Selenazolidine: a selenium containing proline surrogate in peptide science

In the search for new peptide ligands containing selenium in their sequences, we investigated l-4-selenazolidine-carboxylic acid (selenazolidine, Sez) as a proline analog with the chalcogen atom in the γ-position of the ring. In contrast to proteinogenic selenocysteine (Sec) and selenomethionine (SeMet), the incorporation within a peptide sequence of such a non-natural amino acid has never been studied. There is thus a great interest in increasing the possibility of selenium insertion within peptides, especially for sequences that do not possess a sulfur containing amino acid (Cys or Met), by offering other selenated residues suitable for peptide synthesis protocols. Herein, we have evaluated selenazolidine in Boc/Bzl and Fmoc/tBu strategies through the synthesis of a model tripeptide, both in solution and on a solid support. Special attention was paid to the stability of the Sez residue in basic conditions. Thus, generic protocols have been optimized to synthesize Sez-containing peptides, through the use of an Fmoc-Xxx-Sez-OH dipeptide unit. As an example, a new analog of the vasopressin receptor-1A antagonist was prepared, in which Pro was replaced with Sez [3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl-d-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Sez-Arg-NH2]. Both proline and such pseudo-proline containing peptides exhibited similar pharmacological properties and endopeptidase stabilities indicating that the presence of the selenium atom has minimal functional effects. Taking into account the straightforward handling of Sez as a dipeptide building block in a conventional Fmoc/tBu SPPS strategy, this result suggested a wide range of potential uses of the Sez amino acid in peptide chemistry, for instance as a viable proline surrogate as well as a selenium probe, complementary to Sec and SeMet, for NMR and mass spectrometry analytical purposes.

Cholecalciferol plus calcium suppresses abnormal PBMC reactivity in patients with multiple sclerosis

CONTEXT

The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D], is a potent modulator of immune cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine whether the sun-dependent nutrient, cholecalciferol, can alter disease-associated cellular immune abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

DESIGN

This was an open-label, 12-month, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Patients with MS were recruited from the MS Clinic at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto.

PATIENTS

Forty-nine patients were matched (for age, sex, disease duration, disease-modifying drug, and disability) and enrolled (treated n = 25; control n = 24). Four patients were lost to follow-up (n = 2 from each group).

INTERVENTION

Treated patients received increasing doses of cholecalciferol (4,000-40,000 IU/d) plus calcium (1200 mg/d), followed by equilibration to a moderate, physiological intake (10,000 IU/d). Control patients did not receive supplements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

At enrollment and at 12 months, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferative responses to disease-associated, MS-relevant, and control antigens were measured, along with selected serum biochemical markers.

RESULTS

At 12 months, mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were 83 ± 35 nmol/liter and 179 ± 76 nmol/liter in control and treated participants, respectively (paired t, P < 0.001). Serum 1,25(OH)(2)D did not differ between baseline and 1 yr. In treated patients, 12-month PBMC proliferative responses to neuron antigens myelin basic protein and exon-2 were suppressed (P = 0.002). In controls, there were no significant changes in disease-associated PBMC responsiveness. There were no significant differences between groups in levels of selected biomarkers.

INTERPRETATION

MS-associated, abnormal T cell reactivities were suppressed in vivo by cholecalciferol at serum 25(OH)D concentrations higher than 100 nmol/liter.

Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and mutations in children with acquired central demyelination

OBJECTIVE

We investigated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants in children with a first episode of acquired demyelinating syndromes (PD-ADS) of the CNS and their relationship to disease phenotype, including subsequent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

This exploratory analysis included the initial 213 children with PD-ADS in the prospective Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Study and 166 matched healthy sibling controls from the Canadian Autism Genome Project. A total of 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed, including haplogroup-defining SNPs and mtDNA variants previously reported to be associated with MS.

RESULTS

Primary Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) mutations and other known pathogenic mtDNA mutations were absent in both patients with pediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes and controls. The 13708A haplogroup J-associated variant, previously linked to adult MS, was more frequent among subjects with PD-ADS (13.0%) compared to controls (6.2%; odds ratio [OR] 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 4.83) and haplogroup M was associated with an earlier age at onset of PD-ADS (-1.74 years; 95% CI -3.33 to -0.07). In contrast, the haplogroup cluster UKJT, as well as 3 other SNPs, were each associated with a lower risk of PD-ADS. A total of 33 subjects with PD-ADS were diagnosed with MS during a mean follow-up period of 3.11 ± 1.14 (SD) years. No single SNP was associated with the risk of subsequent diagnosis of MS. However, haplogroup H was associated with an increased risk of MS (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.21 to 5.55).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest an association between mtDNA variants and the risk of PD-ADS and of a subsequent MS diagnosis. Replication of these findings in an independent population of subjects with PD-ADS is required.

A phase I/II dose-escalation trial of vitamin D3 and calcium in multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Low vitamin D status has been associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and risk, but the therapeutic potential of vitamin D in established MS has not been explored. Our aim was to assess the tolerability of high-dose oral vitamin D and its impact on biochemical, immunologic, and clinical outcomes in patients with MS prospectively.

METHODS

An open-label randomized prospective controlled 52-week trial matched patients with MS for demographic and disease characteristics, with randomization to treatment or control groups. Treatment patients received escalating vitamin D doses up to 40,000 IU/day over 28 weeks to raise serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] rapidly and assess tolerability, followed by 10,000 IU/day (12 weeks), and further downtitrated to 0 IU/day. Calcium (1,200 mg/day) was given throughout the trial. Primary endpoints were mean change in serum calcium at each vitamin D dose and a comparison of serum calcium between groups. Secondary endpoints included 25(OH)D and other biochemical measures, immunologic biomarkers, relapse events, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients (25 treatment, 24 control) were enrolled [mean age 40.5 years, EDSS 1.34, and 25(OH)D 78 nmol/L]. All calcium-related measures within and between groups were normal. Despite a mean peak 25(OH)D of 413 nmol/L, no significant adverse events occurred. Although there may have been confounding variables in clinical outcomes, treatment group patients appeared to have fewer relapse events and a persistent reduction in T-cell proliferation compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose vitamin D (approximately 10,000 IU/day) in multiple sclerosis is safe, with evidence of immunomodulatory effects.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This trial provides Class II evidence that high-dose vitamin D use for 52 weeks in patients with multiple sclerosis does not significantly increase serum calcium levels when compared to patients not on high-dose supplementation. The trial, however, lacked statistical precision and the design requirements to adequately assess changes in clinical disease measures (relapses and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores), providing only Class level IV evidence for these outcomes.

Anti-myelin antibodies modulate clinical expression of childhood multiple sclerosis

Anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibodies in pediatric-onset MS and controls were characterized. Serum samples were obtained from 94 children with MS and 106 controls. Paired CSF and serum were obtained from 25 children with MS at time of their initial episode of acute demyelinating syndrome (ADS). Complementary assays were applied across samples to evaluate the presence, and the physical binding properties, of anti-MBP antibodies. While the prevalence and titers of serum anti-MBP antibodies against both immature and mature forms of MBP were similar in children with MS and in controls, binding characteristics and formal Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) studies indicated surprisingly high binding affinities of all pediatric anti-MBP antibodies. Serum levels of anti-MBP antibodies correlated significantly with their CSF levels, and their presence in children with MS was associated with significantly increased risk of an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like initial clinical presentation. While antibodies to both immature and mature forms of MBP can be present as part of the normal pediatric humoral repertoire, these anti-myelin antibodies are of surprisingly high affinity, can access the CNS during inflammation, and have the capacity to modulate disease expression. Our findings identify an immune mechanism that could contribute to the observed heterogeneity in spectrum of clinical presentations in early-onset MS.

Age-dependent B cell autoimmunity to a myelin surface antigen in pediatric multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) typically manifests in early to mid adulthood, but there is increasing recognition of pediatric-onset MS, aided by improvements in imaging techniques. The immunological mechanisms of disease are largely unexplored in pediatric-onset MS, in part because studies have historically focused on adult-onset disease. We investigated autoantibodies to myelin surface Ags in a large cohort of pediatric MS cases by flow cytometric labeling of transfectants that expressed different myelin proteins. Although Abs to native myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) were uncommon among adult-onset patients, a subset of pediatric patients had serum Abs that brightly labeled the MOG transfectant. Abs to two other myelin surface Ags were largely absent. Affinity purification of MOG Abs as well as competition of binding with soluble MOG documented their binding specificity. Such affinity purified Abs labeled myelin and glial cells in human CNS white matter as well as myelinated axons in gray matter. The prevalence of such autoantibodies was highest among patients with a very early onset of MS: 38.7% of patients less than 10 years of age at disease onset had MOG Abs, compared with 14.7% of patients in the 10- to 18-year age group. B cell autoimmunity to this myelin surface Ag is therefore most common in patients with a very early onset of MS.

Microsphere intestinal blood flow analysis during pneumoperitoneum using carbon dioxide and helium

BACKGROUND

Pneumoperitoneum has been associated with a decreased flow in the superior mesenteric artery and portal venous system. Intestinal blood flow was studied during a 2-h pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide (CO2) or helium in a porcine model using colored microspheres.

METHODS

For this study, 12 pigs were divided into two groups (6 CO2 and 6 helium). Different colored microspheres were injected directly into the left ventricle before, 40, 80, and 120 min after insufflation with either gas at a pressure of 15 mmHg. Microsphere concentration was measured in the mucosa and muscularis/serosa layers of the jejunum, cecum, and sigmoid colon to calculate blood flow.

RESULTS

Intestinal perfusion initially increases with insufflation and returns to near baseline levels during pneumoperitoneum of 2 h. The effect of helium on tissue perfusion is similar to that of carbon dioxide.

CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal perfusion does not change significantly during prolonged pneumoperitoneum at a pressure of 15 mmHg with CO2 or helium.

Presence of LH receptor mRNA in granulosa cells as a potential marker of oocyte developmental competence and characterization of the bovine splicing isoforms

As the expression of the LH receptor (LH-R) in granulosa cells is thought to be associated with later stages of folliculogenesis, this study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of LH-R mRNA as a suitable marker for developmental competence of oocytes. Granulosa cells and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from cows that had received ovarian stimulation. The COCs were subjected to embryo production procedures in vitro to assess the embryonic potential of the oocyte, and the corresponding granulosa cells were used to evaluate the presence of LH-R mRNA by RT-PCR. The presence of LH-R transcripts in granulosa cells is not a key characteristic of a follicle bearing a competent oocyte, although a higher proportion of oocytes reach the blastocyst stage when LH-R mRNA is detected in the granulosa cells. Different LH-R isoforms were cloned and sequence discrepancies among six of the isoforms enabled the design of specific oligonucleotides to study the presence of the isoforms in different follicular cells. All LH-R transcripts studied and the 80 kDa protein product corresponding to the full length receptor were found in granulosa cells of small (< 4 mm) and large (> 5 mm) follicles. When the granulosa cells were cultured, the transcripts were downregulated by the culture conditions; downregulation was more acute in granulosa cells from small follicles. The addition of LH to the culture media enhanced LH-R mRNA downregulation. The presence of several LH-R transcript isoforms was tissue specific and in the theca cells LH-R mRNA was restricted mainly to cells from larger follicles. This finding indicates that the expression and the splicing of LH-R mRNA are regulated in a cell-specific and follicular size-specific manner.

The third intracellular loop of the rat and mouse cholecystokinin-A receptors is responsible for different patterns of gene activation

It has previously been reported that the cholecystokinin analog JMV-180 behaves differently on the rat and the mouse cholecystokinin-A receptor (CCK-AR). In mice this analog acts as an agonist on low- and high-affinity sites of the CCK-AR, whereas in rats this compound acts as an agonist on high-affinity sites and as an antagonist on low-affinity sites. In an attempt to understand why the same compound behaves differently on these two CCK-A receptors, we cloned the cDNA encoding the mouse CCK-AR. We then investigated a cellular model able to mimic the effect that was observed in rats and mice. HeLa cells were transiently cotransfected with plasmids leading to expression of the rat or mouse CCK-AR in the presence of pFos-Luc as reporter plasmid; such a plasmid placed the regulatory part of the human c-Fos gene upstream from the firefly luciferase structural gene (Luc). We then observed that the two CCK-A receptors behaved differently, not only in the presence of compound JMV-180 but also in the presence of cholecystokinin or even in absence of ligand; the rat CCK-AR was 2 to 3 times more potent than the mouse CCK-AR in inducing the reporter protein, whatever the ligand studied. This result was confirmed using the same kind of experiment with the reporter plasmid p(TRE)(3)-tk-Luc. Using various mutated receptors, we investigated the role of the putative third intracellular loop. We concluded that both the primary structure of the receptor and the cellular context are in part responsible for the differential behavior of these CCK-A receptors.

CholecystokininB receptor from human Jurkat lymphoblastic T cells is involved in activator protein-1-responsive gene activation

The aim of this study was to analyze the role of cholecystokinin (CCK(B)) receptor in human lymphoblastic Jurkat T cells. We investigated the trophic effect resulting from activation of such a receptor by using the reporter gene strategy. For this purpose, we transiently transfected Jurkat T cells with the reporter plasmid p[(TRE)3-tk-Luc] and found that CCK-8 was able to dose-dependently induce luciferase expression related to activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation with a maximal response identical to that obtained with compounds known to activate AP-1 complex (quantitatively, the same level of induction was obtained with 1 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, 100 microM diacylglycerol, or 4 nM epidermal growth factor). The involvement of the CCK(B) receptor in such a stimulation was demonstrated by the inhibiting effect of the selective CCK(B) receptor antagonist PD-135,158. This effect was confirmed in COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA of CCK(B) receptor cloned from Jurkat T cells. To better understand the AP-1-dependent luciferase expression in Jurkat T cells, we tested two specific inhibitors of serine/threonine phosphatases-1 and -2A: okadaic acid and calyculin A. These compounds strongly increased the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate response, whereas we have not observed a contribution of phosphatase inhibitors on a CCK-8-induced luciferase activity. To confirm that CCK(B) receptors are involved in AP-1 response, we investigated the CCK-8 effect on interleukin-2 expression, a natural endogenous gene regulated by several factors, including AP-1. In Jurkat T cells activated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and phytohemagglutinin, CCK-8 induced IL-2 expression. This induction was abolished by PD-135,158. Our results indicate that CCK-8 exerts a trophic effect in Jurkat T cells through stimulation of CCK(B) receptors by modulation of expression of AP-1-regulated genes.

JMV641: a potent bombesin receptor antagonist that inhibits Swiss 3T3 cell proliferation

The peptides of the bombesin family are involved in stimulation of mitogenesis in various cell lines, including cancerous cell lines. Bombesin receptor antagonists are of great interest to inhibit this proliferation. We have synthesized a potent bombesin receptor antagonist, e.g., compound JMV641 [H-DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-NH-*CH[CH2-CH(CH3)2]-**CHOH- (CH2)3-CH3 [*(S); **92% of (S) isomer], in which a pseudopeptide bond mimicking the transition state analogue replaced the peptide bond between the two C-terminal residues. This compound was highly potent to dose-dependently inhibit binding of 125I-GRP to Swiss 3T3 cells (IC50 = 0.85 +/- 0.15 nM) and bombesin-stimulated Swiss 3T3 proliferation (pA2 = 8.78). However, compound JMV641 can inhibit bombesin-induced AP-1 regulated genes that are nuclear messengers mediating the actions of signal transduction pathways stimulated by growth factors.

In vitro and in vivo interactions between nuclear receptors at estrogen response elements

To study mechanisms involved in the antiestrogenic effect of retinoic acid (RA), previously described in mammalian cells, we used in vitro and in vivo approaches. One hypothesis was direct competition between nuclear receptors (ER, RAR and RXR) at the DNA level. We first showed in vitro that the RAR/RXR heterodimer could weakly bind an ERE and that retinoid receptors reduced binding of ER to an ERE. We next checked whether, in yeast, direct competition between receptors that recognize the same responsive element could be monitored in a reconstituted heterologous estrogen-responsive system, by determining the expression of a reporter gene. We then co-transformed RAR and RXR in an estrogenic responsive strain. This model demonstrated that, even though RAR/RXR was able to bind an ERE, the addition of retinoic acid had no inhibitory effect on estrogen-induced responses in this yeast system, unlike in mammalian cells. Interference between these receptors should require other factors than interactions at the ERE level. This model could be used to identify mammalian factors interacting with estrogen and retinoic acid receptors which could play a role in crosstalk between these receptors.

Prolonged treatment of breast cancer cells with antiestrogens increases the activating protein-1-mediated response: involvement of the estrogen receptor

At micromolar (pharmacological) concentrations, the action of tamoxifen on the proliferation of estrogen-dependent cells can be mediated not only by the estrogen receptor (ER), but also by other target molecules, such as protein kinase-C (PKC), which are easily inhibited by antiestrogens in cell-free experiments. By developing MTLN and MDT cell lines, in which any modulation of PKC activity is reflected by a variation of the expression of an activating protein-1 (AP-1)-controlled firefly luciferase gene, we investigated whether such antiestrogen inhibitory effects on PKC occurred in intact breast cancer cells. Firstly, in short term (4-h) treatment of both cell lines, antiestrogens only inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-induced luciferase activity at very high concentrations (30 microM). A cytolytic effect was also observed. Secondly, in prolonged (4-day) treatments of MTLN (ER-positive) cells, low antiestrogen concentrations (nanomolar) decreased the basal AP-1 response by about 2 and increased the 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-stimulated AP-1 response by about 3-4. This stimulation was mediated by ER, because 1) dose-response curves established with tamoxifen and hydroxytamoxifen were in agreement with their affinity for ER; 2) when present with antiestrogens, estradiol abolished this phenomenon; and 3) this effect was not observed in MDT (ER-negative) cells. Such a latent activation of AP-1 pathway could appear in the course of breast cancer antiestrogen treatment, in conditions where natural PKC activators are abnormally produced with unexpected consequences on the results of a long term antiestrogen treatment.

The effects of therapeutic touch and relaxation therapy in reducing anxiety

This study examines the effects of two noninvasive procedures on experienced anxiety. Thirty-one inpatients of a Veterans Administration psychiatric facility were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions, (therapeutic touch and relaxation therapy) or to a therapeutic touch placebo condition. An additional 13 patients were excluded because of failure to meet criteria for the study or failure to complete the procedures. Each subject completed a self-report anxiety measure and was rated for amount of motor activity before and after each of two 15-minute treatment sessions in a 24-hour period. Subjects' belief in the effectiveness of the intervention was measured. Expectancy did not correlate with outcome and was not analyzed further. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that whereas relaxation therapy provided significant reduction of anxiety on the self-report measure and the movement measure, the nursing intervention of therapeutic touch resulted in significant reductions of reported anxiety. The control group showed small but nonsignificant effects. Results suggests that both relaxation and therapeutic touch are effective palliatives to experienced anxiety. Implications for nursing theory are discussed.

Stable luciferase transfected cells for studying steroid receptor biological activity

In the course of steroid hormone research, firefly luciferase was used as a reporter gene to construct chimeric cellular models in which the firefly luciferase expression mimics natural hormonal response. Cells containing the endogenous receptor of interest were stably transfected with a reporter gene whose expression is controlled by this endogenous receptor. Based on the detection of luciferase activity in intact cells using a photon-counting camera, various stable transfected cell lines were established. We present potential experimental uses of these cellular models such as for screening new (anti)hormonal molecules. We also show that the hormonal responses can be modulated at any step, suggesting that these stable cell lines may be helpful in studying hormonal interactions. For example, we have detected the antiestrogen activity of molecules able to mediate their effect via a pathway other than the estrogen receptor. Lastly, we show that the detection of luciferase activity in intact living cells is particularly helpful in investigating the variation of the hormonal responses with time. Since chimeric response faithfully reflects hormone (or effector) actions in the cell, we conclude that stable transfected cells can be used in both pharmacological and fundamental studies to investigate different aspects of the endocrine research.

Antiestrogenic effects of all-trans-retinoic acid and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in breast cancer cells occur at the estrogen response element level but through different molecular mechanisms

Most breast tumors show estrogen-dependent growth and are thus susceptible to antiestrogenic therapy. MCF-7 cells, obtained from a human estrogen-dependent breast carcinoma, are widely used for studying the modulation of estrogenic responses by different effectors. All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Vit D3) inhibited estrogen-induced growth of MCF-7 cells and their effect was potentiated by the classical antiestrogen, hydroxytamoxifen. In MCF-7 cells, we found that RA and Vit D3 also inhibited estrogen-induced transcription; this was shown both for an endogenous gene (pS2) and for various exogenous transfected genes. Their inhibitory effect could not be reversed by increasing estradiol concentrations, showing that contrary to classical antiestrogens, they did not compete with estradiol to bind the estrogen receptor (ER). Analysis of the inhibitory mechanisms indicates that RA and Vit D3 receptors can directly or indirectly impair the binding of ER to the estrogen responsive element. The antagonist effect of RA would be found especially at DNA level since it seems to essentially involve an estrogen responsive element. The antagonist effect of Vit D3 would be found especially at the ER level since it seems to concern estrogen binding and dimerization domains of ER. We conclude that the antiestrogenic effects of RA and Vit D3 are similar since they can, via their receptors, interfere with estrogenic action at the estrogen responsive element level but that they are not identical since different molecular mechanisms are involved.

MVLN cells: a bioluminescent MCE-7-derived cell line to study the modulation of estrogenic activity

We previously established a stable expression system in MCF-7 cells for the detection of (anti)estrogenic activity by assaying the reporter enzyme activity of firefly luciferase. In this cell line (called MVLN), the bioluminescent response can be measured either in the cellular homogenate, or in intact living cells. Here we present various potential experimental uses of this cellular model. First, we used this cell line to screen natural or synthetic molecules classified as full or partial (anti)estrogens and observed that their behavior towards our model was identical to that expected. Moreover, the bioluminescent response was in agreement with the natural responses like cellular proliferation or stimulation of the progesterone receptor. We then demonstrated the inhibitory effects of retinoic acid and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3, two molecules which do not compete with estradiol for its receptor. We thus deduced that with this cell line an "antiestrogenic" effect which occurred at any step of the estrogenic action, might be detected. Finally, we showed that detection of luciferase activity in intact living cells was particularly helpful for investigating the evolution of estrogenic activity. For instance, we observed that long-term treatment of MVLN cells with an antiestrogen irreversibly decreased the bioluminescent response by more than 90%. This phenomenon affected all cells equally and could not be reversed, even by long-term estradiol treatment. We therefore conclude that this chimeric response faithfully reflects estrogenic action in the cell and can be used to develop different aspects of the endocrine research.

Study of an antiestrogenic effect of retinoic acid in MCF-7 cells

We recently developed the cellular model MVLN-15 in which estrogenic action can be detected by bioluminescence. Using this cellular model, we characterized the inhibitory effect of retinoic acid on the estrogen-dependent induction of luciferase transcription. We present evidence that i) the inhibitory effect of retinoic acid is not due to a simple competition between retinoic acid and estradiol for binding to the estrogen receptor, ii) a DNA sequence restricted to an estrogen-responsive element (ERE) was sufficient for the antiestrogenic effect of retinoic acid, and iii) retinoic acid does not act via a cryptic AP-1 binding site associated with this ERE. Therefore, we conclude that the antiestrogenic effect of retinoic acid is due to an inhibition of estrogen receptor activity, for example by altering the amount of estrogen receptor protein bound to the ERE or affecting the transcriptional efficiency of this complex.

A new cellular model of response to estrogens: a bioluminescent test to characterize (anti) estrogen molecules

With the aim of quickly and easily characterizing new estrogen or anti-estrogen molecules, we developed a cellular model in which estrogenic action can be detected by bioluminescence. This model is based on MCF-7 cells stably transfected with a receptor gene which allows expression of the firefly luciferase enzyme under control of the estrogen regulatory element of the Xenopus vitellogenin A2 gene. A stably transfected cell line (cultured for more than eight months without loss of the chimeric estrogenic response) was established by cotransfection of a neomycin resistance gene and cloning under selective pressure. Subcloning luminescent clones was accomplished by using a single-photon detecting camera. This cellular model allowed the study of an estrogenic activity either in whole-cell or in cell-free experiments by detection of the induced luciferase. Estradiol induced the luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner at subnanomolar concentrations. The induced luciferase activity reached a maximum level as early as 24 hours after the cells were incubated with estradiol. The antiestrogen 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen inhibited the luciferase activity induced by estradiol. The cross-reactivity of ligands, such as dexamethasone, progesterone, testosterone, aldosterone, calcitriol, oxysterol and retinoic acid, were also studied, showing an estradiol specificity for a 24-hour incubation time.

Description and analysis of differential sensitivity to glucocorticoids in Fao cells

This study shows that the derived hepatoma cell line Fao displays different sensitivities for glucocorticoid induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), alanine aminotransferase (AAT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). This was seen in the different behaviors of nine steroids with respect to these three effects: (1) in the presence of full agonists (dexamethasone or deacylcortivazol), half-maximal induction of GGT occurred at approx 5- to 6-fold higher agonist concentrations than those required for half-maximal induction of AAT and TAT; (2) in the presence of full antagonists (RU 486, R5020, or progesterone) the GGT response induced by an equal agonist concentration was inhibited at concentrations approx 4- to 5-fold lower than those required for an equivalent inhibition of TAT response; (3) in the presence of cortexolone, deoxycorticosterone, 11 beta-hydroxyprogesterone and dexamethasone-3'-oxetanone, there was a partial agonistic effect (30-50%) on TAT and AAT responses, whereas there was a mainly antagonistic effect (very weak agonistic effect: 0-10%) on GGT response; (4) regardless of the steroid or its full or partial agonist activity, a given TAT induction level (50%, for example) always corresponded to the same AAT and GGT induction levels (50 and 10% respectively). We provide evidence showing that the three above-mentioned biological responses are mediated via the same type of glucocorticoid receptor binding site. Consequently, this differential behavior probably originates from a phenomenon occurring after the common steps (activation, translocation) that follow the formation of the steroid-receptor complex. This leads us to propose a model in which this phenomenon is assumed to originate from a difference in the affinities of the activated receptor for the nuclear acceptor sites of the TAT and GGT genes.

A model of antiglucocorticoid action for designing a potent glucocorticoid antagonist

We have previously shown that the biological efficacy of an antiglucocorticoid is directly related to its affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor in whole cells at 37 degrees C. We have also shown that RU 486-receptor complexes differ from other antiglucocorticoid-receptor complexes in so far as their affinity is as high at 37 degrees C in whole cells as at 0 degree C in a cell-free system, whereas a decrease by a factor of 5-10 is observed with the other antagonists. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the contributions of temperature and cellular integrity (or the biological events linked to temperature and cellular integrity) to the affinity of a steroid for its receptor for the purpose of determining the parameters favorable to high affinity, which is the prerequisite of a potent antagonist. We provide evidence showing that: (1) an increase in temperature has an unfavorable effect on the affinity of a glucocorticoid for its receptor (4-6-fold decrease between 0 and 37 degrees C), (2) RU 486, like an agonist, forms a complex with the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor, which satisfies the criteria for an "activated" complex under "in vitro activating treatment", (3) these biological post-binding events (either agonistic or otherwise nature), which change the nature of the complexes, contribute to compensating for the negative effect of rising temperatures on their apparent dissociation constant. We conclude that potent antiglucocorticoids must have a chemical structure allowing them to induce biological post-binding events, such as receptor activation, but in an abortive form which thus effectively "traps" the receptor in a non-functional state.

Analysis of the relation between receptor binding affinity and antagonist efficacy of antiglucocorticoids

The biological potencies of four antiglucocorticoids, RU486 (RU), dexamethasone-oxetanone (DOX), R5020, and progesterone have been studied with respect to dexamethasone induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) in rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells. Their inhibitory effects in whole-cell competition binding studies (at 37 degrees C) and in TAT induction studies were analyzed by Dixon plots and Schild plots, respectively. We show that: In both cases, there is an actual competition of each antiglucocorticoid with the agonist dexamethasone for the same binding site; the two Kd values derived from the two plots are almost identical for each antiglucocorticoid; RU486 can be distinguished from the three other antiglucocorticoids by its high biological efficacy and its high affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor in whole cells at 37 degrees C (identical to its affinity in cytosol at 0 degree C). These results imply that: There is a linear correlation between the antagonist efficacies of antiglucocorticoids and their affinities for the glucocorticoid receptor in whole cells at 37 degrees C; the antagonistic action is solely mediated by competition with the agonist for the receptor binding site; this is verified by the fact that in all cases, in the presence or absence of antiglucocorticoids, a specific TAT induction level was always related to the same level of receptor saturation by the agonist in whole cells; the phenomena responsible for the high antagonist efficacy of RU486 are also responsible for its high affinity in whole cells at 37 degrees C.

RU 38486: a potent antiglucocorticoid in vitro and in vivo

The antiglucocorticoid activity of RU 38486, was studied both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies, RU 38486 was characterized by a high affinity (3 times higher than that of dexamethasone) for the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor in rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells. This high affinity was due to a very low dissociation rate of the complexes formed with the receptor. In whole cells it was a potent full antagonist of dexamethasone-induced tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity: the IC50 was 6-7 times lower than the concentration of the dexamethasone used. It was devoid of any glucocorticoid activity up to a concentration of 10 microM. In in vivo studies using adrenalectomized rats, RU 38486 totally inhibited dexamethasone-induced hepatic tryptophan oxygenase (TO) activity. It is also the first pure antagonist of dexamethasone-induced hepatic TAT. However, doses as high as 5 mg/kg of body weight were required for a 50% inhibition of the effect of dexamethasone at 0.01 mg/kg. RU 38486 did not display any glucocorticoid effect on these two responses up to 50 mg/kg.

Steroid-induced inhibition of nucleoside uptake in isolated mouse thymocytes

In view of the evidence suggesting a possible effect of high concentrations of steroids on membrane properties, we have investigated the effect of several steroid molecules on the uptake and incorporation of [3H]uridine is isolated mouse thymocytes. Our results demonstrate that the sex steroids, the estrogenic compound, diethylstilbestrol, and several non-hormonal steroid molecules induce a marked inhibition of nucleoside uptake. This effect, which occurs only at concentrations above 10(-6) M, is almost instantaneous but transient and does not therefore appear to be mediated through specific receptor occupancy. Since sex steroids have been shown to inhibit mitogen-induced blast transformation at concentrations close to 10(-5) M, we suggest that this membrane effect of sex steroids may partly explain their immunosuppressive effects.