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Stead SM, Edwards PD, Persad R, Boonstra R, Teichroeb JA, Palme R, Bowman J. Coping with extreme free cortisol levels: Seasonal stress axis changes in sympatric North American flying squirrels. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 349:114467. [PMID: 38342330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114467] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Most environments exhibit predictable yearly changes, permitting animals to anticipate them. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key physiological pathway that enables animals to cope with such changes. Monitoring glucocorticoid (the end products of the HPA axis) levels in wild animals throughout the year can improve our understanding of how this pathway responds to different conditions. For this study, we collected 18 months of data on two species of North American flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus and G. volans) living in a southern Ontario forest where temperature and food availability fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. These squirrels are active year-round, nest communally, and rely on scatter hoarded foods in the winter months. Flying squirrels have extremely high levels of free plasma cortisol relative to other mammals, but it is unknown how these levels are affected by environmental and reproductive factors. For both species, our goals were to (1) validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to measure their fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations and (2) assess yearly differences, seasonal changes, and the influence of sex, reproduction, and ambient temperature on FGM concentrations in each species. In the lab, we successfully validated the use of antibody 5α-pregnane-3β, 11β, 21-triol-20-one EIA for FGM analysis in both species. In the field, neither sex nor reproductive status (breeding condition or not) were linked to FGM concentrations in either species. FGM concentrations were higher in autumn compared to the spring and summer. There were no other seasonal differences. We discuss possible explanations for the autumn peak in FGM concentrations (increased energy expenditure and social nesting changes), as well as outline possible avenues for future research. Understanding how individuals and populations respond to environmental change is a critical goal in evolutionary ecology, particularly in the context of a rapidly changing Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Stead
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Phoebe D Edwards
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebekah Persad
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie A Teichroeb
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeff Bowman
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; Wildlife Research & Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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Du S, Trakooljul N, Palma-Vera SE, Murani E, Schuler G, Schoen J, Chen S. Regulation of Porcine Oviduct Epithelium Functions via Progesterone and Estradiol Is Influenced by Cortisol. Endocrinology 2022; 164:6767905. [PMID: 36269722 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Preimplantation maternal stress, characterized by elevated glucocorticoids (GCs), has been linked to reproductive failures caused by impaired oviduct functionality, which is known to be predominantly regulated by the sex steroids, progesterone (P4) and (17)estradiol (E2). Although steroid receptors share analogous structures and binding preferences, the interaction between GCs and E2/P4 in the oviduct has attracted little attention. Using an air-liquid interface culture model, porcine oviduct epithelial cells were stimulated with single (cortisol, E2, P4) or hormone mixtures (cortisol/E2, cortisol/P4) for 12 hours and 72 hours. Cultures were subsequently assessed for epithelial morphometry, bioelectrical properties, and gene expression responses (steroid hormone signaling, oviductal function, immune response, and apoptosis). Results confirmed the suppressive role of P4 in regulating oviduct epithelium characteristics, which was partially opposed by E2. Besides increasing the ratio of ciliated cells, cortisol antagonized the effect of P4 on epithelial polarity and modified sex steroid-induced changes in transepithelial electrical properties. Both sex steroids affected the glucocorticoid receptor expression, while cortisol downregulated the expression of progesterone receptor. The overall gene expression pattern suggests that sex steroid dominates the cotreatment, but cortisol contributes by altering the gene responses to sex steroids. We conclude that besides its individual action, maternal cortisol interplays with sex steroids at phenotypic and molecular levels in the oviduct epithelium, thereby influencing the microenvironment of gametes and early embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaizhi Du
- Institute of Reproductive Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
- Institute of Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Nares Trakooljul
- Institute of Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
| | - Sergio E Palma-Vera
- Institute of Reproductive Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Eduard Murani
- Institute of Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schuler
- Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schoen
- Institute of Reproductive Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin 10315, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 13355, Germany
| | - Shuai Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf 18196, Germany
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin 10315, Germany
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Male long-Evans rats: An outbred model of marked hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hyperactivity. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100355. [PMID: 34307794 PMCID: PMC8283147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rat and mouse strains differ in behavioral and physiological characteristics, and such differences can contribute to explain discrepant results between laboratories and better select the most appropriate strain for a particular purpose. Differences in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are particularly important given the pivotal role of this system in determining consequences of exposure to stressors. In this regard, Long-Evans (LE) rats are widely used in stress research, but there is no specific study aiming at thoroughly characterizing HPA activity in LE versus other extensively used strains. In a first experiment, LE showed higher resting ACTH and corticosterone levels only at certain points of the circadian rhythm, but much greater ACTH responsiveness to stressors (novel environment and forced swim) than Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Accordingly, enhanced corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and reduced expression of glucocorticoid receptors were observed in the hippocampal formation. Additionally, they are hyperactive in novel environments, and prone to adopt passive-like behavior when compared to SD rats. Supporting that altered HPA function has a marked physiological impact, we observed in another set of animals much lower thymus weight in LE than SD rats. Finally, to demonstrate that LE rats are likely to have higher HPA responsiveness to stressors than most strains, we studied resting and stress levels of HPA hormones in LE versus Wistar and Fischer rats, the latter considered an example of high HPA responsiveness. Again, LE showed higher resting and stress levels of ACTH than both Wistar and Fischer rats. As ACTH responsiveness to stressors in LE rats is stronger than that previously reported when comparing other rat strains and they are commercially available, they could be an appropriate model for studying the behavioral and physiological implications of a hyper-active HPA axis under normal and pathological conditions. Strain differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function were studied. Long-Evans (LE) rats show greater HPA response to stressors than other strains. CRH expression in critical brain areas is greater in LE than Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Glucocorticoid receptor expression was lower in the hippocampal formation of LE rats. LE rats are more active in novel environments but showed more passive coping.
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Lin HY, Song G, Lei F, Li D, Qu Y. Avian corticosteroid-binding globulin: biological function and regulatory mechanisms in physiological stress responses. Front Zool 2021; 18:22. [PMID: 33926473 PMCID: PMC8086359 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00409-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is a high-affinity plasma protein that binds glucocorticoids (GCs) and regulates their biological activities. The structural and functional properties of CBG are crucial to understanding the biological actions of GCs in mediating stress responses and the underlying mechanisms. In response to stress, avian CBGs modulate the free and bound fractions of plasma corticosterone (CORT, the main GC), enabling them to mediate the physiological and behavioral responses that are fundamental for balancing the trade-off of energetic investment in reproduction, immunity, growth, metabolism and survival, including adaptations to extreme high-elevation or high-latitude environments. Unlike other vertebrates, avian CBGs substitute for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in transporting androgens and regulating their bioavailability, since birds lack an Shbg gene. The three-dimensional structures of avian and mammalian CBGs are highly conserved, but the steroid-binding site topographies and their modes of binding steroids differ. Given that CBG serves as the primary transporter of both GCs and reproductive hormones in birds, we aim to review the biological properties of avian CBGs in the context of steroid hormone transportation, stress responses and adaptation to harsh environments, and to provide insight into evolutionary adaptations in CBG functions occurred to accommodate physiological and endocrine changes in birds compared with mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Dongming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Moisan MP. Sexual Dimorphism in Glucocorticoid Stress Response. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063139. [PMID: 33808655 PMCID: PMC8003420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is encountered in our everyday life and is thought to contribute to a number of diseases. Many of these stress-related disorders display a sex bias. Because glucocorticoid hormones are the main biological mediator of chronic stress, researchers have been interested in understanding the sexual dimorphism in glucocorticoid stress response to better explain the sex bias in stress-related diseases. Although not yet demonstrated for glucocorticoid regulation, sex chromosomes do influence sex-specific biology as soon as conception. Then a transient rise in testosterone start to shape the male brain during the prenatal period differently to the female brain. These organizational effects are completed just before puberty. The cerebral regions implicated in glucocorticoid regulation at rest and after stress are thereby impacted in a sex-specific manner. After puberty, the high levels of all gonadal hormones will interact with glucocorticoid hormones in specific crosstalk through their respective nuclear receptors. In addition, stress occurring early in life, in particular during the prenatal period and in adolescence will prime in the long-term glucocorticoid stress response through epigenetic mechanisms, again in a sex-specific manner. Altogether, various molecular mechanisms explain sex-specific glucocorticoid stress responses that do not exclude important gender effects in humans.
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Bonhomme D, Alfos S, Webster SP, Wolff M, Pallet V, Touyarot K. Vitamin A deficiency impairs contextual fear memory in rats: Abnormalities in the glucocorticoid pathway. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12802. [PMID: 31613407 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin A and its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), play a key role in the maintenance of cognitive functions in the adult brain. Depletion of RA using the vitamin A deficiency (VAD) model in Wistar rats leads to spatial memory deficits in relation to elevated intrahippocampal basal corticosterone (CORT) levels and increased hippocampal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) activity. All of these effects are normalised by vitamin A supplementation. However, it is unknown whether vitamin A status also modulates contextual fear conditioning (CFC) in a glucocorticoid-associated fear memory task dependent on the functional integrity of the hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated the impact of VAD and vitamin A supplementation in adult male rats on fear memory processing, plasma CORT levels, hippocampal retinoid receptors and 11β-HSD1 expression following a novelty-induced stress. We also examined whether vitamin A supplementation or a single injection of UE2316, a selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, known to modulate local glucocorticoid levels, had any beneficial effects on contextual fear memory and biochemical parameters in VAD rats. We provide evidence that VAD rats exhibit a decreased fear conditioning response during training with a poor contextual fear memory 24 hours later. These VAD-induced cognitive impairments are associated with elevated plasma CORT levels under basal conditions, as well as following a stressful event, with saturated CORT release, altered hippocampal retinoid receptors and 11β-HSD1 expression. Vitamin A supplementation normalises VAD-induced fear conditioning training deficits and all biochemical effects, although it cannot prevent fear memory deficits. Moreover, a single injection of UE2316 not only impairs contextual fear memory, but also reduces plasma CORT levels, regardless of the vitamin A status and decreases slightly hippocampal 11β-HSD1 activity in VAD rats following stress. The present study highlights the importance of vitamin A status with respect to modulating fear memory conditioning in relation to plasma CORT levels and hippocampal 11β-HSD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Bonhomme
- UMR 1286, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Bordeaux, France
| | - Serge Alfos
- UMR 1286, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Bordeaux INP, Bordeaux, France
| | - Scott P Webster
- The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mathieu Wolff
- UMR 5287, CNRS, INCIA, Bordeaux, France
- UMR 5287, INCIA, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Véronique Pallet
- UMR 1286, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Bordeaux INP, Bordeaux, France
| | - Katia Touyarot
- UMR 1286, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Bordeaux, France
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR 1286, Bordeaux INP, Bordeaux, France
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de Medeiros GF, Lafenêtre P, Janthakhin Y, Cerpa JC, Zhang CL, Mehta MM, Mortessagne P, Helbling JC, Ferreira G, Moisan MP. Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin Deficiency Specifically Impairs Contextual and Recognition Memory Consolidation in Male Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2019; 109:322-332. [PMID: 30904918 DOI: 10.1159/000499827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Glucocorticoids are essential in modulating memory processes of emotionally arousing experiences and we have shown that corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) influences glucocorticoid delivery to the brain. Here, we investigated the role of CBG in contextual and recognition long-term memory according to stress intensity. METHOD We used adult male mice totally deficient in CBG (Cbg KO) or brain-specific Cbg KO (CbgCamk KO) to examine their performance in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and au-ditory fear conditioning, both at short (1 h) and long-term (24 h). Long-term memory in Cbg KO was further analyzed in conditioned odor aversion and in novel object recognition task (NORT) with different paradigms, that is, with and without prior habituation to the context, with a mild or strong stressor applied during consolidation. In the NORT experiments, total and free glucocorticoid levels were measured during consolidation. RESULTS Impaired memory was observed in the Cbg KO but not in the CbgCamk KO in the CFC and the NORT without habituation when tested 24 h later. However, Cbg KO displayed normal behavior in the NORT with previous habituation and in the NORT with a mild stressor. In condition of the NORT with a strong stressor, Cbg KO retained good 24 h memory performance while controls were impaired. Total and free glucocorticoids levels were always higher in controls than in Cbg KO except in NORT with mild stressor where free glucocorticoids were equivalent to controls. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that circulating but not brain CBG influences contextual and recognition long-term memory in relation with glucocorticoid levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela F de Medeiros
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pauline Lafenêtre
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux INP, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yoottana Janthakhin
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Juan-Carlos Cerpa
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Chun-Lei Zhang
- CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marishka M Mehta
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Mortessagne
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Helbling
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Guillaume Ferreira
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Moisan
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France,
- University of Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France,
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Neonatal- maternal separation primes zymogenic cells in the rat gastric mucosa through glucocorticoid receptor activity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9823. [PMID: 29959361 PMCID: PMC6026145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal- Maternal Separation (NMS) deprives mammals from breastfeeding and maternal care, influencing growth during suckling- weaning transition. In the gastric mucosa, Mist1 (encoded by Bhlha15 gene) and moesin organize the secretory apparatus for pepsinogen C in zymogenic cells. Our current hypothesis was that NMS would change corticosterone activity through receptors (GR), which would modify molecules involved in zymogenic cell differentiation in rats. We found that NMS increased corticosterone levels from 18 days onwards, as GR decreased in the gastric mucosa. However, as nuclear GR was detected, we investigated receptor binding to responsive elements (GRE) and observed an augment in NMS groups. Next, we demonstrated that NMS increased zymogenic population (18 and and 30 days), and targeted Mist1 and moesin. Finally, we searched for evolutionarily conserved sequences that contained GRE in genes involved in pepsinogen C secretion, and found that the genomic regions of Bhlha15 and PgC contained sites highly likely to be responsive to glucocorticoids. We suggest that NMS triggers GR- GRE to enhance the expression and to prime genes that organize cellular architecture in zymogenic population for PgC function. As pepsinogen C- pepsin is essential for digestion, disturbance of parenting through NMS might alter functions of gastric mucosa in a permanent manner.
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Henley D, Lightman S, Carrell R. Cortisol and CBG — Getting cortisol to the right place at the right time. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 166:128-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Moisan MP, Castanon N. Emerging Role of Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin in Glucocorticoid-Driven Metabolic Disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:160. [PMID: 28066325 PMCID: PMC5165022 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) are critical for survival since they ensure the energy supply necessary to the body in an ever challenging environment. GCs are known to act on appetite, glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and storage. However, to be beneficial to the body, GC levels should be maintained in an optimal window of concentrations. Not surprisingly, conditions of GC excess or deficiency, e.g., Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease, are associated with severe alterations of energy metabolism. Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), through its high specific affinity for GCs, plays a critical role in regulating plasma GC levels and their access to target cells. Genetic studies in various species including humans have revealed that CBG is the major factor influencing interindividual genetic variability of plasma GC levels, both in basal and stress conditions. Some, but not all, of these genetic studies have also provided data linking CBG levels to body composition and insulin levels. The examination of CBG-deficient mice submitted to hyperlipidic diets unveiled specific roles for CBG in lipid storage and metabolism. An influence of CBG on appetite has not been reported but remains to be more finely analyzed. Finally, only male mice have been examined under high-fat diet, while obesity is affecting women even more than men. Overall, a role of CBG in GC-driven metabolic disorders is emerging in recent studies. Although subtle, the influence of CBG in these diseases could open the way to new therapeutic interventions since CBG is easily accessible in the blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Moisan
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutrINeurO), UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutrINeurO), UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- *Correspondence: Marie-Pierre Moisan,
| | - Nathalie Castanon
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutrINeurO), UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutrINeurO), UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
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Görres A, Ponsuksili S, Wimmers K, Muráni E. Analysis of non-synonymous SNPs of the porcine SERPINA6 gene as potential causal variants for a QTL affecting plasma cortisol levels on SSC7. Anim Genet 2015; 46:239-46. [PMID: 25754835 DOI: 10.1111/age.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the SERPINA6 gene encoding corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) has been proposed as a candidate gene for a quantitative trait locus (QTL) affecting cortisol level on pig chromosome 7. The QTL was repeatedly detected in different lines, including a Piétrain × (German Landrace × German Large White) cross (PiF1) and purebred German Landrace (LR). In this study, we investigated whether the known non-synonymous polymorphisms c.44G>T, c.622C>T, c.770C>T, c.793G>A, c.832G>A and c.919G>A of SERPINA6 are sufficient to explain the QTL in these two populations. Our investigations revealed that SNPs c.44G>T, c.622C>T, c.793G>A and c.919G>A are associated with cortisol level in PiF1 (P < 0.01). Haplotype analysis showed that these associations are largely attributable to differences between a major haplotype carrying SNPs c.793G>A and c.919G>A and a haplotype carrying SNPs c.44G>T and c.622C>T. Furthermore, some SNPs, particularly c.44G>T and c.622C>T and the carrier haplotype, showed association with meat quality traits including pH and conductivity (P < 0.05). In LR, the non-synonymous SNPs segregate at very low frequency (<5%) and/or show only weak association with cortisol level (SNPs c.832G>A and c.919G>A; P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the non-synonymous SNPs are not sufficient to explain the QTL across different breeds. Therefore, we examined whether the expression of SERPINA6 is affected by cis-regulatory polymorphisms in liver, the major organ for CBG production. We found allelic expression imbalance of SERPINA6, which suggests that its expression is indeed affected by genetic variation in cis-acting elements. This represents candidate causal variation for future studies of the molecular background of the QTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Görres
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute for Genome Biology, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
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12
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The cortisol response to ACTH in pigs, heritability and influence of corticosteroid-binding globulin. Animal 2015; 9:1929-34. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731115001767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Hellhammer J, Vogt D, Franz N, Freitas U, Rutenberg D. A soy-based phosphatidylserine/ phosphatidic acid complex (PAS) normalizes the stress reactivity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis in chronically stressed male subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Lipids Health Dis 2014; 13:121. [PMID: 25081826 PMCID: PMC4237891 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511x-13-121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supplementation with a phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylserine/ phosphatidic acid complex (PAS) has been observed to normalize stress induced dysregulations of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA). Prolonged stress first induces a hyper-activation of the HPAA, which then can be followed by a state of hypo-activation.The aim of this study was to examine effects of an oral supplementation with 400 mg PS & 400 mg PA (PAS 400) per day on the endocrine stress response (ACTH, saliva and serum cortisol) to a psychosocial stressor. A special focus was to analyze subgroups of low versus high chronically stressed subjects as well as to test efficacy of 200 mg PS & 200 mg PA (PAS 200). METHODS 75 healthy male volunteers were enrolled for this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, stratified by chronic stress level, and randomly allocated to one of three study arms (placebo, PAS 200 and PAS 400 per day, respectively). Study supplementation was administered for 42 days for each participant. Chronic stress was measured with the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS), and subgroups of high and low chronic stress were differentiated by median values as provided by the TICS authors. A six week period of supplementation was followed by an acute stress test (Trier Social Stress Test - TSST). RESULTS Chronic stress levels and other baseline measures did not differ between treatment groups (all p>0.05). Acute stress was successfully induced by the TSST and resulted in a hyper-responsivity of the HPAA in chronically stressed subjects. Compared to placebo, a supplementation with a daily dose of PAS 400 was effective in normalizing the ACTH (p=0.010), salivary (p=0.043) and serum cortisol responses (p=0.035) to the TSST in chronically high but not in low stressed subjects (all p>0.05). Compared to placebo, supplementation with PAS 200 did not result in any significant differences in these variables (all p>0.05). There were no significant effects of supplementation with PAS on heart rate, pulse transit time, or psychological stress response (all p>0.05). CONCLUSION In chronically stressed subjects, a supplementation with PAS 400 (MemreePlus™) can normalize the hyper-responsivity of the HPAA to an acute stressor. TRIAL REGISTRATION TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS-ID: DRKS00005125.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Hellhammer
- Diagnostic Assessment and Clinical Research Organization (Daacro) GmbH & Co. KG, Science Park Trier, Max-Planck-Str. 22, 54296 Trier, Germany
| | - Dominic Vogt
- Diagnostic Assessment and Clinical Research Organization (Daacro) GmbH & Co. KG, Science Park Trier, Max-Planck-Str. 22, 54296 Trier, Germany
| | - Nadin Franz
- Diagnostic Assessment and Clinical Research Organization (Daacro) GmbH & Co. KG, Science Park Trier, Max-Planck-Str. 22, 54296 Trier, Germany
| | - Ulla Freitas
- Lonza Ltd, Muenchensteinerstr. 38, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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Regulation of corticosterone function during early weaning and effects on gastric cell proliferation. Nutrition 2014; 30:343-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Moisan MP, Minni AM, Dominguez G, Helbling JC, Foury A, Henkous N, Dorey R, Béracochéa D. Role of corticosteroid binding globulin in the fast actions of glucocorticoids on the brain. Steroids 2014; 81:109-15. [PMID: 24252379 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2013.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) is a glycoprotein synthesized in liver and secreted in the blood where it binds with a high affinity but low capacity glucocorticoid hormones, cortisol in humans and corticosterone in laboratory rodents. In mammals, 95% of circulating glucocorticoids are bound to either CBG (80%) or albumin (15%) and only the 5% free fraction is able to enter the brain. During stress, the concentration of glucocorticoids rises significantly and the free fraction increases even more because CBG becomes saturated. However, glucocorticoids unbound to CBG are cleared from the blood more quickly. Our studies on mice totally devoid of CBG (Cbg k.o.) showed that during stress these mutant mice display a lower rise of glucocorticoids than the wild-type controls associated with altered emotional reactivity. These data suggested that CBG played a role in the fast actions of glucocorticoids on behavior. Further analyses demonstrated that stress-induced memory retrieval impairment, an example of the fast action of glucocorticoids on the brain is abolished in the Cbg k.o. mice. This effect of stress on memory retrieval could be restored in the Cbg k.o. mice by infusing corticosterone directly in the hippocampus. The mechanisms explaining these effects involved an increased clearance but no difference in corticosterone production. Thus, CBG seems to have an important role in maintaining in blood a glucocorticoid pool that will be able to access the brain for the fast effects of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Moisan
- INRA, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Univ Bordeaux, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
| | - A M Minni
- INRA, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Univ Bordeaux, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - G Dominguez
- CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), UMR 5287, Universités de Bordeaux1 et 2, 33400 Talence, France; UFR Sciences et Technique, Université de Tours, Parc de Grandmont, 37200 Tours, France
| | - J C Helbling
- INRA, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Univ Bordeaux, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - A Foury
- INRA, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Univ Bordeaux, Nutrition & Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - N Henkous
- CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), UMR 5287, Universités de Bordeaux1 et 2, 33400 Talence, France
| | - R Dorey
- CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), UMR 5287, Universités de Bordeaux1 et 2, 33400 Talence, France
| | - D Béracochéa
- CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), UMR 5287, Universités de Bordeaux1 et 2, 33400 Talence, France
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Helbling JC, Minni AM, Pallet V, Moisan MP. Stress and glucocorticoid regulation of NR4A genes in mice. J Neurosci Res 2014; 92:825-34. [PMID: 24753204 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The NR4A nuclear receptors subgroup, comprising Nur77 (NR4A1), Nurr1 (NR4A2), and Nor1 (NR4A3), are orphan receptors induced by a variety of signals, including stress. These receptors are described as early response genes and in vitro studies have shown that they take part in regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the major stress-responsive neuroendocrine system. This study analyzes further the interweaving of NR4A receptors with the HPA axis at rest and after a restraint stress in vivo in mice. We show that each NR4A member has a similar mRNA expression pattern and low levels of expression at rest except, in particular in hippocampus for Nurr1 and in adrenals for Nur77. After restraint stress, mRNA expression of each NR4A is markedly induced in adrenals and pituitary and significantly in hypothalamus. In higher cerebral regions, such as cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, induction of NR4A mRNA elicited by stress was very moderate or undetected. The influence of glucocorticoids on NR4A mRNA expression was analyzed by comparing wild-type and Cbg k.o. mice used as a model of glucocorticoid hyposignaling. Nur77 mRNA and protein expression and a downstream Nur77 target gene were found to be affected in the hypothalamus and pituitary of the Cbg k.o. mice but not in hippocampus and cortex. These results further support a physiological role of NR4A orphan receptors in the glucocorticoid response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Helbling
- INRA, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux, France; Univ Bordeaux, Nutrition & Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux, France
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Mattos GE, Heinzmann JM, Norkowski S, Helbling JC, Minni AM, Moisan MP, Touma C. Corticosteroid-binding globulin contributes to the neuroendocrine phenotype of mice selected for extremes in stress reactivity. J Endocrinol 2013; 219:217-29. [PMID: 24048966 DOI: 10.1530/joe-13-0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates an important role of steroid-binding proteins in endocrine functions, including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and regulation, as they influence bioavailability, local delivery, and cellular signal transduction of steroid hormones. In the plasma, glucocorticoids (GCs) are mainly bound to the corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and to a lesser extend to albumin. Plasma CBG levels are therefore involved in the adaptive stress response, as they determine the concentration of free, biologically active GCs. In this study, we investigated whether male mice with a genetic predisposition for high-reactivity (HR), intermediate-reactivity (IR), or low-reactivity (LR) stress-induced corticosterone (CORT) secretion present different levels of free CORT and CORT-binding proteins, basally and in response to stressors of different intensity. Our results suggest a fine control interaction between plasma CBG expression and stress-induced CORT release. Although plasma CBG levels, and therefore CBG binding capacity, were higher in HR animals, CORT secretion overloaded the CBG buffering function in response to stressors, resulting in clearly higher free CORT levels in HR compared with IR and LR mice (HR>IR>LR), resembling the pattern of total CORT increase in all three lines. Both stressors, restraint or forced swimming, did not evoke fast CBG release from the liver into the bloodstream and therefore CBG binding capacity was not altered in our three mouse lines. Thus, we confirm CBG functions in maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between CBG-bound and unbound CORT, but could not verify its role in delaying the rise of plasma free CORT immediately after stress exposure.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Corticosterone/blood
- Corticosterone/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology
- Kinetics
- Liver/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Neurosecretory Systems/metabolism
- Neurosecretory Systems/physiopathology
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/metabolism
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiopathology
- Restraint, Physical
- Serum Albumin/metabolism
- Stress, Physiological
- Stress, Psychological/blood
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Transcortin/metabolism
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele E Mattos
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Research Group of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, 146 Rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France University of Bordeaux, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286, 146 Rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
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