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Gazorpak M, Hugentobler KM, Paul D, Germain PL, Kretschmer M, Ivanova I, Frei S, Mathis K, Rudolf R, Mompart Barrenechea S, Fischer V, Xue X, Ptaszek AL, Holzinger J, Privitera M, Hierlemann A, Meijer OC, Konrat R, Carreira EM, Bohacek J, Gapp K. Harnessing PROTAC technology to combat stress hormone receptor activation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8177. [PMID: 38071198 PMCID: PMC10710461 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44031-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Counteracting the overactivation of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) is an important therapeutic goal in stress-related psychiatry and beyond. The only clinically approved GR antagonist lacks selectivity and induces unwanted side effects. To complement existing tools of small-molecule-based inhibitors, we present a highly potent, catalytically-driven GR degrader, KH-103, based on proteolysis-targeting chimera technology. This selective degrader enables immediate and reversible GR depletion that is independent of genetic manipulation and circumvents transcriptional adaptations to inhibition. KH-103 achieves passive inhibition, preventing agonistic induction of gene expression, and significantly averts the GR's genomic effects compared to two currently available inhibitors. Application in primary-neuron cultures revealed the dependency of a glucocorticoid-induced increase in spontaneous calcium activity on GR. Finally, we present a proof of concept for application in vivo. KH-103 opens opportunities for a more lucid interpretation of GR functions with translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Gazorpak
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karina M Hugentobler
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Paul
- Lab of Statistical Bioinformatics, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Lab of Statistical Bioinformatics, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Computational Neurogenomics, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Kretschmer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Iryna Ivanova
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Selina Frei
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kei Mathis
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Remo Rudolf
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Mompart Barrenechea
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Fischer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xiaohan Xue
- Bio Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra L Ptaszek
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for High-Content Structural Biology and Biotechnology, Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian Holzinger
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for High-Content Structural Biology and Biotechnology, Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattia Privitera
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- Bio Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300, RA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Konrat
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erick M Carreira
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
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2
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de Kloet ER. Glucocorticoid feedback paradox: a homage to Mary Dallman. Stress 2023; 26:2247090. [PMID: 37589046 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2247090] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As the end product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone coordinate circadian activities, stress-coping, and adaptation to change. For this purpose, the hormone promotes energy metabolism and controls defense reactions in the body and brain. This life-sustaining action exerted by glucocorticoids occurs in concert with the autonomic nervous and immune systems, transmitters, growth factors/cytokines, and neuropeptides. The current contribution will focus on the glucocorticoid feedback paradox in the HPA-axis: the phenomenon that stress responsivity remains resilient if preceded by stress-induced secretion of glucocorticoid hormone, but not if this hormone is previously administered. Furthermore, in animal studies, the mixed progesterone/glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 or mifepristone switches to an apparent partial agonist upon repeated administration. To address these enigmas several interesting phenomena are highlighted. These include the conditional nature of the excitation/inhibition balance in feedback regulation, the role of glucose as a determinant of stress responsivity, and the potential of glucocorticoids in resetting the stress response system. The analysis of the feedback paradox provides also a golden opportunity to review the progress in understanding the role of glucocorticoid hormone in resilience and vulnerability during stress, the science that was burned deeply in Mary Dallman's emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Ronald de Kloet
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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3
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Meijer OC, Kooijman S, Kroon J, Winter EM. The importance of the circadian trough in glucocorticoid signaling: a variation on B-flat. Stress 2023; 26:2275210. [PMID: 37874158 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2275210] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid hormones are essential for health, but overexposure may lead to many detrimental effects, including metabolic, psychiatric, and bone disease. These effects may not only be due to increased overall exposure to glucocorticoids, but also to elevated hormone levels at the time of the physiological circadian trough of glucocorticoid levels. The late Mary Dallman developed a model that allows the differentiation between the effects of overall 24-hour glucocorticoid overexposure and the effects of a lack of circadian rhythmicity. For this, she continuously treated rats with a low dose of corticosterone (or "B"), which leads to a constant hormone level, without 24-hour overexposure using subcutaneously implanted pellets. The data from this "B-flat" model suggest that even modest elevations of glucocorticoid signaling during the time of the normal circadian trough of hormone secretion are a substantial contributor to the negative effects of glucocorticoids on health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Kooijman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth M Winter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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4
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de Azevedo Camin N, Andrey Ariza Traslaviña G, Cleber Gama de Barcellos Filho P, Rodrigues Franci C. Early post-stress administration of MR or GR antagonist in adolescent female rats restored anxiogenic-like behavior and modified the HPA axis response in the adulthood. Brain Res 2022; 1782:147833. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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5
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Koorneef LL, Kroon J, Viho EMG, Wahl LF, Heckmans KML, van Dorst MMAR, Hoekstra M, Houtman R, Hunt H, Meijer OC. The selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist CORT125281 has tissue-specific activity. J Endocrinol 2020; 246:79-92. [PMID: 32369774 PMCID: PMC7274539 DOI: 10.1530/joe-19-0486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids mediate numerous essential processes in the human body via binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Excessive GR signaling can cause disease, and GR antagonists can be used to treat many symptoms of glucocorticoid-induced pathology. The purpose of this study was to characterize the tissue-specific properties of the selective GR antagonist CORT125281. We evaluated the antagonistic effects of CORT125281 upon acute and subchronic corticosterone exposure in mice. In the acute corticosterone setting, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis activity was investigated by measurement of basal- and stress-induced corticosterone levels, adrenocorticotropic hormone levels and pituitary proopiomelanocortin expression. GR signaling was evaluated by RT-PCR analysis of GR-responsive transcripts in liver, muscle, brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT) and hippocampus. Pretreatment with a high dose of CORT125281 antagonized GR activity in a tissue-dependent manner. We observed complete inhibition of GR-induced target gene expression in the liver, partial blockade in muscle and BAT and no antagonism in WAT and hippocampus. Tissue distribution only partially explained the lack of effective antagonism. CORT125281 treatment did not disinhibit the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal neuroendocrine axis. In the subchronic corticosterone setting, CORT125281 partially prevented corticosterone-induced hyperinsulinemia, but not hyperlipidemia and immune suppression. In conclusion, CORT125281 antagonizes GR transcriptional activity in a tissue-dependent manner and improves corticosterone-induced hyperinsulinemia. Tailored dosing of CORT125281 may allow tissue-specific inhibition of GR transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L Koorneef
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Kroon
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eva M G Viho
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lucas F Wahl
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kim M L Heckmans
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes M A R van Dorst
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Menno Hoekstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - René Houtman
- Pamgene International, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
| | - Hazel Hunt
- Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence should be addressed to O C Meijer:
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6
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Dalm S, Karssen AM, Meijer OC, Belanoff JK, de Kloet ER. Resetting the Stress System with a Mifepristone Challenge. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2018; 39:503-522. [PMID: 30173378 PMCID: PMC6469632 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-018-0614-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic depression is characterized by elevated circulating cortisol, and high daily doses of the glucocorticoid/progesterone antagonist mifepristone for 1 week are required for significant improvement. Using a rodent model, we find that such high doses of mifepristone are needed because the antagonist is rapidly degraded and poorly penetrates the blood–brain barrier, but seems to facilitate the entry of cortisol. We also report that in male C57BL/6J mice, after a 7-day treatment with a high dose of mifepristone, basal blood corticosterone levels were similar to that of vehicle controls. This is surprising because after the first mifepristone challenge, corticosterone remained elevated for about 16 h, and then decreased towards vehicle control levels at 24 h. At that time, stress-induced corticosterone levels of the 1xMIF were sevenfold higher than the 7xMIF group, the latter response being twofold lower than controls. The 1xMIF mice showed behavioral hyperactivity during exploration of the circular hole board, while the 7xMIF mice rather engaged in serial search patterns. To explain this rapid reset of corticosterone secretion upon recurrent mifepristone administration, we suggest the following: (i) A rebound glucocorticoid feedback after cessation of mifepristone treatment. (ii) Glucocorticoid agonism in transrepression and recruitment of cell-specific coregulator cocktails. (iii) A more prominent role of brain MR function in control of stress circuit activity. An overview table of neuroendocrine MIF effects is provided. The data are of interest for understanding the mechanistic underpinning of stress system reset as treatment strategy for stress-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergiu Dalm
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan M Karssen
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Room C-7-44, Postal zone C7-Q, PO Box 9600, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Room C-7-44, Postal zone C7-Q, PO Box 9600, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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7
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van den Heuvel JK, Boon MR, van Hengel I, Peschier-van der Put E, van Beek L, van Harmelen V, van Dijk KW, Pereira AM, Hunt H, Belanoff JK, Rensen PCN, Meijer OC. Identification of a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator that prevents both diet-induced obesity and inflammation. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:1793-804. [PMID: 26990179 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE High-fat diet consumption results in obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue. Whereas glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonism reduces diet-induced obesity, GR agonism reduces inflammation, the combination of which would be desired in a strategy to combat the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of the selective GR modulator C108297 on both diet-induced weight gain and inflammation in mice and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Ten-week-old C57Bl/6 J mice were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks while being treated with the selective GR modulator C108297, a full GR antagonist (RU486/mifepristone) or vehicle. KEY RESULTS C108297 and, to a lesser extent, mifepristone reduced body weight gain and fat mass. C108297 decreased food and fructose intake and increased lipolysis in white adipose tissue (WAT) and free fatty acid levels in plasma, resulting in decreased fat cell size and increased fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, C108297 reduced macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in WAT, as well as in vitro LPS-stimulated TNF-α secretion in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. However, mifepristone also increased energy expenditure, as measured by fully automatic metabolic cages, and enhanced expression of thermogenic markers in energy-combusting brown adipose tissue (BAT) but did not affect inflammation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS C108297 attenuates obesity by reducing caloric intake and increasing lipolysis and fat oxidation, and in addition attenuates inflammation. These data suggest that selective GR modulation may be a viable strategy for the reduction of diet-induced obesity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José K van den Heuvel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëtte R Boon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ingmar van Hengel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emma Peschier-van der Put
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne van Beek
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa van Harmelen
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ko Willems van Dijk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hazel Hunt
- Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | | | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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8
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Yan C, Yang H, Wang Y, Dong Y, Yu F, Wu Y, Wang W, Adaku U, Lutfy K, Friedman TC, Tian S, Liu Y. Increased glycogen synthase kinase-3β and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase expression in adipose tissue may contribute to glucocorticoid-induced mouse visceral adiposity. Int J Obes (Lond) 2016; 40:1233-41. [PMID: 27102048 PMCID: PMC4970937 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2016.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased adiposity in visceral depots is a crucial feature associated with glucocorticoid (GC) excess. The action of GCs in target tissue is regulated by GC receptor (GR) and 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1) coupled with hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6pdh). Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) is known to be a crucial mediator of ligand-dependent gene transcription. We hypothesized that the major effects of corticosteroids on adipose fat accumulation are in part medicated by changes in GSK3β and H6pdh. METHODS We characterized the alterations of GSK3β and GC metabolic enzymes, and determined the impact of GR antagonist mifepristone on obesity-related genes and the expression of H6pdh and 11ß-HSD1 in adipose tissue of mice exposed to excess GC as well as in in vitro studies using 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with GCs. RESULTS Corticosterone (CORT) exposure increased abdominal fat mass and induced expression of lipid synthase ACC and ACL with activation of GSK3β phosphorylation in abdominal adipose tissue of C57BL/6J mice. Increased pSer9 GSK3β was correlated with induction of H6pdh and 11ß-HSD1. Additionally, mifepristone treatment reversed the production of H6pdh and attenuated CORT-mediated production of 11ß-HSD1 and lipogenic gene expression with reduction of pSer9 GSK3β, thereby leading to improvement of phenotype of adiposity within adipose tissue in mice treated with excess GCs. Suppression of pSer9 GSK3β by mifepristone was accompanied by activation of pThr308 Akt and blockade of CORT-induced adipogenic transcriptor C/EBPα and PPARγ. In addition, mifepristone also attenuated CORT-mediated activation of IRE1α/XBP1. Additionally, reduction of H6pdh by shRNA showed comparable effects to mifepristone on attenuating CORT-induced expression of GC metabolic enzymes and improved lipid accumulation in vitro in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that elevated adipose GSK3β and H6pdh expression contribute to 11ß-HSD1 mediating hypercortisolism associated with visceral adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital, Jilin University, Chang Chun, People's Republic of China.,Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - H Yang
- School of Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Y Dong
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Yu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Y Wu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - W Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - U Adaku
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - K Lutfy
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - T C Friedman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - S Tian
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital, Jilin University, Chang Chun, People's Republic of China.,Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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9
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Reynolds AR, Saunders MA, Brewton HW, Winchester SR, Elgumati IS, Prendergast MA. Acute oral administration of the novel, competitive and selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist ORG 34517 reduces the severity of ethanol withdrawal and related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 154:100-4. [PMID: 26143299 PMCID: PMC4536150 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of ethanol dependence is associated with alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and activation of type II glucocorticoid receptors (GR). These effects may contribute to withdrawal-associated anxiety, craving and relapse to drinking. The present studies examined acute and oral administration of the novel, selective and competitive GR antagonist ORG 34517 on the severity of ethanol withdrawal. METHODS Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered ethanol (4g/kg/i.g.) twice daily for 5 days followed by 2 days of withdrawal for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive cycles. Blood ethanol levels (BELs) were determined at 0930 on Day 4 of each week, while blood corticosterone levels (BCLs) were obtained at 11:00hours on the first day of each ethanol withdrawal. During early withdrawal, subjects received oral administration of ORG 345617 (60mg/kg/i.g.) or a placebo and withdrawal was monitored. RESULTS Peak BELs of 225.52mg/dl were observed during the third week. Withdrawal from three cycles of the regimen produced marked behavioral abnormalities (e.g., aggression, rigidity, and hypoactivity) and significant increases in BCLs of ethanol-dependent subjects. Acute, oral administration of ORG 34517 during early withdrawal significantly reduced both the severity of ethanol withdrawal, as reflected in reduced rigidity, aggression, and hypoactivity, and elevations in BCL without producing any sedative-like effects. CONCLUSIONS The present findings demonstrate that repeated ethanol exposure and withdrawal is associated with significant behavioral abnormalities and dysregulation of HPA axis activation. Further these data suggest that selective GR antagonists should be further considered as putative pharmacotherapies for treatment of ethanol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R. Reynolds
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology,Universities of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
| | - Meredith A. Saunders
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology,Universities of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
| | - Honoree’ W. Brewton
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology,Universities of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
| | - Sydney R. Winchester
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology,Universities of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
| | - Ibrahim S. Elgumati
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology,Universities of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
| | - Mark A. Prendergast
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology,Universities of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
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10
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Boucher JG, Boudreau A, Atlas E. Bisphenol A induces differentiation of human preadipocytes in the absence of glucocorticoid and is inhibited by an estrogen-receptor antagonist. Nutr Diabetes 2014; 4:e102. [PMID: 24418828 PMCID: PMC3904083 DOI: 10.1038/nutd.2013.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a major health concern in the developed world, and increasing evidence suggests that exposures to common environmental substances may enhance the risk for the development of this disease. Objectives: The current study examines the effect of the ubiquitous plastic monomer bisphenol A (BPA) on the differentiation of primary human preadipocytes in vitro and the role of the estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors. Methods: In this study, the mechanism of BPA-induced adipogenesis in preadipocytes from donors with healthy body mass index in the absence of exogenous glucocorticoid was evaluated. The effects of estradiol, the estrogen-receptor (ER) antagonist ICI and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU486 on BPA-induced adipogenesis were examined. The expression levels of key adipogenic factors were assessed. Results: Treatment of preadipocytes with 1–50 μM BPA induced a dose-dependent increase in differentiation and lipid accumulation as determined by lipid staining and triacylglyceride quantification. BPA also induced expression of the adipogenic markers aP2, adipsin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and the CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins α and β. Co-treatment of cells with ICI inhibited the BPA-induced increase in aP2 levels, while treatment with ICI or estradiol alone had no effect. Treatment of cells with the GR antagonist RU486 had no effect on BPA-induced differentiation as evaluated by aP2 levels. Conclusions: This study is one of the first to show that BPA induces human adipocyte differentiation in the absence of exogenous glucocorticoid through a non-classical ER pathway rather than through GR activation. These studies add to the growing evidence that endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as BPA have the potential to modulate adipogenesis and impact human biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Boucher
- In Vitro Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Boudreau
- In Vitro Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - E Atlas
- In Vitro Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Spiga F, Knight DM, Droste SK, Conway-Campbell B, Kershaw Y, MacSweeney CP, Thomson FJ, Craighead M, Peeters BWMM, Lightman SL. Differential effect of glucocorticoid receptor antagonists on glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation and DNA binding. J Psychopharmacol 2011; 25:211-21. [PMID: 20093322 PMCID: PMC4984974 DOI: 10.1177/0269881109348175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The effects of RU486 and S-P, a more selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist from Schering-Plough, were investigated on glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation and DNA binding. In the in vitro study, AtT20 cells were treated with vehicle or with RU486, S-P or corticosterone (3-300 nM) or co-treated with vehicle or glucocorticoid receptor antagonists (3-300 nM) and 30 nM corticosterone. Both glucocorticoid receptor antagonists induced glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation but only RU486 induced DNA binding. RU486 potentiated the effect of corticosterone on glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation and DNA binding, S-P inhibited corticosterone-induced glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation, but not glucocorticoid receptor-DNA binding. In the in vivo study, adrenalectomized rats were treated with vehicle, RU486 (20 mg/kg) and S-P (50 mg/kg) alone or in combination with corticosterone (3 mg/kg). RU486 induced glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation in the pituitary, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and glucocorticoid receptor-DNA binding in the hippocampus, whereas no effect of S-P on glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation or DNA binding was observed in any of the areas analysed. These findings reveal differential effects of RU486 and S-P on areas involved in regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in vivo and they are important in light of the potential use of this class of compounds in the treatment of disorders associated with hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Spiga
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - David M Knight
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Susanne K Droste
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Becky Conway-Campbell
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Yvonne Kershaw
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Fiona J Thomson
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Schering-Plough Corporation, Newhouse, UK
| | - Mark Craighead
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Schering-Plough Corporation, Newhouse, UK
| | - Bernard WMM Peeters
- Global Project Management Europe, Schering-Plough Corporation, Oss, The Netherlands
| | - Stafford L Lightman
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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12
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Wang Y, Nakagawa Y, Liu L, Wang W, Ren X, Anghel A, Lutfy K, Friedman TC, Liu Y. Tissue-specific dysregulation of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate transporter production in db/db mice as a model of type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 2011; 54:440-50. [PMID: 21052977 PMCID: PMC3795617 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-010-1956-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 09/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Tissue-specific amplification of glucocorticoid action through 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) affects the development of the metabolic syndrome. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) mediates intracellular NADPH availability for 11β-HSD1 and depends on the glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT). Little is known about the tissue-specific alterations of H6PDH and G6PT and their contributions to local glucocorticoid action in db/db mice. METHODS We characterised the role of H6PDH and G6PT in pre-receptor metabolism of glucocorticoids by examining the production of the hepatic 11β-HSD1-H6PDH-G6PT system in db/db mice. RESULTS We observed that increased production of hepatic H6PDH in db/db mice was paralleled by upregulation of hepatic G6PT production and responded to elevated circulating levels of corticosterone. Treatment of db/db mice with the glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 markedly reduced production of both H6PDH and 11β-HSD1 and improved hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. The reduction of H6PDH and 11β-HSD1 production by RU486 was accompanied by RU486-induced suppression of hepatic G6pt (also known as Slc37a4) mRNA. Incubation of mouse primary hepatocytes with corticosterone enhanced G6PT and H6PDH production with corresponding activation of 11β-HSD1 and PEPCK: effects that were blocked by RU486. Knockdown of H6pd by small interfering RNA showed effects comparable with those of RU486 for attenuating the corticosterone-induced H6PDH production and 11ß-HSD1 reductase activity in these intact cells. Addition of the G6PT inhibitor chlorogenic acid to primary hepatocytes suppressed H6PDH production. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These findings suggest that increased hepatic H6PDH and G6PT production contribute to 11β-HSD1 upregulation of local glucocorticoid action that may be related to the development of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Y. Nakagawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - L. Liu
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - W. Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - X. Ren
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - A. Anghel
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - K. Lutfy
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - T. C. Friedman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Y. Liu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Molecular Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
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13
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Liu Y, Nakagawa Y, Wang Y, Sakurai R, Tripathi PV, Lutfy K, Friedman TC. Increased glucocorticoid receptor and 11{beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 expression in hepatocytes may contribute to the phenotype of type 2 diabetes in db/db mice. Diabetes 2005; 54:32-40. [PMID: 15616008 DOI: 10.2337/diabetes.54.1.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Excess tissue glucocorticoid action may contribute to the hyperglycemia and insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes, but the associated mechanisms are poorly understood. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) converts inactive 11-dehydrocorticosterone into active corticosterone, thus amplifying glucocorticoid receptor-mediated tissue glucocorticoid action, particularly in the liver. To examine the role of tissue glucocorticoid action in type 2 diabetes, we analyzed expression of glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-HSD1 and their regulation by endogenous hormones in vivo and in vitro in hepatocytes from db/db mice (a model of type 2 diabetes). We observed positive relations between expression of both glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-HSD1 in liver and insulin sensitivity and expression of PEPCK mRNA in db/db mice and db/+ controls. Increased expression of glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-HSD1 in the liver of db/db mice was correlated with elevated circulating levels of corticosterone, insulin, and blood glu-cose. Treatment of db/db mice with glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 reversed the increases in the expression of glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-HSD1 within the liver and attenuated the phenotype of type 2 diabetes. Addition of corticosterone to db/db mouse primary hepatocytes activated expression of glucocorticoid receptor, 11beta-HSD1, and PEPCK, and these effects were abolished by RU486. Incubation of primary hepatocytes with increasing concentrations of glucose caused dose-dependent increases in glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-HSD1 expression, whereas insulin did not affect the expression of 11beta-HSD1 and glucocorticoid receptor in primary hepatocytes. These findings suggest that activation of glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-HSD1 expression within the liver may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in db/db mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Liu
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, Division of Endocrinology, UCLA School of Medicine, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
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