Tissue-specific regulation of the expression of rat kallikrein gene family members by thyroid hormone

Role of Kallikrein 7 in Body Weight and Fat Mass Regulation

Increased plasma and adipose tissue protease activity is observed in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It has been proposed that specific proteases contribute to the link between obesity, adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic diseases. We have recently shown that ablation of the serine protease kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (Klk7) specifically in adipose tissue preserves systemic insulin sensitivity and protects mice from obesity-related AT inflammation. Here, we investigated whether whole body Klk7 knockout (Klk7^-/-) mice develop a phenotype distinct from that caused by reduced Klk7 expression in adipose tissue. Compared to littermate controls, Klk7^-/- mice gain less body weight and fat mass both under chow and high fat diet (HFD) feeding, are hyper-responsive to exogenous insulin and exhibit preserved adipose tissue function due to adipocyte hyperplasia and lower inflammation. Klk7^-/- mice exhibit increased adipose tissue thermogenesis, which is not related to altered thyroid function. These data strengthen our recently proposed role of Klk7 in the regulation of body weight, energy metabolism, and obesity-associated adipose tissue dysfunction. The protective effects of Klk7 deficiency in obesity are likely linked to a significant limitation of adipocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, our data indicate potential application of specific KLK7 inhibitors to regulate KLK7 activity in the development of obesity and counteract obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic diseases.

Kallikreins on steroids: structure, function, and hormonal regulation of prostate-specific antigen and the extended kallikrein locus

The 15 members of the kallikrein-related serine peptidase (KLK) family have diverse tissue-specific expression profiles and putative proteolytic functions. The kallikrein family is also emerging as a rich source of disease biomarkers with KLK3, commonly known as prostate-specific antigen, being the current serum biomarker for prostate cancer. The kallikrein locus is also notable because it is extraordinarily responsive to steroids and other hormones. Indeed, at least 14 functional hormone response elements have been identified in the kallikrein locus. A more comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional regulation of kallikreins may help the field make more informed hypotheses about the physiological functions of kallikreins and their effectiveness as biomarkers. In this review, we describe the organization of the kallikrein locus and the structure of kallikrein genes and proteins. We also focus on the transcriptional regulation of kallikreins by androgens, progestins, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens, and other hormones in animal models and human prostate, breast, and reproductive tract tissues. The interaction of the androgen receptor with androgen response elements in the promoter and enhancer of KLK2 and KLK3 is also summarized in detail. There is evidence that all kallikreins are regulated by multiple nuclear receptors. Yet, apart from KLK2 and KLK3, it is not clear whether all kallikreins are direct transcriptional targets. Therefore, we argue that gaining more detailed information about the mechanisms that regulate kallikrein expression should be a priority of future studies and that the kallikrein locus will continue to be an important model in the era of genome-wide analyses.

Endothelial function in patients with hyperthyroidism before and after treatment with propranolol and thiamazol

Hyperthyroidism is associated with a higher incidence of arterial thromboembolism; increasing age, atrial fibrillation, and mitral valve abnormalities are risk factors. However, the contribution of endogenous coagulation parameters is unclear. Because thyroid hormone influences receptor and transcription factors, it can be expected that it will influence proteins involved in coagulation processes synthetised in many cells. Fourteen hyperthyroid patients were studied untreated, after 1 week of treatment with propranolol, and after therapeutic treatment with thiamazol. Fourteen matched controls were used for comparison. On each occasion, endothelial marker proteins, coagulation/fibrinolysis factors, and inflammatory (liver) markers were measured. Excess thyroid hormone was associated with elevated levels of most endothelium-associated proteins. In addition, plasma fibronectin and fibrinogen were increased, while plasminogen was decreased. No evidence was found that hyperthyroidism was associated with coagulation/fibrinolysis activation, or with increased levels of the inflammation markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or C-reactive protein (CRP). Propranolol treatment only lowered the von Willebrand factor propeptide, and slightly increased plasminogen. Treatment with thiamazol returned all parameters to normal. Hyperthyroidism increased the plasma levels of most endothelial marker proteins, and of some liver-synthetized proteins. No evidence for coagulation/fibrinolysis activation was found. However, it appears that endothelial activation, which is indicative of a procoagulant state, is present in hyperthyroidism. This may explain the association between hyperthyroidism and thromboembolism especially if other risk factors are present. von Willebrand factor II (vWF:Ag-II) levels may be suitable markers to evaluate acute changes in endothelial function because this parameter responds more rapidly to changes in endothelial function than other factors.

Asynchronous reformation of individual kallikrein-related secretory proteinases in rat submandibular glands following degranulation by cyclocytidine

Time scales for the reformation of the secretory granules in granular tubules and their constituent proteinases were assessed after inducing a massive degranulation by intraperitoneal injection of cyclocytidine in conscious animals. The minimum working dose of cyclocytidine to produce the maximum degranulation and depletion of proteinase activity, at 3 h after injection, was 75 mg/kg. Histologically, although most granular tubule cells then appeared to be extensively degranulated, isolated individual cells showing little or no degranulation always persisted. Acinar cells also showed some depletion of secretory material. At 15 h after injecting cyclocytidine the formation of new granules had begun in the granular tubule cells, but it was not extensive or uniform in adjacent cells; however, the acinar cells already appeared to be regranulated. The pattern of granule reformation in granular tubule cells progressed gradually, so that 7-10 days after cyclocytidine-induced degranulation the cells were mostly packed with granules and showed similar appearances to those of normal resting control glands. Individual proteinases in extracts of the glands were assayed specifically using fluorogenic oligopeptide amidase substrates, with and without appropriate inhibitors. This revealed a 95% reduction in total proteinase activity 3 h after cyclocytidine (75 mg/kg). In the same extracts, acinar peroxidase was reduced by 28%. Peroxidase levels recovered to control values within 15 h after cyclocytidine but recovery of proteinases progressed more gradually and did not occur uniformly for the different constituent proteinases. Tissue kallikrein (rK1) showed the most rapid recovery and had reached levels approaching normal within 3 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of thyroid hormones on urinary and renal kallikreins

The effects of thyroid hormones on the urinary excretion of kallikrein and on renal kallikrein were studied in rats. Total and active urinary kallikrein was decreased after thyroidectomy, but renal kallikrein content remained unchanged. Diuresis increased, and kidney weight and plasma aldosterone concentration decreased. Treatment with 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine restored the urinary kallikrein in thyroidectomized rats to normal and increased it in intact rats. It also produced increases in kidney weight and plasma aldosterone and a decrease in diuresis. The effect of thyroid hormones on the urinary kallikrein response to mineralocorticoids was also tested. Deoxycorticosterone acetate increased urinary kallikrein more in normal than in thyroidectomized rats. These results suggest that thyroidectomy decreases renal kallikrein synthesis and lowers the turnover rate of the enzyme, changes not detectable by a single measurement of the renal kallikrein content but reflected by an alteration in the urinary excretion of the enzyme. Thyroid hormones participate in the control of urinary kallikrein. This effect, however, is probably indirect and may be mediated by mineralocorticoids since thyroid function affects both the plasma level of aldosterone, which is known to influence renal kallikrein, and the kallikrein response to exogenous mineralocorticoids.