Immunocytochemical analyses of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase in cultured human fetal adrenal cells

Inhibition of SULT2B1b expression alters effects of 3beta-hydroxysteroids on cell proliferation and steroid hormone receptor expression in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Sulfation is an important steroid inactivation in human tissues. Sulfotransferase (SULT) 2B1b selectively conjugates 3beta-hydroxysteroids and is expressed in epithelial cells of normal and cancerous prostate tissues. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Delta(5)-androstenediol (Delta(5)-Adiol) sulfation prevents their conversion to more potent androgens and estrogens in tissues although both compounds may also be biologically active.

METHODS

SULT2B1b expression and activity were inhibited >85% in human LNCaP prostate adenocarcinoma cells using short interference RNA (siRNA). The effects of treating control and SULT2B1b-deficient LNCaP cells with DHEA, Delta(5)-Adiol, and 5alpha-androstane-3beta-17beta-diol (Anstane-diol) on cellular proliferation, estrogen receptors (ERs), androgen receptor (AR), and prostate specific antigen protein levels were examined.

RESULTS

Physiological concentrations of DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol increased proliferation of control cells and the proliferative effects were significantly increased in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells. DHEA, but not Delta(5)-Adiol increased AR levels at concentrations >/=1,000 nM in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells but not in control LNCaP cells. ER-alpha levels were not affected with any of the compounds tested. Physiological concentrations of DHEA and Delta(5)-A-diol decreased ER-beta levels in control cells and had significantly greater effects in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells. In contrast, Anstane-diol had no effect on AR or ER-alpha levels but induced more elevation of ER-beta levels in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells at concentrations >/=1,000 nM.

CONCLUSIONS

SULT2B1b is involved in regulating prostate cell responsiveness to DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol. Inhibition of SULT2B1b increased cell proliferation and ER-beta repression after treatment with physiological levels of DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol indicating that SULT2B1b has an inhibitory effect on DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol activity.

Influences of 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital and dexamethasone on xenobiotic metabolizing-related cytochrome P450 enzymes and steroidogenesis in human fetal adrenal cortical cells

AIM

To explore the influence and possible mechanism of xenobiotics on adrenal steroidogenesis during fetal development.

METHODS

Primary human fetal adrenal cortical cells were prepared, cultured and treated with 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital and dexamethasone. The activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase, benzphetamine, aminopyrine and erythromycin N-demethylases were measured by enzyme assays. At the same time, quantitative analysis of steroid hormones cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone and progesterone were carried out in cultural medium by radioimmunoassays.

RESULTS

The activities of benzphetamine and aminopyrine N-demethylase were increased in the cultural fetal adrenal cells treated with phenobarbital (0.25-1 mmol/L) for 24 h. Dexamethasone (25-100 micromol/L) also increased the activity of erythromycin N-demethylase. The activity of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase was undetected in the cells treated without and with 3-methylcholanthrene (0.5-2 micromol/L). Meanwhile, the contents of medium cortisol, aldosterone and progesterone were decreased after treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene. Cortisol, aldosterone and progesterone concentrations were also slightly decreased with phenobarbital. Dexamethasone enhanced the productions of cortisol and progesterone remarkably. The trend of testosterone concentration was uncertain after 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital or dexamethasone treatment.

CONCLUSION

3-Methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital or dexamethasone could interfere with the synthesis of cortisol, aldosterone and progesterone in primary human fetal adrenal cortical cells, which likely act through xenobiotic metabolizing-related cytochrome P450 isoform activation.

Effects of ACTH and cytokines on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase messenger RNA in human adrenal cells

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS) is the major adrenal androgen produced in the fetal and adult human; its formation is dependent upon the action of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (DST). Since the factors that regulate DST are poorly characterized, we investigated the effects of ACTH, which stimulates DS production, and the cytokines transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) , both of which are inhibitory to adrenal steroidogenesis, on cultured human fetal adrenal cells. Cellular levels of DST mRNA were increased in a dose dependent fashion in response to ACTH; DST mRNA was less responsive to ACTH stimulation than was 17 hydroxylase (CYP 17) mRNA. The stimulatory effects of ACTH on DST mRNA levels were blunted by both TGF-beta and TNF-alpha; the inhibitory effects of TNF-alpha on DST mRNA were more striking than were those on CYP 17 mRNA. These data suggest that DS production can be altered by several agents acting on the DST gene.

Angiotensin II receptors in the human adrenal gland

In the present study, we have characterized distribution and pharmacological properties of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors in human adrenals frozen immediately after removal. Autoradiographic studies indicate that Ang II receptors are present throughout the gland. Co-incubations with DUP 753, a specific antagonist of the AT1 receptor, and with PD 123319, a specific antagonist of the AT2 receptor, reveal that Ang II receptors are mainly of type 2. The AT1 receptors are detected after 16 weeks of gestation at the periphery of the gland. Competition studies and Scatchard analysis reveal a homogenous population of high affinity AT2 binding sites (Kd = 0.68 +/- 0.1 nM). Binding capacities decrease from 1080 +/- 304 fmol/mg protein at 14 weeks to 275 +/- 55 fmol/mg protein at 21 weeks. These results differ from those obtained in adult glands where autoradiographic studies reveal that the AT1 receptors are found mainly in the zona glomerulosa and AT2 receptors mainly in the medulla. These data suggest that the AT2 receptors could be involved in the morphological or functional differentiation of the human fetal adrenal gland.