “Control of Gene Expression,” Nice, France
- University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Faculty of Medicine, IFR50, Nice, France
| | - Paola Briata
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, IRCCS San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Nathalie Kuziner
- INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Team 10 “Control of Gene Expression,” Nice, France
- University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Faculty of Medicine, IFR50, Nice, France
| | - Brian D. Harfe
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael T. McManus
- UCSF Diabetes Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Roberto Gherzi
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, IRCCS San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Michael G. Rosenfeld
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department and School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MGR); (MT)
| | - Michele Trabucchi
- INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Team 10 “Control of Gene Expression,” Nice, France
- University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Faculty of Medicine, IFR50, Nice, France
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department and School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MGR); (MT)
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20
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Chesnokova V, Zonis S, Zhou C, Ben-Shlomo A, Wawrowsky K, Toledano Y, Tong Y, Kovacs K, Scheithauer B, Melmed S. Lineage-specific restraint of pituitary gonadotroph cell adenoma growth. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17924. [PMID: 21464964 PMCID: PMC3064664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although pituitary adenomas are usually benign, unique trophic mechanisms restraining cell proliferation are unclear. As GH-secreting adenomas are associated with p53/p21-dependent senescence, we tested mechanisms constraining non-functioning pituitary adenoma growth. Thirty six gonadotroph-derived non-functioning pituitary adenomas all exhibited DNA damage, but undetectable p21 expression. However, these adenomas all expressed p16, and >90% abundantly expressed cytoplasmic clusterin associated with induction of the Cdk inhibitor p15 in 70% of gonadotroph and in 26% of somatotroph lineage adenomas (p = 0.006). Murine LβT2 and αT3 gonadotroph pituitary cells, and αGSU.PTTG transgenic mice with targeted gonadotroph cell adenomas also abundantly expressed clusterin and exhibited features of oncogene-induced senescence as evidenced by C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ induction. In turn, C/EBPs activated the clusterin promoter ∼5 fold, and elevated clusterin subsequently elicited p15 and p16 expression, acting to arrest murine gonadotroph cell proliferation. In contrast, specific clusterin suppression by RNAis enhanced gonadotroph proliferation. FOXL2, a tissue-specific gonadotroph lineage factor, also induced the clusterin promoter ∼3 fold in αT3 pituitary cells. As nine of 12 pituitary carcinomas were devoid of clusterin expression, this protein may limit proliferation of benign adenomatous pituitary cells. These results point to lineage-specific pathways restricting uncontrolled murine and human pituitary gonadotroph adenoma cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Chesnokova
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Svetlana Zonis
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Cuiqi Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anat Ben-Shlomo
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kolja Wawrowsky
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yoel Toledano
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yunguang Tong
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Departments of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Kalman Kovacs
- Departments of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Shlomo Melmed
- Department of Medicine, Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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