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Rahimi Mansour F, Keyvanfar A, Najafiarab H, Rajaei Firouzabadi S, Sefidgar S, Hooshmand Chayijan S, Tarom M, Fadaei M, Farzaneh F, Karimzadeh Bardeei L, Tehrani S. Menstrual disturbances following COVID-19 vaccination: A probable puzzle about the role of endocrine and immune pathways. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 158:103952. [PMID: 37201456 PMCID: PMC10174728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103952] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Menstruation is a monthly shedding of the uterine wall, presented by menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive age. Menstruation is regulated by fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone, as well as other endocrine and immune pathways. Many women experienced menstrual disturbances after vaccination against the novel coronavirus in the last two years. Vaccine-induced menstrual disturbances have led to discomfort and concern among reproductive-age women, such that some decided not to receive the subsequent doses of the vaccine. Although many vaccinated women report these menstrual disturbances, the mechanism is still poorly understood. This review article discusses the endocrine and immune changes following COVID-19 vaccination and the possible mechanisms of vaccine-related menstrual disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farima Rahimi Mansour
- Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirreza Keyvanfar
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hanieh Najafiarab
- Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sahar Sefidgar
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammadreza Tarom
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahta Fadaei
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farah Farzaneh
- Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shabnam Tehrani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Liu Y, Yang H, Liang C, Huang X, Deng X, Luo Z. Expression of functional thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in microglia. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2021; 83:40-45. [PMID: 34896340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to clarify the expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) in microglial cells, and to explore its function. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of TSHR in microglia was determined by Western blot, immunocytofluorescence and double immunohistofluorescence. Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production was measured after thyrotropin receptor stimulating antibody (TSAb) treatment. RESULTS Results showed that TSHR protein was expressed and mainly located in the mouse microglia membrane. Moreover, TSAb stimulated cAMP production in mouse microglia (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the presence of TSHR in microglial cells. Brain TSHR was able to respond specifically to TSAb stimulation, suggesting that TSHR expression is functional. As microglia are innate immune cells that maintain environmental stability in the central nervous system and play a key role in many neuroimmune diseases, expression of functional TSHR in microglia has important pathophysiological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfeng Liang
- Department of Blood transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiujun Deng
- Department of Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuojie Luo
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China.
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Liu M, Khushbu RA, Chen P, Hu HY, Tang N, Ou-Yang DJ, Wei B, Zhao YX, Huang P, Chang S. Comprehensive Analysis of Prognostic Alternative Splicing Signature Reveals Recurrence Predictor for Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:705929. [PMID: 34722250 PMCID: PMC8548661 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.705929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative splicing (AS) plays a key role in the diversity of proteins and is closely associated with tumorigenicity. The aim of this study was to systemically analyze RNA alternative splicing (AS) and identify its prognostic value for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods AS percent-splice-in (PSI) data of 430 patients with PTC were downloaded from the TCGA SpliceSeq database. We successfully identified recurrence-free survival (RFS)-associated AS events through univariate Cox regression, LASSO regression and multivariate regression and then constructed different types of prognostic prediction models. Gene function enrichment analysis revealed the relevant signaling pathways involved in RFS-related AS events. Simultaneously, a regulatory network diagram of AS and splicing factors (SFs) was established. Results We identified 1397 RFS-related AS events which could be used as the potential prognostic biomarkers for PTC. Based on these RFS-related AS events, we constructed a ten-AS event prognostic prediction signature that could distinguish high-and low-risk patients and was highly capable of predicting PTC patient prognosis. ROC curve analysis revealed the excellent predictive ability of the ten-AS events model, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.889; the highest prediction intensity for one-year RFS was 0.923, indicating that the model could be used as a prognostic biomarker for PTC. In addition, the nomogram constructed by the risk score of the ten-AS model also showed high predictive efficiency for the prognosis of PTC patients. Finally, the constructed SF-AS network diagram revealed the regulatory role of SFs in PTC. Conclusion Through the limited analysis, AS events could be regarded as reliable prognostic biomarkers for PTC. The splicing correlation network also provided new insight into the potential molecular mechanisms of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rooh Afza Khushbu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui-Yu Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Neng Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Deng-Jie Ou-Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ya-Xin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Thyroid Disease in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Shi Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Thyroid Disease in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
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Querat B. Unconventional Actions of Glycoprotein Hormone Subunits: A Comprehensive Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:731966. [PMID: 34671318 PMCID: PMC8522476 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.731966] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycoprotein hormones (GPH) are heterodimers composed of a common α subunit and a specific β subunit. They act by activating specific leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptors. However, individual subunits have been shown to elicit responses in cells devoid of the receptor for the dimeric hormones. The α subunit is involved in prolactin production from different tissues. The human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (βhCG) plays determinant roles in placentation and in cancer development and metastasis. A truncated form of the thyrotropin (TSH) β subunit is also reported to have biological effects. The GPH α- and β subunits are derived from precursor genes (gpa and gpb, respectively), which are expressed in most invertebrate species and are still represented in vertebrates as GPH subunit paralogs (gpa2 and gpb5, respectively). No specific receptor has been found for the vertebrate GPA2 and GPB5 even if their heterodimeric form is able to activate the TSH receptor in mammals. Interestingly, GPA and GPB are phylogenetically and structurally related to cysteine-knot growth factors (CKGF) and particularly to a group of antagonists that act independently on any receptor. This review article summarizes the observed actions of individual GPH subunits and presents the current hypotheses of how these actions might be induced. New approaches are also proposed in light of the evolutionary relatedness with antagonists of the CKGF family of proteins.
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Klein JR. Dynamic Interactions Between the Immune System and the Neuroendocrine System in Health and Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:655982. [PMID: 33828532 PMCID: PMC8020567 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.655982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system and the neuroendocrine system share many common features. Both consist of diverse components consisting of receptors and networks that are widely distributed throughout the body, and both sense and react to external stimuli which, on the one hand control mechanisms of immunity, and on the other hand control and regulate growth, development, and metabolism. It is thus not surprising, therefore, that the immune system and the neuroendocrine system communicate extensively. This article will focus on bi-directional immune-endocrine interactions with particular emphasis on the hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. New findings will be discussed demonstrating the direct process through which the immune system-derived thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) controls thyroid hormone synthesis and bone metamorphosis, particularly in the context of a novel splice variant of TSHβ made by peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Also presented are the ways whereby the TSHβ splice variant may be a contributing factor in the development and/or perpetuation of autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT), and how systemic infection may elicit immune-endocrine responses. The relationship between non-HPT hormones, in particular adipose hormones, and immunity is discussed.
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Mezei M, Baliram R, Ali MR, Zaidi M, Davies TF, Latif R. The Human TSHβ Subunit Proteins and Their Binding Sites on the TSH Receptor Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5879754. [PMID: 32738139 PMCID: PMC7447003 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To gain further insight into the binding of the normal and variant human TSHβ subunits (TSHβ and TSHβv), we modeled the 2 monomeric proteins and studied their interaction with the TSH receptor ectodomain (TSHR-ECD) using molecular dynamics simulation Furthermore, analyzed their bioactivity in vitro using recombinant proteins to confirm that such binding was physiologically relevant. Examining the interaction of TSHβ and TSHβv with the TSHR-ECD model using molecular dynamic simulation revealed strong binding of these proteins to the receptor ECD. The specificity of TSHβ and TSHβv binding to the TSHR-ECD was examined by analyzing the hydrogen-bonding residues of these subunits to the FSH receptor ECD, indicating the inability of these molecules to bind to the FSH receptors. Furthermore, the modelling suggests that TSHβ and TSHβv proteins clasped the concave surface of the leucine rich region of the TSHR ECD in a similar way to the native TSH using dynamic hydrogen bonding. These mutually exclusive stable interactions between the subunits and ECD residues included some high-affinity contact sites corresponding to binding models of native TSH. Furthermore, we cloned TSHβ and TSHβv proteins using the entire coding ORF and purified the flag-tagged proteins. The expressed TSHβ subunit proteins retained bioactivity both in a coculture system as well as with immune-purified proteins. In summary, we showed that such interactions can result in a functional outcome and may exert physiological or pathophysiological effects in immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaly Mezei
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, New York, New York
- Correspondence: Mihaly Mezei, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn school of Medicine, Ine Gustave L Levy PL, New York NY 10029. E-mail:
| | - Ramkumarie Baliram
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - M Rejwan Ali
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, New York, New York
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Mone Zaidi
- Mount Sinai Bone Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Terry F Davies
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Rauf Latif
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, New York
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Weber A, Pawar HN, Klein JR. Thyroid stimulating hormone β-subunit splice variant is expressed in all fractional subsets of bone marrow hematopoietic cells and peripheral blood leukocytes and is modulated during bacterial infection. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 294:113495. [PMID: 32360559 PMCID: PMC7309478 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary, is used to regulate thyroid hormone secretion. It has been known for over three decades that TSH is made by the cells of the immune system; however, the functional role of immune system TSH is unclear. We previously demonstrated that an alternatively-spliced isoform of TSHβ, referred to as the TSHβ splice variant (TSHβv), is the primary form of TSHβ made by hematopoietic cells in mice and humans. Most studies have linked TSHβv expression to myeloid cells of the immune system; however, it has recently been demonstrated that plasma cells in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may be a source of immune system TSHβv. Here, we demonstrate that TSHβv is expressed in bone marrow precursors of lymphoid cells, monocytes, and granulocytes, as well as in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells. Plasma cells generated by in vitro culture with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and MLN cells from mice infected with L. monocytogenes expressed TSHβv. There was an increase in the intensity of intracellular TSHβv expression in MLN cells following exposure to LPS, and in the proportion of TSHβv+ CD138+ MLN cells following L. monocytogenes infection. The number of TSHβv+ cells increased in MLN cells, particularly among CD138+ cells, following bacterial infection. This was confirmed by an increase in gene expression of BLIMP-1, the transcription factor for CD138, following infection. Levels of circulating thyroxine dropped significantly in mice 24 hrs post-infection. These findings suggest that immune system TSHβv may contribute to the host immune response during bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Weber
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hitesh N Pawar
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John R Klein
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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