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Toufaily C, Fortin J, Alonso CA, Lapointe E, Zhou X, Santiago-Andres Y, Lin YF, Cui Y, Wang Y, Devost D, Roelfsema F, Steyn F, Hanyaloglu AC, Hébert TE, Fiordelisio T, Boerboom D, Bernard DJ. Addition of a carboxy terminal tail to the normally tailless gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor impairs fertility in female mice. eLife 2021; 10:72937. [PMID: 34939930 PMCID: PMC8741216 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the primary neuropeptide controlling reproduction in vertebrates. GnRH stimulates follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) synthesis via a G-protein-coupled receptor, GnRHR, in the pituitary gland. In mammals, GnRHR lacks a C-terminal cytosolic tail (Ctail) and does not exhibit homologous desensitization. This might be an evolutionary adaptation that enables LH surge generation and ovulation. To test this idea, we fused the chicken GnRHR Ctail to the endogenous murine GnRHR in a transgenic model. The LH surge was blunted, but not blocked in these mice. In contrast, they showed reductions in FSH production, ovarian follicle development, and fertility. Addition of the Ctail altered the nature of agonist-induced calcium signaling required for normal FSH production. The loss of the GnRHR Ctail during mammalian evolution is unlikely to have conferred a selective advantage by enabling the LH surge. The adaptive significance of this specialization remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirine Toufaily
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jérôme Fortin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Carlos Ai Alonso
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Evelyne Lapointe
- Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Universite de Montreal, Ste-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yorgui Santiago-Andres
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yeu-Farn Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yiming Cui
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Dominic Devost
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ferdinand Roelfsema
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aylin C Hanyaloglu
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tatiana Fiordelisio
- 3epartamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Universite de Montreal, Ste-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Zamberlam G, Lapointe E, Abedini A, Rico C, Godin P, Paquet M, DeMayo FJ, Boerboom D. SFRP4 Is a Negative Regulator of Ovarian Follicle Development and Female Fertility. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1561-1572. [PMID: 30942852 PMCID: PMC6549581 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
WNT signaling regulates a variety of ovarian processes, including follicle development, granulosa cell (GC) proliferation and differentiation, steroidogenesis, and ovulation. The secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) comprise a family of WNT signaling antagonists. Sfrp4 expression was previously reported to be induced in ovarian GCs and cumulus cells in vivo following human chorionic gonadotropin treatment, suggesting that it may play key roles in cumulus expansion, ovulation/luteinization, and corpus luteum (CL) function. In this study, we aimed to define the physiological roles of Sfrp4 in the ovary by gene targeting. Sfrp4-null female mice were found to produce larger litters than did their wild-type littermates. Although previous studies had suggested roles of Sfrp4 in luteal cell survival, no differences in CL formation, morphology, steroidogenesis, involution, or luteal cell apoptosis were found in Sfrp4-null mice. Likewise, cumulus expansion occurred normally in Sfrp4-null mice, with minimal changes in cumulus cell gene expression. Hyperfertility in the Sfrp4-null model was ultimately attributed to decreased antral follicle atresia, leading to an enhanced ovulatory rate. Increased expression of FSH- and LH-responsive genes was found in GCs from Sfrp4-null mice, and GCs isolated from Sfrp4-null mice were found to be hyperresponsive to FSH and LH in vitro. Although Sfrp2 was found to be overexpressed in the GCs of Sfrp4-null mice (suggesting a compensatory mechanism), Sfrp2-null mice had normal fertility and ovulatory rates, and Sfrp2/4 double knockout mice did not differ from Sfrp4-null mice. Taken together, our results suggest that SFRP4 acts to attenuate GC responsiveness to gonadotropins, thereby decreasing follicle survival, ovulatory rate, and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Zamberlam
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- Correspondence: Gustavo Zamberlam, DMV, PhD, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7C6, Canada. E-mail:
| | - Evelyne Lapointe
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Atefeh Abedini
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charlene Rico
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Godin
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marilène Paquet
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Francesco J DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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Abstract
Using MR imaging, perfusion can be assessed either by dynamic susceptibility contrast MR imaging or arterial spin-labeling. Alterations of cerebral perfusion have repeatedly been described in multiple sclerosis compared with healthy controls. Acute lesions exhibit relative hyperperfusion in comparison with normal-appearing white matter, a finding mostly attributed to inflammation in this stage of lesion development. In contrast, normal-appearing white and gray matter of patients with MS has been mostly found to be hypoperfused compared with controls, and correlations with cognitive impairment as well as fatigue in multiple sclerosis have been described. Mitochondrial failure, axonal degeneration, and vascular dysfunction have been hypothesized to underlie the perfusion MR imaging findings. Clinically, perfusion MR imaging could allow earlier detection of the acute focal inflammatory changes underlying relapses and new lesions, and could constitute a marker for cognitive dysfunction in MS. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance and pathogenesis of the brain perfusion changes in MS remain to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Lapointe
- From the Division of Neurology (E.L., A.L.T.) .,Department of Medicine (E.L., A.L.T.)
| | - D K B Li
- Radiology (D.K.B.L.), University of British Columbia, Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A L Traboulsee
- From the Division of Neurology (E.L., A.L.T.).,Department of Medicine (E.L., A.L.T.)
| | - A Rauscher
- MRI Research Center (A.R.).,Departments of Pediatrics (A.R.)
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Abedini A, Zamberlam G, Lapointe E, Tourigny C, Boyer A, Paquet M, Hayashi K, Honda H, Kikuchi A, Price C, Boerboom D. WNT5a is required for normal ovarian follicle development and antagonizes gonadotropin responsiveness in granulosa cells by suppressing canonical WNT signaling. FASEB J 2015; 30:1534-47. [PMID: 26667040 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-280313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Whereas the roles of the canonical wingless-type MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus) integration site family (WNT) signaling pathway in the regulation of ovarian follicle growth and steroidogenesis are now established, noncanonical WNT signaling in the ovary has been largely overlooked. Noncanonical WNTs, including WNT5a and WNT11, are expressed in granulosa cells (GCs) and are differentially regulated throughout follicle development, but their physiologic roles remain unknown. Using conditional gene targeting, we found that GC-specific inactivation ofWnt5a(but notWnt11) results in the female subfertility associated with increased follicular atresia and decreased rates of ovulation. Microarray analyses have revealed that WNT5a acts to down-regulate the expression of FSH-responsive genesin vitro, and corresponding increases in the expression of these genes have been found in the GCs of conditional knockout mice. Unexpectedly, we found that WNT5a regulates its target genes not by signalingviathe WNT/Ca(2+)or planar cell polarity pathways, but rather by inhibiting the canonical pathway, causing both β-catenin (CTNNB1) and cAMP responsive element binding (CREB) protein levels to decreaseviaa glycogen synthase kinase-3β-dependent mechanism. We further found that WNT5a prevents follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing protein from up-regulating the CTNNB1 and CREB proteins and their target genes, indicating that WNT5a functions as a physiologic inhibitor of gonadotropin signaling. Together, these findings identify WNT5a as a key regulator of follicle development and gonadotropin responsiveness.-Abedini, A., Zamberlam, G., Lapointe, E., Tourigny, C., Boyer, A., Paquet, M., Hayashi, K., Honda, H., Kikuchi, A., Price, C., Boerboom, D. WNT5a is required for normal ovarian follicle development and antagonizes gonadotropin responsiveness in granulosa cells by suppressing canonical WNT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Abedini
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Gustavo Zamberlam
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Evelyne Lapointe
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Catherine Tourigny
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Alexandre Boyer
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Marilène Paquet
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kanako Hayashi
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Honda
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akira Kikuchi
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Christopher Price
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Derek Boerboom
- *Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA; Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Rico C, Dodelet-Devillers A, Paquet M, Tsoi M, Lapointe E, Carmeliet P, Boerboom D. HIF1 activity in granulosa cells is required for FSH-regulated Vegfa expression and follicle survival in mice. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:135. [PMID: 24855100 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.115634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence has suggested that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is an important regulator of ovarian follicle development and survival. Both LH and FSH regulate Vegfa expression in granulosa cells and signal via the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1). To further study the mechanism of action of HIF1 in the regulation of Vegfa, we studied Vegfa(delta/delta) mice, which lack a hypoxia response element in the Vegfa promoter. Granulosa cells from Vegfa(delta/delta) mice failed to respond to FSH or LH with an increase in Vegfa mRNA expression in vitro, and granulosa cells isolated from eCG-treated immature Vegfa(delta/delta) mice had significantly lower Vegfa mRNA levels compared to controls. However, normal Vegfa mRNA levels were detected in the granulosa cells from immature Vegfa(delta/delta) mice following hCG treatment. Vegfa(delta/delta) females produced infrequent litters, and their pups died shortly after birth. Ovaries from Vegfa(delta/delta) mice were much smaller than controls and contained few antral follicles and corpora lutea. Antral follicles numbers were decreased by nearly 50% in ovaries from Vegfa(delta/delta) mice relative to controls, and 74% of antral follicles in Vegfa(delta/delta) ovaries were atretic. Serum progesterone levels in adult Vegfa(delta/delta) females were significantly lower, apparently reflecting reduced numbers of corpora lutea. This study demonstrates for the first time the requirement of HIF1 for FSH-regulated Vegfa expression in vivo and that HIF1 acts via a single hypoxia response element in the Vegfa promoter to exert its regulatory functions. Our findings also further define the physiological role of VEGFA in follicle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlène Rico
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Aurore Dodelet-Devillers
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Marilène Paquet
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Mayra Tsoi
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Evelyne Lapointe
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Lapointe E, Boyer A, Rico C, Paquet M, Franco HL, Gossen J, DeMayo FJ, Richards JS, Boerboom D. FZD1 regulates cumulus expansion genes and is required for normal female fertility in mice. Biol Reprod 2012; 87:104. [PMID: 22954793 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.102608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
WNT4 is required for normal ovarian follicle development and female fertility in mice, but how its signal is transduced remains unknown. Fzd1 encodes a WNT receptor whose expression is markedly induced in both mural granulosa cells and cumulus cells during the preovulatory period, in a manner similar to Wnt4. To study the physiological roles of FZD1 in ovarian physiology and to determine whether it serves as receptor for WNT4, Fzd1-null mice were created by gene targeting. Whereas rare Fzd1(-/-) females were sterile because of uterine fibrosis and ovarian tubulostromal hyperplasia, most were subfertile, producing ≈1 fewer pup per litter on average relative to controls. Unlike WNT4-deficient mice, ovaries from Fzd1(-/-) mice had normal weights, numbers of follicles, steroid hormone production, and WNT4 target gene expression levels. Microarray analyses of granulosa cells from periovulatory follicles revealed few genes whose expression was altered in Fzd1(-/-) mice. However, gene expression analyses of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) revealed a blunted response of both oocyte (Zp3, Dppa3, Nlrp5, and Bmp15) and cumulus (Btc, Ptgs2, Sema3a, Ptx3, Il6, Nts, Alcam, and Cspg2) genes to the ovulatory signal, whereas the expression of these genes was not altered in WNT4-deficient COCs from Wnt4(tm1.1Boer/tm1.1Boer);Tg (CYP19A1-cre)1Jri mice. Despite altered gene expression, cumulus expansion appeared normal in Fzd1(-/-) COCs both in vitro and in vivo. Together, these results indicate that Fzd1 is required for normal female fertility and may act in part to regulate oocyte maturation and cumulus cell function, but it is unlikely to function as the sole ovarian WNT4 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Lapointe
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Rico C, Laguë MN, Lefèvre P, Tsoi M, Dodelet-Devillers A, Kumar V, Lapointe E, Paquet M, Nadeau MÈ, Boerboom D. Pharmacological targeting of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibits ovarian granulosa cell tumor growth. Carcinogenesis 2012; 33:2283-92. [PMID: 22871496 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Few targeted therapies have been developed for ovarian granulosa cell tumor (GCT), even though it represents 5% of all malignant ovarian tumors in women. As misregulation of PI3K/AKT signaling has been implicated in GCT development, we hypothesized that the AKT signaling effector mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) may play a role in the pathogenesis of GCT and could represent a therapeutic target. Analyses of human GCT samples showed an increase in protein levels of mTOR and its downstream effectors RPS6KB1, RPS6, eIF4B and PPARG relative to normal granulosa cells, suggestive of an increase in mTOR pathway activity and increased translational activity and/or protein stability. We next sought to evaluate mTOR as a GCT therapeutic target using the Pten (tm1Hwu/tmiHwu);Ctnnb1 (tm1Mmt/+);Amhr2 (tm3(cre)Bhr/+) (PCA) mouse model, in which mTOR, RPS6KB1, eIF4B and PPARG are upregulated in tumor cells in a manner similar to human GCT. Treatment of PCA mice with the mTOR-specific inhibitor everolimus reduced tumor growth rate (1.5-fold; P < 0.05) and also reduced total tumor burden (4.7-fold; P < 0.05) and increased survival rate (78 versus 44% in the vehicle group) in a PCA surgical model of GCT peritoneal carcinomatosis. Everolimus decreased tumor cell proliferation and tumor cell volume relative to controls (P < 0.05), whereas apoptosis was unaffected. Phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 and RPS6 were decreased (P < 0.05) by everolimus, but RPS6KB1, RPS6, eIF4B and PPARG expressions were not affected. These results suggest that mTOR is a valid and clinically useful pharmacological target for the treatment of GCT, although its inhibition does not reverse all consequences of aberrant PI3K/AKT signaling in the PCA model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlène Rico
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada
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Lapointe E, DeMayo FJ, Boerboom D. SFRP4 Is Dispensable for Female Fertility. Biol Reprod 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/85.s1.749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Boerboom D, Lafond JF, Zheng X, Lapointe E, Mittaz L, Boyer A, Pritchard MA, DeMayo FJ, Mort JS, Drolet R, Richards JS. Partially redundant functions of Adamts1 and Adamts4 in the perinatal development of the renal medulla. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:1806-14. [PMID: 21584905 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adamts4 encodes a widely-expressed proteinase thought to be involved in processes ranging from cartilage metabolism to ovarian follicle development. To study its physiological roles, Adamts4-null mice were created by gene targeting. Unexpectedly, these were found to be phenotypically normal, suggesting that other gene(s) may compensate for its loss. Adamts4(-/-) mice were, therefore, crossed with a strain lacking Adamts1, whose pattern of expression and substrate specificity overlap that of Adamts4. Most (>95%) Adamts1(-/-) ;Adamts4(-/-) mice died within 72 hr after birth with a marked thinning of the renal medulla. The renal defect was not observed in embryonic Adamts1(-/-) ;Adamts4(-/-) kidneys, but became apparent around birth. The few (<5%) Adamts1(-/-) ;Adamts4(-/-) animals to reach adulthood had the same renal phenotype seen in newborns. This study is thus the first to report Adamts4 expression and function in the mammalian kidney, and to demonstrate that Adamts1 and Adamts4 play redundant and essential roles in perinatal kidney development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Boerboom
- Départment de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
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Abstract
One of the major functions of the ovary is the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, which are essential for the development of secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, for subsequent ovarian function, and for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Increases in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the control of ovarian steroidogenesis have greatly improved our understanding of the female reproductive cycle, as well as the pathogenesis of reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and premature ovarian failure. The pituitary gonadotropins follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are the main endocrine regulators of ovarian steroidogenesis, and act by directly or indirectly modulating the activity of a multitude of intracellular signaling pathways. The WNT/CTNNB1 pathway, which is now believed to be a significant contributor to the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis, could be one of the pathways modulated by gonadotropin signaling. This review will focus on the emerging role of WNT/CTNNB1 signaling in the regulation of steroidogenesis, with emphasis on potential mechanisms of interaction with FSH/LH signaling in ovarian granulosa and luteal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Lapointe
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale, Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire, Universite de Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, J2S 7C6
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Lapointe E, Boyer A, Paquet M, Lafond JF, Richards JS, Boerboom D. Multiple Reproductive Defects in Fzd1-null Mice. Biol Reprod 2008. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/78.s1.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Plante E, Gaudreau M, Lachance D, Drolet MC, Roussel E, Gauthier C, Lapointe E, Arsenault M, Couet J. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril prevents volume overload cardiomyopathy in experimental chronic aortic valve regurgitation. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2005; 82:191-9. [PMID: 15052285 DOI: 10.1139/y04-005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in the treatment of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) is not well established and remains controversial. The mechanisms by which ACEIs may protect against left-ventricular (LV) volume overload are not well understood, and clinical trials performed until now have yielded conflicting results. This study was therefore performed to assess the effectiveness of two different doses of the ACEI captopril in a rat model of chronic AR. We compared the effects of a 6-month low-dose (LD) (25 mg/kg) or higher dose (HD) (75 mg/kg) treatment with captopril on LV function and hypertrophy in Wistar rats with severe AR. Untreated animals developed LV eccentric hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction. LD treatment did not prevent hypertrophy and provided modest protection against systolic dysfunction. HD treatment preserved LV systolic function and dimensions and tended to slow hypertrophy. The cardiac index remained high and similar among all AR groups, treated or not. Tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) analysis revealed that ACE activity was increased in the LVs of AR animals and that only HD treatment significantly decreased angiotensin II receptor mRNA levels. Fibronectin expression was increased in the LV or AR animals, but HD treatment almost completely reversed this increase. The ACE inhibitor captopril was effective at high doses in this model of severe AR. These effects might be related to the modulation of tissue RAS and the control of fibrosis.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Aortic Valve Insufficiency/complications
- Aortic Valve Insufficiency/drug therapy
- Captopril/pharmacology
- Captopril/therapeutic use
- Cardiac Output/drug effects
- Cardiac Output/physiology
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/complications
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/drug therapy
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/prevention & control
- Chronic Disease
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Fibronectins/drug effects
- Fibronectins/genetics
- Fibronectins/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/drug therapy
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/genetics
- Male
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Angiotensin/genetics
- Receptors, Angiotensin/metabolism
- Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects
- Stroke Volume/drug effects
- Stroke Volume/physiology
- Time Factors
- Ventricular Function, Left/drug effects
- Ventricular Function, Left/physiology
- Ventricular Remodeling/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Plante
- Centre de Recherche Hôpital Laval, Institut de cardiologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
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Ménard HA, Lapointe E, Rochdi MD, Zhou ZJ. Insights into rheumatoid arthritis derived from the Sa immune system. Arthritis Res 2000; 2:429-32. [PMID: 11094453 PMCID: PMC128869 DOI: 10.1186/ar122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2000] [Revised: 07/25/2000] [Accepted: 07/28/2000] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The Sa system is a recently described immune system that has a specificity and positive predictive value of nearly 100% for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its sensitivity of 30-40% suggests that it identifies a subset of RA patients. Anti-Sa antibodies are present from disease onset and are predictive of disease severity. The immune reactants are plentiful in the target tissue: antigen is present in the synovium, IgG antibody in the fluid. Immunologically, Sa is a hapten-carrier antigen in which vimentin is the carrier and citrulline is the hapten. The citrullination of vimentin is closely related to apoptosis, and citrullinated vimentin is extremely sensitive to digestion by the ubiquitous calpains. Nevertheless, Sa is found in only a few cell lines. Calpastatin, the natural specific inhibitor of calpains, is also a RA-associated, albeit non-specific, autoimmune system. Is it possible that calpain-related apoptotic pathways could be prominent in cells containing Sa? The task is to reconcile the specificity of Sa/citrullinated proteins in a multifactorial and polygenic disease such as RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Ménard
- Department of Immunology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
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