Effects of estrogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on cell differentiation-survival-proliferation in brain: contributions of neuronal cell lines

Xenoestrogens impact brain estrogen receptor signaling during the female lifespan: A precursor to neurological disease?

Xenoestrogens, foreign synthetic chemicals mimicking estrogens, are lurking in our surroundings. Climate change may alter their toxicity and bioavailability. Since xenoestrogens have extremely high lipid solubility and are structurally similar to natural endogenous estrogens, they can bind to estrogen receptors (ERs) -alpha (ER-α) and -beta (ER-β). Scientific evidence accumulated over the past decades have suggested that natural 17β-estradiol (E2; a potent estrogen), via activation of its receptors, plays a pivotal role in regulation of brain development, differentiation, metabolism, synaptic plasticity, neuroprotection, cognition, anxiety, body temperature, feeding and sexual behavior. In the brain, ER-β is predominantly expressed in the various regions, including cerebral cortex and hippocampus, that have been shown to play a key role in cognition. Therefore, disturbances in function of ER-β mediated E2 signaling by xenoestrogens can lead to deleterious effects that potentiate a variety of neurological diseases starting from prenatal to post-menopause in women. The goal of this review is to identify the possible neurological effects of xenoestrogens that can alter estrogen receptor-mediated signaling in the brain during different stages of the female lifespan.

Combined Effects of Different Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) on Prostate Gland

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) belong to a heterogeneous class of environmental pollutants widely diffused in different aquatic and terrestrial habitats. This implies that humans and animals are continuously exposed to EDCs from different matrices and sources. Moreover, pollution derived from anthropic and industrial activities leads to combined exposure to substances with multiple mechanisms of action on the endocrine system and correlated cell and tissue targets. For this reason, specific organs, such as the prostate gland, which physiologically are under the control of hormones like androgens and estrogens, are particularly sensitive to EDC stimulation. It is now well known that an imbalance in hormonal regulation can cause the onset of various prostate diseases, from benign prostate hyperplasia to prostate cancer. In this review, starting with the description of normal prostate gland anatomy and embryology, we summarize recent studies reporting on how the multiple and simultaneous exposure to estrogenic and anti-androgenic compounds belonging to EDCs are responsible for an increase in prostate disease incidence in the human population.

SIRT2 suppresses expression of inflammatory factors via Hsp90-glucocorticoid receptor signalling

SIRT2 is a NAD⁺‐dependent deacetylase that deacetylates a diverse array of protein substrates and is involved in many cellular processes, including regulation of inflammation. However, its precise role in the inflammatory process has not completely been elucidated. Here, we identify heat‐shock protein 90α (Hsp90α) as novel substrate of SIRT2. Functional investigation suggests that Hsp90 is deacetylated by SIRT2, such that overexpression and knock‐down of SIRT2 altered the acetylation level of Hsp90. This subsequently resulted in disassociation of Hsp90 with glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and translocation of GR to the nucleus. This observation was further confirmed by glucocorticoid response element (GRE)‐driven reporter assay. Nuclear translocation of GR induced by SIRT2 overexpression repressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which were even more prominent under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Conversely, SIRT2 knock‐down resulted in the up‐regulation of cytokine expression. Mutation analysis indicated that deacetylation of Hsp90 at K294 is critical for SIRT2‐mediated regulation of cytokine expression. These data suggest that SIRT2 reduces the extent of LPS‐induced inflammation by suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors via SIRT2‐Hsp90‐GR axis.

Potential Health Risks Linked to Emerging Contaminants in Major Rivers and Treated Waters

The presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in our local waterways is becoming an increasing threat to the surrounding population. These compounds and their degradation products (found in pesticides, herbicides, and plastic waste) are known to interfere with a range of biological functions from reproduction to differentiation. To better understand these effects, we used an in silico ontological pathway analysis to identify the genes affected by the most commonly detected EDCs in large river water supplies, which we grouped together based on four common functions: Organismal injuries, cell death, cancer, and behavior. In addition to EDCs, we included the opioid buprenorphine in our study, as this similar ecological threat has become increasingly detected in river water supplies. Through the identification of the pleiotropic biological effects associated with both the acute and chronic exposure to EDCs and opioids in local water supplies, our results highlight a serious health threat worthy of additional investigations with a potential emphasis on the effects linked to increased DNA damage.

Impact of common environmental chemicals bisphenol A and bisphenol S on the physiology of Lumbriculus variegatus

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component of polycarbonate plastics and a near ubiquitous environmental endocrine disrupting chemical. Bisphenol S (BPS), a substitute of BPA, is also hormonally active. This study examines the effects of aqueous exposure to BPA and BPS on the freshwater annelids Lumbriculus variegatus, a keystone species in shallow water ecosystems. Both BPA and BPS, at both low dose (10^-9 M) and high dose (10^-6 M), retarded the initial phase of body regrowth after cutting/fragmentation, which is the main mode of reproduction of L. variegatus. Both acute and five day exposure to BPA and BPS increased pulse rate of the dorsal blood vessel. For all the measured endpoints, the effects of BPA and BPS were nearly indistinguishable. These results indicate that BPA and BPS have similar and significant effects on the physiology of L. variegatus. These findings have implication for the potential impact of these bisphenols on invertebrates in the ecosystem.

Microarray expression profiling and co-expression network analysis of circulating LncRNAs and mRNAs associated with neurotoxicity induced by BPA

A growing body of evidence has shown bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-like industrial chemical, has adverse effects on the nervous system. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional behavior of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs to provide the information to explore neurotoxic effects induced by BPA. By microarray expression profiling, we discovered 151 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 794 differentially expressed mRNAs in the BPA intervention group compared with the control group. Gene ontology analysis indicated the differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly involved in fundamental metabolic processes and physiological and pathological conditions, such as development, synaptic transmission, homeostasis, injury, and neuroinflammation responses. In the expression network of the BPA-induced group, a great number of nodes and connections were found in comparison to the control-derived network. We identified lncRNAs that were aberrantly expressed in the BPA group, among which, growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5) might participate in the BPA-induced neurotoxicity by regulating Jun, RAS, and other pathways indirectly through these differentially expressed genes. This study provides the first investigation of genome-wide lncRNA expression and correlation between lncRNA and mRNA expression in the BPA-induced neurotoxicity. Our results suggest that the elevated expression of lncRNAs is a major biomarker in the neurotoxicity induced by BPA.

Effect of acute millimeter wave exposure on dopamine metabolism of NGF-treated PC12 cells

Several forthcoming wireless telecommunication systems will use electromagnetic frequencies at millimeter waves (MMWs), and technologies developed around the 60-GHz band will soon know a widespread distribution. Free nerve endings within the skin have been suggested to be the targets of MMW therapy which has been used in the former Soviet Union. So far, no studies have assessed the impact of MMW exposure on neuronal metabolism. Here, we investigated the effects of a 24-h MMW exposure at 60.4 GHz, with an incident power density (IPD) of 5 mW/cm², on the dopaminergic turnover of NGF-treated PC12 cells. After MMW exposure, both intracellular and extracellular contents of dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were studied using high performance liquid chromatography. Impact of exposure on the dopamine transporter (DAT) expression was also assessed by immunocytochemistry. We analyzed the dopamine turnover by assessing the ratio of DOPAC to DA, and measuring DOPAC accumulation in the medium. Neither dopamine turnover nor DAT protein expression level were impacted by MMW exposure. However, extracellular accumulation of DOPAC was found to be slightly increased, but not significantly. This result was related to the thermal effect, and overall, no evidence of non-thermal effects of MMW exposure were observed on dopamine metabolism.

Transcriptional effects of metal-rich acid drainage water from the abandoned Løkken Mine on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt

Runoff of metals represents one of the major environmental challenges related to historic and ongoing mining activity. In this study, transcriptomics (direct RNA sequencing [RNA-seq] and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction [RT-qPCR]) was used to predict toxicity of metal-rich acid mine drainage (AMD) water collected in the abandoned copper (Cu) mine called Løkken Mine on Atlantic salmon liver and kidney, the main target organs of Cu-induced toxicity in fish. Smolts were exposed to control and diluted AMD water, which contains a mixture of metals but is especially enriched with Cu, at 4 concentrations in freshwater (FW) for 96 h, and then were transferred to and kept in seawater (SW) for another 24 h. Significant accumulation of Cu was observed in the gills, but not liver and kidney tissues, after 96 h of exposure. Short-term exposure to metal-rich ADM (high exposure group) significantly upregulated 3201 transcripts and downregulated 3782 transcripts in liver. The strongest effect attributed to exposure was observed on the KEGG pathway "protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum," followed by "steroid biosynthesis." Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that exposure predominantly affected "protein folding," possibly by disrupting disulfide bonds as a result of endoplasmic-reticulum-generated stress, and "sterol biosynthetic processes." Transfer to uncontaminated SW for 24 h amended the transcription of several genes, suggesting a transient effect of treatment on some mechanisms. In conclusion, the data show that trace metals in AMD from abandoned pyrite mines might disturb molecular mechanisms linked to protein folding in Atlantic salmon smolt endoplasmic reticulum.

Differentiation of PC12 cells expressing estrogen receptor alpha: a new bioassay for endocrine-disrupting chemicals evaluation

Xeno-estrogens, a class of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can disturb estrogen receptor-dependent pathways involved in differentiation, proliferation or protection. Multiple methods have been developed to characterize the disturbances induced by EDCs in different cells or organs. In this study we have developed a new tool for the assessment of estrogenic compounds on differentiation. For this purpose we used the global model of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of a pseudoneuronal PC12 cell line stably transfected with estrogen receptor alpha (PC12 ER). This new test evidences a new selectivity in which estradiol, genistein and 4-hydroxytamoxifen increased the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 ER cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the strong estrogen agonist 17α-ethynylestradiol, the strong antagonist raloxifene and the agonist bisphenol A were unable to modify the neuritogenesis of PC12 ER cells. Therefore, the analysis of neuritogenesis in PC12 ER cells constitutes a complementary tool for the characterization of xeno-estrogen activity and also serves as a basis for further studies focusing on the mechanisms of EDCs in a neuronal context. Moreover, this test constitutes an alternative to animal testing.

Comparative study of 17 β-estradiol on endocrine disruption and biotransformation in fingerlings and juveniles of Japanese sea bass Lateolabrax japonicus

Estrogenic contaminants in the aquatic environment are associated with endocrine disruption and feminization in fish. The effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on fish have been well documented. However, very few studies have focused on 17 β-estradiol (E2) and its effects on endocrine system and biotransformation in a single prolonged exposure. This study investigated changes in the levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and acetyl choline esterase (AchE) in brain, cortisol in plasma and Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in gill of two different size groups (fingerlings and juveniles) of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) upon exposure to two sub-lethal concentrations (200 and 2000 ng L(-1)) of E2 for 30 d. The results indicate that cortisol level and EROD activity significantly increased in both groups, whereas serotonin level increased in juveniles and decreased in fingerlings due to E2 exposure. The correlation analysis revealed that E2 significantly affected the endocrine and biotransformation systems in both age groups.

Estrogen receptor-mediated transcription involves the activation of multiple kinase pathways in neuroblastoma cells

While many physiological effects of estrogens (E) are due to regulation of gene transcription by liganded estrogen receptors (ERs), several effects are also mediated, at least in part, by rapid non-genomic actions of E. Though the relative importance of rapid versus genomic effects in the central nervous system is controversial, we showed previously that membrane-limited effects of E, initiated by an estradiol bovine serum albumin conjugate (E2-BSA), could potentiate transcriptional effects of 17β-estradiol from an estrogen response element (ERE)-reporter in neuroblastoma cells. Here, using specific inhibitors and activators in a pharmacological approach, we show that activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate kinase (PI3K) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, dependent on a Gαq coupled receptor signaling are important in this transcriptional potentiation. We further demonstrate, using ERα phospho-deficient mutants, that E2-BSA mediated phosphorylation of ERα is one mechanism to potentiate transcription from an ERE reporter construct. This study provides a possible mechanism by which signaling from the membrane is coupled to transcription in the nucleus, providing an integrated view of hormone signaling in the brain.

Endosomal acidification by Na+/H+ exchanger NHE5 regulates TrkA cell-surface targeting and NGF-induced PI3K signaling

To facilitate polarized vesicular trafficking and signal transduction, neuronal endosomes have evolved sophisticated mechanisms for pH homeostasis. NHE5 is a member of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger family and is abundantly expressed in neurons and associates with recycling endosomes. Here we show that NHE5 potently acidifies recycling endosomes in PC12 cells. NHE5 depletion by plasmid-based short hairpin RNA significantly reduces cell surface abundance of TrkA, an effect similar to that observed after treatment with the V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin. A series of cell-surface biotinylation experiments suggests that anterograde trafficking of TrkA from recycling endosomes to plasma membrane is the likeliest target affected by NHE5 depletion. NHE5 knockdown reduces phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 and impairs neurite outgrowth in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment. Of interest, although both phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt and Erk signaling are activated by NGF-TrkA, NGF-induced Akt-phosphorylation appears to be more sensitively affected by perturbed endosomal pH. Furthermore, NHE5 depletion in rat cortical neurons in primary culture also inhibits neurite formation. These results collectively suggest that endosomal pH modulates trafficking of Trk-family receptor tyrosine kinases, neurotrophin signaling, and possibly neuronal differentiation.

Unliganded estrogen receptor alpha promotes PC12 survival during serum starvation

Many studies have reported proliferative, differentiating or protective effects of estradiol, notably through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). On the contrary, the ligand-independent action of ERα is currently poorly documented notably in cell protection. The stable transfection of wild type, substituted or truncated form of ERα in PC12 cells (ERα negative cell line) lead the specific study of its ligand-independent action. Hence, we demonstrate here that, in the absence of E2, the expression of ERα prevents cells from apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. This protection is not due to an ERE-mediated transcription and does not require either AF-1 or AF-2 transactivation functions. It is afforded to the Y537 residue of ERα and activation of c-Src/Stat3 signaling pathway.

Assessment and molecular actions of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with estrogen receptor pathways

In all vertebrate species, estrogens play a crucial role in the development, growth, and function of reproductive and nonreproductive tissues. A large number of natural or synthetic chemicals present in the environment and diet can interfere with estrogen signaling; these chemicals are called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or xenoestrogens. Some of these compounds have been shown to induce adverse effects on human and animal health, and some compounds are suspected to contribute to diverse disease development. Because xenoestrogens have varying sources and structures and could act in additive or synergistic effects when combined, they have multiple mechanisms of action. Consequently, an important panel of in vivo and in vitro bioassays and chemical analytical tools was used to screen, evaluate, and characterize the potential impacts of these compounds on humans and animals. In this paper, we discuss different molecular actions of some of the major xenoestrogens found in food or the environment, and we summarize the current models used to evaluate environmental estrogens.

Neurodevelopmental consequences of maternal distress: what do we really know?

A simple internet search of 'maternal stress and pregnancy' turns up hundreds of hits explaining that an adverse intrauterine environment can affect fetal development and potentially lead to various learning, behavioral, and mood disorders in childhood, as well as complex diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular conditions later in life. Indeed, a growing body of literature now links several intrauterine challenges, including maternal obesity and stress, with adverse developmental outcomes in the child. Over the past 5 years, nearly 5000 publications have explored the consequences of maternal distress on young offspring, a marked increase from the 475 published studies over a comparable period 20 years ago. Yet, despite this explosion of research and widespread warnings to pregnant mothers, we still lack a basic understanding of the pathophysiology linking adverse maternal health to the onset of disease in the child, especially regarding how prenatal and perinatal challenges might affect brain development. Recent studies have begun to explore the cellular basis of the abnormal brain cytoarchitecture associated with fetal exposure to intrauterine challenges. Here, our goal is to review the scientific evidence that maternal distress interferes with key neurodevelopmental steps, as an entry point toward mapping the pathophysiology of pre- and perinatal stress on the unborn child's brain.

Effects of ginsenoside Rg1 or 17β-estradiol on a cognitively impaired, ovariectomized rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Ginsenoside Rg1, which could improve spatial learning and memory, might be a useful agent for preventing and treating cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was designed to test the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on an ovariectomized (OVX) and d-galactose (d-gal)-injected rat model of AD, which is characterized with progressive learning and memory deficits, AD-related molecules alteration and differentiation/apoptosis imbalance in hippocampal neurons. OVX Wistar rats received daily injections of d-gal (100mg/kg) combined with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1 (5, 10, 20mg/kg) or 17-β-estradiol (E2, 100 μg/kg), or normal saline (NS, 1.0 ml/kg) for 6 weeks. Ovarian steroid deprivation plus d-gal injection led to spatial learning and memory capacity impairments, as well as increased Aβ(1-42) production. Ginsenoside Rg1 and E2-treatment significantly ameliorated these deteriorations in AD rats. Seven weeks after surgery, α-secretase a disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 10 (ADAM 10) in hippocampus of AD rats was dramatically decreased, while β-secretase β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE 1) increased compared with those in sham-operated ones (P<0.05). Levels of cleaved caspase 3 were increased in the hippocampus of AD rats. Ginsenoside Rg1 and E2-treatment increased ADAM 10 level while reduced BACE 1 level and apoptosis. Moreover, moderate i.e. 10mg/kg/d and high i.e. 20mg/kg/d ginsenoside Rg1 displayed more effective function than low i.e. 5mg/kg/d ginsenoside Rg1. Our findings demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and E2 on AD rats and support the potential application of ginsenoside Rg1 in the treatment of learning and memory impairments in postmenopausal women.

Significant association of estrogen receptor binding site variation with bipolar disorder in females

Major depression is nearly twice as prevalent in women compared to men. In bipolar disorder, depressive episodes have been reported to be more common amongst female patients. Furthermore, periods of depression often correlate with periods of hormonal fluctuations. A link between hormone signaling and these mood disorders has, therefore, been suggested to exist in many studies. Estrogen, one of the primary female sex hormones, mediates its effect mostly by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs). Nuclear ERs function as transcription factors and regulate gene transcription by binding to specific DNA sequences. A nucleotide change in the binding sequence might alter the binding efficiency, which could affect transcription levels of nearby genes. In order to investigate if variation in ER DNA-binding sequences may be involved in mood disorders, we conducted a genome-wide study of ER DNA-binding in patients diagnosed with major depression or bipolar disorder. Association studies were performed within each gender separately and the results were corrected for multiple testing by the Bonferroni method. In the female bipolar disorder material a significant association result was found for rs6023059 (corrected p-value = 0.023; odds ratio (OR) 0.681, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.570–0.814), a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) placed downstream of the gene coding for transglutaminase 2 (TGM2). Thus, females with a specific genotype at this SNP may be more vulnerable to fluctuating estrogen levels, which may then act as a triggering factor for bipolar disorder.

Neuroprotective effects of citrus flavonoids

Recent attention has been given to the influence of dietary factors on health and mental well-being. Oxidative stress is associated with many diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. Dietary flavonoids exert cardioprotective, chemopreventive, and neuroprotective effects. The biological activities of flavonoids have been attributed to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and signaling properties. A clear understanding of the mechanisms of action, as either antioxidants or signaling molecules, is crucial for the application of flavonoids as interventions in neurodegeneration and as brain foods. Citrus flavonoids exert little adverse effect and have low or no cytotoxicity to healthy, normal cells. The main citrus flavonoids can also traverse the blood-brain barrier; hence, they are promising candidates for intervention in neurodegeneration and as constituents in brain foods. In this review, we discuss the bioactivity, multiple neuroprotection mechanisms, and antioxidant and signaling properties of citrus flavonoids. Receptor-mediated neuroprotective actions and parallel signaling pathways are also explored. Finally, the induction of cellular defense proteins against oxidative stress and neurotoxicity by hesperetin, a main and widespread citrus flavonoid, are also discussed. It is suggested that citrus fruits, which are rich in abundant sources of hesperetin and other flavonoids, are promising for the development of general food-based neuroprotection and brain foods.