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Rulli SB, Ahtiainen P, Ratner LD, Jonas K, Calandra RS, Poutanen M, Huhtaniemi I. Elevated chorionic gonadotropic hormone in transgenic mice induces parthenogenetic activation and ovarian teratomas. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 587:112214. [PMID: 38537882 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112214] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Both male and female reproductive functions are impacted by altered gonadotrophin secretion and action, which may also influence the development of endocrine tumours. To ascertain if chronic hypersecretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) contributes to the development of gonadal tumours, double transgenic (TG) mice that overexpress hCGα- and β-subunits were analysed. By the age of two months, ovarian tumours with characteristics of teratomas developed with 100% penetrance. Teratomas were also seen in wild-type ovaries orthotopically transplanted into TG mice, demonstrating an endocrine/paracrine mechanism for the hCG-induced ovarian tumorigenesis. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed oocyte parthenogenetic activation in TG females. In addition, ovaries showed reduced ovulatory gene expression, inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and impaired cumulus cell expansion. Hence, persistently high endocrine hCG activity causes parthenogenetic activation and development of ovarian teratomas, along with altered follicle development and impaired ERK1/2 signalling, offering a novel mechanism associated with the molecular pathogenesis of ovarian teratomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana B Rulli
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland; Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, C1405BCK, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Petteri Ahtiainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura D Ratner
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kim Jonas
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK; Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Population and Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Ricardo S Calandra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland; Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland; Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
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Marcial Lopez A, Ratner LD, Martinez CS, Di Giorgio N, Poutanen M, Huhtaniemi IT, Rulli SB. Persistently expressed human chorionic gonadotropin induces premature luteinization and progressive alterations on the reproductive axis in female mice. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 336:114247. [PMID: 36858273 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114247] [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: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis plays a fundamental role in the endocrine regulation of the reproductive function in mammals. Any change in the function of the participating hormones or their receptors can lead to alterations in sexual differentiation, the onset of puberty, infertility, cancer development, and other dysfunctions. In this study, we analyzed the influence of persistently elevated levels of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), a powerful agonist of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH), on the reproductive axis of female mice. As a consequence of chronic hCG hypersecretion through a global expression of the hCGbeta-subunit in transgenic (TG) female mice, a series of events perturbed the prepubertal to juvenile transition. The imbalance in gonadotropin action was first manifested by precocious puberty and alterations in gonadal hormone production, with the consequent ovarian function disruption and infertility in adulthood. The expansion of cumulus cells in vivo and in vitro, ovulatory capacity, and gene expression of ovulation-related marker genes after hormone stimulation were normal in 3-week-old TG females. However, the expression of genes related to steroidogenesis and luteinization such as Lhcgr, Prlr, and the steroidogenic enzymes Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, and Cyp19a1 were significantly elevated in the TG females. This study demonstrates that the excessive secretion of hCG in concert with high prolactin, induced premature luteinization, and enhanced ovarian steroidogenesis, as was shown by the up-regulation of luteal cell markers and progesterone synthesis in the TG mice. Furthermore, progressively impaired reproductive function of the TG females occurred from the peripubertal stage to adulthood, thus culminating in infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Marcial Lopez
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (1428), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura D Ratner
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (1428), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina S Martinez
- Laboratorio de Bio-nanotecnología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Grupo vinculado GBEyB, IMBICE-CONICET-CICPBA, Bernal, Argentina
| | - Noelia Di Giorgio
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (1428), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Susana B Rulli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (1428), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Mediated Induction of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020264. [PMID: 33572731 PMCID: PMC7911704 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that specifically binds to luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and exerts several roles, including the support of pregnancy and fetal gonadal steroidogenesis. Since hCG is also expressed by some tumor types, like breast cancer, many efforts have been made to study its role in neoplesia, with some studies showing a cancer-supportive role and others showing a cancer-protective role. A critical examination of the literature highlighted that the in vitro effect of hCG has been tested in the presence of fetal serum, which contains other gonadotropins, in the culture medium. Thus, we hypothesized that the use of serum in the cell culture medium might influence the cell response to the hCG treatment due to the presence of other hormones. Thus, we analyzed the in vitro effect of highly purified hCG on cell proliferation and the activation of the down-stream signal transduction pathway in three breast cancer cell lines, particularly focusing on MCF7, cultured in serum-deprived conditions. Our data show that hCG increases cell proliferation and activates the down-stream target Akt, together with a decrease of the LHR mRNA expression level. Finally, we also tested the differentiation capacity of hCG on MCF7 cancer stem cells (CSCs) and show that it favors the proliferation and differentiation of these cells, thus suggesting that hCG also renders cells more able to colonize and invade the organs.
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Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a peptide hormone which plays an important role during pregnancy. But its impact is not limited to pregnancy; it also influences tumor formation and metastatic outgrowth, especially in endometrial adenocarcinoma and breast cancer. This review summarizes what has been written in the literature about the role of hCG as a tumor marker in these 2 gynecological malignancies and also about the signal transduction pathways in which hCG is involved. HCG can, on the one hand, be a marker for the progression of a malignant disease, and on the other hand, it may be a point for therapeutical intervention, so further research into this molecule would be very much worthwhile.
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Gilbert SB, Roof AK, Rajendra Kumar T. Mouse models for the analysis of gonadotropin secretion and action. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 32:219-239. [PMID: 29779578 PMCID: PMC5973545 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropins are pituitary gonadotrope-derived glycoprotein hormones. They act by binding to G-protein coupled receptors on gonads. Gonadotropins play critical roles in reproduction by regulating both gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. Although biochemical and physiological studies provided a wealth of knowledge, gene manipulation techniques using novel mouse models gave new insights into gonadotropin synthesis, secretion and action. Both gain of function and loss of function mouse models for understanding gonadotropin action in a whole animal context have already been generated. Moreover, recent studies on gonadotropin actions in non-gonadal tissues challenged the central dogma of classical gonadotropin actions in gonads and revealed new signaling pathways in these non-gonadal tissues. In this Chapter, we have discussed our current understanding of gonadotropin synthesis, secretion and action using a variety of genetically engineered mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Babcock Gilbert
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Allyson K Roof
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - T Rajendra Kumar
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Murugananthkumar R, Prathibha Y, Senthilkumaran B, Rajakumar A, Kagawa H. In vivo induction of human chorionic gonadotropin by osmotic pump advances sexual maturation during pre-spawning phase in adult catfish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 251:74-84. [PMID: 27720752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Gonadal maturation is a critical event wherein gonads, under the influence of several hormones and factors, undergo cyclic morphological and physiological changes to produce functional gametes during the spawning phase. However, artificial induction can be effectively used to advance the maturation of gonad vis-à-vis spawning like behavior in seasonal breeders during the off-breeding season. In the present study, osmotic pumps loaded with 5000IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or saline as control were implanted intraperitoneally for 21days during the pre-spawning phase (May-June) in catfish Clarias batrachus and C. gariepinus. Significant increase in gonado-somatic index and sperm motility, and in the levels of certain sex steroids were observed in the hCG treated catfish when compared to control while estradiol-17β (E2) was low. Histological analysis in hCG treated testis revealed densely packed sperm and/or spermatids inside the lumen wherein the control testis displayed normal characteristics of the pre-spawning phase. In females, histological analysis showed a significant increase in post-vitellogenic full-grown immature follicles as seen in the spawning phase. In accordance with this, the steroid hormone profile correlated well with steroidogenic shift from E2 to 17α,20β-DP indicating oocyte maturation. However, in the control ovaries of C. batrachus, perinucleolar and pre-vitellogenic oocytes were seen to be predominant. In addition, when compared with the control, the hCG treated group displayed a significant increase in the transcripts of several genes associated with gonadal growth. Taken together, artificial induction by slow release of hCG is an effective strategy to advance sexual maturation in catfish in a programmed manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Murugananthkumar
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Yarikipati Prathibha
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Balasubramanian Senthilkumaran
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India.
| | - Anbazhagan Rajakumar
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Hirohiko Kagawa
- Department of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
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Schüler-Toprak S, Treeck O, Ortmann O. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071587. [PMID: 28754015 PMCID: PMC5536074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is well known as a malignancy being strongly influenced by female steroids. Pregnancy is a protective factor against breast cancer. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a candidate hormone which could mediate this antitumoral effect of pregnancy. For this review article, all original research articles on the role of HCG in breast cancer were considered, which are listed in PubMed database and were written in English. The role of HCG in breast cancer seems to be a paradox. Placental heterodimeric HCG acts as a protective agent by imprinting a permanent genomic signature of the mammary gland determining a refractory condition to malignant transformation which is characterized by cellular differentiation, apoptosis and growth inhibition. On the other hand, ectopic expression of β-HCG in various cancer entities is associated with poor prognosis due to its tumor-promoting function. Placental HCG and ectopically expressed β-HCG exert opposite effects on breast tumorigenesis. Therefore, mimicking pregnancy by treatment with HCG is suggested as a strategy for breast cancer prevention, whereas targeting β-HCG expressing tumor cells seems to be an option for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schüler-Toprak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver Treeck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Prathibha Y, Senthilkumaran B. Expression of wnt4/5 during reproductive cycle of catfish and wnt5 promoter analysis. J Endocrinol 2017; 232:1-13. [PMID: 27875264 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Signaling molecules, Wnt4 and Wnt5, are essential for ovarian growth during developmental stages in mammals. Although these molecules were identified in several teleosts, their precise expression and role in reproductive processes have not yet been explored in any lower vertebrates. In view of this, using catfish, Clarias batrachus as an animal model, cloning and expression analysis of wnt4 and wnt5 were analyzed in different tissues, at various developmental stages, during ovarian reproductive cycle and after gonadotropin induction. These studies indicate a plausible influence of Wnts in ovarian development and recrudescence. Transcript and protein localization revealed their presence in peri-nucleolar, pre-vitellogenic, vitellogenic and follicular layer of post-vitellogenic oocytes. Synchronous expression of pax2 and wnt5 during the ovarian development and recrudescence of catfish led us to analyze the importance of putative binding element of Pax2 in the 5'-promoter motif of wnt5 Promoter activity of wnt5 was analyzed by luciferase assays after transfecting progressive deletion constructs in pGL3 basic vector into the mammalian cell lines (HEK 293 and CHO). The constructs having putative Pax2 motif showed high promoter activity compared with controls. Likewise, the constructs with site-directed mutagenesis showed increased activity after supplementing recombinant Pax2 indicating the prominence of this motif in wnt5 promoter, in vitro Electrophoretic gel mobility shift, supershift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the binding of Pax2 to its corresponding cis-acting element in the upstream of wnt5 This study is the first of its kind to report the critical transcriptional interaction of Pax2 on wnt5 vis-à-vis ovarian development in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarikipati Prathibha
- Department of Animal BiologySchool of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Balasubramanian Senthilkumaran
- Department of Animal BiologySchool of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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Mouse Models for the Study of Synthesis, Secretion, and Action of Pituitary Gonadotropins. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2016; 143:49-84. [PMID: 27697204 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropins play fundamental roles in reproduction. More than 30years ago, Cga transgenic mice were generated, and more than 20years ago, the phenotypes of Cga null mice were reported. Since then, numerous mouse strains have been generated and characterized to address several questions in reproductive biology involving gonadotropin synthesis, secretion, and action. More recently, extragonadal expression, and in some cases, functions of gonadotropins in nongonadal tissues have been identified. Several genomic and proteomic approaches including novel mouse genome editing tools are available now. It is anticipated that these and other emerging technologies will be useful to build an integrated network of gonadotropin signaling pathways in various tissues. Undoubtedly, research on gonadotropins will continue to provide new knowledge and allow us transcend from benchside to the bedside.
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Ratner LD, Stevens G, Bonaventura MM, Lux-Lantos VA, Poutanen M, Calandra RS, Huhtaniemi IT, Rulli SB. Hyperprolactinemia induced by hCG leads to metabolic disturbances in female mice. J Endocrinol 2016; 230:157-69. [PMID: 27154336 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The metabolic syndrome is a growing epidemic; it increases the risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, and several cancers. Several reports have indicated a link between hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance or obesity. Transgenic (TG) female mice overexpressing the human chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit (hCGβ+ mice) exhibit constitutively elevated levels of hCG, increased production of testosterone, progesterone and prolactin, and obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of hCG hypersecretion on possible alterations in the glucose and lipid metabolism of adult TG females. We evaluated fasting serum insulin, glucose, and triglyceride levels in adult hCGβ+ females and conducted intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests at different ages. TG female mice showed hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and dyslipidemia, as well as glucose intolerance and insulin resistance at 6 months of age. A 1-week treatment with the dopamine agonist cabergoline applied on 5-week-old hCGβ+ mice, which corrected hyperprolactinemia, hyperandrogenism, and hyperprogesteronemia, effectively prevented the metabolic alterations. These data indicate a key role of the hyperprolactinemia-induced gonadal dysfunction in the metabolic disturbances of hCGβ+ female mice. The findings prompt further studies on the involvement of gonadotropins and prolactin on metabolic disorders and might pave the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Ratner
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermina Stevens
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina Hospital General de Agudos J. M. Ramos MejíaBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Marta Bonaventura
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria A Lux-Lantos
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Department of PhysiologyInstitute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Turku Center for Disease ModelingUniversity of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ricardo S Calandra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Department of PhysiologyInstitute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Surgery and CancerImperial College London, London, UK
| | - Susana B Rulli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina
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White-Gilbertson S, Davis M, Voelkel-Johnson C, Kasman LM. Sex differences in the MB49 syngeneic, murine model of bladder cancer. Bladder (San Franc) 2016; 3. [PMID: 26998503 PMCID: PMC4795170 DOI: 10.14440/bladder.2016.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The MB49 syngeneic, murine model of bladder cancer has been widely used for more than 35 years. In humans, bladder cancer is one third as prevalent in women as in men, with a trend toward lower prevalence in parous compared to nulliparous women. Our objective was to determine if the MB49 bladder cancer model reproduces the sex differences observed in humans, and to determine its sensitivity to testosterone and the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). METHODS Male and female C57BL/6 mice were implanted with MB49 murine bladder cancer cells, and observed for tumor growth. MB49 dose responses to hCG and dihydrotestosterone were determined in vitro. RESULTS MB49 tumor growth was significantly greater in male mice than female mice. Pregnancy did not affect MB49 tumor growth in female mice. MB49 cells did not proliferate in response to hCG in vitro and the functional receptor for gonadotropins was absent. Dihydrotestosterone strongly stimulated growth of MB49 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS The MB49 murine model of bladder cancer reproduced some aspects of the sex differences observed in humans. Our results suggest that testosterone may stimulate MB49 cell proliferation, which may explain the more rapid MB49 tumor growth observed in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai White-Gilbertson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Megan Davis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Laura M Kasman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Kottawatta KSA, So KH, Kodithuwakku SP, Ng EHY, Yeung WSB, Lee KF. MicroRNA-212 Regulates the Expression of Olfactomedin 1 and C-Terminal Binding Protein 1 in Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells to Enhance Spheroid Attachment In Vitro. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:109. [PMID: 26377223 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.131334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful embryo implantation requires a synchronized dialogue between a competent blastocyst and the receptive endometrium, which occurs in a limited time period known as the "window of implantation." Recent studies suggested that down-regulation of olfactomedin 1 (OLFM1) in the endometrium and fallopian tube is associated with receptive endometrium and tubal ectopic pregnancy in humans. Interestingly, the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces miR-212 expression, which modulates OLFM1 and C-terminal binding protein 1 (CTBP1) expressions in mouse granulosa cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that embryo-derived hCG would increase miR-212 expression and down-regulate OLFM1 and CTBP1 expressions to favor embryo attachment onto the female reproductive tract. We found that hCG stimulated the expression of miR-212 and down-regulated OLFM1 but not CTBP1 mRNA in both human endometrial (Ishikawa) and fallopian (OE-E6/E7) epithelial cells. However, hCG suppressed the expression of OLFM1 and CTBP1 proteins in both cell lines. The 3'UTR of both OLFM1 and CTBP1 contained binding sites for miR-212. The miR-212 precursor suppressed luciferase expression, whereas the miR-212 inhibitor stimulated luciferase expression of the wild-type (WT)-OLFM1 and WT-CTBP1 reporter constructs. Furthermore, hCG (25 IU/ml) treatments stimulated trophoblastic (Jeg-3) spheroid (blastocyst surrogate) attachment onto Ishikawa and OE-E6/E7 cells. Transfection of miR-212 precursor increased Jeg-3 spheroid attachment onto Ishikawa cells and decreased OLFM1 and CTBP1 protein expressions, whereas the opposite occurred with miR-212 inhibitor. Taken together, hCG stimulated miR-212, which in turn down-regulated OLFM1 and CTBP1 expression in fallopian and endometrial epithelial cells to favor spheroid attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kottawattage S A Kottawatta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China Department of Veterinary Public Health and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, The University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Kam-Hei So
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Suranga P Kodithuwakku
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Ernest H Y Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China ShenZhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Futian District, Shenzhen, China
| | - William S B Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China ShenZhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Futian District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kai-Fai Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China ShenZhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Futian District, Shenzhen, China
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Privette Vinnedge LM, Benight NM, Wagh PK, Pease NA, Nashu MA, Serrano-Lopez J, Adams AK, Cancelas JA, Waltz SE, Wells SI. The DEK oncogene promotes cellular proliferation through paracrine Wnt signaling in Ron receptor-positive breast cancers. Oncogene 2015; 34:2325-36. [PMID: 24954505 PMCID: PMC4275425 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Disease progression and recurrence are major barriers to survival for breast cancer patients. Understanding the etiology of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer and underlying mechanisms is critical for the development of new treatments and improved survival. Here, we report that two commonly overexpressed breast cancer oncogenes, Ron (Recepteur d'Origine Nantaise) and DEK, cooperate to promote advanced disease through multipronged effects on β-catenin signaling. The Ron receptor is commonly activated in breast cancers, and Ron overexpression in human disease stimulates β-catenin nuclear translocation and is an independent predictor of metastatic dissemination. Dek is a chromatin-associated oncogene whose expression has been linked to cancer through multiple mechanisms, including β-catenin activity. We demonstrate here that Dek is a downstream target of Ron receptor activation in murine and human models. The absence of Dek in the MMTV-Ron mouse model led to a significant delay in tumor development, characterized by decreased cell proliferation, diminished metastasis and fewer cells expressing mammary cancer stem cell markers. Dek complementation of cell lines established from this model was sufficient to promote cellular growth and invasion. Mechanistically, Dek expression stimulated the production and secretion of Wnt ligands to sustain an autocrine/paracrine canonical β-catenin signaling loop. Finally, we show that Dek overexpression promotes tumorigenic phenotypes in immortalized human mammary epithelial MCF10A cells and, in the context of Ron receptor activation, correlates with disease recurrence and metastasis in patients. Overall, our studies demonstrate that DEK overexpression, due in part to Ron receptor activation, drives breast cancer progression through the induction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy M. Benight
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Purnima K. Wagh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Nicholas A. Pease
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Madison A. Nashu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Juana Serrano-Lopez
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- IMIBIC/UCO/University Hospital Reina Sofia, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Allie K. Adams
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Jose A. Cancelas
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Susan E. Waltz
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Research, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45220
| | - Susanne I. Wells
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
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Ratner LD, Rulli SB, Huhtaniemi IT. Genetically modified mouse models addressing gonadotropin function. Reprod Biol 2014; 14:9-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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15
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Bachelot A, Carré N, Mialon O, Matelot M, Servel N, Monget P, Ahtiainen P, Huhtaniemi I, Binart N. The permissive role of prolactin as a regulator of luteinizing hormone action in the female mouse ovary and extragonadal tumorigenesis. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2013; 305:E845-52. [PMID: 23921141 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00243.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic female mice overexpressing the hCGβ subunit (hCGβ(+)) and producing elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH)/hCG bioactivity present as young adults with enhanced ovarian steroidogenesis, precocious puberty, and infertility. They subsequently develop pituitary prolactinomas, high circulating prolactin (PRL) levels, and marked mammary gland lobuloalveolar development followed by adenocarcinomas. None of these phenotypes appear in gonadectomized mice, indicating that the hCG-induced aberrations of ovarian function are responsible for the extragonadal phenotypes. PRL receptor-deficient (PRLR(-/-)) female mice are sterile, despite ovulating, due to a failure of embryo implantation, as a consequence of decreased ovarian LH receptor (Lhcgr) expression and inadequate corpus luteum formation and progesterone production. To study further the presumed permissive role of PRL in the maintenance of gonadal responsiveness to LH/hCG stimulation, we crossed the hCGβ(+) and PRLR(-/-) mice. The double-mutant hCGβ(+)/PRLR(-/-) females remained sterile with an ovarian phenotype similar to PRLR(-/-) mice, indicating that LH action, Lhcgr expression, and consequent luteinization are not possible without simultaneous PRL signaling. The high frequency of pituitary prolactinomas in PRLR(-/-) mice was not affected by transgenic hCGβ expression. In contrast, none of the hCGβ(+)/PRLR(-/-) females showed either mammary gland lobuloalveolar development or tumors, and the increased mammary gland Wnt-5b expression, possibly responsible for the tumorigenesis in hCGβ(+) mice, was absent in double-mutant mice. Hence, high LH/hCG stimulation is unable to compensate for missing PRL signaling in the maintenance of luteal function. PRL thus appears to be a major permissive regulator of LH action in the ovary and of its secondary extragonadal effects.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma/pathology
- Animals
- Carcinogenesis/metabolism
- Carcinogenesis/pathology
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/genetics
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/metabolism
- Corpus Luteum/metabolism
- Female
- Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism
- Mammary Glands, Animal/metabolism
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Animal/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Animal/metabolism
- Mammary Neoplasms, Animal/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Ovary/metabolism
- Progesterone/metabolism
- Prolactin/blood
- Prolactin/metabolism
- Receptors, Prolactin/genetics
- Receptors, Prolactin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bachelot
- AP-HP, Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
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16
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Ratner LD, Gonzalez B, Ahtiainen P, Di Giorgio NP, Poutanen M, Calandra RS, Huhtaniemi IT, Rulli SB. Short-term pharmacological suppression of the hyperprolactinemia of infertile hCG-overproducing female mice persistently restores their fertility. Endocrinology 2012; 153:5980-92. [PMID: 23117930 PMCID: PMC3544356 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Female infertility is often associated with deregulation of hormonal networks, and hyperprolactinemia is one of the most common endocrine disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis affecting the reproductive functions. We have shown previously that transgenic female mice overexpressing human chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit (hCGβ+ mice), and producing elevated levels of bioactive LH/hCG, exhibit increased production of testosterone and progesterone, are overweight and infertile, and develop hyperprolactinemia associated with pituitary lactotrope adenomas in adult age. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of the hyperprolactinemia of hCGβ+ females on their reproductive phenotype by treating them with the dopamine agonists, bromocriptine and cabergoline. Long-term bromocriptine treatment of adult mice was effective in the control of obesity, pituitary growth, and disturbances in the hormone profile, demonstrating that hyperprolactinemia was the main cause of the hCGβ+ female phenotype. Interestingly, short-term treatment (1 wk) with cabergoline applied on 5-wk-old mice corrected hyperprolactinemia, hyperandrogenism, and hyperprogesteronemia, prevented pituitary overgrowth, normalized gonadal function, and recovered fertility of adult hCGβ+ females after hormone-induced and natural ovulation. The same cabergoline treatment in the short term applied on 3-month-old hCGβ+ females failed to recover their reproductive function. Hence, we demonstrated that the short-term cabergoline treatment applied at a critical early stage of the phenotype progression effectively prevented the hyperprolactinemia-associated reproductive dysfunction of hCG-overproducing females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Ratner
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina
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17
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Wu Y, Ginther C, Kim J, Mosher N, Chung S, Slamon D, Vadgama JV. Expression of Wnt3 activates Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promotes EMT-like phenotype in trastuzumab-resistant HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Mol Cancer Res 2012; 10:1597-606. [PMID: 23071104 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-12-0155-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
To understand the mechanisms leading to trastuzumab resistance in HER2-overexpressing breast tumors, we created trastuzumab-insensitive cell lines (SKBR3/100-8 and BT474/100-2). The cell lines maintain HER2 receptor overexpression and show increase in EGF receptor (EGFR). Upon trastuzumab treatment, SKBR3/100-8 and BT474/100-2 cell lines displayed increased growth rate and invasiveness. The trastuzumab resistance in SKBR3/100-8 and BT474/100-2 was accompanied with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further investigation found that Wnt3 overexpression played a key role toward the development of trastuzumab resistance. The expression of Wnt3 in trastuzumab-resistant cells increased nuclear expression of β-catenin and transactivated expression of EGFR. The increased Wnt3 in the trastuzumab-resistant cells also promoted a partial EMT-like transition (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition); increased N-cadherin, Twist, Slug; and decreased E-cadherin. Knockdown of Wnt3 by siRNA restored cytoplasmic expression of β-catenin and decreased EGFR expression in trastuzumab-resistant cells. Furthermore, the EMT markers were decreased, E-cadherin was increased, and the cell invasiveness was inhibited in response to the Wnt3 downregulation. Conversely, SKBR3 cells which had been stably transfected with full-length Wnt3 exhibited EMT-like transition. The Wnt3 transfectants, SKBR3/Wnt3-7 and SKBR3/Wnt3-9, showed a significant decrease in E-cadherin and increase in N-cadherin, Twist, and Slug. The cells were less sensitive to trastuzumab than parental SKBR3 and vector-transfected cells. In summary, our data suggest that Wnt3 overexpression activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that leads to transactivation of EGFR and promotes EMT-like transition. This could be an important mechanism leading to trastuzumab resistance in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyuan Wu
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Department of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
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18
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Abstract
During the last two decades a large number of genetically modified mouse lines with altered gonadotropin action have been generated. These mouse lines fall into three categories: the lack-of-function mice, gain-of-function mice, and the mice generated by breeding the abovementioned lines with other disease model lines. The mouse strains lacking gonadotropin action have elucidated the necessity of the pituitary hormones in pubertal development and function of gonads, and revealed the processes from the original genetic defect to the pathological phenotype such as hypo- or hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Conversely, the strains of the second group depict consequences of chronic gonadotropin action. The lines vary from those expressing constitutively active receptors and those secreting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with slowly increasing amounts to those producing human choriogonadotropin (hCG), amount of which corresponds to 2000-fold luteinizing hormone (LH)/hCG biological activity. Accordingly, the phenotypes diverge from mild anomalies and enhanced fertility to disrupted gametogenesis, but eventually chronic, enhanced and non-pulsatile action of both FSH and LH leads to female and male infertility and/or hyper- and neoplasias in most of the gonadotropin gain-of-function mice. Elevated gonadotropin levels also alter the function of several extra-gonadal tissues either directly or indirectly via increased sex steroid production. These effects include promotion of tumorigenesis in tissues such as the pituitary, mammary and adrenal glands. Finally, the crossbreedings of the current mouse strains with other disease models are likely to uncover the contribution of gonadotropins in novel biological systems, as exemplified by the recent crossbreed of LHCG receptor deficient mice with Alzheimer disease mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellevi Peltoketo
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, DuCane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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19
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Overexpression of the β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin promotes the transformation of human ovarian epithelial cells and ovarian tumorigenesis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 179:1385-93. [PMID: 21763678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, however underlying molecular events remain elusive. Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (β-hCG) is clinically significant for both trophoblastic and nontrophoblastic cancers; however, whether β-hCG facilitates ovarian epithelial cell tumorigenic potential remains uncharacterized. Immortalized nontumorigenic ovarian epithelial T29 and T80 cells stably overexpressing β-hCG were examined for alterations in cell cycle and apoptotic status by flow cytometry, expression of proteins regulating cell cycle and apoptosis by Western blot, proliferation status by MTT assay, anchorage-independent colony formation, and mouse tumor formation. Immunoreactivity for β-hCG was evaluated using mouse xenografts and on human normal ovarian, fallopian tube, endometrium, and ovarian carcinoma tissues. T29 and T80 cells overexpressing β-hCG demonstrated significantly increased proliferation, anchorage-independent colony formation, prosurvival Bcl-X(L) protein expression, G2-checkpoint progression, elevated cyclins E/D1 and Cdk 2/4/6, and decreased apoptosis. Collectively, these transformational alterations in phenotype facilitated increased xenograft tumorigenesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, β-hCG immunoreactivity was elevated in malignant ovarian tumors, compared with normal epithelial expression in ovaries, fallopian tube, and endometrium (P < 0.001). Our data indicate that elevated β-hCG transforms ovarian surface epithelial cells, facilitating proliferation, cell cycle progression, and attenuated apoptosis to promote tumorigenesis. Our results further decipher the functional role and molecular mechanism of β-hCG in ovarian carcinoma. β-hCG may contribute to ovarian cancer etiology, which introduces a new therapeutic intervention target for ovarian cancer.
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20
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Ni M, Chen Y, Lim E, Wimberly H, Bailey ST, Imai Y, Rimm DL, Liu XS, Brown M. Targeting androgen receptor in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Cancer Cell 2011; 20:119-31. [PMID: 21741601 PMCID: PMC3180861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2011.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Revised: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine therapies for breast cancer that target the estrogen receptor (ER) are ineffective in the 25%-30% of cases that are ER negative (ER-). Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in 60%-70% of breast tumors, independent of ER status. How androgens and AR regulate breast cancer growth remains largely unknown. We find that AR is enriched in ER- breast tumors that overexpress HER2. Through analysis of the AR cistrome and androgen-regulated gene expression in ER-/HER2+ breast cancers we find that AR mediates ligand-dependent activation of Wnt and HER2 signaling pathways through direct transcriptional induction of WNT7B and HER3. Specific targeting of AR, Wnt or HER2 signaling impairs androgen-stimulated tumor cell growth suggesting potential therapeutic approaches for ER-/HER2+ breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ni
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yiwen Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Elgene Lim
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hallie Wimberly
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shannon T. Bailey
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yuuki Imai
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David L. Rimm
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - X. Shirley Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Myles Brown
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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21
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Consequences of genetic manipulations of gonadotrophins and gonadotrophin receptors in mice. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2010; 71:170-6. [PMID: 20362970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2010.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2010] [Revised: 02/11/2010] [Accepted: 02/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We have produced over the years several genetically modified mouse models (transgenic [TG], knockout [KO] and knockin [KI]) for the study of normal and aberrant functions of gonadotrophins and their receptors. We summarise in the present review some of our recent findings on these animal models. One is the cascade of extragonadal phenotypes triggered by ovarian hyperstimulation in TG mice overexpressing the human choriongonadotrophin (hCG) beta-subunit and presenting with elevated levels of serum luteinising hormone (LH)/hCG bioactivity. Massively elevated levels of serum progesterone, rather than oestrogens, are responsible for the induction of pituitary prolactinomas and the subsequently elevated prolactin (PRL) levels. Along with normal oestradiol and elevated progesterone levels, the increased concentration of PRL induces lobuloalveolar development of the mammary gland, with ultimate formation of oestrogen and progesterone receptor-negative malignant tumours. Another TG mouse model expressing a constitutively activating mutant form of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) presents with a strong ovarian phenotype inducing advanced follicular development and depletion, haemorrhagic follicles, teratomas and infertility. A third TG mouse model, coexpressing binding- and signalling-deficient mutants of LHCGR in the KO background for the same receptor (R) gene provided convincing evidence that functional complementation through homo-di/oligomerisation is a physiologically relevant mode of activation of class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Taken together, genetically modified mouse models provide powerful tools for the elucidation of normal and pathological functions of gonadotrophins and their R.
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22
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Sienknecht UJ, Fekete DM. Mapping of Wnt, frizzled, and Wnt inhibitor gene expression domains in the avian otic primordium. J Comp Neurol 2010; 517:751-64. [PMID: 19842206 DOI: 10.1002/cne.22169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling activates at least three different pathways involved in development and disease. Interactions of secreted ligands and inhibitors with cell-surface receptors result in the activation or regulation of particular downstream intracellular cascades. During the developmental stages of otic vesicle closure and beginning morphogenesis, the forming inner ear transcribes a plethora of Wnt-related genes. We report expression of 23 genes out of 25 tested in situ hybridization probes on tissue serial sections. Sensory primordia and Frizzled gene expression share domains, with Fzd1 being a continuous marker. Prospective nonsensory domains express Wnts, whose transcripts mainly flank prosensory regions. Finally, Wnt inhibitor domains are superimposed over both prosensory and nonsensory otic regions. Three Wnt antagonists, Dkk1, SFRP2, and Frzb are prominent. Their gene expression patterns partly overlap and change over time, which adds to the diversity of molecular microenvironments. Strikingly, prosensory domains express Wnts transiently. This includes: 1) the prosensory otic region of high proliferation, neuroblast delamination, and programmed cell death at stage 20/21 (Wnt3, -5b, -7b, -8b, -9a, and -11); and 2) sensory primordia at stage 25 (Wnt7a and Wnt9a). In summary, robust Wnt-related gene expression shows both spatial and temporal tuning during inner ear development as the otic vesicle initiates morphogenesis and prosensory cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike J Sienknecht
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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23
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Verma B, Neethling FA, Caseltine S, Fabrizio G, Largo S, Duty JA, Tabaczewski P, Weidanz JA. TCR mimic monoclonal antibody targets a specific peptide/HLA class I complex and significantly impedes tumor growth in vivo using breast cancer models. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:2156-65. [PMID: 20065111 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0902414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Our laboratory has developed a process for generating mAbs with selectivity to unique peptides in the context of MHC molecules. Recently, we reported that RL4B, an mAb that we have called a TCR mimic (TCRm) because it recognizes peptide in the context of MHC, has cytotoxic activity in vitro and prevented growth of tumor cells in a prophylactic setting. When presented in the context of HLA-A2, RL4B TCRm recognizes the peptide GVLPALPQV derived from human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-beta. In this study, we show that RL4B TCRm has strong binding affinity for the GVLPALPQV peptide/HLA-A2 epitope and fine binding specificity for cells that express endogenous hCGbeta Ag and HLA-A2. In addition, suppression of tumor growth with RL4B TCRm was observed in orthotopic models for breast cancer. Using two aggressive human tumor cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, we provide evidence that RL4B TCRm significantly retards tumor growth, supporting a possible role for TCRm agents in therapeutic settings. Moreover, tumors in mice responded to RL4B TCRm therapy in a dose-dependent manner, eliminating tumors at the highest dose. RL4B TCRm strongly detects the hCGbeta peptide/HLA-A2 epitope in human primary breast tumor tissue, but does not react or reacts weakly with normal breast tissue from the same patient. These results further illustrate the selective nature of TCRm Abs and the clinical relevance of the GVLPALPQV peptide/HLA-A2 epitope expression in tumor cells, because they provide the first evidence that Abs that mimic the TCR can be used to markedly reduce and suppress tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavna Verma
- Center for Immunotherapeutic Research, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, TX, USA
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24
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Sotgia F, Casimiro MC, Bonuccelli G, Liu M, Whitaker-Menezes D, Er O, Daumer KM, Mercier I, Witkiewicz AK, Minetti C, Capozza F, Gormley M, Quong AA, Rui H, Frank PG, Milliman JN, Knudsen ES, Zhou J, Wang C, Pestell RG, Lisanti MP. Loss of caveolin-3 induces a lactogenic microenvironment that is protective against mammary tumor formation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2009; 174:613-29. [PMID: 19164602 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.080653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Here, we show that functional loss of a single gene is sufficient to confer constitutive milk protein production and protection against mammary tumor formation. Caveolin-3 (Cav-3), a muscle-specific caveolin-related gene, is highly expressed in muscle cells. We demonstrate that Cav-3 is also expressed in myoepithelial cells within the mammary gland. To determine whether genetic ablation of Cav-3 expression affects adult mammary gland development, we studied the phenotype(s) of Cav-3(-/-)-null mice. Interestingly, Cav-3(-/-) virgin mammary glands developed lobulo-alveolar hyperplasia, akin to the changes normally observed during pregnancy and lactation. Genome-wide expression profiling revealed up-regulation of gene transcripts associated with pregnancy/lactation, mammary stem cells, and human breast cancers, consistent with a constitutive lactogenic phenotype. Expression levels of three key transcriptional regulators of lactation, namely Elf5, Stat5a, and c-Myc, were also significantly elevated. Experiments with pregnant mice directly showed that Cav-3(-/-) mice underwent precocious lactation. Finally, using orthotopic tumor cell implantation, we demonstrated that virgin Cav-3(-/-) mice were dramatically protected against mammary tumor formation. Thus, Cav-3(-/-) mice are a novel preclinical model to study the protective effects of a lactogenic microenvironment on mammary tumor onset and progression. Our current studies have broad implications for using the lactogenic microenvironment as a paradigm to discover new therapies for the prevention and/or treatment of human breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Sotgia
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
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Fernandez-Valdivia R, Mukherjee A, Creighton CJ, Buser AC, DeMayo FJ, Edwards DP, Lydon JP. Transcriptional response of the murine mammary gland to acute progesterone exposure. Endocrinology 2008; 149:6236-50. [PMID: 18687774 PMCID: PMC2613059 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-0768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Our mechanistic understanding of progesterone's involvement in murine mammary morphogenesis and tumorigenesis is dependent on defining effector pathways responsible for transducing the progesterone signal into a morphogenetic response. Toward this goal, microarray methods were applied to the murine mammary gland to identify novel downstream gene targets of progesterone. Consistent with a tissue undergoing epithelial expansion, mining of the progesterone-responsive transcriptome revealed the up-regulation of functional gene classes involved in epithelial proliferation and survival. Reassuringly, signaling pathways previously reported to be responsive to progesterone were also identified. Mining this informational resource for rapidly induced genes, we identified "inhibitor of differentiation 4" (Id4) as a new molecular target acutely induced by progesterone exposure. Mammary Id4 is transiently induced during early pregnancy and colocalizes with progesterone receptor (PR) expression, suggesting that Id4 mediates the early events of PR-dependent mammary morphogenesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay detecting direct recruitment of ligand occupied PR to the Id4 promoter supports this proposal. Given that Id4 is a member of the Id family of transcriptional regulators that have been linked to the maintenance of proliferative status and tumorigenesis, the establishment of a mechanistic link between PR signaling and Id4 promises to furnish a wider conceptual framework with which to advance our understanding of normal and abnormal mammary epithelial responses to progestins. In sum, the progesterone-responsive transcriptome described herein not only reinforces the importance of progesterone in mammary epithelial expansion but also represents an invaluable information resource with which to identify novel signaling paradigms for mammary PR action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Fernandez-Valdivia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Room M732A, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
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Beta-hCG/LH receptor (b-HCG/LH-R) expression is increased in invasive versus preinvasive breast cancer: implications for breast carcinogenesis? J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2008; 135:191-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-008-0458-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2007] [Accepted: 08/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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