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Guadagnin AR, Peñagaricano F, Dahl GE, Laporta J. Programming effects of intrauterine hyperthermia on adrenal gland development. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:6308-6321. [PMID: 38580145 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Maternal heat stress during late pregnancy can lead to intrauterine hyperthermia and affect fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis development and function. Herein, we investigated the effects of chronic environmental heat stress exposure of Holstein cows in the last 2 mo of gestation on their offspring's adrenal gland histomorphology and transcriptome. Cows in their last 54 ± 5 d of gestation were either heat stressed (housed under the shade of a freestall barn) or provided heat stress abatement via active cooling (via water soakers and fans) during a subtropical summer (temperature-humidity index >68). Respiration rate (RR) and skin temperature (ST) were elevated in heat-stressed dams relative to the cows with access to heat abatement (23 breaths/min and 2°C higher for RR and ST, respectively). Heifers born to heat-stressed cows experienced heat stress in utero (HS), whereas heifers born to actively cooled cows did not (CL). The adrenal gland was harvested from 6 heifers per group that were euthanized at birth (d 0; n = 12) or 1 wk after weaning (d 63; n = 12). Circulating cortisol was measured from blood samples collected weekly throughout the preweaning period. At d 63, heifers that experienced HS while developing in utero had heavier adrenal glands, with a greater total tissue surface area and thickness of the zona glomerulosa (ZG), fasciculata (ZF), and reticularis (ZR), compared with CL heifers. In addition, the adrenal gland of HS heifers had fewer cells in the ZG, more and larger cells in the ZF, and larger cells in the ZR, relative to CL heifers. Although no changes in circulating cortisol were observed through the preweaning period, the transcriptomic profile of the adrenal tissue was altered by fetal exposure to hyperthermia. Both at birth and on d 63, approximately 30 pathways were differentially expressed in the adrenal glands of HS heifers relative to CL. These pathways were associated with immune function, inflammation, prolactin signaling, cell function, and calcium transport. Upstream regulators significantly activated or inhibited in the adrenal glands of heifers exposed to intrauterine hyperthermia were identified. Maternal exposure to heat stress during late gestation caused an enlargement of their offspring's adrenal glands by inducing ZG and ZF cell hypertrophy, and caused gene expression changes. These phenotypic, histological, and molecular changes in the adrenal gland might lead to alterations in stress, immune, and metabolic responses later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne R Guadagnin
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Francisco Peñagaricano
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Geoffrey E Dahl
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
| | - Jimena Laporta
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706.
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Hasenmajer V, Bonaventura I, Minnetti M, Sada V, Sbardella E, Isidori AM. Non-Canonical Effects of ACTH: Insights Into Adrenal Insufficiency. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:701263. [PMID: 34489864 PMCID: PMC8416901 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.701263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced from proopiomelanocortin, which is predominantly synthetized in the corticotroph and melanotroph cells of the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Although ACTH clearly has an effect on adrenal homeostasis and maintenance of steroid hormone production, it also has extra-adrenal effects that require further elucidation. Methods We comprehensively reviewed English language articles, regardless of whether they reported the presence or absence of adrenal and extra-adrenal ACTH effects. Results In the present review, we provide an overview on the current knowledge on adrenal and extra-adrenal effects of ACTH. In the section on adrenal ACTH effects, we focused on corticosteroid rhythmicity and effects on steroidogenesis, mineralocorticoids and adrenal growth. In the section on extra-adrenal effects, we have analyzed the effects of ACTH on the osteoarticular and reproductive systems, adipocytes, immune system, brain and skin. Finally, we focused on adrenal insufficiency. Conclusions The role of ACTH in maintaining the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is well known. Conversely, if we broaden our vision and analyze its role as a potential treatment strategy in other conditions, it will be evident in the literature that researchers seem to have abandoned this aspect in studies conducted several years ago. We believe it is worth re-evaluating the role of ACTH considering its noncanonical effects on the adrenal gland itself and on extra-adrenal organs and tissues; however, this would not have been possible without the recent advances in the pertinent technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea M. Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome - Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Hosseini S, Schmitt AO, Tetens J, Brenig B, Simianer H, Sharifi AR, Gültas M. In Silico Prediction of Transcription Factor Collaborations Underlying Phenotypic Sexual Dimorphism in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:873. [PMID: 34200177 PMCID: PMC8227731 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional regulation of gene expression in higher organisms is essential for different cellular and biological processes. These processes are controlled by transcription factors and their combinatorial interplay, which are crucial for complex genetic programs and transcriptional machinery. The regulation of sex-biased gene expression plays a major role in phenotypic sexual dimorphism in many species, causing dimorphic gene expression patterns between two different sexes. The role of transcription factor (TF) in gene regulatory mechanisms so far has not been studied for sex determination and sex-associated colour patterning in zebrafish with respect to phenotypic sexual dimorphism. To address this open biological issue, we applied bioinformatics approaches for identifying the predicted TF pairs based on their binding sites for sex and colour genes in zebrafish. In this study, we identified 25 (e.g., STAT6-GATA4; JUN-GATA4; SOX9-JUN) and 14 (e.g., IRF-STAT6; SOX9-JUN; STAT6-GATA4) potentially cooperating TFs based on their binding patterns in promoter regions for sex determination and colour pattern genes in zebrafish, respectively. The comparison between identified TFs for sex and colour genes revealed several predicted TF pairs (e.g., STAT6-GATA4; JUN-SOX9) are common for both phenotypes, which may play a pivotal role in phenotypic sexual dimorphism in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrbanou Hosseini
- Molecular Biology of Livestock and Molecular Diagnostics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
- Functional Breeding Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Armin Otto Schmitt
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
- Breeding Informatics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Tetens
- Functional Breeding Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Molecular Biology of Livestock and Molecular Diagnostics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Henner Simianer
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ahmad Reza Sharifi
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mehmet Gültas
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.O.S.); (H.S.); (A.R.S.); (M.G.)
- Breeding Informatics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Agriculture, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany
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Saroj N, Shanker S, Fernández-Parilla MA, López-Sánchez P, Terrón JA. Effect of chronic corticosterone treatment on expression and distribution of serotonin 5-HT7 receptors in rat adrenal glands. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:924-931. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2019-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sensitized stress-induced corticosterone (CORT) secretion in chronically stressed rats involves 5-HT7 receptor activation. The effect of 14-day chronic CORT and vehicle (VEH) administration on 5-HT7 receptor expression in adrenal glands, adrenal 5-HT content, and adrenocorticotropic hormone and CORT secretion was analysed. On day 15, VEH- and CORT-treated animals were perfused or decapitated without stress exposure (0 min) or after 10 and 30 min of restraint for collection of trunk blood and tissues. 5-HT7 receptor-like immunoreactivity (5-HT7R-LI), 5-HT7 receptor protein, and mRNA levels were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively; 5-HT levels and hormones were quantified using HPLC and ELISA kits, respectively. An undisturbed control group was included for most experimental comparisons. Chronic CORT strongly increased 5-HT7R-LI in the outer adrenal cortex, as well as 5-HT7 receptor protein and mRNA in whole adrenal glands; adrenal 5-HT content also increased in these animals. Decreased adrenocorticotropic hormone and CORT secretion at 30 min of restraint occurred in CORT-treated rats. The results support the notion that chronic stress-induced increase of adrenocortical 5-HT7 receptors and adrenal 5-HT content is a glucocorticoid-dependent phenomenon; the development of magnified stress-induced 5-HT7 receptor-mediated CORT responses in chronically stressed animals nevertheless likely involves additional mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeshu Saroj
- Departamento de Farmacología, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, col. La Laguna Ticomán, CP 07360, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Shiv Shanker
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina-IPN, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Sto Tomás, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Manuel A. Fernández-Parilla
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, col. La Laguna Ticomán, CP 07360, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Pedro López-Sánchez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina-IPN, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Sto Tomás, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - José A. Terrón
- Departamento de Farmacología, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, col. La Laguna Ticomán, CP 07360, CDMX, Mexico
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Peeters B, Langouche L, Van den Berghe G. Adrenocortical Stress Response during the Course of Critical Illness. Compr Physiol 2017; 8:283-298. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c170022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Abobaker H, Hu Y, Hou Z, Sun Q, Idriss AA, Omer NA, Zong Y, Zhao R. Dietary betaine supplementation increases adrenal expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and yolk deposition of corticosterone in laying hens. Poult Sci 2017; 96:4389-4398. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pex241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Reddam A, Mager EM, Grosell M, McDonald MD. The impact of acute PAH exposure on the toadfish glucocorticoid stress response. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2017; 192:89-96. [PMID: 28942071 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine whether the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill impacted the stress response of teleost fish. The hypothesis was that intraperitoneal (IP) treatment with PAHs associated with the DWH oil spill or waterborne exposure to DWH oil high energy water-accommodated fraction (HEWAF) would result in the downregulation of the stress response of Gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta, a benthic marine teleost fish that resides in the Gulf of Mexico. In vivo plasma cortisol levels and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-mediated cortisol secretion by in vitro isolated kidney tissue were measured. Toadfish at rest IP-treated with naphthalene had higher plasma cortisol compared to fluorene-treated and control fish; phenanthrene-treated fish tended to have higher plasma cortisol levels that fluorene-treated and controls. When subjected to an additional crowding stress, naphthalene and phenanthrene-treated fish were no longer able to mount a stress response compared to fluorene-treated and control fish, suggesting exhaustion of the stress response. Supporting this in vivo data, there tended to be less cortisol released by the kidney in vitro from naphthalene and phenanthrene-treated fish in response to ACTH compared to controls. In contrast, toadfish at rest exposed to 3% Slick A HEWAF did not have significantly different plasma cortisol levels compared to controls. But, exposed fish did have significantly less cortisol released by the kidney in vitro in response to ACTH. When toadfish were subjected to an additional stress, there were no significant differences in plasma cortisol or ACTH, suggesting the action of a secondary secretagogue to maintain plasma cortisol in vivo. Combined, these data suggest that in response to acute PAH exposure, there may be internalization or downregulation of the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) that mediates the action of ACTH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalekhya Reddam
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33149-1098, USA
| | - Edward M Mager
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33149-1098, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
| | - Martin Grosell
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33149-1098, USA
| | - M Danielle McDonald
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33149-1098, USA.
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Menzies RI, Zhao X, Mullins LJ, Mullins JJ, Cairns C, Wrobel N, Dunbar DR, Bailey MA, Kenyon CJ. Transcription controls growth, cell kinetics and cholesterol supply to sustain ACTH responses. Endocr Connect 2017; 6:446-457. [PMID: 28720595 PMCID: PMC5574282 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Chronic ACTH exposure is associated with adrenal hypertrophy and steroidogenesis. The underlying molecular processes in mice have been analysed by microarray, histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Synacthen infused for 2 weeks markedly increased adrenal mass and plasma corticosterone levels. Microarray analysis found greater than 2-fold changes in expression of 928 genes (P < 0.001; 397 up, 531 down). These clustered in pathways involved in signalling, sterol/lipid metabolism, cell proliferation/hypertrophy and apoptosis. Signalling genes included some implicated in adrenal adenomas but also upregulated genes associated with cyclic AMP and downregulated genes associated with aldosterone synthesis. Sterol metabolism genes were those promoting cholesterol supply (Scarb1, Sqle, Apoa1) and disposal (Cyp27a1, Cyp7b1). Oil red O staining showed lipid depletion consistent with reduced expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis. Genes involved in steroidogenesis (Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp11b1) were modestly affected (P < 0.05; <1.3-fold). Increased Ki67, Ccna2, Ccnb2 and Tk1 expression complemented immunohistochemical evidence of a 3-fold change in cell proliferation. Growth arrest genes, Cdkn1a and Cdkn1c, which are known to be active in hypertrophied cells, were increased >4-fold and cross-sectional area of fasciculata cells was 2-fold greater. In contrast, genes associated with apoptosis (eg Casp12, Clu,) were downregulated and apoptotic cells (Tunel staining) were fewer (P < 0.001) and more widely distributed throughout the cortex. In summary, long-term steroidogenesis with ACTH excess is sustained by genes controlling cholesterol supply and adrenal mass. ACTH effects on adrenal morphology and genes controlling cell hypertrophy, proliferation and apoptosis suggest the involvement of different cell types and separate molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert I Menzies
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Xin Zhao
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Linda J Mullins
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John J Mullins
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carolynn Cairns
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nicola Wrobel
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Donald R Dunbar
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matthew A Bailey
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher J Kenyon
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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Oyola MG, Handa RJ. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes: sex differences in regulation of stress responsivity. Stress 2017; 20:476-494. [PMID: 28859530 PMCID: PMC5815295 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1369523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 385] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadal hormones play a key role in the establishment, activation, and regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. By influencing the response and sensitivity to releasing factors, neurotransmitters, and hormones, gonadal steroids help orchestrate the gain of the HPA axis to fine-tune the levels of stress hormones in the general circulation. From early life to adulthood, gonadal steroids can differentially affect the HPA axis, resulting in sex differences in the responsivity of this axis. The HPA axis influences many physiological functions making an organism's response to changes in the environment appropriate for its reproductive status. Although the acute HPA response to stressors is a beneficial response, constant activation of this circuitry by chronic or traumatic stressful episodes may lead to a dysregulation of the HPA axis and cause pathology. Compared to males, female mice and rats show a more robust HPA axis response, as a result of circulating estradiol levels which elevate stress hormone levels during non-threatening situations, and during and after stressors. Fluctuating levels of gonadal steroids in females across the estrous cycle are a major factor contributing to sex differences in the robustness of HPA activity in females compared to males. Moreover, gonadal steroids may also contribute to epigenetic and organizational influences on the HPA axis even before puberty. Correspondingly, crosstalk between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and HPA axes could lead to abnormalities of stress responses. In humans, a dysregulated stress response is one of the most common symptoms seen across many neuropsychiatric disorders, and as a result, such interactions may exacerbate peripheral pathologies. In this review, we discuss the HPA and HPG axes and review how gonadal steroids interact with the HPA axis to regulate the stress circuitry during all stages in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario G Oyola
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Robert J Handa
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
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Li J, Zhou Q, Ma Z, Wang M, Shen WJ, Azhar S, Guo Z, Hu Z. Feedback inhibition of CREB signaling by p38 MAPK contributes to the negative regulation of steroidogenesis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:19. [PMID: 28302174 PMCID: PMC5356319 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Steroidogenesis is a complex, multi-steps biological process in which, cholesterol precursor is converted to steroids in a tissue specific and tropic hormone dependent manner. Given that steroidogenesis is achieved by coordinated functioning of multiple tissue specific enzymes, many steroids intermediates/metabolites are generated during this process. Both the steroid products as well as major lipoprotein cholesterol donor, high-density lipoprotein 3 (hHDL3) have the potential to negatively regulate steroidogenesis via increased oxidative stress/reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. METHODS In the current study, we examined the effects of treatment of a mouse model of steroidogenesis, Y1-BS1 adrenocortical tumor cells with pregnenolone, 22(R)-Hydroxycholesterol [22(R)-diol] or hHDL3 on ROS production, phosphorylation status of p38 MAPK and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), CREB transcriptional activity and mRNA expression of StAR, CPY11A1/P450scc and antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutases [Cu,ZnSOD (SOD1), MnSOD (SOD2)], catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1). We also detected the steroid product in p38 MAPK inhibitor treated Y1 cells by HPLC-MS / MS. RESULTS Treatment of Y1 cells with H2O2 greatly enhanced the phosphorylation of both p38 MAPK and CREB protein. Likewise, treatment of cells with pregnenolone, 22(R) diol or hHDL3 increased ROS production measured with the oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA). Under identical experimental conditions, treatment of cells with these agents also increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and CREB. This increased CREB phosphorylation however, was associated with its decreased transcriptional activity. The stimulatory effects of pregnenolone, 22(R)-diol and hHDL3 on CREB phosphorylation was abolished by a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. Pregnenolone, and 22(R) diol but not hHDL3 upregulated the mRNA expression of SOD1, SOD2 and GPX1, while down-regulated the mRNA levels of StAR and CYP11A1. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 could increase the steroid production in HDL3, 22(R)-diol or pregnenolone treated cells. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate induction of a ROS/p38 MAPK -mediated feedback inhibitory pathway by oxy-cholesterol and steroid intermediates and products attenuates steroidogenesis via inhibition of CREB transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Li
- 0000 0001 0089 5711grid.260474.3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 1 WenYuan Road, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Qian Zhou
- 0000 0001 0089 5711grid.260474.3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 1 WenYuan Road, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Zhuang Ma
- 0000 0001 0089 5711grid.260474.3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 1 WenYuan Road, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Meina Wang
- 0000 0001 0089 5711grid.260474.3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 1 WenYuan Road, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Wen-Jun Shen
- 0000 0004 0419 2556grid.280747.eGeriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA
- 0000000419368956grid.168010.eStanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA
| | - Salman Azhar
- 0000 0004 0419 2556grid.280747.eGeriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA
- 0000000419368956grid.168010.eStanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA
| | - Zhigang Guo
- 0000 0001 0089 5711grid.260474.3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 1 WenYuan Road, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Zhigang Hu
- 0000 0001 0089 5711grid.260474.3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 1 WenYuan Road, Nanjing, 210023 China
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Pignatti E, Leng S, Carlone DL, Breault DT. Regulation of zonation and homeostasis in the adrenal cortex. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 441:146-155. [PMID: 27619404 PMCID: PMC5235909 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The adult adrenal cortex is organized into concentric zones, each specialized to produce distinct steroid hormones. Cellular composition of the cortex is highly dynamic and subject to diverse signaling controls. Cortical homeostasis and regeneration rely on centripetal migration of steroidogenic cells from the outer to the inner cortex, which is accompanied by direct conversion of zona glomerulosa (zG) into zona fasciculata (zF) cells. Given the important impact of tissue structure and growth on steroidogenic function, it is essential to understand the mechanisms governing adrenal zonation and homeostasis. Towards this end, we review the distinctions between each zone by highlighting their morphological and ultra-structural features, discuss key signaling pathways influencing zonal identity, and evaluate current evidence for long-term self-renewing stem cells in the adult cortex. Finally, we review data supporting zG-to-zF transdifferentiation/direct conversion as a major mechanism of adult cortical renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Pignatti
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sining Leng
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Diana L Carlone
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - David T Breault
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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12
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Gomez F, García-García L. Anxiogenic-like effects of fluoxetine render adult male rats vulnerable to the effects of a novel stress. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 153:32-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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13
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Van den Berghe G. On the Neuroendocrinopathy of Critical Illness. Perspectives for Feeding and Novel Treatments. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2016; 194:1337-1348. [DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201607-1516ci] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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14
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Garrahy A, Agha A. How should we interrogate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with suspected hypopituitarism? BMC Endocr Disord 2016; 16:36. [PMID: 27316460 PMCID: PMC4912809 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-016-0117-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones, of which adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) deficiency is the most serious and potentially life-threatening. It may occur in isolation or, more commonly as part of more widespread pituitary failure. Diagnosis requires demonstration of subnormal cortisol rise in response to stimulation with hypoglycemia, glucagon, ACTH(1-24) or in the setting of acute illness. The choice of diagnostic test should be individualised for the patient and clinical scenario. A random cortisol and ACTH level may be adequate in making a diagnosis in an acutely ill patient with a suspected adrenal crisis e.g. pituitary apoplexy. Often however, dynamic assessment of cortisol reserve is needed. The cortisol response is both stimulus and assay- dependent and normative values should be derived locally. Results must be interpreted within clinical context and with understanding of potential pitfalls of the test used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Garrahy
- Division of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amar Agha
- Division of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
- RCSI Medical School, Dublin, Ireland.
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15
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Vinson GP. Functional Zonation of the Adult Mammalian Adrenal Cortex. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:238. [PMID: 27378832 PMCID: PMC4908136 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard model of adrenocortical zonation holds that the three main zones, glomerulosa, fasciculata, and reticularis each have a distinct function, producing mineralocorticoids (in fact just aldosterone), glucocorticoids, and androgens respectively. Moreover, each zone has its specific mechanism of regulation, though ACTH has actions throughout. Finally, the cells of the cortex originate from a stem cell population in the outer cortex or capsule, and migrate centripetally, changing their phenotype as they progress through the zones. Recent progress in understanding the development of the gland and the distribution of steroidogenic enzymes, trophic hormone receptors, and other factors suggests that this model needs refinement. Firstly, proliferation can take place throughout the gland, and although the stem cells are certainly located in the periphery, zonal replenishment can take place within zones. Perhaps more importantly, neither the distribution of enzymes nor receptors suggest that the individual zones are necessarily autonomous in their production of steroid. This is particularly true of the glomerulosa, which does not seem to have the full suite of enzymes required for aldosterone biosynthesis. Nor, in the rat anyway, does it express MC2R to account for the response of aldosterone to ACTH. It is known that in development, recruitment of stem cells is stimulated by signals from within the glomerulosa. Furthermore, throughout the cortex local regulatory factors, including cytokines, catecholamines and the tissue renin-angiotensin system, modify and refine the effects of the systemic trophic factors. In these and other ways it more and more appears that the functions of the gland should be viewed as an integrated whole, greater than the sum of its component parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin P Vinson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
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16
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Cai G, Ziko I, Barwood J, Soch A, Sominsky L, Molero JC, Spencer SJ. Overfeeding during a critical postnatal period exacerbates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to immune challenge: a role for adrenal melanocortin 2 receptors. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21097. [PMID: 26868281 PMCID: PMC4751608 DOI: 10.1038/srep21097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life diet can critically program hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. We have previously shown rats that are overfed as neonates have exacerbated pro-inflammatory responses to immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in part by altering HPA axis responses, but how this occurs is unknown. Here we examined neonatal overfeeding-induced changes in gene expression in each step of the HPA axis. We saw no differences in glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptor expression in key regions responsible for glucocorticoid negative feedback to the brain and no differences in expression of key HPA axis regulatory genes in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus or pituitary. On the other hand, expression of the adrenal melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) is elevated after LPS in control rats, but significantly less so in the neonatally overfed. The in vitro adrenal response to ACTH is also dampened in these rats, while the in vivo response to ACTH does not resolve as efficiently as it does in controls. These data suggest neonatal diet affects the efficiency of the adrenally-mediated response to LPS, potentially influencing how neonatally overfed rats combat bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Cai
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Ilvana Ziko
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Joanne Barwood
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alita Soch
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Luba Sominsky
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Juan C. Molero
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Sarah J. Spencer
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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17
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Ruggiero C, Lalli E. Impact of ACTH Signaling on Transcriptional Regulation of Steroidogenic Genes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:24. [PMID: 27065945 PMCID: PMC4810002 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The trophic peptide hormone adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) stimulates steroid hormone biosynthesis evoking both a rapid, acute response and a long-term, chronic response, via the activation of cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. The acute response is initiated by the mobilization of cholesterol from lipid stores and its delivery to the inner mitochondrial membrane, a process that is mediated by the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. The chronic response results in the increased coordinated transcription of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes. ACTH binding to its cognate receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), stimulates adenylyl cyclase, thus inducing cAMP production, PKA activation, and phosphorylation of specific nuclear factors, which bind to target promoters and facilitate coactivator protein recruitment to direct steroidogenic gene transcription. This review provides a general view of the transcriptional control exerted by the ACTH/cAMP system on the expression of genes encoding for steroidogenic enzymes in the adrenal cortex. Special emphasis will be given to the transcription factors required to mediate ACTH-dependent transcription of steroidogenic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Ruggiero
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, Valbonne, France
- Laboratoire International Associé (LIA) CNRS NEOGENEX, Valbonne, France
- Université de Nice, Valbonne, France
- *Correspondence: Carmen Ruggiero, ; Enzo Lalli,
| | - Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, Valbonne, France
- Laboratoire International Associé (LIA) CNRS NEOGENEX, Valbonne, France
- Université de Nice, Valbonne, France
- *Correspondence: Carmen Ruggiero, ; Enzo Lalli,
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Boonen E, Bornstein SR, Van den Berghe G. New insights into the controversy of adrenal function during critical illness. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2015; 3:805-15. [PMID: 26071883 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(15)00224-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Critical illness represents a life-threatening disorder necessitating recruitment of defence mechanisms for survival. Herein, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is essential. However, the relevance of a relative insufficiency of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in critical illness, which is diagnosed by a suppressed cortisol response to exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) irrespective of the plasma cortisol concentration, is controversial. Findings from several studies have provided insights that clarify at least part of this controversy. Rather than an activated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, ACTH-independent regulators have been reported to contribute to increased cortisol availability during critical illness. One of these regulators is reduced cortisol breakdown, mediated by suppressed expression and activity of cortisol metabolising enzymes in the liver and kidneys. This downstream mechanism increases concentrations of plasma cortisol, but the ensuing feedback-inhibited ACTH release, when sustained for more than 1 week, has been shown to negatively affect adrenocortical integrity and function. Reduced adrenocortical ACTH signalling could explain reduced cortisol responses to exogenous ACTH. Whether such reduced cortisol responses in the presence of raised plasma (free) cortisol identifies adrenal failure needing treatment is unlikely. Additionally, reduced cortisol breakdown affects the optimum dose of hydrocortisone treatment during critical illness. Identification of patients with an insufficient hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response and the optimum treatment for this disorder clearly need more well designed preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Boonen
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Medicine III, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Rayne Institute, Denmark Hill Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Greet Van den Berghe
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
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19
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Collino M, Thiemermann C, Cerami A, Brines M. Flipping the molecular switch for innate protection and repair of tissues: Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 151:32-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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20
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Peeters B, Boonen E, Langouche L, Van den Berghe G. The HPA axis response to critical illness: New study results with diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 408:235-40. [PMID: 25462585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
For decades, elevated plasma cortisol concentrations in critically ill patients were exclusively ascribed to a stimulated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis with increased circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) inferred to several-fold increase adrenal cortisol synthesis. However, 'ACTH-cortisol dissociation' has been reported during critical illness, referring to low circulating ACTH coinciding with elevated circulating cortisol. It was recently shown that metabolism of cortisol is significantly reduced in critically ill patients explained by a suppression of the activity and expression of cortisol metabolizing enzymes in kidney and liver. This reduced cortisol breakdown determines hypercortisolemia, much more than increased cortisol production, in the critically ill. Although the low plasma ACTH concentrations, evoked by the elevated plasma cortisol via feedback inhibition, are part of this adaptation, they may negatively affect adrenocortical structure and function in the prolonged phase of critical illness. These new insights have implications for diagnosis and treatment of adrenal insufficiency in critically ill patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Peeters
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - E Boonen
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - L Langouche
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - G Van den Berghe
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven B-3000, Belgium.
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21
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Boonen E, Van den Berghe G. Understanding the HPA response to critical illness: novel insights with clinical implications. Intensive Care Med 2014; 41:131-3. [PMID: 25406407 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-014-3545-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Boonen
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven University, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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22
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Bali A, Jaggi AS. Preclinical experimental stress studies: protocols, assessment and comparison. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 746:282-92. [PMID: 25446911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a state of threatened homeostasis during which a variety of adaptive processes are activated to produce physiological and behavioral changes. Preclinical models are pivotal for understanding these physiological or pathophysiological changes in the body in response to stress. Furthermore, these models are also important for the development of novel pharmacological agents for stress management. The well described preclinical stress models include immobilization, restraint, electric foot shock and social isolation stress. Stress assessment in animals is done at the behavioral level using open field, social interaction, hole board test; at the biochemical level by measuring plasma corticosterone and ACTH; at the physiological level by measuring food intake, body weight, adrenal gland weight and gastric ulceration. Furthermore the comparison between different stressors including electric foot shock, immobilization and cold stressor is described in terms of intensity, hormonal release, protein changes in brain, adaptation and sleep pattern. This present review describes these preclinical stress protocols, and stress assessment at different levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Bali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India.
| | - Amteshwar Singh Jaggi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India.
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23
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Krause JS, Dorsa D, Wingfield JC. Changes in plasma concentrations of progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and corticosterone in response to acute stress of capture, handling and restraint in two subspecies of white-crowned sparrows. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2014; 177:35-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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24
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Wang LN, Chen XL, Li XG, Shu G, Yan HC, Wang XQ. Evaluation of adrenocorticotropin regulated glucocorticoid synthesis pathway in adrenal of different breeds of pigs. Livest Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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25
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Park JY, Hwang TK, Park HK, Ahn RS. Differences in cardiovascular and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functions between high-altitude visitors and natives during a trek on the Annapurna circuit. Neuroendocrinology 2014; 99:130-8. [PMID: 24821470 DOI: 10.1159/000363367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differences in the cardiovascular and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functions at high altitudes (HAs) between visitors to and natives of HA were examined. METHODS The cardiovascular functions and peripheral oxygen saturation (SPO2) were monitored, and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and nighttime cortisol concentration (NCC), as indices of the HPA axis function, were determined in 25 trekkers and 21 Sherpas during an Annapurna circuit trek. RESULTS SPO2 decreased less in the Sherpas than in the trekkers at HAs (3,540, 3,800, and 4,800 m). Blood pressure and heart rate in the Sherpas changed concurrently during the trek; however, a tachycardic response occurred without changes in blood pressure in the trekkers at HAs. The CAR and NCC at HAs in the trekkers differed from those observed at 1,100 m and those observed at HAs in the Sherpas. The trekkers exhibited an elevated morning cortisol level at 3,540 and 3,800 m, a heightened CAR at 4,800 m, and an elevated NCC at 3,800 m. Alteration of the CAR resulted in an increase in the integrated volume of cortisol released within the first hour after awakening (CARauc) in the trekkers. The changes in SPO2 occurred concurrently with the changes in the CARauc and the heart rate in the trekkers. CONCLUSIONS The alterations of CAR occurred at HAs where blood pressure levels reached a peak plateau, which is associated with an increase in heart rate at HAs in the trekkers. The CAR was unaltered in the Sherpas during the trek.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Y Park
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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26
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Hu Z, Shen WJ, Cortez Y, Tang X, Liu LF, Kraemer FB, Azhar S. Hormonal regulation of microRNA expression in steroid producing cells of the ovary, testis and adrenal gland. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78040. [PMID: 24205079 PMCID: PMC3810252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Given the emerging roles of miRNAs as potential posttranscriptional/posttranslational regulators of the steroidogenic process in adrenocortical and gonadal cells, we sought to determine miRNA profiles in rat adrenals from animals treated with vehicle, ACTH, 17α-E2 or dexamethasone. Key observations were also confirmed using hormone (Bt2cAMP)-treated mouse Leydig tumor cells, MLTC-1, and primary rat ovarian granulosa cells. Methodology RNA was extracted from rat adrenal glands and miRNA profiles were established using microarray and confirmed with qRT-PCR. The expression of some of the hormone-sensitive miRNAs was quantified in MLTC-1 and granulosa cells after stimulation with Bt2cAMP. Targets of hormonally altered miRNAs were explored by qRT-PCR and Western blotting in adrenals and granulosa cells. Results Adrenals from ACTH, 17α-E2 and dexamethasone treated rats exhibited miRNA profiles distinct from control animals. ACTH up-regulated the expression of miRNA-212, miRNA-182, miRNA-183, miRNA-132, and miRNA-96 and down-regulated the levels of miRNA-466b, miRNA-214, miRNA-503, and miRNA-27a. The levels of miR-212, miRNA-183, miRNA-182, miRNA-132, miRNA-370, miRNA-377, and miRNA-96 were up-regulated, whereas miR-125b, miRNA-200b, miR-122, miRNA-466b, miR-138, miRNA-214, miRNA-503 and miRNA27a were down-regulated in response to 17α-E2 treatment. Dexamethasone treatment decreased miRNA-200b, miR-122, miR-19a, miRNA-466b and miRNA27a levels, but increased miRNA-183 levels. Several adrenal miRNAs are subject to regulation by more than one hormone. Significant cAMP-induced changes in certain miRNAs were also noted in MLTC-1 and granulosa cells. Some of the hormone-induced miRNAs in steroidogenic cells were predicted to target proteins involved in lipid metabolism/steroidogenesis. We also obtained evidence that miR-132 and miRNA-214 inhibit the expression of SREBP-1c and LDLR, respectively. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that expression of a number of miRNAs in steroidogenic cells of the testis, ovary and adrenal glands is subject to hormonal regulation and that miRNAs and their regulation by specific hormones are likely to play a key role in posttranscriptional/posttranslational regulation of steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Hu
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Division of Endocrinology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Wen-Jun Shen
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Division of Endocrinology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Yuan Cortez
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Xudong Tang
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Division of Endocrinology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Li-Fen Liu
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Division of Endocrinology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Fredric B. Kraemer
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Division of Endocrinology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Salman Azhar
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Liu Y, Smith LI, Huang V, Poon V, Coello A, Olah M, Spiga F, Lightman S, Aguilera G. Transcriptional regulation of episodic glucocorticoid secretion. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 371:62-70. [PMID: 23138111 PMCID: PMC3582781 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Circadian and ultradian variations of basal glucocorticoid secretion and transient elevations during stress are essential for homeostasis. Using intronic qRT-PCR to measure changes in primary transcript (hnRNA) we have shown that secretory events induced by stress or ACTH injection are followed by episodic increases in transcription of rate limiting steroidogenic proteins, such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage and melanocortin receptor associated protein. These transcriptional episodes imply rapid turnover of steroidogenic proteins and the need of de novo synthesis following each secretory event. In addition to episodic ACTH secretion, it is likely that intracellular feedback mechanisms at the adrenal fasciculata level contribute to the generation of episodes of transcription. The time relationship between activation and translocation of the CREB co-activator, transducer of regulated CREB activity (TORC) to the nucleus preceding transcriptional episodes suggest the involvement of TORC in the transcriptional activation of StAR and other steroidogenic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lorna I Smith
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Victoria Huang
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Victoria Poon
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ana Coello
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Olah
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Francesca Spiga
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stafford Lightman
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Greti Aguilera
- Section on Endocrine Physiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Gorrigan RJ, Guasti L, King P, Clark AJ, Chan LF. Localisation of the melanocortin-2-receptor and its accessory proteins in the developing and adult adrenal gland. J Mol Endocrinol 2011; 46:227-32. [PMID: 21367968 PMCID: PMC3111094 DOI: 10.1530/jme-11-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R)/MC2R accessory protein (MRAP) complex is critical to the production of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. Inactivating mutations in either MC2R or MRAP result in the clinical condition familial glucocorticoid deficiency. The localisation of MC2R together with MRAP within the adrenal gland has not previously been reported. Furthermore, MRAP2, a paralogue of MRAP, has been shown in vitro to have a similar function to MRAP, facilitating MC2R trafficking and responsiveness to ACTH. Despite similar MC2R accessory functions, in vivo, patients with inactivating mutations of MRAP fail to be rescued by a functioning MRAP2 gene, suggesting differences in adrenal expression, localisation and/or function between the two MRAPs. In this study on the rat adrenal gland, we demonstrate that while MRAP and MC2R are highly expressed in the zona fasciculata, MRAP2 is expressed throughout the adrenal cortex in low quantities. In the developing adrenal gland, both MRAP and MRAP2 are equally well expressed. The MC2R/MRAP2 complex requires much higher concentrations of ACTH to activate compared with the MC2R/MRAP complex. Interestingly, expression of MC2R and MRAP in the undifferentiated zone would support the notion that ACTH may play an important role in adrenal cell differentiation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li F Chan
- (Correspondence should be addressed to L F Chan; )
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Spiga F, Waite EJ, Liu Y, Kershaw YM, Aguilera G, Lightman SL. ACTH-dependent ultradian rhythm of corticosterone secretion. Endocrinology 2011; 152:1448-57. [PMID: 21303945 PMCID: PMC3060625 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is characterized by an ultradian pulsatile pattern of glucocorticoid secretion. Despite increasing evidence for the importance of pulsatility in regulating glucocorticoid-responsive gene transcription, little is known about the mechanism underlying the pulsatility of glucocorticoid synthesis and release. We tested the hypothesis that pulsatile ACTH release is critical for optimal adrenocortical function. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity was suppressed by oral methylprednisolone, and ACTH (4 ng/h) was infused for 24h either as a constant infusion or in 5-min pulses at hourly intervals. Control methylprednisolone-treated rats had very low plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels with undetectable pulses and also had steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) heteronuclear RNA levels reduced to approximately 50% of that seen in untreated animals. Pulsatile but not constant ACTH infusion restored pulsatile CORT secretion, and this was accompanied by parallel rises in StAR and P450scc heteronuclear RNA levels during the rising phase of the CORT pulse, which then fell during the falling phase. The pulsatile pattern of StAR and P450scc was paralleled by pulsatile transcription of the melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein. Pulsatile ACTH activation of the adrenal cortex not only is critical for the secretion of CORT but also induces episodic transcription of the rate-limiting enzymes necessary for physiological steroidogenic responses. Because constant infusion of identical amounts of ACTH did not activate CORT secretion, pulsatility of ACTH provides a more effective signaling system for the activation of adrenocortical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Spiga
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom.
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Spiga F, Liu Y, Aguilera G, Lightman SL. Temporal effect of adrenocorticotrophic hormone on adrenal glucocorticoid steroidogenesis: involvement of the transducer of regulated cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein activity. J Neuroendocrinol 2011; 23:136-42. [PMID: 21083631 PMCID: PMC3189260 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2010.02096.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The availability of active steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) are rate-limiting steps for steroidogenesis. Transcription of StAR and P450scc genes depends on cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and CREB co-activator, transducer of regulated CREB activity (TORC), which is regulated by salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1). In the present study, we investigated the relationship between TORC activation and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-induced steroidogenesis in vivo, by examining the time-course of the effect of ACTH injection (4 ng, i.v.) on the transcriptional activity of StAR and P450scc genes and the nuclear accumulation of transducer of regulated CREB activity 2 (TORC2) in rat adrenal cortex. ACTH produced rapid and transient increases in plasma corticosterone, with maximal responses between 5 and 15 min, and a decrease to almost basal values at 30 min. StAR and P450scc hnRNA levels increased 15 min following ACTH and decreased toward basal values at 30 min. Concomitant with an increase in nuclear phospho-CREB, ACTH injection induced nuclear accumulation of TORC2, with maximal levels at 5 min and a return to basal values by 30 min. The decline of nuclear TORC2 was paralleled by increases in SIK1 hnRNA and mRNA 15 and 30 min after injection, respectively. The early rises in plasma corticosterone preceding StAR and P450scc gene transcription suggest that post-transcriptional and post-translational changes in StAR protein mediate the early steroidogenic responses. Furthermore, the direct temporal relationship between nuclear accumulation of TORC2 and the increase in transcription of steroidogenic proteins, implicates TORC2 in the physiological regulation of steroidogenesis in the adrenal cortex. The delayed induction of SIK1 suggests a role for SIK1 in the declining phase of steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Spiga
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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31
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Fuzzen MLM, Van Der Kraak G, Bernier NJ. Stirring up new ideas about the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish 2010; 7:349-58. [PMID: 21091199 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2010.0662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic relationships between the changes in cortisol synthesis during and after a stressor and the expression pattern of the key genes that regulate the different levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) stress axis are poorly understood. This study established a novel vortex stressor and characterized its impact at all levels of the HPI axis in adult zebrafish. Exposure to a moderate vortex speed for 60 min was associated with a marked 18-fold increase in whole-body cortisol after 10 min followed by a gradual return to basal values 30 min poststress. The changes in whole-body cortisol were paralleled by increases in the expression of preoptic area corticotropin-releasing factor, pituitary prohormone convertase 1, and interrenal melanocortin 2 receptor, steroid acute regulatory protein, 11β-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2. The response to the vortex stressor also included delayed increases in preoptic area urotensin I and pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA levels but no change in the expression of other putative HPI axis regulators. Notably, the expression of several genes was depressed below control values 30 min poststress. These findings suggest that multiple genes at all levels of the HPI axis play an active role in the stimulation and termination of the cortisol stress response in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan L M Fuzzen
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
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32
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Ma JK, Zhu WJ. Effects of the β2 -agonist clenbuterol on testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA expression in adult rats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2010; 33:558-63. [PMID: 21062308 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2010.01176.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of clenbuterol (CLB) on the testicular (steroidogenic acute regulatory, StAR) protein mRNA expression in rats. Thirty adult male rats were administered CLB by gavage daily at the doses of 0.4, 2.0 and 18.5 mg/kg bw for 14 days in the subacute experiment, whereas 20 rats received a single treatment with CLB at the doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg bw in the acute experiment and 20 rats were treated with 0.9% NaCl solution as vehicle groups. Testicular tissues were collected and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70 °C until use. The levels of StAR mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The levels of StAR mRNA were markedly increased (P < 0.05) at both dosages of 20 and 40 mg/kg bw but the effects were not dose-dependent and the mRNA levels of StAR were returned to near normal level after 7 days of CLB withdrawal, compared with the control animals. In the subacute experiment, CLB induced a dose-dependent but no statistical significant reduction (P > 0.05) in the expression levels of StAR mRNA, and the mRNA levels were recovered to near normal level in the groups treated with CLB at dosages of 0.4 and 2.0 mg/kg bw/day following a 7-day withdrawal period, compared with the control animals. The mRNA levels of StAR showed a significant decrease in the groups treated with CLB at the dosage of 18.5 mg/kg bw/day (P < 0.05) after a 1- or 7-day withdrawal period with respect to the control animals. These results demonstrated transient stimulative effects of CLB on testicular StAR mRNA levels and inhibitory effects after treatment with CLB for 14 consecutive days.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-K Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Immunology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Romero DG, Gomez-Sanchez EP, Gomez-Sanchez CE. Angiotensin II-regulated transcription regulatory genes in adrenal steroidogenesis. Physiol Genomics 2010; 42A:259-66. [PMID: 20876845 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00098.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription regulatory genes are crucial modulators of cell physiology and metabolism whose intracellular levels are tightly controlled in response to extracellular stimuli. We previously reported a set of 29 transcription regulatory genes modulated by angiotensin II in H295R human adrenocortical cells and their roles in regulating the expression of the last and unique enzymes of the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid biosynthetic pathways, 11β-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase, respectively, using gene expression reporter assays. To study the effect of this set of transcription regulatory genes on adrenal steroidogenesis, H295R cells were transfected by high-efficiency nucleofection and aldosterone and cortisol were measured in cell culture supernatants under basal and angiotensin II-stimulated conditions. BCL11B, BHLHB2, CITED2, ELL2, HMGA1, MAFF, NFIL3, PER1, SERTAD1, and VDR significantly stimulated aldosterone secretion, while EGR1, FOSB, and ZFP295 decreased aldosterone secretion. BTG2, HMGA1, MITF, NR4A1, and ZFP295 significantly increased cortisol secretion, while BCL11B, NFIL3, PER1, and SIX2 decreased cortisol secretion. We also report the effect of some of these regulators on the expression of endogenous aldosterone synthase and 11β-hydroxylase under basal and angiotensin II-stimulated conditions. In summary, this study reports for the first time the effects of a set of angiotensin II-modulated transcription regulatory genes on aldosterone and cortisol secretion and the expression levels of the last and unique enzymes of the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid biosynthetic pathways. Abnormal regulation of mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid secretion is involved in several pathophysiological conditions. These transcription regulatory genes may be involved in adrenal steroidogenesis pathologies; thus they merit additional study as potential candidates for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian G Romero
- Endocrinology, G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA.
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Pavlikova N, Kortner TM, Arukwe A. Modulation of acute steroidogenesis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and CYP3A/PXR in salmon interrenal tissues by tributyltin and the second messenger activator, forskolin. Chem Biol Interact 2010; 185:119-27. [PMID: 20211155 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2010.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
There are uncertainties regarding the role of sex steroids in sexual development and reproduction of gastropods, leading to the recent doubts as to whether organotin compounds do inhibit steroidogenic enzymes in these species. These doubts have led us to suspect that organotin compounds may affect other target molecules, particularly signal transduction molecules or secondary mediators of steroid hormone and lipid synthesis/metabolism. Therefore, we have studied the effects of TBT exposure through food on acute steroidogenesis, PPARs and CYP3A responses in the presence and absence of a cyclic AMP (cAMP) activator, forskolin. Two experiments were performed. Firstly, juvenile salmon were force-fed once with diet containing TBT doses (0.1, 1 and 10mg/kg fish) dissolved in ethanol and sampled after 72h. Secondly, fish exposed to solvent control and 10mg/kg TBT for 72h were transferred to new tanks and exposed to waterborne forskolin (200microg/L) for 2 and 4h. Our data show that juvenile salmon force-fed TBT showed modulations of multiple biological responses in interrenal tissues that include, steroidogenesis (cAMP/PKA activities; StAR and P450scc mRNA, and plasma cortisol), and mRNA for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma), acyl-CoA oxidase-1 (ACOX1) and CYP3A/PXR (pregnan X receptor). In addition, forskolin produced differential effects on these responses both singly and also in combination with TBT. Overall, combined forskolin and TBT exposure produced higher effects compared with TBT exposure alone, for most of the responses (cortisol, PPARbeta, ACOX1 and CYP3A). Interestingly, forskolin produced PPAR isoform-specific effects when given singly or in combination with TBT. Several TBT mediated toxicity in fish that includes thymus reduction, decrease in numbers of lymphocytes, inhibition of gonad development and masculinization, including the imposex phenomenon have been reported. When these effects are considered with the present findings, it suggests that studies on mechanisms of action or field studies may reveal endocrine, reproductive or other effects of TBT at lower concentrations than those reported to date from subchronic tests of fishes. Since the metabolic fate of organotin compounds may contribute to the toxicity of these chemicals, the present findings may represent some new aspects of TBT toxicity not previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nela Pavlikova
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Sun Z, Fan Y, Zha Q, Zhu MY. Corticosterone up-regulates expression and function of norepinephrine transporter in SK-N-BE(2)C cells. J Neurochem 2010; 113:105-16. [PMID: 20070865 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids affect cellular and molecular events in brains by modulating the expression of many genes during stress. In the present study, we examined the regulatory effect of corticosterone on the expression and function of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in vitro. The results show that exposure of SK-N-BE(2)C cells to corticosterone for 14 days significantly increased mRNA (up to 43%) and protein (up to 71%) levels of NET in the concentration-dependent manner. Longer exposure (21 days) resulted in greater increases in the levels of mRNAs (up to about 160%) and proteins (up to about 250%) of the NET. The up-regulatory effect of corticosterone on NET expression lasted a persistent period after cessation of exposure. Associated with the corticosterone-induced enhancement in NET expression, there was a parallel increase in the uptake of [(3)H]norepinephrine by SK-N-BE(2)C cells. Increased NET expression and function were abolished after exposure of cells to corticosterone in combination with mifepristone or spironolactone, two specific antagonists of corticosteroid receptors. This is consistent with the hypothesis that corticosterone-induced NET up-regulation is mediated by corticosteroid receptors. Nevertheless, there was no synergistic effect for a combination of both corticosteroid receptor antagonists. A similar up-regulation of NET protein levels was also observed after exposing PC12 cells to corticosterone. The present findings demonstrate that corticosterone up-regulates the expression and function of NET in vitro, indicating the action of corticosterone on the noradrenergic phenotype may play an important role in the correlation between stress and the development of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwen Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37604, USA
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36
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Repetto EM, Sanchez R, Cipelli J, Astort F, Calejman CM, Piroli GG, Arias P, Cymeryng CB. Dysregulation of corticosterone secretion in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: modulatory role of the adrenocortical nitrergic system. Endocrinology 2010; 151:203-10. [PMID: 19940040 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An increased activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in exaggerated glucocorticoid secretion has been repeatedly described in patients with diabetes mellitus and in animal models of this disease. However, it has been pointed out that experimental diabetes is accompanied by a decreased glucocorticoid response to ACTH stimulation. Because previous studies from our laboratory demonstrate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the modulation of corticosterone production, present investigations were designed to evaluate 1) the impact of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on the adrenocortical nitrergic system and 2) the role of NO in the modulation of adrenal steroidogenesis in STZ-diabetic rats. Four weeks after STZ injection, increased activity and expression levels of proteins involved in L-arginine transport and in NO synthesis were detected, and increased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, carbonyl adducts, and nitrotyrosine-modified proteins were measured in the adrenocortical tissue of hyperglycemic rats. An impaired corticosterone response to ACTH was evident both in vivo and in adrenocortical cells isolated from STZ-treated animals. Inhibition of NO synthase activity resulted in higher corticosterone generation in adrenal tissue from STZ-treated rats. Moreover, a stronger inhibition of steroid output from adrenal cells by a NO donor was observed in adrenocortical Y1 cells previously subjected to high glucose (30 mM) treatment. In summary, results presented herein indicate an inhibitory effect of endogenously generated NO on steroid production, probably potentiated by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, in the adrenal cortex of STZ-treated rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Repetto
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botanicos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEFYBO-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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37
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Bibeau K, Battista MC, Houde V, Brochu M. Fetal adrenal gland alterations in a rat model of adverse intrauterine environment. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2009; 298:R899-911. [PMID: 19923365 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00238.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
By feeding a low-sodium diet to dams over the last third of gestation, we have developed an animal model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Given that fetal adrenal development and maturation occur during late gestation in rats, the aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis and catecholamine synthesis in adrenal glands from IUGR fetuses. A gene microarray was performed to investigate for alteration in the pathways participating in hormone production. Results show that increased aldosterone serum concentrations in IUGR fetuses were associated with higher mRNA adrenal levels of angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) and cytochrome P450 aldosterone synthase in response to decreased serum sodium content. Conversely, reduced serum corticosterone concentrations in these fetuses appear to result from alterations in gene expression involved in cholesterol metabolism, such as the augmented apolipoprotein E levels, and in steroidogenesis, like the decreased levels of cytochrome P45011beta-hydroxylase. Furthermore, increased AT(2)R expression and the presence of hypoxia and oxidative stress may, in turn, explain the higher adrenal mRNA levels of enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. Despite this increase, catecholamine adrenal content was reduced in males and was similar in females compared with sex-matched controls, suggesting higher catecholamine secretion. This could be associated with the induction of genes involved in inflammation-related, acute-phase response in IUGR fetuses. All of these alterations could have long-lasting health effects and may, hence, be implicated in the pathogenesis of increased blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy observed in IUGR adult animals from this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Bibeau
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte Ste-Catherine, Montréal, QC, Canada H3T 1C5
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38
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Bureau C, Hennequet-Antier C, Couty M, Guémené D. Gene array analysis of adrenal glands in broiler chickens following ACTH treatment. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:430. [PMID: 19751509 PMCID: PMC2751787 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Difference in adaptability responses to stress has been observed amongst bird species, strains, and individuals. Components of the HPA axis, one of the internal systems involved in homeostasis re-establishment following stress, could play a role in this variability of responses. The aim of the present study was 1) to identify genes involved in the regulation of adrenal activity following ACTH stimulation and 2) to examine adrenal genes differentially expressed in individuals with high and low plasma corticosterone response following ACTH treatment. RESULTS Analysis with 21 K poultry oligo microarrays indicated that ACTH treatment affected the expression of 134 genes. Several transcripts assigned to genes involved in the adrenal ACTH signaling pathway and steroidogenic enzymes were identified as differentially expressed by ACTH treatment. Real-time PCR on 18 selected genes confirmed changes in transcript levels of 11 genes, including MC2R, CREM, Cry, Bmal1, Sqle, Prax1, and StAR. Only 4 genes revealed to be differentially expressed between higher and lower adrenal responders to ACTH treatment. CONCLUSION The results from the present study reveal putative candidate genes; their role in regulation of adrenal functions and adaptability to stress should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bureau
- UR83-Unité de Recherches Avicoles, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Christelle Hennequet-Antier
- UR83-Unité de Recherches Avicoles, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Michel Couty
- UR83-Unité de Recherches Avicoles, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Daniel Guémené
- UR83-Unité de Recherches Avicoles, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, 37380 Nouzilly, France
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Lavoie HA, King SR. Transcriptional regulation of steroidogenic genes: STARD1, CYP11A1 and HSD3B. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2009; 234:880-907. [PMID: 19491374 DOI: 10.3181/0903-mr-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of the genes that mediate the first steps in steroidogenesis, the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STARD1), the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta5-Delta4 isomerase (HSD3B), is tightly controlled by a battery of transcription factors in the adrenal cortex, the gonads and the placenta. These genes generally respond to the same hormones that stimulate steroid production through common pathways such as cAMP signaling and common actions on their promoters by proteins such as NR5A and GATA family members. However, there are distinct temporal, tissue and species-specific differences in expression between the genes that are defined by combinatorial regulation and unique promoter elements. This review will provide an overview of the hormonal and transcriptional regulation of the STARD1, CYP11A1 and specific steroidogenic HSD3B genes in the adrenal, testis, ovary and placenta and discuss the current knowledge regarding the key transcriptional factors involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly A Lavoie
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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40
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Torres-Farfan C, Abarzua-Catalan L, Valenzuela FJ, Mendez N, Richter HG, Valenzuela GJ, Serón-Ferré M. Cryptochrome 2 expression level is critical for adrenocorticotropin stimulation of cortisol production in the capuchin monkey adrenal. Endocrinology 2009; 150:2717-22. [PMID: 19246533 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Timely production of glucocorticoid hormones in response to ACTH is essential for survival by coordinating energy intake and expenditure and acting as homeostatic regulators against stress. Adrenal cortisol response to ACTH is clock time dependent, suggesting that an intrinsic circadian oscillator in the adrenal cortex contributes to modulate the response to ACTH. Circadian clock gene expression has been reported in the adrenal cortex of several species. However, there are no reports accounting for potential involvement of adrenal clock proteins on cortisol response to ACTH. Here we explored whether the clock protein cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) knockdown modifies the adrenal response to ACTH in a primate. Adrenal gland explants from adult capuchin monkey (n = 5) were preincubated for 6 h with transfection vehicle (control) or with two different Cry2 antisense and sense probes followed by 48 h incubation in medium alone (no ACTH) or with 100 nm ACTH. Under control and sense conditions, ACTH increased cortisol production, whereas CRY2 suppression inhibited ACTH-stimulated cortisol production. Expression of the steroidogenic enzymes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase at 48 h of incubation was increased by ACTH in control explants and suppressed by Cry2 knockdown. Additionally, we found that Cry2 knockdown decreased the expression of the clock gene brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein (Bmal1) at the mRNA and protein levels. Altogether these results strongly support that the clock protein CRY2 is involved in the mechanism by which ACTH increases the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Thus, adequate expression levels of components of the adrenal circadian clock are required for an appropriate cortisol response to ACTH.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Torres-Farfan
- Facultad de Medicina, Programa de Fisiopatología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Kusakabe M, Zuccarelli MD, Nakamura I, Young G. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus): cDNA cloning, sites of expression and transcript abundance in corticosteroidogenic tissue after an acute stressor. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2009; 162:233-40. [PMID: 19245813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2009.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2008] [Revised: 01/30/2009] [Accepted: 02/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, is a primitive bony fish that is recognized as an important emerging species for aquaculture. However, many aspects of its stress and reproductive physiology remain unclear. These processes are controlled by various steroid hormones. In order to investigate the regulation of steroidogenesis associated with acute stress in sturgeon, a cDNA-encoding steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was isolated from white sturgeon. The putative amino acid sequence of sturgeon StAR shares high homology (over 60%) with other vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis grouped sturgeon StAR within Actinopterygii, but it was clearly segregated from teleost StARs. RT-PCR analysis revealed that transcripts were most abundant in yellow corpuscles found throughout the kidney and weaker signals were detected in gonad and kidney. Very weak signals were also detected in brain and spleen by quantitative real-time PCR. In situ hybridization revealed that StAR is expressed in the cells of yellow corpuscles. No significant changes in StAR gene expression were detected in response to an acute handling stress. These results suggest that StAR is highly conserved throughout vertebrates, but the expression of the functional protein during the stress response may be partially regulated post-transcriptionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kusakabe
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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42
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Nogueira EF, Bollag WB, Rainey WE. Angiotensin II regulation of adrenocortical gene transcription. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2009; 302:230-6. [PMID: 18812209 PMCID: PMC3752678 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 08/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the key peptide hormone in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Its ability to regulate levels of circulating aldosterone relies on actions on adrenal glomerulosa cells. Many of the Ang II effects on glomerulosa cells involve a precisely coordinated regulation of signaling cascades and gene expression. The development of genome-wide gene arrays has allowed the definition of transcriptome-wide effects of Ang II in adrenocortical cells. Analysis of the Ang II gene targets reveals broad effects on cellular gene expression, particularly the rapid induction of numerous transcription factors that may regulate long-term steroid metabolism and cell growth/proliferation. Herein we discuss the Ang II-induced genes in adrenocortical cells and review the progress in defining the role of these genes in zona glomerulosa function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson F. Nogueira
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA – USA
| | - Wendy B. Bollag
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA – USA
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA – USA
| | - William E. Rainey
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA – USA
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Manna PR, Dyson MT, Stocco DM. Regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression: present and future perspectives. Mol Hum Reprod 2009; 15:321-33. [PMID: 19321517 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones are synthesized in the adrenal gland, gonads, placenta and brain and are critical for normal reproductive function and bodily homeostasis. The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein regulates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis, i.e. the delivery of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. The expression of the StAR protein is predominantly regulated by cAMP-dependent mechanisms in the adrenal and gonads. Whereas StAR plays an indispensable role in the regulation of steroid biosynthesis, a complete understanding of the regulation of its expression and function in steroidogenesis is not available. It has become clear that the regulation of StAR gene expression is a complex process that involves the interaction of a diversity of hormones and multiple signaling pathways that coordinate the cooperation and interaction of transcriptional machinery, as well as a number of post-transcriptional mechanisms that govern mRNA and protein expression. However, information is lacking on how the StAR gene is regulated in vivo such that it is expressed at appropriate times during development and is confined to the steroidogenic cells. Thus, it is not surprising that the precise mechanism involved in the regulation of StAR gene has not yet been established, which is the key to understanding the regulation of steroidogenesis in the context of both male and female development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulak R Manna
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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Hanukoglu I. Antioxidant Protective Mechanisms against Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generated by Mitochondrial P450 Systems in Steroidogenic Cells. Drug Metab Rev 2008; 38:171-96. [PMID: 16684656 DOI: 10.1080/03602530600570040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial P450 type enzymes catalyze central steps in steroid biosynthesis, including cholesterol conversion to pregnenolone, 11beta and 18 hydroxylation in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis, C-27 hydroxylation of bile acids, and 1alpha and 24 hydroxylation of 25-OH-vitamin D. These monooxygenase reactions depend on electron transfer from NADPH via FAD adrenodoxin reductase and 2Fe-2S adrenodoxin. These systems can function as a futile NADPH oxidase, oxidizing NADPH in absence of substrate, and leak electrons via adrenodoxin and P450 to O(2), producing superoxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). The degree of uncoupling depends on the P450 and steroid substrate. Studies with purified proteins and overexpression in cultured cells show consistently that adrenodoxin, but not reductase, is responsible for ROS production that can lead to apoptosis. In the ovary and corpus luteum, antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase parallel steroidogenesis. Antioxidant beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbate can protect against oxidative damages of P450 systems. In testis Leydig cells, steroidogenesis is associated with aging of the steroidogenic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Hanukoglu
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Judea and Samaria, Ariel, Israel.
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Hazard D, Liaubet L, Sancristobal M, Mormède P. Gene array and real time PCR analysis of the adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone in pig. BMC Genomics 2008; 9:101. [PMID: 18304307 PMCID: PMC2289818 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2007] [Accepted: 02/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Variability in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity has been shown to be influenced by genetic factors and related to great metabolic differences such as obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate molecular bases of genetic variability of the adrenal sensitivity to ACTH, a major source of variability, in Meishan (MS) and Large White (LW) pigs, MS being reported to exhibit higher basal cortisol levels, response to ACTH and fatness than LW. A pig cDNA microarray was used to identify changes in gene expression in basal conditions and in response to ACTH stimulation. Results Genotype and/or ACTH affected the expression of 211 genes related to transcription, cell growth/maintenance, signal transduction, cell structure/adhesion/extra cellular matrix and protein kinase/phosphatase activity. No change in the expression of known key regulator proteins of the ACTH signaling pathway or of steroidogenic enzymes was found. However, Mdh2, Sdha, Suclg2, genes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) pathway, were over-expressed in MS pigs. Higher TCA cycle activity in MS than in LW may thus result in higher steroidogenic activity and thus explain the typically higher cortisol levels in MS compared to LW. Moreover, up-regulation of Star and Ldlr genes in MS and/or in response to ACTH suggest that differences in the adrenal function between MS and LW may also involve mechanisms requisite for cholesterol supply to steroidogenesis. Conclusion The present study provides new potential candidate genes to explain genetic variations in the adrenal sensitivity to ACTH and better understand relationship between HPA axis activity and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Hazard
- Laboratoire PsyNuGen, INRA UMR1286, CNRS UMR5226, Université de Bordeaux 2, 146 rue Léo-Saignat, F-33076 Bordeaux, France.
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Romero DG, Plonczynski MW, Welsh BL, Gomez-Sanchez CE, Zhou MY, Gomez-Sanchez EP. Gene expression profile in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells stimulated with aldosterone secretagogues. Physiol Genomics 2007; 32:117-27. [PMID: 17895393 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00145.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid aldosterone, mainly produced by the adrenal gland, is essential for life, but an abnormally excessive secretion causes severe pathological effects including hypertension and target organ injury in the heart and kidney. The aim of this study was to determine the gene regulatory network triggered by aldosterone secretagogues in a nontransformed cell system. Freshly isolated rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells were stimulated with the two main aldosterone secretagogues, angiotensin II and potassium, for 2 h and subjected to whole genome expression studies using multiple biological and bioinformatics tools. Several genes were differentially expressed by ANG II (n = 133) or potassium (n = 216). Genes belonging to the nucleic acid binding and transcription factor activity categories were significantly enriched. A subset of the most regulated genes was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR, and then their expression was analyzed in time curve studies. Differentially expressed genes were grouped according to their time response expression pattern, and their promoter regions were analyzed for common regulatory transcription factor binding sites. Finally, data mining with gene promoters, transcription factors, and literature databases was performed to generate gene interaction networks for either ANG II or potassium. This paper provides for the first time a complete study of the genes that are regulated, and the interaction between them, by aldosterone secretagogues in rat adrenal cells. Increasing our knowledge of adrenal physiology and gene regulation in nontransformed cell systems could lead us to a better approach for the discovery of candidate genes involved in pathological conditions of the adrenal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian G Romero
- Division of Endocrinology, G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
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Micevych P, Soma KK, Sinchak K. Neuroprogesterone: key to estrogen positive feedback? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 57:470-80. [PMID: 17850878 PMCID: PMC2647997 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2007] [Revised: 05/31/2007] [Accepted: 06/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the cycling female rat, estradiol and progesterone induce reproductive behavior and the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) needed for ovulation. Circulating estradiol of ovarian origin induces progesterone receptors in the preoptic area and hypothalamus. Sequential activation of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors coordinates reproductive physiology and behavior. In ovariectomized and adrenalectomized (ovx/adx) rats, administration of estradiol alone is sufficient to initiate an LH surge, and central infusion of aminoglutethimide (AGT), a blocker of the P450 side chain cleavage enzyme, disrupted the estrous cycle of intact rats without affecting peripheral estradiol levels, suggesting that an endogenous source of progesterone remains in these animals. In ovx/adx rats, progesterone levels in the hypothalamus increase prior to the LH surge, and inhibition of progesterone synthesis prevents the LH surge, suggesting that hypothalamic neuroprogesterone is necessary for estrogen positive feedback. In support of the idea that estradiol induces neuroprogesterone, estradiol increased expression of the progesterone-synthesizing enzyme 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) in the hypothalamus before the LH surge. Further, in vitro experiments demonstrate that estradiol stimulates progesterone synthesis in astrocytes, considered to be the most active steroidogenic cells in the CNS. To stimulate neurosteroidogenesis, estradiol acts through membrane ER and type 1a metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1a) to increase free cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) via activation of the PLC-IP(3) pathway. Estradiol-induced progesterone synthesis is mimicked by thapsigargin-induced release of IP(3) receptor-sensitive Ca(2+) stores in astrocyte cultures. Thus, estradiol-induced progesterone synthesis is dependent on membrane ERs that act through mGluR1a to activate the PLC-IP(3) pathway. This neuroprogesterone also facilitated proceptive behavior. Blocking either progesterone synthesis or progesterone receptor in estrogen-primed ovx/adx prevented proceptive but not receptive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Micevych
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1763, USA.
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Romero DG, Rilli S, Plonczynski MW, Yanes LL, Zhou MY, Gomez-Sanchez EP, Gomez-Sanchez CE. Adrenal transcription regulatory genes modulated by angiotensin II and their role in steroidogenesis. Physiol Genomics 2007; 30:26-34. [PMID: 17327493 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00187.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription regulatory genes are crucial modulators of cell physiology and metabolism whose intracellular levels are tightly controlled to respond to extracellular stimuli. We studied transcription regulatory genes modulated by angiotensin II, one of the most important regulators of adrenal cortical cell function, and their role in adrenal steroidogenesis in H295R human adrenocortical cells. Angiotensin II-modulated transcription regulatory genes were identified with high-density oligonucleotide microarrays and the results validated by real-time RT-PCR. Cotransfection reporter assays were performed in H295R cells to analyze the role of these transcription regulatory genes in the control of the expression of 11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase, the last and unique enzymes of the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid biosynthetic pathways, respectively. We selected a subset of the most regulated genes for reporter plasmid studies to determine the effect on these enzymes. BHLHB2, BTG2, and SALL1 decreased expression of both enzymes, whereas CITED2, EGR2, ELL2, FOS, FOSB, HDAC5, MAFF, MITF, NFIL3, NR4A1, NR4A2, NR4A3, PER1, and VDR increased expression for both enzymes. By the ratio of aldosterone synthase to 11beta-hydroxylase expression, NFIL3, NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 show the greatest selectivity toward upregulating expression of the mineralocorticoid biosynthetic pathway preferentially. In summary, this study reports for the first time a set of transcription regulatory genes that are modulated by angiotensin II and their role in adrenal gland steroidogenesis. Abnormal regulation of the mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid biosynthesis pathways is involved in several pathophysiological conditions; hence the modulated transcription regulatory genes described may correlate with adrenal steroidogenesis pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian G Romero
- Division of Endocrinology, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
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Peters B, Teubner P, Clausmeyer S, Puschner T, Maser-Gluth C, Wrede HJ, Kränzlin B, Peters J. StAR expression and the long-term aldosterone response to high-potassium diet in Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2007; 292:E16-23. [PMID: 16882930 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00454.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
ANG II and potassium are known to increase steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) levels. However, a corresponding increase in StAR mRNA levels has so far been observed only in response to ANG II. We therefore studied the regulation of adrenal StAR mRNA expression in the context of dietary potassium-stimulated aldosterone production. Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were fed a diet containing either 1 or 4% KCl for 5 days. The high-potassium diet increased StAR mRNA levels within the zona glomerulosa in both strains, as demonstrated by in situ hybridization. However, aldosterone production increased in WKY but not in SHR (WKY: from 22.8 +/- 4.8 to 137 +/- 25 ng/100 ml, P < 0.001, vs. SHR: from 29 +/- 3.8 to 51 +/- 10.2 ng/100 ml, not significant). This increase was associated with an increase in Cyp11b2 mRNA levels in WKY (3-fold; P < 0.001) but not in SHR. In both strains, the 4% KCl diet was associated with increased plasma renin-independent aldosterone production, as indicated by the marked increase of the aldosterone-to-renin ratios (from 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 9 +/- 3 in WKY and from 3 +/- 1 to 14 +/- 5 in SHR; P < 0.002). We conclude that an increase of StAR mRNA levels within the outer cortex is involved in the long-term adrenal response to potassium. This increase alone is not sufficient to increase aldosterone production in the presence of normal Cyp11b2 mRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Peters
- Dept. of Physiology, Univ. of Greifswald, Greifswalder Str. 11 C, 17495 Karlsburg, Germany.
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Ulrich-Lai YM, Figueiredo HF, Ostrander MM, Choi DC, Engeland WC, Herman JP. Chronic stress induces adrenal hyperplasia and hypertrophy in a subregion-specific manner. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2006; 291:E965-73. [PMID: 16772325 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00070.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The adrenal gland is an essential stress-responsive organ that is part of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympatho-adrenomedullary system. Chronic stress exposure commonly increases adrenal weight, but it is not known to what extent this growth is due to cellular hyperplasia or hypertrophy and whether it is subregion specific. Moreover, it is not clear whether increased production of adrenal glucocorticoid after chronic stress is due to increased sensitivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) vs. increased maximal output. The present studies use a 14-day chronic variable stress (CVS) paradigm in adult male rats to assess the effects of chronic stress on adrenal growth and corticosterone steroidogenesis. Exogenous ACTH administration (0-895 ng/100 g body wt) to dexamethasone-blocked rats demonstrated that CVS increased maximal plasma and adrenal corticosterone responses to ACTH without affecting sensitivity. This enhanced function was associated with increased adrenal weight, DNA and RNA content, and RNA/DNA ratio after CVS, suggesting that both cellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy occurred. Unbiased stereological counting of cells labeled for Ki67 (cell division marker) or 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (nuclear marker), combined with zone specific markers, showed that CVS induced hyperplasia in the outer zona fasciculata, hypertrophy in the inner zona fasciculata and medulla, and reduced cell size in the zona glomerulosa. Collectively, these results demonstrate that increased adrenal weight after CVS is due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy that occur in specific adrenal subregions and is associated with increased maximal corticosterone responses to ACTH. These chronic stress-induced changes in adrenal growth and function may have implications for patients with stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne M Ulrich-Lai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237-0506, USA.
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