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Xie P, Wang L, Zhu J, Liu Y, Wei M, Gong D, Liu T. Effects of different stocking densities on the development of reproductive and immune functions in young breeder pigeons during the rearing period. Br Poult Sci 2024; 65:213-222. [PMID: 38334444 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2024.2308273] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
1. Stocking density (SD) is closely related to animal performance. This experiment was designed to evaluate the development of reproductive and immune functions of young pigeons under different SDs.2. A total of 288 (half male and half female) 40-day-old pigeons (body weight 400 ± 15 g) were allocated into four groups: High stocking density (HSD; 0.308 m3/bird), standard stocking density (SD; 0.616 m3/bird), and low stocking density (LSD; 1.232 m3/bird) and a caged (control; 0.04125 m3/bird). Every group had six replicates of the same sex.3. The results showed that caged male pigeons had the highest testis index, testosterone content, and gene expression of the androgen receptor gene. LSD treatment induced the highest concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone and mRNA levels of reproductive hormone receptor genes in female pigeons. In male pigeons, the spleen index (organ weight calculated as a percentage of total body weight) showed a peak level (0.09 ± 0.020) in the LSD group, and the thymus index peaked (0.23 ± 0.039) in SD group. However, the index for ovary, spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius in female pigeons showed no significant changes among different groups.4. The IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ, TGF-β and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) mRNA levels reached their maximum values in both male and female pigeon spleens in the LSD group.5. Young male pigeons housed in cages showed increased testicular development while low stocking density increased the development of reproductive function in young female pigeons. A larger activity space could help enhance the immune function of both male and female pigeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Xie
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
| | - L Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - J Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Y Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
| | - M Wei
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
| | - D Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - T Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
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2
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Genistein induces long-term expression of progesterone receptor regardless of estrogen receptor status and improves the prognosis of endometrial cancer patients. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10303. [PMID: 35717540 PMCID: PMC9206647 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13842-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is used to treat uterine endometrial cancer in young patients wishing to preserve their fertility as well as in advanced or recurrent patients, but its response rate is limited. The antitumor effect of progesterone is mediated by progesterone receptor (PR) binding. Hence, loss of progesterone’s therapeutic effect, i.e., development of progesterone resistance, is mainly due to decreased PR expression. However, little is known about underlying mechanisms that regulate PR expression. Immunohistochemistry analysis of specimens from 31 young, endometrial cancer patients showed that elevated PR expression significantly increased (P < 0.05) rates of progression-free and overall survival. We investigated mechanisms of regulating PR expression and suppressing cell proliferation using genistein, a chemotherapeutic agent against different cancers. Genistein inhibits cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest in G2 and apoptosis; moreover, it upregulates prolonged expression of PR-B and forkhead box protein O1, regardless of estrogen receptor alpha expression in endometrial cancer cells. Genistein-induced PR expression decreases CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta expression and activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway, rather than causing epigenetic alterations of the PR promoter. Therefore, increased PR expression is an important antitumor effect of genistein. This may help to improve the response rates of fertility-sparing treatments for young patients.
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3
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La Greca A, Bellora N, Le Dily F, Jara R, Nacht AS, Quilez Oliete J, Villanueva JL, Vidal E, Merino G, Fresno C, Tarifa Reischle I, Vallejo G, Vicent GP, Fernández E, Beato M, Saragüeta P. Chromatin topology defines estradiol-primed progesterone receptor and PAX2 binding in endometrial cancer cells. eLife 2022; 11:66034. [PMID: 35018885 PMCID: PMC8887898 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen (E2) and Progesterone (Pg), via their specific receptors (ERalpha and PR), are major determinants in the development and progression of endometrial carcinomas, However, their precise mechanism of action and the role of other transcription factors involved are not entirely clear. Using Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells, we report that E2 treatment exposes a set of progestin-dependent PR binding sites which include both E2 and progestin target genes. ChIP-seq results from hormone-treated cells revealed a non-random distribution of PAX2 binding in the vicinity of these estrogen-promoted PR sites. Altered expression of hormone regulated genes in PAX2 knockdown cells suggests a role for PAX2 in fine-tuning ERalpha and PR interplay in transcriptional regulation. Analysis of long-range interactions by Hi-C coupled with ATAC-seq data showed that these regions, that we call ‘progestin control regions’ (PgCRs), exhibited an open chromatin state even before hormone exposure and were non-randomly associated with regulated genes. Nearly 20% of genes potentially influenced by PgCRs were found to be altered during progression of endometrial cancer. Our findings suggest that endometrial response to progestins in differentiated endometrial tumor cells results in part from binding of PR together with PAX2 to accessible chromatin regions. What maintains these regions open remains to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolás Bellora
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Institute of Nuclear Technologies for Health, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - François Le Dily
- Gene Regulation, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Jara
- Biology and Experimental Medicine Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Enrique Vidal
- Gene Regulation, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Merino
- Bioscience Data Mining Group, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cristóbal Fresno
- Bioscience Data Mining Group, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Griselda Vallejo
- Biology and Experimental Medicine Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Elmer Fernández
- Bioscience Data Mining Group, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Miguel Beato
- Gene Regulation, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
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Greco S, Pellegrino P, Zannotti A, Delli Carpini G, Ciavattini A, Reis FM, Ciarmela P. Phytoprogestins: Unexplored Food Compounds with Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Effects in Female Diseases. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13124326. [PMID: 34959877 PMCID: PMC8705436 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in natural therapies to prevent or treat female diseases. In particular, many studies have focused on searching natural compounds with less side effects than standard hormonal therapies. While phytoestrogen-based therapies have been extensively studied, treatments with phytoprogestins reported in the literature are very rare. In this review, we focused on compounds of natural origin, which have progestin effects and that could be good candidates for preventing and treating female diseases. We identified the following phytoprogestins: kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, and naringenin. In vitro studies showed promising results such as the antitumoral effects of kaempferol, apigenin and luteolin, and the anti-fibrotic effects of naringenin. Although limited data are available, it seems that phytoprogestins could be a promising tool for preventing and treating hormone-dependent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Greco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.G.); (P.P.); (A.Z.)
| | - Pamela Pellegrino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.G.); (P.P.); (A.Z.)
| | - Alessandro Zannotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.G.); (P.P.); (A.Z.)
- Department of Specialist and Odontostomatological Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Giovanni Delli Carpini
- Department of Specialist and Odontostomatological Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Andrea Ciavattini
- Department of Specialist and Odontostomatological Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Fernando M. Reis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil;
| | - Pasquapina Ciarmela
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.G.); (P.P.); (A.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0712206270
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5
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Bunma T, Kanjanaruch C, Kogram N, Uriyapongson S, Khanthusaeng V, Navanukraw C. Effects of FSH treatment and withdrawal during proestrus on uterine proliferation and steroid hormone receptor expression in beef heifers. Anim Sci J 2021; 92:e13621. [PMID: 34448516 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To determine the effects of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) treatment and subsequent withdrawal on uterine proliferation and estrogen receptor (ESR), Brahman crossbred heifers (n = 12) were twice daily injected with FSH (4, 3, and 2 mg/injection) on Days 17-19 of the estrous cycle (FSH 3 days) and (4 and 3 mg/injection) on Days 17-18 (FSH 2 days) and withdrawal with saline on Day 19 and (4 mg/injection) on Day 17 (FSH 1 day) and withdrawal with saline on Days 18-19. Uterine tissue was subjectively collected on Day 20 and microscopically classified to four regions: endometrial stroma (ES), surface endometrial gland (EG), deep endometrial gland (DG), and myometrium (Myo). The cell proliferation marker, Ki-67, was quantified as labeling index (LI) in uterine regions, and tissues were immunostained to detect ESR2 followed by image analysis. The LI of ES, EG, and DG was greater (P = 0.0018, P = 0.0005, and P = 0.0103; respectively) in heifers received FSH for 3 days. The expression of ESR2 protein on ES and EG was greatest (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0036, respectively) in FSH 3 days-treated group. Thus, FSH administration during proestrus stimulates uterine cell proliferation, and ESR2 expressions are affected by FSH during proestrus and differentially distributed in the uterine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanya Bunma
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chutikun Kanjanaruch
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Nattawut Kogram
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Suthipong Uriyapongson
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Vilaivan Khanthusaeng
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chainarong Navanukraw
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.,Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology: (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok, Thailand
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Nelson W, Adu-Gyamfi EA, Czika A, Wang YX, Ding YB. Bisphenol A-induced mechanistic impairment of decidualization. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:837-842. [PMID: 32691498 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Decidualization is a crucial precedent to embryo implantation, as its impairment is a major contributor to female infertility and pregnancy complications. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the impairment of decidualization has been a subject of interest in the field of reproductive medicine. Evidence from several experimental settings show that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, affects the expression of several molecules that are involved in decidualization. Both low and high doses of BPA impair decidualization through the dysregulation of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors. Exposure to low doses of BPA leads to decreased levels and activities of several antioxidant enzymes, increased activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased production of nitric oxide (NO) via the upregulation of ER and PR. Consequently, oxidative stress is induced and decidualization becomes impaired. On the other hand, exposure to high doses of BPA downregulates ER and PR and impairs decidualization through two distinct pathways. One is through the upregulation of early growth response-1 (EGR1) via increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2; and the other is through a reduced serum glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 (SGK1)-mediated downregulation of epithelial sodium channel-α and the induction of oxidative stress. Thus, regardless of the dose, BPA can impair decidualization to trigger infertility and pregnancy complications. This warrants the need to adopt lifestyles that will decrease the tendency of getting exposed to BPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Nelson
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Armin Czika
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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7
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Reis FM, Coutinho LM, Vannuccini S, Batteux F, Chapron C, Petraglia F. Progesterone receptor ligands for the treatment of endometriosis: the mechanisms behind therapeutic success and failure. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:565-585. [PMID: 32412587 PMCID: PMC7317284 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite intense research, it remains intriguing why hormonal therapies in general and progestins in particular sometimes fail in endometriosis. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We review here the action mechanisms of progesterone receptor ligands in endometriosis, identify critical differences between the effects of progestins on normal endometrium and endometriosis and envisage pathways to escape drug resistance and improve the therapeutic response of endometriotic lesions to such treatments. SEARCH METHODS We performed a systematic Pubmed search covering articles published since 1958 about the use of progestins, estro-progestins and selective progesterone receptor modulators, to treat endometriosis and its related symptoms. Two reviewers screened the titles and abstracts to select articles for full-text assessment. OUTCOMES Progesterone receptor signalling leads to down-regulation of estrogen receptors and restrains local estradiol production through interference with aromatase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Progestins inhibit cell proliferation, inflammation, neovascularisation and neurogenesis in endometriosis. However, progesterone receptor expression is reduced and disrupted in endometriotic lesions, with predominance of the less active isoform (PRA) over the full-length, active isoform (PRB), due to epigenetic abnormalities affecting the PGR gene transcription. Oxidative stress is another mechanism involved in progesterone resistance in endometriosis. Among the molecular targets of progesterone in the normal endometrium that resist progestin action in endometriotic cells are the nuclear transcription factor FOXO1, matrix metalloproteinases, the transmembrane gap junction protein connexin 43 and paracrine regulators of estradiol metabolism. Compared to other phenotypes, deep endometriosis appears to be more resistant to size regression upon medical treatments. Individual genetic characteristics can affect the bioavailability and pharmacodynamics of hormonal drugs used to treat endometriosis and, hence, explain part of the variability in the therapeutic response. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Medical treatment of endometriosis needs urgent innovation, which should start by deeper understanding of the disease core features and diverse phenotypes and idiosyncrasies, while moving from pure hormonal treatments to drug combinations or novel molecules capable of restoring the various homeostatic mechanisms disrupted by endometriotic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando M Reis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre (HUPC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Larissa M Coutinho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Vannuccini
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre (HUPC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Batteux
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Charles Chapron
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre (HUPC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Yilmaz BD, Bulun SE. Endometriosis and nuclear receptors. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:473-485. [PMID: 30809650 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis is recognized as a steroid-dependent disorder; however, the precise roles of nuclear receptors (NRs) in steroid responsiveness and other signaling pathways are not well understood. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Over the past several years, a number of paradigm-shifting breakthroughs have occurred in the area of NRs in endometriosis. We review and clarify new information regarding the mechanisms responsible for: (i) excessive estrogen biosynthesis, (ii) estrogen-dependent inflammation, (iii) defective differentiation due to progesterone resistance and (iv) enhanced survival due to deficient retinoid production and action in endometriosis. We emphasize the roles of the relevant NRs critical for these pathological processes in endometriosis. SEARCH METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search using PubMed for human, animal and cellular studies published until 2018 in the following areas: endometriosis; the steroid and orphan NRs, estrogen receptors alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2), progesterone receptor (PGR), steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1) and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (NR2F2); and retinoids. OUTCOMES Four distinct abnormalities in the intracavitary endometrium and extra-uterine endometriotic tissue underlie endometriosis progression: dysregulated differentiation of endometrial mesenchymal cells, abnormal epigenetic marks, inflammation activated by excess estrogen and the development of progesterone resistance. Endometriotic stromal cells compose the bulk of the lesions and demonstrate widespread epigenetic abnormalities. Endometriotic stromal cells also display a wide range of abnormal NR expression. The orphan NRs NR5A1 and NR2F2 compete to regulate steroid-synthesizing genes in endometriotic stromal cells; NR5A1 dominance gives rise to excessive estrogen formation. Endometriotic stromal cells show an abnormally low ESR1:ESR2 ratio due to excessive levels of ESR2, which mediates an estrogen-driven inflammatory process and prostaglandin formation. These cells are also deficient in PGR, leading to progesterone resistance and defective retinoid synthesis. The pattern of NR expression, involving low ESR1 and PGR and high ESR2, is reminiscent of uterine leiomyoma stem cells. This led us to speculate that endometriotic stromal cells may display stem cell characteristics found in other uterine tissues. The biologic consequences of these abnormalities in endometriotic tissue include intense inflammation, defective differentiation and enhanced survival. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Steroid- and other NR-related abnormalities exert genome-wide biologic effects via interaction with defective epigenetic programming and enhance inflammation in endometriotic stromal cells. New synthetic ligands, targeting PGR, retinoic acid receptors and ESR2, may offer novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar D Yilmaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 250 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL, USA
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Zhang L, Zhang Y, Luo L, Tan J, Jia M, Hua X, Wang Q, Zhou C. Effects of hormone replacement therapy on endometrial hormone concentrations and progesterone receptor expression in recurrent pregnancy loss: a self-controlled study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 34:1415-1420. [PMID: 31390923 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1638357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the differential effects of endometrial preparation approaches, natural cycle (NC) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), on the endometrial hormone conditions in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). METHODS 42 RPL patients were recruited, and a self-controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of NC to HRT on the same patient. The estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels in both serum and endometrial tissue were measured in NC and HRT, respectively. Meanwhile, the expression levels of endometrial progesterone receptor A (PRA) and progesterone receptor B (PRB) were also compared between NC and HRT cycles during the window of receptivity. All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 5, and data were averaged across subjects and tested for significance by pair-samples t-test. RESULTS Hormone replacement slightly decreased serum E2 and P levels (0.9- and 0.8-fold in average, respectively), significantly elevated endometrial E2 and P (2.1- and 14.5-fold in average, respectively), and reduced endometrial E2/P ratio (0.34-fold in average) compared to the NC condition. However, no correlation was found between serum and endometrial hormone concentrations. Further, the PRA/PRB ratios of both stromal and glandular cells were comparable between HRT and NC conditions, even though stromal PRA expression was slightly elevated by HRT compared to NC (1.63±0.96 vs 1.18±0.99, p =.0173). CONCLUSION The effects of HRT for endometrial preparation are similar or slightly superior to NC in RPL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jifan Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Xiang Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Generation of Progesterone-Responsive Endometrial Stromal Fibroblasts from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Role of the WNT/CTNNB1 Pathway. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:1136-1155. [PMID: 30392973 PMCID: PMC6234962 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective endometrial stromal fibroblasts (EMSFs) contribute to uterine factor infertility, endometriosis, and endometrial cancer. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from skin or bone marrow biopsies provide a patient-specific source that can be differentiated to various cells types. Replacement of abnormal EMSFs is a potential novel therapeutic approach for endometrial disease; however, the methodology or mechanism for differentiating iPSCs to EMSFs is unknown. The uterus differentiates from the intermediate mesoderm (IM) to form coelomic epithelium (CE) followed by the Müllerian duct (MD). Here, we successfully directed the differentiation of human iPSCs (hiPSCs) through IM, CE, and MD to EMSFs under molecularly defined embryoid body culture conditions using specific hormonal treatments. Activation of CTNNB1 was essential for expression of progesterone receptor that mediated the final differentiation step of EMSFs before implantation. These hiPSC-derived tissues illustrate the potential for iPSC-based endometrial regeneration for future cell-based treatments. We developed a molecularly defined system for differentiating hiPSCs to EMSFs hiPSC-derived EMSFs undergo decidualization in response to hormonal stimulation D14 embryoid bodies recapitulate the molecular signature of primary EMSFs The WNT/CTNNB1 pathway is required for induction of EMSF from hiPSCs
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Progesterone Receptors in Prostate Cancer: Progesterone receptor B is the isoform associated with disease progression. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11358. [PMID: 30054508 PMCID: PMC6063894 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29520-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of steroid hormones in carcinogenesis of the prostate is to some extent unraveled thorough the effect of androgen deprivation therapy on prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Other members of the steroid hormone family, such as progesterone, are also implicated in PCa, but progesterone’s role remains undefined. This study aimed to examine the distribution of progesterone receptor isoforms (PGRA, PGRB) in PCa tissue and their association with clinical endpoints. This was conducted retrospectively by collecting radical prostatectomy specimens from 535 patients. Tissue was analyzed using tissue microarray, where representative tumor areas were carefully selected. Protein expression was evaluated through immunohistochemistry, in stromal and epithelial tissue. Associations between receptor expression and clinical data were considered using statistical survival analyses. Herein, we discovered a solely stromal PGRA- and a stromal and epithelial PGRB expression. Further, a high PGRB expression in tumor tissue was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in both univariate and multivariate analyses: Biochemical failure (HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.45–2.76, p < 0.001) and clinical failure (HR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.29–4.85, p = 0.006). These findings are in agreement with our previous investigation on pan-PGR, indicating that the observed negative effect of PGR is represented by PGRB.
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Sanderson PA, Critchley HO, Williams AR, Arends MJ, Saunders PT. New concepts for an old problem: the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia. Hum Reprod Update 2017; 23:232-254. [PMID: 27920066 PMCID: PMC5850217 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a uterine pathology representing a spectrum of morphological endometrial alterations. It is predominantly characterized by an increase in the endometrial gland-to-stroma ratio when compared to normal proliferative endometrium. The clinical significance of EH lies in the associated risk of progression to endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) and 'atypical' forms of EH are regarded as premalignant lesions. Traditional histopathological classification systems for EH exhibit wide and varying degrees of diagnostic reproducibility and, as a consequence, standardized patient management can be challenging. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE EC is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed countries. The incidence of EC is rising, with alarming increases described in the 40-44-year-old age group. This review appraises the current EH classification systems used to stratify women at risk of malignant progression to EC. In addition, we summarize the evidence base regarding the use of immunohistochemical biomarkers for EH and discuss an emerging role for genomic analysis. SEARCH METHODS PubMed, Medline and the Cochrane Database were searched for original peer-reviewed primary and review articles, from January 2000 to January 2016. The following search terms were used: 'endometrial hyperplasia', 'endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia', 'atypical hyperplasia', 'complex atypical hyperplasia', 'biomarker', 'immunohistochemistry', 'progression', 'genomic', 'classification' and 'stratification'. OUTCOMES Recent changes to EH classification reflect our current understanding of the genesis of endometrioid ECs. The concept of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) as a mutationally activated, monoclonal pre-malignancy represents a fundamental shift from the previously held notion that unopposed oestrogenic stimulation causes ever-increasing hyperplastic proliferation, with accumulating cytological atypia that imperceptibly leads to the development of endometrioid EC. Our review highlights several key biomarker candidates that have been described as both diagnostic tools for EH and markers of progression to EC. We propose that, moving forwards, a 'panel' approach of combinations of the immunohistochemical biomarkers described in this review may be more informative since no single candidate can currently fill the entire role. WIDER IMPLICATIONS EC has historically been considered a predominantly postmenopausal disease. Owing in part to the current unprecedented rates of obesity, we are starting to see signs of a shift towards a rising incidence of EC amongst pre- and peri-menopausal woman. This creates unique challenges both diagnostically and therapeutically. Furthering our understanding of the premalignant stages of EC development will allow us to pursue earlier diagnosis and facilitate appropriate stratification of women at risk of developing EC, permitting timely and appropriate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Sanderson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, EdinburghEH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Hilary O.D. Critchley
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, EdinburghEH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Alistair R.W. Williams
- Division of Pathology, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, EdinburghEH16 4SA, UK
| | - Mark J. Arends
- Division of Pathology, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, EdinburghEH4 2XR, UK
- Centre for Comparative Pathology, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, MidlothianEH25 9RG, UK
| | - Philippa T.K. Saunders
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, EdinburghEH16 4TJ, UK
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Whitaker L, Murray A, Matthews R, Shaw G, Williams A, Saunders P, Critchley H. Selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) ulipristal acetate (UPA) and its effects on the human endometrium. Hum Reprod 2017; 32:531-543. [PMID: 28130434 PMCID: PMC5400066 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the impact of administration of the selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM), ulipristal acetate (UPA) on the endometrium of women with fibroids? SUMMARY ANSWER UPA administration altered expression of sex-steroid receptors and progesterone-regulated genes and was associated with low levels of glandular and stromal cell proliferation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Administration of all SPRM class members results in PAEC (progesterone receptor modulator associated endometrial changes). Data on the impact of the SPRM UPA administration on endometrial sex-steroid receptor expression, progesterone (P)-regulated genes and cell proliferation are currently lacking. STUDY DESIGN SIZE, DURATION Observational study with histological and molecular analyses to delineate impact of treatment with UPA on endometrium. Endometrial samples (n = 9) were collected at hysterectomy from women aged 39 to 49 with uterine fibroids treated with UPA (oral 5 mg daily) for 9-12 weeks. Control proliferative (n = 9) and secretory (n = 9) endometrium from women aged 38-52 with fibroids were derived from institutional tissue archives. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Study setting was a University Research Institute. Endometrial biopsies were collected with institutional ethical approval and written informed consent. Concentrations of mRNAs encoded by steroid receptors, P-regulated genes and factors in decidualised endometrium were quantified with qRT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was employed for localization of progesterone (PR, PRB), androgen (AR), estrogen (ERα) receptors and expression of FOXO1, HAND2, HOXA10, PTEN homologue. Endometrial glandular and stromal cell proliferation was objectively quantified using Ki67. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE UPA induced morphological changes in endometrial tissue consistent with PAEC. A striking change in expression patterns of PR and AR was detected compared with either proliferative or secretory phase samples. There were significant changes in pattern of expression of mRNAs encoded by IGFBP-1, FOXO1, IL-15, HAND2, IHH and HOXA10 compared with secretory phase samples consistent with low agonist activity in endometrium. Expression of mRNA encoded by FOXM1, a transcription factor implicated in cell cycle progression, was low in UPA-treated samples. Cell proliferation (Ki67 positive nuclei) was lower in samples from women treated with UPA compared with those in the proliferative phase. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION A small number of well-characterized patients were studied in-depth. The impacts on morphology, molecular and cellular changes with SPRM, UPA administration on symptom control remains to be determined. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS P plays a pivotal role in endometrial function. P-action is mediated through interaction with the PR. These data provide support for onward development of the SPRM class of compounds as effective long-term medical therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) H.O.D.C. received has clinical research support for laboratory consumables and staff from Bayer Pharma Ag and provides consultancy advice (no personal remuneration) for Bayer Pharma Ag, PregLem SA, Gedeon Richter, Vifor Pharma UK Ltd, AbbVie Inc.; A.R.W.W. has received consultancy payments from Bayer, Gedeon Richter, Preglem SA, HRA Pharma; L.H.R.W., A.A.M., R.M., G.S. and P.T.K.S. have no conflicts of interest. Study funded in part from each of: Medical Research Council (G1002033; G1100356/1; MR/N022556/1); National Health Institute for Health Research (12/206/520) and TENOVUS Scotland.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.H.R. Whitaker
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - A.A. Murray
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - R. Matthews
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - G. Shaw
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - A.R.W. Williams
- Division of Pathology, The University of Edinburgh, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - P.T.K. Saunders
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - H.O.D. Critchley
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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Oh TG, Wang SCM, Acharya BR, Goode JM, Graham JD, Clarke CL, Yap AS, Muscat GEO. The Nuclear Receptor, RORγ, Regulates Pathways Necessary for Breast Cancer Metastasis. EBioMedicine 2016; 6:59-72. [PMID: 27211549 PMCID: PMC4856749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that RORγ expression was decreased in ER-ve breast cancer, and increased expression improves clinical outcomes. However, the underlying RORγ dependent mechanisms that repress breast carcinogenesis have not been elucidated. Here we report that RORγ negatively regulates the oncogenic TGF-β/EMT and mammary stem cell (MaSC) pathways, whereas RORγ positively regulates DNA-repair. We demonstrate that RORγ expression is: (i) decreased in basal-like subtype cancers, and (ii) inversely correlated with histological grade and drivers of carcinogenesis in breast cancer cohorts. Furthermore, integration of RNA-seq and ChIP-chip data reveals that RORγ regulates the expression of many genes involved in TGF-β/EMT-signaling, DNA-repair and MaSC pathways (including the non-coding RNA, LINC00511). In accordance, pharmacological studies demonstrate that an RORγ agonist suppresses breast cancer cell viability, migration, the EMT transition (microsphere outgrowth) and mammosphere-growth. In contrast, RNA-seq demonstrates an RORγ inverse agonist induces TGF-β/EMT-signaling. These findings suggest pharmacological modulation of RORγ activity may have utility in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Gyu Oh
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shu-Ching M Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Bipul R Acharya
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Joel M Goode
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - J Dinny Graham
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christine L Clarke
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alpha S Yap
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - George E O Muscat
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Azeez JM, Sithul H, Hariharan I, Sreekumar S, Prabhakar J, Sreeja S, Pillai MR. Progesterone regulates the proliferation of breast cancer cells - in vitro evidence. Drug Des Devel Ther 2015; 9:5987-99. [PMID: 26609221 PMCID: PMC4644174 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s89390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Reports state that surgery performed at different phases of the menstrual cycle may significantly affect breast cancer treatment outcome. From previous studies, we identified differentially expressed genes in each menstrual cycle phase by microarray, then subjected them to functional in vitro analyses. Microarray studies disclosed genes that are upregulated in the luteal phase and follicular phase. TOB-1 is a tumor suppressor gene and was expressed exclusively in the luteal phase in our microarray study. Therefore, we further functionally characterized the protein product of TOB-1 in vitro. To our knowledge, no studies have yet been conducted on reactive oxygen species-regulated tumor suppressor interactions in accordance with the biphasic nature of progesterone. This work demonstrates that progesterone can produce reactive oxygen species in MCF-7 cells and that TOB-1 exerts a series of non-genomic interactions that regulate antiproliferative activity by modulating the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, this study implicates PTEN as an interacting partner for TOB-1, which may regulate the downstream expression of cell cycle control protein p27 via multiple downstream signaling pathways of progesterone through a progesterone receptor, purely in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. These results support the hypothesis that surgery conducted during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may facilitate improved patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juberiya M Azeez
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Hima Sithul
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Indhu Hariharan
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sreeja Sreekumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Jem Prabhakar
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sreeharshan Sreeja
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Hilton HN, Graham JD, Clarke CL. Minireview: Progesterone Regulation of Proliferation in the Normal Human Breast and in Breast Cancer: A Tale of Two Scenarios? Mol Endocrinol 2015; 29:1230-42. [PMID: 26266959 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone (P), which signals through the P receptor (PR), is critical in normal development of the breast, but its signaling axis is also a major driver of breast cancer risk. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of P signaling in the normal human breast, with a focus on the importance of the balance between autocrine and paracrine signaling. To date, most data (which derive largely from mouse models or human breast cancer cell line studies) have demonstrated that the vast majority of PR+ cells appear to act as "sensor" cells, which respond to P stimulation by translating these hormonal cues into paracrine signals. However, growing evidence suggests that, dependent on the cellular context, P may also signal in an autocrine manner in a subset of cells in the normal mouse mammary gland and human breast. It has been suggested that it may be dysregulation of this autocrine signaling, resulting in a "switch" from a predominance of paracrine signaling to autocrine signaling in PR+ cells, which is an early event during breast tumorigenesis. This review summarizes current evidence in the literature that demonstrates the mechanisms through which P acts in the normal human breast, as well as highlighting the important questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi N Hilton
- Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
| | - J Dinny Graham
- Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
| | - Christine L Clarke
- Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
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Hilton HN, Doan TB, Graham JD, Oakes SR, Silvestri A, Santucci N, Kantimm S, Huschtscha LI, Ormandy CJ, Funder JW, Simpson ER, Kuczek ES, Leedman PJ, Tilley WD, Fuller PJ, Muscat GEO, Clarke CL. Acquired convergence of hormone signaling in breast cancer: ER and PR transition from functionally distinct in normal breast to predictors of metastatic disease. Oncotarget 2015; 5:8651-64. [PMID: 25261374 PMCID: PMC4226711 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cumulative exposure to estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) over the menstrual cycle significantly influences the risk of developing breast cancer. Despite the dogma that PR in the breast merely serves as a marker of an active estrogen receptor (ER), and as an inhibitor of the proliferative actions of E, it is now clear that in the breast P increases proliferation independently of E action. We show here that the progesterone receptor (PR) and ER are expressed in different epithelial populations, and target non-overlapping pathways in the normal human breast. In breast cancer, PR becomes highly correlated with ER, and this convergence is associated with signaling pathways predictive of disease metastasis. These data challenge the established paradigm that ER and PR function co-operatively in normal breast, and have significant implications not only for our understanding of normal breast biology, but also for diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment options in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi N Hilton
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tram B Doan
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J Dinny Graham
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha R Oakes
- Cancer Research Program and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. St Vincent's Clinical School, St Vincent's Hospital and University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst NSW, Australia
| | - Audrey Silvestri
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Santucci
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Silke Kantimm
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lily I Huschtscha
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher J Ormandy
- Cancer Research Program and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. St Vincent's Clinical School, St Vincent's Hospital and University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Peter J Leedman
- Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, Centre for Medical Research, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research and School of Medicine and Pharmacology, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Wayne D Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Discipline of Medicine, Hanson Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - George E O Muscat
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christine L Clarke
- Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School - Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Bedaiwy MA, Dahoud W, Skomorovska-Prokvolit Y, Yi L, Liu JH, Falcone T, Hurd WW, Mesiano S. Abundance and Localization of Progesterone Receptor Isoforms in Endometrium in Women With and Without Endometriosis and in Peritoneal and Ovarian Endometriotic Implants. Reprod Sci 2015; 22:1153-61. [PMID: 26037298 DOI: 10.1177/1933719115585145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that resistance to progesterone may contribute to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Progesterone mediates its biological activity via the 2 progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms (PR-A and PR-B). Effects of progesterone are determined by the PR-A:PR-B ratio such that a PR-B-dominant state promotes progesterone signaling, whereas a PR-A-dominant state decreases progesterone responsiveness. Our objective was to compare the abundance and cellular localization of the PR isoforms in endometrium and endometriotic lesions from women with and without peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis. METHODS This in vitro study was conducted in a tertiary care facility. Reproductive-age women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis (n = 18) and asymptomatic control individuals (n = 20) were prospectively recruited at the late proliferative and the early secretory phases. At laparoscopy, samples of eutopic endometrium, peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis, and disease-free peritoneum were obtained for subsequent immunohistochemical and immunoblot analysis of PR-B and total PR localization and PR-A and PR-B abundance, respectively. RESULTS The PR-A and PR-B were detected in eutopic endometrium and in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis but not in disease-free peritoneum from patients with and without endometriosis. In peritoneal endometriosis, PR-A was the predominant isoform detected, whereas both receptors were detected in ovarian endometriosis and eutopic endometrium. In eutopic endometrium, levels of PR-A were significantly elevated in women with endometriosis compared with women without disease, regardless of menstrual phase. The PR-A levels were significantly elevated in ovarian endometriosis compared with peritoneal endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS Endometriotic lesions and eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis are uniform in a PR-A-dominant state. The data suggest that menstrual efflux of a PR-A-dominant endometrial tissue into the peritoneal cavity may play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Wissam Dahoud
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yelena Skomorovska-Prokvolit
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lijuan Yi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - James H Liu
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Tommaso Falcone
- Department of OB/GYN and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - William W Hurd
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Kaya HS, Hantak AM, Stubbs LJ, Taylor RN, Bagchi IC, Bagchi MK. Roles of progesterone receptor A and B isoforms during human endometrial decidualization. Mol Endocrinol 2015; 29:882-95. [PMID: 25875046 DOI: 10.1210/me.2014-1363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Progesterone, acting through the progesterone receptors (PGRs), is one of the most critical regulators of endometrial differentiation, known as decidualization, which is a key step toward the establishment of pregnancy. Yet a long-standing unresolved issue in uterine biology is the precise roles played by the major PGR isoforms, PGR-A and PGR-B, during decidualization in the human. Our approach, expressing PGR-A and PGR-B individually after silencing endogenous PGRs in human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs), enabled the analysis of the roles of these isoforms separately as well as jointly. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing in combination with gene expression profiling revealed that PGR-B controls a substantially larger cistrome and transcriptome than PGR-A during HESC differentiation. Interestingly, PGR-B directly regulates the expression of PGR-A. De novo motif analysis indicated that, although the 2 isoforms bind to the same DNA sequence motif, there are both common and unique neighboring motifs where other transcription factors, such as FOSL1/2, JUN, C/EBPβ, and STAT3, bind and dictate the transcriptional activities of these isoforms. We found that PGR-A and PGR-B regulate overlapping as well as distinct sets of genes, many of which are known to be critical for decidualization and establishment of pregnancy. When PGR-A and PGR-B were coexpressed during HESC differentiation, PGR-B played a predominant role, although both isoforms influenced each other's transcriptional activity. This study revealed the gene networks that operate downstream of each PGR isoform to mediate critical functions, such as regulation of the cell cycle, angiogenesis, lysosomal activation, insulin receptor signaling, and apoptosis, during decidualization in the human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice S Kaya
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (H.S.K., A.M.H., M.K.B.), Cell and Developmental Biology (L.J.S.), and Comparative Biosciences (I.C.B.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.N.T.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
| | - Alison M Hantak
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (H.S.K., A.M.H., M.K.B.), Cell and Developmental Biology (L.J.S.), and Comparative Biosciences (I.C.B.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.N.T.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
| | - Lisa J Stubbs
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (H.S.K., A.M.H., M.K.B.), Cell and Developmental Biology (L.J.S.), and Comparative Biosciences (I.C.B.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.N.T.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
| | - Robert N Taylor
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (H.S.K., A.M.H., M.K.B.), Cell and Developmental Biology (L.J.S.), and Comparative Biosciences (I.C.B.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.N.T.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
| | - Indrani C Bagchi
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (H.S.K., A.M.H., M.K.B.), Cell and Developmental Biology (L.J.S.), and Comparative Biosciences (I.C.B.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.N.T.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
| | - Milan K Bagchi
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (H.S.K., A.M.H., M.K.B.), Cell and Developmental Biology (L.J.S.), and Comparative Biosciences (I.C.B.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.N.T.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
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Abstract
Progesterone and progesterone receptors (PRs) are essential for the development and cyclical regulation of hormone-responsive tissues including the breast and reproductive tract. Altered functions of PR isoforms contribute to the pathogenesis of tumors that arise in these tissues. In the breast, progesterone acts in concert with estrogen to promote proliferative and pro-survival gene programs. In sharp contrast, progesterone inhibits estrogen-driven growth in the uterus and protects the ovary from neoplastic transformation. Progesterone-dependent actions and associated biology in diverse tissues and tumors are mediated by two PR isoforms, PR-A and PR-B. These isoforms are subject to altered transcriptional activity or expression levels, differential crosstalk with growth factor signaling pathways, and distinct post-translational modifications and cofactor-binding partners. Herein, we summarize and discuss the recent literature focused on progesterone and PR isoform-specific actions in breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers. Understanding the complexity of context-dependent PR actions in these tissues is critical to developing new models that will allow us to advance our knowledge base with the goal of revealing novel and efficacious therapeutic regimens for these hormone-responsive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline H Diep
- HematologyOncology, and Transplantation DivisionDepartments of MedicinePharmacologyMasonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Delivery Code 2812, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USADivision of Physiology and GrowthDepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Andrea R Daniel
- HematologyOncology, and Transplantation DivisionDepartments of MedicinePharmacologyMasonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Delivery Code 2812, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USADivision of Physiology and GrowthDepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Laura J Mauro
- HematologyOncology, and Transplantation DivisionDepartments of MedicinePharmacologyMasonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Delivery Code 2812, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USADivision of Physiology and GrowthDepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Todd P Knutson
- HematologyOncology, and Transplantation DivisionDepartments of MedicinePharmacologyMasonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Delivery Code 2812, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USADivision of Physiology and GrowthDepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Carol A Lange
- HematologyOncology, and Transplantation DivisionDepartments of MedicinePharmacologyMasonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Delivery Code 2812, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USADivision of Physiology and GrowthDepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108, USA HematologyOncology, and Transplantation DivisionDepartments of MedicinePharmacologyMasonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Delivery Code 2812, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USADivision of Physiology and GrowthDepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108, USA
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Wetendorf M, DeMayo FJ. Progesterone receptor signaling in the initiation of pregnancy and preservation of a healthy uterus. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2015; 58:95-106. [PMID: 25023675 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.140069mw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Infertility and reproductive-associated disease are global problems in the world today affecting millions of women. A successful pregnancy requires a healthy uterus ready to receive and support an implanting embryo. As an endocrine organ, the uterus is dependent on the secretions of the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone which signal via their cognate receptors, the estrogen and progesterone receptors. The progesterone receptor not only functions using classical nuclear receptor signaling, but also participates in non-genomic signaling at the cellular membrane. The complexity of progesterone signaling is further enhanced by the existence of multiple isoforms and post-translational regulation via kinases and transcription coregulators. This dynamic means of regulation of the progesterone receptor is evidenced in its necessary role in a successful pregnancy. Within early pregnancy, the progesterone receptor elicits activation of its target genes in a spatiotemporal manner in order to allow for successful embryo attachment and uterine decidualization. Additionally, appropriate progesterone signaling is important for the prevention of uterine disease such as endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and leiomyoma. The utilization of progesterone receptor modulators in the treatment of these devastating uterine diseases is promising. This review presents a general overview of progesterone receptor structure, function, and regulation and highlights its important role in the establishment of pregnancy and as a therapeutic target in uterine disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margeaux Wetendorf
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program , Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
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22
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Patel B, Elguero S, Thakore S, Dahoud W, Bedaiwy M, Mesiano S. Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 21:155-73. [PMID: 25406186 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progesterone is a key hormonal regulator of the female reproductive system. It plays a major role to prepare the uterus for implantation and in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Actions of progesterone on the uterine tissues (endometrium, myometrium and cervix) are mediated by the combined effects of two progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, designated PR-A and PR-B. Both receptors function primarily as ligand-activated transcription factors. Progesterone action on the uterine tissues is qualitatively and quantitatively determined by the relative levels and transcriptional activities of PR-A and PR-B. The transcriptional activity of the PR isoforms is affected by specific transcriptional coregulators and by PR post-translational modifications that affect gene promoter targeting. In this context, appropriate temporal and cell-specific expression and function of PR-A and PR-B are critical for normal uterine function. METHODS Relevant studies describing the role of PRs in uterine physiology and pathology (endometriosis, uterine leiomyoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and recurrent pregnancy loss) were comprehensively searched using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar and critically reviewed. RESULTS Progesterone, acting through PR-A and PR-B, regulates the development and function of the endometrium and induces changes in cells essential for implantation and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. During pregnancy, progesterone via the PRs promotes myometrial relaxation and cervical closure. Withdrawal of PR-mediated progesterone signaling triggers menstruation and parturition. PR-mediated progesterone signaling is anti-mitogenic in endometrial epithelial cells, and as such, mitigates the tropic effects of estrogen on eutopic normal endometrium, and on ectopic implants in endometriosis. Similarly, ligand-activated PRs function as tumor suppressors in endometrial cancer cells through inhibition of key cellular signaling pathways required for growth. In contrast, progesterone via PR activation appears to increase leiomyoma growth. The exact role of PRs in cervical cancer is unclear. PRs regulate implantation and therefore aberrant PR function may be implicated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). PRs likely regulate key immunogenic factors involved in RPL. However, the exact role of PRs in the pathophysiology of RPL and the use of progesterone for therapeutic benefit remains uncertain. CONCLUSIONS PRs are key mediators of progesterone action in uterine tissues and are essential for normal uterine function. Aberrant PR function (due to abnormal expression and/or function) is a major cause of uterine pathophysiology. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms of PR isoform action in the uterus is required, as this knowledge will afford the opportunity to create progestin/PR-based therapeutics to treat various uterine pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bansari Patel
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Sonia Elguero
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Suruchi Thakore
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Wissam Dahoud
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Mohamed Bedaiwy
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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23
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Influence of domain interactions on conformational mobility of the progesterone receptor detected by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Structure 2014; 22:961-73. [PMID: 24909783 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2014.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Structural and functional details of the N-terminal activation function 1 (AF1) of most nuclear receptors are poorly understood due to the highly dynamic intrinsically disordered nature of this domain. A hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) mass-spectrometry-based investigation of TATA box-binding protein (TBP) interaction with various domains of progesterone receptor (PR) demonstrate that agonist-bound PR interaction with TBP via AF1 impacts the mobility of the C-terminal AF2. Results from HDX and other biophysical studies involving agonist- and antagonist-bound full-length PR and isolated PR domains reveal the molecular mechanism underlying synergistic transcriptional activation mediated by AF1 and AF2, dominance of PR-B isoform over PR-A, and the necessity of AF2 for full AF1-mediated transcriptional activity. These results provide a comprehensive picture elaborating the underlying mechanism of PR-TBP interactions as a model for studying nuclear receptor (NR)-transcription factor functional interactions.
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24
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Hagan CR, Lange CA. Molecular determinants of context-dependent progesterone receptor action in breast cancer. BMC Med 2014; 12:32. [PMID: 24552158 PMCID: PMC3929904 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-12-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ovarian steroid hormone, progesterone, and its nuclear receptor, the progesterone receptor, are implicated in the progression of breast cancer. Clinical trial data on the effects of hormone replacement therapy underscore the importance of understanding how progestins influence breast cancer growth. The progesterone receptor regulation of distinct target genes is mediated by complex interactions between the progesterone receptor and other regulatory factors that determine the context-dependent transcriptional action of the progesterone receptor. These interactions often lead to post-translational modifications to the progesterone receptor that can dramatically alter receptor function, both in the normal mammary gland and in breast cancer. This review highlights the molecular components that regulate progesterone receptor transcriptional action and describes how a better understanding of the complex interactions between the progesterone receptor and other regulatory factors may be critical to enhancing the clinical efficacy of anti-progestins for use in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carol A Lange
- Department of Medicine (Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation) and the Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 806, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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25
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Li X, Feng Y, Lin JF, Billig H, Shao R. Endometrial progesterone resistance and PCOS. J Biomed Sci 2014; 21:2. [PMID: 24405633 PMCID: PMC3917599 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-21-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a state of altered steroid hormone production and activity. Chronic estrogen exposure or lack of progesterone due to ovarian dysfunction can result in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma. A key contributor to our understanding of progesterone as a critical regulator for normal uterine function has been the elucidation of progesterone receptor (PR) expression, regulation, and signaling pathways. Several human studies indicate that PR-mediated signaling pathways in the nucleus are associated with progesterone resistance in women with PCOS. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of endometrial progesterone resistance in women with PCOS; to present the PR structure, its different isoforms, and their expression in the endometrium; to illustrate the possible regulation of PR and PR-mediated signaling in progesterone resistance in women with PCOS; and to discuss current clinical treatments for atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma in women with PCOS and accompanying progesterone resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ruijin Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden.
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26
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Shao R. Progesterone receptor isoforms A and B: new insights into the mechanism of progesterone resistance for the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Ecancermedicalscience 2013; 7:381. [PMID: 24386010 PMCID: PMC3869473 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2013.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone therapy is an effective treatment for atypical endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial carcinoma (EC). However, progesterone resistance is the main obstacle to the success of conservative treatment in women with type I EC and remains a major clinical challenge. Studies indicate that progesterone and progesterone receptors (PRs) play a significant role in both normal and neoplastic endometria. Most EC arises in the epithelial cells of the endometrial glands, and a large body of in vitro evidence suggests that the absence or reduced expression of PR isoform B might result in the failure of progesterone treatment and lead to aberrant PRB-mediated signalling in EC cells. A recently developed in vivo knockout mouse model suggests that enhanced DNA methylation decreases the level of stromal PR isoform A and that this is also a main contributor to progesterone resistance in EC cells. The endometrial stroma within the EC might create a microenvironment that determines how epithelial-derived cancer cells respond to progesterone. This novel study opened a new avenue for research seeking to clarify the mechanisms that regulate the specific PR isoforms that are associated with the stromal cell responses to progesterone and has led to new understanding of both endometrial cell-specific and mechanical contributions of the stroma to EC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijin Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
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27
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Hagan CR, Knutson TP, Lange CA. A Common Docking Domain in Progesterone Receptor-B links DUSP6 and CK2 signaling to proliferative transcriptional programs in breast cancer cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:8926-42. [PMID: 23921636 PMCID: PMC3799453 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone receptors (PR) are transcription factors relevant to breast cancer biology. Herein, we describe an N-terminal common docking (CD) domain in PR-B, a motif first described in mitogen-activated protein kinases. Binding studies revealed PR-B interacts with dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) via the CD domain. Mutation of the PR-B CD domain (mCD) attenuated cell cycle progression and expression of PR-B target genes (including STAT5A and Wnt1); mCD PR-B failed to undergo phosphorylation on Ser81, a ck2-dependent site required for expression of these genes. PR-B Ser81 phosphorylation was dependent on binding with DUSP6 and required for recruitment of a transcriptional complex consisting of PR-B, DUSP6 and ck2 to an enhancer region upstream of the Wnt1 promoter. STAT5 was present at this site in the absence or presence of progestin. Furthermore, phospho-Ser81 PR-B was recruited to the STAT5A gene upon progestin treatment, suggestive of a feed-forward mechanism. Inhibition of JAK/STAT-signaling blocked progestin-induced STAT5A and Wnt1 expression. Our studies show that DUSP6 serves as a scaffold for ck2-dependent PR-B Ser81 phosphorylation and subsequent PR-B-specific gene selection in coordination with STAT5. Coregulation of select target genes by PR-B and STAT5 is likely a global mechanism required for growth promoting programs relevant to mammary stem cell biology and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy R Hagan
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Cell Signaling Program; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Cancer Cardiology Research Building, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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28
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Macer ML, Taylor HS. Endometriosis and infertility: a review of the pathogenesis and treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2013. [PMID: 23182559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Endometriois has been associated with infertility; however, the mechanisms by which it affects fertility are still not fully understood. This article reviews the proposed mechanisms of endometriosis pathogenesis, its effects on fertility, and treatments of endometriosis-associated infertility. Theories on the cause of the disease include retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, altered immunity, stem cells, and genetics. Endometriosis affects gametes and embryos, the fallopian tubes and embryo transport, and the eutopic endometrium; these abnormalities likely all impact fertility. Current treatment options of endometriosis-associated infertility include surgery, superovulation with intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization. We also discuss potential future treatments for endometriosis-related infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Latham Macer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208063, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA
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29
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Evans J, Hannan NJ, Hincks C, Rombauts LJF, Salamonsen LA. Defective soil for a fertile seed? Altered endometrial development is detrimental to pregnancy success. PLoS One 2012; 7:e53098. [PMID: 23300868 PMCID: PMC3533948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Synchronous development of the endometrium (to achieve a receptive state) and of the embryo is essential for successful implantation and ongoing pregnancy. Endometrial receptivity exists only for a finite time in a menstrual cycle and the endometrium is refractory to embryo implantation outside of this window. Administration of hormones to stimulate multifollicular development within the ovary, integral to the majority of assisted reproduction (ART) protocols, dramatically alters the hormonal milieu to which the endometrium is exposed versus normal menstrual cycles. Endometrial maturation may be profoundly affected by this altered endocrine environment. Aim Compare endometrial histology in fertile women, fertile women undergoing hormonal stimulation for oocyte donation and infertile women undergoing fresh embryo transfers in an ART cycle with further comparisons between women who did or did not become pregnant. Examine the presence of leukocytes and markers of endometrial maturation. Methods Endometrial histology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining with a semi quantitative scoring method developed to compare histological appearance of tissues. The presence of leukocytes and developmental markers was examined by immunohistochemistry and scored. Results Endometrial histology was dramatically altered upon stimulation for ART. However, those women who became pregnant presented with significantly less alterations in histological endometrial maturation. Numbers and activation status of leukocyte populations were also altered within the endometria stimulated for ART, with neutrophils undergoing degranulation, usually observed only pre-menstrually. Conclusion We propose that such developmental changes render the endometrium hostile to the embryo and that modifications to ART protocols should be considered to take account of the requirement for endometrial receptivity and hence increase pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Evans
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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30
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Su S, Blackwelder AJ, Grossman G, Minges JT, Yuan L, Young SL, Wilson EM. Primate-specific melanoma antigen-A11 regulates isoform-specific human progesterone receptor-B transactivation. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:34809-24. [PMID: 22891251 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.372797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Progesterone acting through the progesterone receptor (PR) and its coregulators prepares the human endometrium for receptivity to embryo implantation and maintains pregnancy. The menstrual cycle-dependent expression of melanoma antigen-A11 (MAGE-11) in the mid-secretory human endometrium suggested a novel function in human PR signaling. Here we show that MAGE-11 is an isoform-specific coregulator responsible for the greater transcriptional activity of human PR-B relative to PR-A. PR was recruited to progesterone response regions of progesterone-regulated FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5) immunophilin and small Ras family G protein cell growth inhibitor RASD1 genes. Expression of MAGE-11 lentivirus shRNA in human endometrial Ishikawa cells expressing PR-B showed that MAGE-11 is required for isoform-specific PR-B up-regulation of FKBP5. In contrast, MAGE-11 was not required for progesterone up-regulation of RASD1 in endometrial cells expressing the PR-A/B heterodimer. Target gene specificity of PR-B depended on the synergistic actions of MAGE-11 and p300 mediated by the unique PR-B NH(2)-terminal (110)LLXXVLXXLL(119) motif that interacts with the MAGE-11 F-box region in a phosphorylation- and ubiquitinylation-dependent manner. A progesterone-dependent mechanism is proposed in which MAGE-11 and p300 increase PR-B up-regulation of the FKBP5 gene. MAGE-11 down-regulates PR-B, similar to the effects of progesterone, and interacts with FKBP5 to stabilize a complex with PR-B. We conclude that the coregulator function of MAGE-11 extends to isoform-specific regulation of PR-B during the cyclic development of the human endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifeng Su
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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31
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Leach RE, Jessmon P, Coutifaris C, Kruger M, Myers ER, Ali-Fehmi R, Carson SA, Legro RS, Schlaff WD, Carr BR, Steinkampf MP, Silva S, Leppert PC, Giudice L, Diamond MP, Armant DR. High throughput, cell type-specific analysis of key proteins in human endometrial biopsies of women from fertile and infertile couples. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:814-28. [PMID: 22215622 PMCID: PMC3279126 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 08/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although histological dating of endometrial biopsies provides little help for prediction or diagnosis of infertility, analysis of individual endometrial proteins, proteomic profiling and transcriptome analysis have suggested several biomarkers with altered expression arising from intrinsic abnormalities, inadequate stimulation by or in response to gonadal steroids or altered function due to systemic disorders. The objective of this study was to delineate the developmental dynamics of potentially important proteins in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, utilizing a collection of endometrial biopsies from women of fertile (n = 89) and infertile (n = 89) couples. METHODS AND RESULTS Progesterone receptor-B (PGR-B), leukemia inhibitory factor, glycodelin/progestagen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP), homeobox A10, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, calcitonin and chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) were measured using a high-throughput, quantitative immunohistochemical method. Significant cyclic and tissue-specific regulation was documented for each protein, as well as their dysregulation in women of infertile couples. Infertile patients demonstrated a delay early in the secretory phase in the decline of PGR-B (P < 0.05) and premature mid-secretory increases in PAEP (P < 0.05) and CXCL14 (P < 0.05), suggesting that the implantation interval could be closing early. Correlation analysis identified potential interactions among certain proteins that were disrupted by infertility. CONCLUSIONS This approach overcomes the limitations of a small sample number. Protein expression and localization provided important insights into the potential roles of these proteins in normal and pathological development of the endometrium that is not attainable from transcriptome analysis, establishing a basis for biomarker, diagnostic and targeted drug development for women with infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E. Leach
- Michigan State University-Spectrum Health Medical Group, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Philip Jessmon
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bruce R. Carr
- University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Susan Silva
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Linda Giudice
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - D. Randall Armant
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
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32
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Hill KK, Roemer SC, Churchill ME, Edwards DP. Structural and functional analysis of domains of the progesterone receptor. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 348:418-29. [PMID: 21803119 PMCID: PMC4437577 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Revised: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormone receptors are multi-domain proteins composed of conserved well-structured regions, such as ligand (LBD) and DNA binding domains (DBD), plus other naturally unstructured regions including the amino-terminal domain (NTD) and the hinge region between the LBD and DBD. The hinge is more than just a flexible region between the DBD and LBD and is capable of binding co-regulatory proteins and the minor groove of DNA flanking hormone response elements. Because the hinge can directly participate in DNA binding it has also been termed the carboxyl terminal extension (CTE) of the DNA binding domain. The CTE and NTD are dynamic regions of the receptor that can adopt multiple conformations depending on the environment of interacting proteins and DNA. Both regions have important regulatory roles for multiple receptor functions that are related to the ability of the CTE and NTD to form multiple active conformations. This review focuses on studies of the CTE and NTD of progesterone receptor (PR), as well as related work with other steroid/nuclear receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista K. Hill
- Department of Immunology, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO 80206, USA
| | - Sarah C. Roemer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mair E.A. Churchill
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dean P. Edwards
- Departments of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Saleh L, Otti GR, Fiala C, Pollheimer J, Knöfler M. Evaluation of human first trimester decidual and telomerase-transformed endometrial stromal cells as model systems of in vitro decidualization. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2011; 9:155. [PMID: 22151839 PMCID: PMC3267678 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-9-155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decidualization, the differentiation process of maternal uterine stromal cells into secretory decidual cells, is a prerequisite for successful implantation and progression of pregnancy. For in vitro differentiation mostly primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) isolated from uterine samples after hysterectomy for benign gynaecological diseases are utilised. However, a continuous supply of endometrial tissue is often lacking. Hence, we analysed whether cultivated human decidual stromal cells (HDSC) prepared from first trimester pregnancy terminations may represent an alternative model system for in vitro decidualization. Moreover, based on the expression of critical marker genes these cells were compared to a previously established endometrial stromal cell line during in vitro differentiation. METHODS HDSC isolated from decidual tissue attached to first trimester placentae, and telomerase-transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESC) were characterised by immunofluorescence and differentiated in vitro using either cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and/or estrogen (E2)/progesterone (P4). Proliferation was measured by analyzing cumulative cell numbers. Expression of mRNAs encoding progesterone receptor (PR), prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP1), and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) was evaluated using quantitative PCR after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days of in vitro differentiation. PRL and IGFBP-1 protein expression was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting, respectively. Furthermore, forkhead box O1A (FOXO1A), a critical transcription factor in decidualization, was analysed by immunofluorescence and Western blotting at two different time points of differentiation. RESULTS Treatment with cAMP provoked morphological changes and growth arrest of THESC and HDSC, the latter showing loss of cells after 6 days of treatment. E2P4 stimulation did neither affect cell morphology nor proliferation of THESC and HDSC. Upon cAMP stimulation PR mRNA was suppressed in HDSC but not in THESC, whereas E2P4 did not alter transcript levels in both cell types. Protein expression of PR-A and PR-B was detectable in HDSC and diminished under cAMP, whereas THESC failed to produce the nuclear receptors. Supplementation of cAMP induced mRNA and protein expression of PRL and IGFBP-1 in both cell types at day 3, 6, 9, and 12 of treatment. In HDSC stimulation with E2P4 increased PRL and IGFBP-1 mRNA and protein production, whereas hormone treatment did not induce the two factors in THESC. E2P4 increased DKK1 mRNA at all time points in HDSC and cAMP provoked induction at day 9 and 12 of differentiation. In contrast, cAMP suppressed DKK1 mRNA in THESC, whereas E2P4 was ineffective. In both cell types combined treatments with cAMP and E2P4 provoked higher expression levels of PRL and IGFBP1 mRNA and protein as compared to cAMP stimulation alone. FOXO1A protein and its nuclear abundance were increased by cAMP in both cell types. However, reduction of its nuclear localisation upon E2P4 treatment could only be observed in HDSC. CONCLUSION Both HDSC and THESC may represent suitable model systems for cAMP-dependent in vitro decidualization. Since cAMP decreases cell viability of HDSC after 6 days of incubation, this substance should be preferentially used in short-term experiments. Progesterone treatment of THESC might not be applicable since these cells lack progesterone response and PR protein. In contrast, stimulation of PR-expressing HDSC with E2P4 or cAMP/E2P4 may represent an appropriate protocol for human in vitro decidualization inducing and maintaining expression of critical marker genes in a time-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Saleh
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Grimaldi G, Christian M, Steel JH, Henriet P, Poutanen M, Brosens JJ. Down-regulation of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 contributes to the epigenetic programming of decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells. Mol Endocrinol 2011; 25:1892-903. [PMID: 21903722 DOI: 10.1210/me.2011-1139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) into decidual cells represents a highly coordinated process essential for embryo implantation. We show that decidualizing HESC down-regulate the histone methyltransferase enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), resulting in declining levels of trimethylation of histone 3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3) at the proximal promoters of key decidual marker genes PRL and IGFBP1. Loss of H3K27me3 was associated with a reciprocal enrichment in acetylation of the same lysine residue, indicating active remodeling from repressive to transcriptionally permissive chromatin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that decidualization triggers genome-wide changes in H3K27me3 distribution that only partly overlap those observed upon EZH2 knockdown in undifferentiated HESC. Gene ontology revealed that gain of the repressive H3K27me3 mark in response to decidualization and upon EZH2 knockdown in undifferentiated cells was enriched at the promoter regions of genes involved in transcriptional regulation and growth/cell proliferation, respectively. However, loss of the H3K27me3 mark (indicating increased chromatin accessibility) in decidualizing cells and upon EZH2 knockdown occurred at selective loci enriched for genes functionally implicated in responses to stimulus. In agreement, EZH2 knockdown in undifferentiated HESC was sufficient to augment the induction of decidual marker genes in response to cyclic AMP and progesterone signaling. Thus, loss of EZH2-dependent methyltransferase activity in the endometrium is integral to the process of chromatin remodeling that enables the transition from a proliferative to a decidual phenotype in response to differentiation cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Grimaldi
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
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Yang S, Thiel KW, Leslie KK. Progesterone: the ultimate endometrial tumor suppressor. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2011; 22:145-52. [PMID: 21353793 PMCID: PMC4062362 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2011.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2010] [Revised: 01/11/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The uterine endometrium is exquisitely sensitive to steroid hormones that act through well-described nuclear receptors. Estrogen drives epithelial proliferation, and progesterone inhibits growth and causes cell differentiation. The importance of progesterone as a key inhibitor of carcinogenesis is reflected by the observation that women who ovulate and produce progesterone almost never get endometrial cancer. In this review we describe seminal research findings that define progesterone as the major endometrial tumor suppressor. We discuss the genes and diverse signaling pathways that are controlled by progesterone through progesterone receptors (PRs) and also the multiple factors that regulate progesterone/PR activity. By defining these progesterone-regulated factors and pathways we identify the principal therapeutic opportunities to control the growth of endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Yang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center,The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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Bulun SE, Cheng YH, Pavone ME, Yin P, Imir G, Utsunomiya H, Thung S, Xue Q, Marsh EE, Tokunaga H, Ishikawa H, Kurita T, Su EJ. 17Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 deficiency and progesterone resistance in endometriosis. Semin Reprod Med 2010; 28:44-50. [PMID: 20108182 DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1242992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) stimulates the growth and inflammation in the ectopic endometriotic tissue that commonly resides on the pelvic organs. Several clinical and laboratory-based observations are indicative of resistance to progesterone action in endometriosis. The molecular basis of progesterone resistance in endometriosis may be related to an overall reduction in the levels of progesterone receptor (PR). In normal endometrium, progesterone acts via PR on stromal cells to induce secretion of paracrine factor(s) that in turn stimulate neighboring epithelial cells to express the enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD17B2). HSD17B2 is an extremely efficient enzyme and rapidly metabolizes the biologically potent estrogen E2 to weakly estrogenic estrone. In endometriotic tissue, progesterone is incapable of inducing epithelial HSD17B2 expression due to a defect in stromal cells. The inability of endometriotic stromal cells to produce progesterone-induced paracrine factors that stimulate HSD17B2 may be due to the very low levels of PR observed in vivo in endometriotic tissue. The end result is deficient metabolism of E2 in endometriosis giving rise to high local concentrations of this mitogen. The molecular details of this physiological paracrine interaction between the stroma and epithelium in normal endometrium and its lack thereof in endometriosis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serdar E Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Biology Research, Department Obstetrics and Gynecology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
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Cakmak H, Taylor HS. Molecular mechanisms of treatment resistance in endometriosis: the role of progesterone-hox gene interactions. Semin Reprod Med 2010; 28:69-74. [PMID: 20104430 DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1242996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
HOX genes, encoding homeodomain transcription factors, are dynamically expressed in endometrium, where they are necessary for endometrial growth, differentiation, and implantation. In human endometrium, the expression of HOXA10 and HOXA11 is driven by sex steroids, with peak expression occurring at time of implantation in response to rising progesterone levels. However, the maximal HOXA10 and HOXA11 expression fails to occur in women with endometriosis. In endometriosis, altered progesterone receptor expression or diminished activity may lead to attenuated or dysregulated progesterone response and decreased expression of progesterone-responsive genes including HOX genes in the eutopic endometrium. In turn, other mediators of endometrial receptivity that are regulated by HOX genes, such as pinopodes, alphavbeta3 integrin, and IGFBP-1, are downregulated in endometriosis. HOXA10 hypermethylation has recently been demonstrated to silence HOXA10 gene expression and account for decreased HOXA10 in the endometrium of women with endometriosis. Silencing of progesterone target genes by methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that mediates progesterone resistance. The relatively permanent nature of methylation may explain the widespread failure of treatments for endometriosis-related infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Cakmak
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8063, USA
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Scarpin KM, Graham JD, Mote PA, Clarke CL. Progesterone action in human tissues: regulation by progesterone receptor (PR) isoform expression, nuclear positioning and coregulator expression. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR SIGNALING 2009; 7:e009. [PMID: 20087430 PMCID: PMC2807635 DOI: 10.1621/nrs.07009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/11/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone is a critical regulator of normal female reproductive function, with diverse tissue-specific effects in the human. The effects of progesterone are mediated by its nuclear receptor (PR) that is expressed as two isoforms, PRA and PRB, which are virtually identical except that PRA lacks 164 amino acids that are present at the N-terminus of PRB. Considerable in vitro evidence suggests that the two PRs are functionally distinct and in animals, tissue-specific distribution patterns of PRA and PRB may account for some of the diversity of progesterone effects. In the human, PRA and PRB are equivalently expressed in most target cells, suggesting that alternative mechanisms control the diversity of progesterone actions. PR mediates the effects of progesterone by association with a range of coregulatory proteins and binding to specific target sequences in progesterone-regulated gene promoters. Ligand activation of PR results in redistribution into discrete subnuclear foci that are detectable by immunofluorescence, probably representing aggregates of multiple transcriptionally active PR-coregulator complexes. PR foci are aberrant in cancers, suggesting that the coregulator composition and number of complexes is altered. A large family of coregulators is now described and the range of proteins known to bind PR exceeds the complement required for transcriptional activation, suggesting that in the human, tissue-specific coregulator expression may modulate progesterone response. In this review, we examine the role of nuclear localization of PR, coregulator association and tissue-specific expression in modulating progesterone action in the human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Scarpin
- Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney Western Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Graham JD, Mote PA, Salagame U, van Dijk JH, Balleine RL, Huschtscha LI, Reddel RR, Clarke CL. DNA replication licensing and progenitor numbers are increased by progesterone in normal human breast. Endocrinology 2009; 150:3318-26. [PMID: 19342456 PMCID: PMC2703536 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proliferation in the nonpregnant human breast is highest in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when serum progesterone levels are high, and exposure to progesterone analogues in hormone replacement therapy is known to elevate breast cancer risk, yet the proliferative effects of progesterone in the human breast are poorly understood. In a model of normal human breast, we have shown that progesterone increased incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and increased cell numbers by activation of pathways involved in DNA replication licensing, including E2F transcription factors, chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (Cdt1), and the minichromosome maintenance proteins and by increased expression of proteins involved in kinetochore formation including Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) and regulation of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1). Progenitor cells competent to give rise to both myoepithelial and luminal epithelial cells were increased by progesterone, showing that progesterone influences epithelial cell lineage differentiation. Therefore, we have demonstrated that progesterone augments proliferation of normal human breast cells by both activating DNA replication licensing and kinetochore formation and increasing bipotent progenitor numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dinny Graham
- Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia
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Fleisch MC, Chou YC, Cardiff RD, Asaithambi A, Shyamala G. Overexpression of progesterone receptor A isoform in mice leads to endometrial hyperproliferation, hyperplasia and atypia. Mol Hum Reprod 2009; 15:241-9. [PMID: 19224949 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A delicate balance in estrogen and progesterone signaling through their cognate receptors is characteristic for the physiologic state of the endometrium, and a shift in receptor isotype expression can be frequently found in human endometrial pathology. In this study, using a transgenic mouse model, we examined the mechanisms whereby alterations in progesterone receptor (PR) isotype expression leads to endometrial pathology. For an experimental model, we used transgenic mice (PR-A transgenics) carrying an imbalance in the native ratio of the two PR isoforms A and B (PR-A and PR-B) through the expression of additional A form and examined their uterine phenotype under different hormonal regimens, using various criteria. Uterine epithelial cell proliferation was augmented in PR-A transgenics and was abolished by PR antagonists. In particular, proliferative response to progesterone, independent of signaling through estrogen, was enhanced. Upon continuous exposure to estradiol and progesterone, the uteri in PR-A transgenics displayed gross enlargement, endometrial hyperplasia including atypical lesions, endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Imbalanced expression of the two isoforms of PR in a transgenic model reveals multiple derangements in the regulation of uterine physiology, resulting in various pathologies including hyperplasias.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Fleisch
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Harduf H, Goldman S, Shalev E. Progesterone receptor A and c-Met mediates spheroids-endometrium attachment. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:14. [PMID: 19220894 PMCID: PMC2649138 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2008] [Accepted: 02/16/2009] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Implantation in humans involves cross talk between an active blastocyst and receptive endometrium. The role of the endometrial receptors in this complex embryo-maternal interaction is still unclear. We tested gene and protein expression of endometrial receptors (Progesterone receptor (PR) and c-Met) and the effect of theses receptors in endometrial receptivity. METHODS Two endometrial cell lines were used: HEC-1A and RL95-2 considered as being of low and high receptivity, respectively. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis were utilized to study the receptor expression profile.The role of endometrial receptors in endometrial receptivity was studied by attachment and invasion assays of JAR spheroids (made of a trophoblast cell line) on endometrial cells. Different manipulations of inhibition and stimulation of the endometrial receptors were used including: inhibition by specific antibodies against the receptors, or antagonist of the receptors, as well as transfection with antisense for the endometrial receptors, stimulation by specific ligands for the receptors and transfection with the gene for endometrial receptors. RESULTS Different protein expression patterns of endometrial receptors were observed between the tested endometrial cell lines. The expression levels of PRA ratio to PRB, and the 50 kDa c-MET isoform were significantly lower in HEC-1A as compared with RL95-2. Attachment rates and growth of JAR spheroids into HEC-1A were significantly lower as compared with RL95-2. Stimulation of PR with progesterone altered attachment rates to HEC-1A. Inhibition of PR with RU-486 mildly increased attachment rate to HEC-1A whereas it slightly decreased attachment rate to RL95-2. c-Met inhibition decreased attachment rates only to HEC-1A cells that expressing high levels of Plexin-B1 (PB1). Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that c-Met and PB1 associate in complexes in the endometrial cell lines. CONCLUSION Differential endometrial receptor profiles are expressed during the receptivity period. The attachment and invasion processes are separately regulated. We suggest a biologically functional role for PRA in endometrial receptivity and in the attachment process. c-Met contribution is minor and related with creation of a complex with PB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haggar Harduf
- Laboratory for Research in Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shlomit Goldman
- Laboratory for Research in Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Eliezer Shalev
- Laboratory for Research in Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Hirota Y, Tranguch S, Daikoku T, Hasegawa A, Osuga Y, Taketani Y, Dey SK. Deficiency of immunophilin FKBP52 promotes endometriosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2008; 173:1747-57. [PMID: 18988805 PMCID: PMC2626386 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2008.080527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease that affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. It is characterized by endometrial growth outside the uterus and often results in inflamed lesions, pain, and reduced fertility. Although heightened estrogenic activity and/or reduced progesterone responsiveness are considered to be involved in the etiology of endometriosis, neither the extent of their participation nor the underlying mechanisms are clearly understood. Heterogeneous uterine cell types differentially respond to estrogen and progesterone (P(4)). P(4), primarily acting via its nuclear receptor (PR), activates gene transcription and impacts many reproductive processes. Deletion of Fkbp52, an immunophilin cochaperone for PR, results in uterine-specific P(4) resistance in mice, creating an opportunity to study the unique aspects of P(4) signaling in endometriosis. Here we explored the roles of FKBP52 in this disease using Fkbp52(-/-) mice. We found that the loss of FKBP52 encourages the growth of endometriotic lesions with increased inflammation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. We also found remarkable down-regulation of FKBP52 in cases of human endometriosis. Our results provide the first evidence corroborated by genetic studies in mice for a potential role of an immunophilin cochaperone in the etiology of human endometriosis. This investigation is highly relevant for clinical application, particularly because P(4) resistance is favorably indicated in endometriosis and other gynecological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Hirota
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Lee B, Du H, Taylor HS. Experimental murine endometriosis induces DNA methylation and altered gene expression in eutopic endometrium. Biol Reprod 2008; 80:79-85. [PMID: 18799756 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.070391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The eutopic endometrium in women with endometriosis demonstrates diminished endometrial receptivity and altered gene expression. It is unknown if the endometrium being defective gives rise to a predisposition toward endometriosis and infertility or, alternatively, if endometriosis causes the altered endometrial receptivity. Here we created experimental endometriosis in mice and examined the expression of several markers of endometrial receptivity in the eutopic endometrium. Methylation of Hoxa10 was also evaluated as a potential mechanism responsible for altered gene expression. Expression of each gene was measured using quantitative real-time RT-PCR at 14 wk after induction of endometriosis. Expression of Hoxa10 and Hoxa11, which are necessary for endometrial receptivity, were decreased in the endometriosis group. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (Igfbp1) mRNA was decreased in the endometriosis group. However, there was no change in Integrin beta3 (Itgb3) mRNA expression. Total progesterone receptor (Pgr-AB) was increased in the endometriosis group and the ratio of Pgr-B to Pgr-AB was increased, indicating a shift from Pgr-A to Pgr-B expression. Basic transcription element-binding protein-1 (Bteb1), official symbol and name Klf9, Kruppel-like factor 9, which functionally interacts with Pgr in endometrium, was also decreased in the endometriosis group. In addition, hypermethylation of Hoxa10 in the endometriosis group was shown by methylation-specific PCR and confirmed by bisulfite sequencing. These findings demonstrate that normal endometrium, when placed in an ectopic location to create experimental endometriosis, led to characteristic changes in gene expression in eutopic endometrium. These data suggest the existence of a signal conduction pathway from endometriosis that alters endometrial gene expression through altered Pgr signaling and epigenetic programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banghyun Lee
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
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Bukulmez O, Hardy DB, Carr BR, Word RA, Mendelson CR. Inflammatory status influences aromatase and steroid receptor expression in endometriosis. Endocrinology 2008; 149:1190-204. [PMID: 18048499 PMCID: PMC2275353 DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant up-regulation of aromatase in eutopic endometrium and implants from women with endometriosis has been reported. Aromatase induction may be mediated by increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Recently, we demonstrated that progesterone receptor (PR)-A and PR-B serve an antiinflammatory role in the uterus by antagonizing nuclear factor kappaB activation and COX-2 expression. PR-C, which antagonizes PR-B, is up-regulated by inflammation. Although estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) is implicated in endometriosis, an antiinflammatory role of ERbeta has been suggested. We examined stage-specific expression of aromatase, COX-2, ER, and PR isoform expression in eutopic endometrium, implants, peritoneum, and endometrioma samples from endometriosis patients. Endometrial and peritoneal biopsies were obtained from unaffected women and those with fibroids. Aromatase expression in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients was significantly increased compared with controls. Aromatase expression in endometriosis implants was markedly increased compared with eutopic endometrium. Aromatase mRNA levels were increased significantly in red implants relative to black implants and endometrioma cyst capsule. Moreover, COX-2 expression was increased in implants and in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis as compared with control endometrium. As observed for aromatase mRNA, the highest levels of COX-2 mRNA were found in red implants. The ratio of ERbeta/ERalpha mRNA was significantly elevated in endometriomas compared with endometriosis implants and eutopic endometrium. Expression of PR-C mRNA relative to PR-A and PR-B mRNA was significantly increased in endometriomas compared with eutopic and control endometrium. PR-A protein was barely detectable in endometriomas. Thus, whereas PR-C may enhance disease progression, up-regulation of ERbeta may play an antiinflammatory and opposing role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orhan Bukulmez
- Department of Obstetrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9032, USA
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Johnson MC, Torres M, Alves A, Bacallao K, Fuentes A, Vega M, Boric MA. Augmented cell survival in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis: expression of c-myc, TGF-beta1 and bax genes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2005; 3:45. [PMID: 16150151 PMCID: PMC1262771 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-3-45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2005] [Accepted: 09/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. The fragments in normal menstruation are composed of necrotic and living cells, which do not survive in ectopic locations because of programmed cell death. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is changed in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis throughout the menstrual cycle by studying bax (pro-apoptotic), c-myc (regulator of cell cycle) and TGF-beta1 (involved in cell differentiation) genes. METHODS Eutopic endometrium was obtained from: 30 women with endometriosis (32.8 +/- 5 years) and 34 fertile eumenorrheic women (36 +/- 5.3 years). We analyzed apoptosis (TUNEL: DNA fragmentation); cell proliferation (immunohistochemistry (IHC) for Ki67); c-myc, bax and TGF-beta1 mRNA abundance (RT-PCR) and TGF-beta1 protein (IHC) in endometrial explants. RESULTS Cell proliferation strongly decreased from proliferative to late secretory phases in glands, but not in stroma, in both endometria. Positive staining in glands and stroma from proliferative endometrium with endometriosis was 1.9- and 2.2-fold higher than control endometrium, respectively (p < 0.05). Abundance of c-myc mRNA was 65% higher in proliferative endometrium from endometriosis than normal tissue (p < 0.05). TGF-beta1 (mRNA and protein) augmented during mid secretory phase in normal endometrium, effect not observed in endometrium with endometriosis. In normal endometrium, the percentage of apoptotic epithelial and stromal cells increased more than 30-fold during late secretory phase. In contrast, in endometrium from endometriosis, not only this increase was not observed, besides bax mRNA decreased 63% versus normal endometrium (p < 0.05). At once, in early secretory phase, apoptotic stromal cells increased 10-fold with a concomitant augment of bax mRNA abundance (42%) in endometria from endometriosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION An altered expression of c-myc, TGF-beta1 and bax was observed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis, suggesting its participation in the regulation of cell survival in this disease. The augmented cell viability in eutopic endometrium from these patients as a consequence of a reduction in cell death by apoptosis, and also an increase in cell proliferation indicates that this condition may facilitate the invasive feature of the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cecilia Johnson
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marisa Torres
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alessandra Alves
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ketty Bacallao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ariel Fuentes
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Margarita Vega
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Angélica Boric
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile; and San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
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Goldsmith LT, Weiss G, Palejwala S, Plant TM, Wojtczuk A, Lambert WC, Ammur N, Heller D, Skurnick JH, Edwards D, Cole DM. Relaxin regulation of endometrial structure and function in the rhesus monkey. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:4685-9. [PMID: 15070778 PMCID: PMC384807 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0400776101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the documented importance of the protein hormone relaxin in reproduction in various mammalian species, the role of relaxin in human reproduction is poorly understood, largely because of the lack of studies in women or in suitable non-human primate models. Here we describe the establishment of a non-human primate model of early human pregnancy and its use in defining the actions of relaxin. Results demonstrate that relaxin exerts dramatic uterine effects including pronounced increase in uterine weight and stimulation of endometrial angiogenesis and resident endometrial lymphocyte number. In addition, relaxin decreases endometrial levels of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 and increases levels of their endogenous inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, resulting in maintenance of endometrial collagen content. Relaxin significantly inhibits endometrial levels of estrogen receptor alpha, but not beta, and of progesterone receptor isoforms A and B. The findings that relaxin stimulates new blood vessel formation and increases cytokine-containing lymphocyte number while maintaining endometrial connective tissue integrity are consistent with a significant role of relaxin in the establishment and/or maintenance of early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura T Goldsmith
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
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Betrabet SS, Choudhuri J, Gill-Sharma M. Use of viral promoters in mammalian cell-based bioassays: How reliable? J Transl Med 2004; 2:1. [PMID: 14720299 PMCID: PMC331422 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-2-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2003] [Accepted: 01/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based bioassays have been suggested for screening of hormones and drug bioactivities. They are a plausible alternative to animal based methods. The technique used is called receptor/reporter system. Receptor/reporter system was initially developed as a research technique to understand gene function. Often reporter constructs containing viral promoters were used because they could be expressed with very 'high' magnitude in a variety of cell types in the laboratory. On the other hand mammalian genes are expressed in a cell/tissue specific manner, which makes them (i.e. cells/tissues) specialized for specific function in vivo. Therefore, if the receptor/reporter system is to be used as a cell-based screen for testing of hormones and drugs for human therapy then the choice of cell line as well as the promoter in the reporter module is of prime importance so as to get a realistic measure of the bioactivities of 'test' compounds. We evaluated two conventionally used viral promoters and a natural mammalian promoter, regulated by steroid hormone progesterone, in a cell-based receptor/reporter system. The promoters were spliced into vectors expressing enzyme CAT (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase), which served as a reporter of their magnitudes and consistencies in controlling gene expressions. They were introduced into breast cell lines T47D and MCF-7, which served as a cell-based source of progesterone receptors. The yardstick of their reliability was highest magnitude as well as consistency in CAT expression on induction by sequential doses of progesterone. All the promoters responded to induction by progesterone doses ranging from 10-12 to 10-6 molar by expressing CAT enzyme, albeit with varying magnitudes and consistencies. The natural mammalian promoter showed the most coherence in magnitude as well as dose dependent expression profile in both the cell lines. Our study casts doubts on use of viral promoters in a cell-based bioassay for measuring bioactivities of drugs and hormones for human therapy and suggests caution regardingtranslation in toto, of a research technique as a cell-based bioassay for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrikant S Betrabet
- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health. (ICMR), Jahangir Merwanji Street. Parel, Mumbai.400 012, India
| | - Jyoti Choudhuri
- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health. (ICMR), Jahangir Merwanji Street. Parel, Mumbai.400 012, India
| | - Manjit Gill-Sharma
- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health. (ICMR), Jahangir Merwanji Street. Parel, Mumbai.400 012, India
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Jacobsen BM, Richer JK, Sartorius CA, Horwitz KB. Expression profiling of human breast cancers and gene regulation by progesterone receptors. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2003; 8:257-68. [PMID: 14973372 DOI: 10.1023/b:jomg.0000010028.48159.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Even the first expression profiling studies of breast cancers have generated new insights. They suggest for example, that information about tumor aggressiveness, prognosis, metastatic potential, or treatment outcome is encoded in, and can be deduced from, the primary tumor. On the other hand no clinical genomic array data have yet been published that deal with hormonal aspects of breast tumorigenesis, tumor progression, or therapeutics. Rather, studies have focused on experimental model systems. We review below the currently published data on array profiling in clinical breast cancer, then describe our studies in breast cancer cell lines and xenograft models dealing with progesterone receptors (PRs) and the role of progesterone. We demonstrate that the two PR isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, have mostly nonoverlapping molecular signatures when liganded by progesterone, with PR-B the more active form. Additionally, we document the surprising finding that unliganded PRs can regulate gene transcription, with PR-A the more active form. In ovariectomized mice supplemented with estradiol but lacking measurable progesterone, PR-B-expressing tumors grow to twice the size of PR-A-expressing ones. We conclude that in breast cancers, PRs are more than simple markers of estrogen receptor function. Rather, presence of PRs and the ratio of the two isoforms directly influence tumor phenotype, even in the absence of ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta M Jacobsen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.
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Conneely OM, Jericevic BM, Lydon JP. Progesterone receptors in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2003; 8:205-14. [PMID: 14635795 DOI: 10.1023/a:1025952924864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The steroid hormone, progesterone (P), is a central coordinator of all aspects of female reproductive activity and plays a key role in pregnancy-associated mammary gland morphogenesis and mammary tumorigenesis. The effects of P on the mammary gland are mediated by two structurally and functionally distinct nuclear receptors PR-A and PR-B that arise from a single gene. Null mutation of both receptors in PR knockout (PRKO) mice has demonstrated a critical role for PRs in mediating pregnancy-associated mammary ductal branching and lobuloalveolar differentiation and in initiation of mammary tumors in response to carcinogen. Analysis of the molecular genetic pathways disrupted in PRKO mice has recently yielded important insights into the molecular mechanisms of regulation of mammary gland morphogenesis by PRs. In addition to its essential role in regulating proliferative and differentiative responses of the adult mammary gland during pregnancy, P plays a critical role in the protection against mammary tumorigenesis afforded by early parity. Thus, the effects of P on postnatal developmental plasticity of the mammary gland differ between young and adult glands. This review will summarize recent advances in our understanding of 1) the molecular mechanisms by which PRs mediate pregnancy-associated mammary gland morphogenesis, 2) the role of PRs in mediating tumorigenic responses of the adult mammary gland to carcinogen, and 3) the role of P in long-term protection of the juvenile mammary gland against tumorigenesis. In addition, we will summarize recent insights into the isoform selective contributions to some of these activities of PRs obtained from comparative analysis of P-dependent mammary gland development in PR isoform specific knockout mice lacking either the PR-A (PRAKO) or PR-B (PRBKO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla M Conneely
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Wang H, Isaksson E, von Schoultz B, Cline JM, Sahlin L. Effect of long-term treatment with steroid hormones or tamoxifen on the progesterone receptor and androgen receptor in the endometrium of ovariectomized cynomolgus macaques. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2003; 1:7. [PMID: 12646074 PMCID: PMC151802 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-1-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2003] [Accepted: 02/05/2003] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR) belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Two isoforms of PR (A and B) have been identified with different functions. The expression of AR, each isoform of PR and their involvement in long-term effects on the endometrium after hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) or tamoxifen (TAM) treatment is not known. The aims of this study were to determine PR(A+B), PRB and AR distribution by immunohistochemistry in the macaque (Macaca fascicularis) endometrium. Ovariectomized (OVX) animals were orally treated continuously for 35 months with either conjugated equine estrogens (CEE); medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); the combination of CEE/MPA; or TAM. Treatment with CEE/MPA tended to down-regulate PR in the superficial glands, but increased it in the stroma. TAM treatment increased both the PR and PRB levels in the stroma. Overall, less than 20% of the cells were positive for the PRB isoform and less variation was observed after steroid treatment. AR was found in the stroma, mainly distributed in the basal layer of the endometrium in the OVX and steroid treated groups, but was absent in the TAM treated group. No AR was found in the glandular epithelium. The present data show that long-term hormone treatment affects the PR level, and also the ratio between PRA and PRB in the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- Division for Reproductive Endocrinology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erika Isaksson
- Department of Oncology, Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo von Schoultz
- Division for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Mark Cline
- Department of Pathology, Section on Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Lena Sahlin
- Division for Reproductive Endocrinology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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