1
|
Cuffe JSM, Turton EL, Akison LK, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Moritz KM. Prenatal corticosterone exposure programs sex-specific adrenal adaptations in mouse offspring. J Endocrinol 2017; 232:37-48. [PMID: 27754933 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Maternal stress can impair foetal development and program sex-specific disease outcomes in offspring through the actions of maternally produced glucocorticoids, predominantly corticosterone (Cort) in rodents. We have demonstrated in mice that male but not female offspring prenatally exposed to Cort (33 µg/kg/h for 60 h beginning at E12.5) develop cardiovascular/renal dysfunction at 12 months. At 6 months of age, renal function was normal but male offspring had increased plasma aldosterone concentrations, suggesting that altered adrenal function may precede disease. This study investigated the long-term impact of prenatal exposure to Cort on adrenal growth, morphology and steroidogenic capacity as well as plasma Cort concentrations in offspring at postnatal day 30 (PN30), 6 months and 12 months of age. Prenatal Cort exposure decreased adrenal volume, particularly of the zona fasciculata, in male offspring at PN30 but increased both relative and absolute adrenal weight at 6 months of age. By 12 months of age, male Cort-exposed offspring had reduced absolute adrenal weight in association with increased adrenal plaque deposition (lipogenic pigmentation). Plasma Cort concentrations were elevated in male 6-month offspring but not at other ages. mRNA expression of Mc2r (ACTH receptor) was increased in males at PN30, and Cyp11a1 expression was decreased at 6 and 12 months of age. There were no changes in the adrenals of female Cort-exposed offspring. This study demonstrates that prenatal Cort exposure induces offspring adrenal gland dysfunction in an age- and sex-specific manner, which may contribute to long-term programmed disease in male offspring after maternal stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J S M Cuffe
- School of Biomedical ScienceThe University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medical ScienceMenzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - E L Turton
- School of Biomedical ScienceThe University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - L K Akison
- School of Biomedical ScienceThe University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - H Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- School of Veterinary ScienceThe University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - K M Moritz
- School of Biomedical ScienceThe University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fowden AL, Valenzuela OA, Vaughan OR, Jellyman JK, Forhead AJ. Glucocorticoid programming of intrauterine development. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2016; 56 Suppl:S121-32. [PMID: 27345310 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important environmental and maturational signals during intrauterine development. Toward term, the maturational rise in fetal glucocorticoid receptor concentrations decreases fetal growth and induces differentiation of key tissues essential for neonatal survival. When cortisol levels rise earlier in gestation as a result of suboptimal conditions for fetal growth, the switch from tissue accretion to differentiation is initiated prematurely, which alters the phenotype that develops from the genotype inherited at conception. Although this improves the chances of survival should delivery occur, it also has functional consequences for the offspring long after birth. Glucocorticoids are, therefore, also programming signals that permanently alter tissue structure and function during intrauterine development to optimize offspring fitness. However, if the postnatal environmental conditions differ from those signaled in utero, the phenotypical outcome of early-life glucocorticoid receptor overexposure may become maladaptive and lead to physiological dysfunction in the adult. This review focuses on the role of GCs in developmental programming, primarily in farm species. It examines the factors influencing GC bioavailability in utero and the effects that GCs have on the development of fetal tissues and organ systems, both at term and earlier in gestation. It also discusses the windows of susceptibility to GC overexposure in early life together with the molecular mechanisms and long-term consequences of GC programming with particular emphasis on the cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine phenotype of the offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A L Fowden
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - O A Valenzuela
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - O R Vaughan
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - J K Jellyman
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - A J Forhead
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
De Blasio MJ, Boije M, Vaughan OR, Bernstein BS, Davies KL, Plein A, Kempster SL, Smith GCS, Charnock-Jones DS, Blache D, Wooding FBP, Giussani DA, Fowden AL, Forhead AJ. Developmental Expression and Glucocorticoid Control of the Leptin Receptor in Fetal Ovine Lung. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136115. [PMID: 26287800 PMCID: PMC4545393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of endogenous and synthetic glucocorticoids on fetal lung maturation are well-established, although the role of leptin in lung development before birth is unclear. This study examined mRNA and protein levels of the signalling long-form leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) in fetal ovine lungs towards term, and after experimental manipulation of glucocorticoid levels in utero by fetal cortisol infusion or maternal dexamethasone treatment. In fetal ovine lungs, Ob-Rb protein was localised to bronchiolar epithelium, bronchial cartilage, vascular endothelium, alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes. Pulmonary Ob-Rb mRNA abundance increased between 100 (0.69 fractional gestational age) and 144 days (0.99) of gestation, and by 2-4-fold in response to fetal cortisol infusion and maternal dexamethasone treatment. In contrast, pulmonary Ob-Rb protein levels decreased near term and were halved by glucocorticoid treatment, without any significant change in phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (pSTAT3) at Ser727, total STAT3 or the pulmonary pSTAT3:STAT3 ratio. Leptin mRNA was undetectable in fetal ovine lungs at the gestational ages studied. These findings demonstrate differential control of pulmonary Ob-Rb transcript abundance and protein translation, and/or post-translational processing, by glucocorticoids in utero. Localisation of Ob-Rb in the fetal ovine lungs, including alveolar type II pneumocytes, suggests a role for leptin signalling in the control of lung growth and maturation before birth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miles J. De Blasio
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Boije
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Owen R. Vaughan
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Brett S. Bernstein
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katie L. Davies
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Plein
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L. Kempster
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon C. S. Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - D. Stephen Charnock-Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dominique Blache
- School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - F. B. Peter Wooding
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dino A. Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail L. Fowden
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alison J. Forhead
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Su Y, Bi J, Pulgar VM, Figueroa J, Chappell M, Rose JC. Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment alters Na+ uptake in renal proximal tubule cells from adult offspring in a sex-specific manner. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2015; 308:F1268-75. [PMID: 25834069 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00047.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We have shown a sex-specific effect of fetal programming on Na(+) excretion in adult sheep. The site of this effect in the kidney is unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) from adult male sheep exposed to betamethasone (Beta) before birth have greater Na(+) uptake than do RPTCs from vehicle-exposed male sheep and that RPTCs from female sheep similarly exposed are not influenced by antenatal Beta. In isolated RPTCs from 1- to 1.5-yr-old male and female sheep, we measured Na(+) uptake under basal conditions and after stimulation with ANG II. To gain insight into the mechanisms involved, we also measured nitric oxide (NO) levels, ANG II receptor mRNA levels, and expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3. Basal Na(+) uptake increased more in cells from Beta-exposed male sheep than in cells from vehicle-exposed male sheep (400% vs. 300%, P < 0.00001). ANG II-stimulated Na(+) uptake was also greater in cells from Beta-exposed males. Beta exposure did not increase Na(+) uptake by RPTCs from female sheep. NO production was suppressed more by ANG II in RPTCs from Beta-exposed males than in RPTCs from either vehicle-exposed male or female sheep. Our data suggest that one site of the sex-specific effect of Beta-induced fetal programming in the kidney is the RPTC and that the enhanced Na(+) uptake induced by antenatal Beta in male RPTCs may be related to the suppression of NO in these cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Center of Research for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
| | - Jianli Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Center of Research for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
| | - Victor M Pulgar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Center of Research for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
| | - Jorge Figueroa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Center of Research for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
| | - Mark Chappell
- Hypertension Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - James C Rose
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Center of Research for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Fetal development is a critical period for shaping the lifelong health of an individual. However, the fetus is susceptible to internal and external stimuli that can lead to adverse long-term health consequences. Glucocorticoids are an important developmental switch, driving changes in gene regulation that are necessary for normal growth and maturation. The fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is particularly susceptible to long-term programming by glucocorticoids; these effects can persist throughout the life of an organism. Dysfunction of the HPA axis as a result of fetal programming has been associated with impaired brain growth, altered behaviour and increased susceptibility to chronic disease (such as metabolic and cardiovascular disease). Moreover, the effects of glucocorticoid-mediated programming are evident in subsequent generations, and transmission of these changes can occur through both maternal and paternal lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis G Moisiadis
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|