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Shapiro H, Bentley DC, Hamilton GS, Chronis-Brown P, Gotlieb AI, Brown TJ. Clinical embryology education programs must prepare graduates for the future. F S Rep 2024; 5:123-124. [PMID: 38524215 PMCID: PMC10958687 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Shapiro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle C Bentley
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - G Scot Hamilton
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pat Chronis-Brown
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Avrum I Gotlieb
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Wong CK, McLean BA, Baggio LL, Koehler JA, Hammoud R, Rittig N, Yabut JM, Seeley RJ, Brown TJ, Drucker DJ. Central glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation inhibits Toll-like receptor agonist-induced inflammation. Cell Metab 2024; 36:130-143.e5. [PMID: 38113888 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) exert anti-inflammatory effects relevant to the chronic complications of type 2 diabetes. Although GLP-1RAs attenuate T cell-mediated gut and systemic inflammation directly through the gut intraepithelial lymphocyte GLP-1R, how GLP-1RAs inhibit systemic inflammation in the absence of widespread immune expression of the GLP-1R remains uncertain. Here, we show that GLP-1R activation attenuates the induction of plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by multiple Toll-like receptor agonists. These actions are not mediated by hematopoietic or endothelial GLP-1Rs but require central neuronal GLP-1Rs. In a cecal slurry model of polymicrobial sepsis, GLP-1RAs similarly require neuronal GLP-1Rs to attenuate detrimental responses associated with sepsis, including sickness, hypothermia, systemic inflammation, and lung injury. Mechanistically, GLP-1R activation leads to reduced TNF-α via α1-adrenergic, δ-opioid, and κ-opioid receptor signaling. These data extend emerging concepts of brain-immune networks and posit a new gut-brain GLP-1R axis for suppression of peripheral inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Kin Wong
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brent A McLean
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurie L Baggio
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jacqueline A Koehler
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rola Hammoud
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nikolaj Rittig
- Medical/Steno Aarhus Research Laboratory, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julian M Yabut
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Randy J Seeley
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel J Drucker
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Shapiro H, Brown TJ, Chronis-Brown P, Hamilton GS, Bentley DC, Kandel R, Gotlieb AI. Education of the clinical embryology laboratory professional: development of a novel program delivered in a laboratory medicine department. F S Rep 2023; 4:262-269. [PMID: 37719097 PMCID: PMC10504558 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical embryologists are responsible for the handling, evaluation, and care of human gametes and preimplantation embryos within the context of an assisted reproductive technology laboratory. They are integral members of a team of professionals who provide care for fertility patients. Despite the increasing recognition of clinical embryologists as professionals, training requirements, continuing professional development, and appropriate credentialing have lagged in several countries. In many cases, individuals enter the profession with training limited to technical aspects provided by individual laboratory directors through an apprenticeship model. In this article, we present the rationale for rigorous formal training in clinical embryology, introduce CanEMB competencies for practicing professional clinical embryologists that are founded on CanMEDs role principles, and present a nascent Masters of Health Sciences degree program in Laboratory Medicine with a specialization in clinical embryology. This 2-year program has unique features including a Clinical Embryology Skills Development Laboratory, research capstone project, and 200-hour placement within a practicing assisted reproductive technology laboratory. Importantly, this program is delivered through a university-based Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology in partnership with a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Thus, this program represents a formal acceptance of clinical embryology as a clinical laboratory science. It can be adopted elsewhere to provide a relevant, robust education that will meet current and future needs of the profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Shapiro
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J. Brown
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pat Chronis-Brown
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - G. Scot Hamilton
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle C. Bentley
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rita Kandel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Avrum I. Gotlieb
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Kollara A, Burt BD, Ringuette MJ, Brown TJ. The adaptor protein VEPH1 interacts with the kinase domain of ERBB2 and impacts EGF signaling in ovarian cancer cells. Cell Signal 2023; 106:110634. [PMID: 36828346 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Upregulation of ERBB2 and activating mutations in downstream KRAS/BRAF and PIK3CA are found in several ovarian cancer histotypes. ERBB2 enhances signaling by the ERBB family of EGF receptors, and contains docking positions for proteins that transduce signaling through multiple pathways. We identified the adaptor protein ventricular zone-expressed pleckstrin homology domain-containing protein 1 (VEPH1) as a potential interacting partner of ERBB2 in a screen of proteins co-immunoprecipitated with VEPH1. In this study, we confirm a VEPH1 - ERBB2 interaction by co-immunoprecipitation and biotin proximity labelling and show that VEPH1 interacts with the juxtamembrane-kinase domain of ERBB2. In SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells, which bear a PIK3CA mutation and ERBB2 overexpression, ectopic VEPH1 expression enhanced EGF activation of ERK1/2, and mTORC2 activation of AKT. In contrast, in ES2 ovarian cancer cells, which bear a BRAFV600E mutation with VEPH1 amplification but low ERBB2 expression, loss of VEPH1 expression enabled further activation of ERK1/2 by EGF and enhanced EGF activation of AKT. VEPH1 expression in SKOV3 cells enhanced EGF-induced cell migration consistent with increased Snail2 and decreased E-cadherin levels. In comparison, loss of VEPH1 expression in ES2 cells led to decreased cell motility independent of EGF treatment despite higher levels of N-cadherin and Snail2. Importantly, we found that loss of VEPH1 expression rendered ES2 cells less sensitive to BRAF and MEK inhibition. This study extends the range of adaptor function of VEPH1 to ERBB2, and indicates VEPH1 has differential effects on EGF signaling in ovarian cancer cells that may be influenced by driver gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health Systems, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brian D Burt
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health Systems, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health Systems, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Clark M, Kollara A, Brown TJ, May T. A mouse model of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval cytoreductive surgery indicates impaired efficacy of perioperative cisplatin. J Ovarian Res 2021; 14:157. [PMID: 34784944 PMCID: PMC8594094 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00895-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Investigate the impact of interval cytoreductive surgery (ICS) on progression in an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer and the impact of chemotherapy delivered at various timelines following surgery. Methods Luciferase-expressing ID8 murine ovarian cancer cells were implanted intra-bursally and IP to C57BL/7 mice. Once disease was established by bioluminescence, 2 cycles of neoadjuvant cisplatin were administered, and animals received either ICS (removal of the injected bursa/primary tumor) or anesthesia alone. Postsurgical chemotherapy was administered on the same day as the intervention (ICS/anesthesia), or on day 7 or day 28 following the intervention. Progression was quantified serially with in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Volume of ascitic fluid volume collected at necropsy was measured. Results Animals were matched for tumor burden at stratification. There was no accelerated growth of residual tumor after interval cytoreduction compared to controls. Animals who received chemotherapy on postoperative day (POD) 7 had better disease control compared to standard-of-care POD 28. Animals who underwent surgery had less ascites at necropsy compared to those who had anesthesia alone. Conclusions In this animal model, surgical wounding with suboptimal cytoreduction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not cause accelerated expansion of residual disease. Surgical wounding appears to impair cisplatin activity when given at time of surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell Clark
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 700 University Avenue, Room 6-811, Toronto, ON, M5T 1Z5, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Present address: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taymaa May
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 700 University Avenue, Room 6-811, Toronto, ON, M5T 1Z5, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Goldberg RM, Kim SR, Fazelzad R, Li X, Brown TJ, May T. Secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 164:212-220. [PMID: 34756470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.10.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSC) is a relatively chemo-resistant disease with limited effective treatment options for patients with recurrence. Secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) is commonly offered at recurrence, although any benefit this has on survival is not fully determined. This review evaluates the impact of SCS, including residual disease, on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in recurrent LGSC. METHODS A comprehensive search of Medline ALL, Embase Classic + Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science was conducted to obtain studies evaluating optimal or complete SCS versus suboptimal SCS and the amount of residual disease in recurrent LGSC. Meta-analysis was performed and PFS and OS outcomes were calculated. RESULTS 1Of 5296 studies screened, 350 progressed to full-text review, with 9 ultimately selected for inclusion in the systematic review. Two studies met criteria for meta-analysis of PFS and of OS. The presence of visible residual disease at the conclusion of SCS negatively impacted PFS (HR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.72-7.14), whereas SCS with no residual disease significantly improved OS (HR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.23-0.7) in patients with recurrent LGSC. Diffuse and extensive disease distribution was inversely linked to survival. In addition, SCS as an initial treatment for recurrent LGSC was associated with superior survival in comparison to chemotherapy. A short platinum-free interval was not associated with worse survival in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS Complete SCS, and to a lesser extent optimal SCS, are associated with improved PFS and OS in patients with recurrent LGSC. SCS may be a better initial treatment strategy than systemic chemotherapy for recurrent disease. Patients with recurrent LGSC should be evaluated for the role of SCS based on disease distribution and functional status, irrespective of the platinum-free interval. Prospective studies are needed to further study the role of SCS in patients with recurrent LGSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Goldberg
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Soyoun Rachel Kim
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rouhi Fazelzad
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xuan Li
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Biostatistics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Taymaa May
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Li T, Greenblatt EM, Shin ME, Brown TJ, Chan C. Endometrial laminin subunit beta-3 expression associates with reproductive outcome in patients with repeated implantation failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1835-1842. [PMID: 33715134 PMCID: PMC8324716 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02135-y] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Endometrial laminin subunit beta-3 (LAMB3) is a candidate gene whose expression distinguishes the endometrial window of receptivity (WOR) in human. This study aims to examine endometrial LAMB3 levels in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF), in order to assess the ability of LAMB3 to predict pregnancy outcome. METHODS Endometrial biopsies were taken during the WOR from 21 healthy volunteers in natural menstrual cycles and from 50 RIF patients in mock cycles prior to frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of LAMB3 was performed, and the H-score was correlated with the pregnancy outcome in subsequent FETs. RESULTS In healthy volunteers, endometrial LAMB3 was demonstrated to be highly expressed during the WOR with the staining exclusively in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. In a discovery set of RIF patients, the LAMB3 expression level was found to be significantly higher in those who conceived compared to those who did not in subsequent FETs. A receiving operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7818 (95% confidence interval 59.92-96.44%) with an H-score cutoff of 4.129 to differentiate cases with positive or negative pregnancy outcomes. This cutoff achieved an accuracy of 75% in pregnancy prediction in a following validation set of RIF patients, in which the pregnancy rate in subsequent FETs was three-fold higher when the mock cycle LAMB3 H-score was ≥ 4.129 compared to < 4.129. CONCLUSIONS IHC measurement of endometrial LAMB3 expression could be a promising prognostic method to predict pregnancy outcome for RIF patients undergoing FETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen M Greenblatt
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Fertility (MSF), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal Chan
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Mount Sinai Fertility (MSF), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Li T, Greenblatt EM, Shin ME, Brown TJ, Chan C. Cargo small non-coding RNAs of extracellular vesicles isolated from uterine fluid associate with endometrial receptivity and implantation success. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:1327-1336. [PMID: 33272614 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To optimize a method of isolating extracellular vesicles (EVs) from uterine fluid and to characterize small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) from the EVs, with the goal of identifying novel receptivity-associated biomarkers. DESIGN Longitudinal study comparing sncRNA expression profiles from endometrial EVs. SETTING University-affiliated, hospital-based fertility clinic. PATIENT(S) Healthy volunteers with no history of infertility (Group A) and women receiving controlled ovarian stimulation (COS)-in vitro fertilization treatment (Group B). INTERVENTIONS(S) In Group A, EVs were isolated from uterine fluid obtained on luteinizing hormone (LH)+2 and LH+7 in one natural menstrual cycle. In Group B, EVs were isolated from uterine fluid obtained on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)+2 and hCG+7 in one COS cycle. RNAs extracted from EVs were profiled using next-generation sequencing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Differential EV-sncRNAs between LH+2 and LH+7 (Group A), between hCG+2 and hCG+7 (Group B), and between pregnant and nonpregnant in vitro fertilization cycles (Group B). RESULT(S) Ultracentrifugation was validated as the most efficient method to isolate EVs from uterine fluid. We identified 12 endometrial EV-sncRNAs (11 microRNAs and 1 piwi-interacting RNA) as receptivity-associated transcripts conserved in both natural and COS cycles. These sncRNAs were associated strongly with biological functions related to immune response, extracellular matrix, and cell junction. Within COS cycles, we also identified a group of EV-sncRNAs that exhibited differential expression in patients who conceived versus those who did not, with hsa-miR-362-3p most robustly overexpressed in the nonpregnant patients. CONCLUSION(S) This study is the first to profile comprehensively sncRNAs in endometrial EVs from uterine fluid and identify sncRNA biomarkers of endometrial receptivity and implantation success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen M Greenblatt
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal Chan
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Duncan S, Delage S, Chioran A, Sirbu O, Brown TJ, Ringuette MJ. The predicted collagen-binding domains of Drosophila SPARC are essential for survival and for collagen IV distribution and assembly into basement membranes. Dev Biol 2020; 461:197-209. [PMID: 32087195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The assembly of basement membranes (BMs) into tissue-specific morphoregulatory structures requires non-core BM components. Work in Drosophila indicates a principal role of collagen-binding matricellular glycoprotein SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic, Rich in Cysteine) in larval fat body BM assembly. We report that SPARC and collagen IV (Col(IV)) first colocalize in the trans-Golgi of hemocyte-like cell lines. Mutating the collagen-binding domains of Drosophila SPARC led to the loss of colocalization with Col(IV), a fibrotic-like BM, and 2nd instar larval lethality, indicating that SPARC binding to Col(IV) is essential for survival. Analysis of this mutant at 2nd instar reveals increased Col(IV) puncta within adipocytes, reflecting a disruption in the intracellular chaperone-like activity of SPARC. Removal of the disulfide bridge in the C-terminal EF-hand2 of SPARC, which is known to enhance Col(IV) binding, did not lead to larval lethality; however, a less intense fat body phenotype was observed. Additionally, both SPARC mutants exhibited altered fat body BM pore topography. Wing imaginal disc-derived SPARC did not localize within Col(IV)-rich matrices. This raises the possibility that SPARC interaction with Col(IV) requires initial intracellular interaction to colocalize at the BM or that wing-derived SPARC undergoes differential post-translational modifications that impacts its function. Collectively, these data provide evidence that the chaperone-like activity of SPARC on Col(IV) begins just prior to their co-secretion and demonstrate for the first time that the Col(IV) chaperone-like activity of SPARC is necessary for Drosophila development beyond the 2nd instar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Duncan
- Department of Cells and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samuel Delage
- Department of Cells and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexa Chioran
- Department of Cells and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olga Sirbu
- Department of Cells and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum, Research Institute at Sinai Health Systems, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cells and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Kollara A, Shathasivam P, Park S, Ringuette MJ, Brown TJ. Increased androgen receptor levels and signaling in ovarian cancer cells by VEPH1 associated with suppression of SMAD3 and AKT activation. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 196:105498. [PMID: 31614206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Studies indicate androgens contribute to initiation or progression of epithelial ovarian cancer through poorly understood mechanisms. We provide evidence that the androgen receptor (AR) interacts in a ligand-independent manner with the putative armadillo repeat domain of ventricular zone expressed PH domain-containing 1 (VEPH1). This interaction was increased by mutation of the two nuclear receptor-interacting LxxLL motifs present within the VEPH1 armadillo repeat domain. Androgen treatment did not result in nuclear co-localization of VEPH1 with AR, suggesting that VEPH1 does not function as a nuclear co-regulatory protein. VEPH1 expression decreased SMAD3 and activated AKT levels in ovarian cancer cell lines and increased AR activity and protein levels, consistent with an impact on receptor stability. Treatment of cells with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased AR protein levels measured 24 h after treatment, an effect augmented in VEPH1-transfected cells, and inhibited by knock-down of endogenous VEPH1. SMAD3 overexpression decreased AR protein levels and prevented the VEPH1-dependent increase in AR; however, silencing of SMAD3 paradoxically also decreased AR levels. DHT treatment led to a rapid and sustained decrease in phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) levels that was enhanced by VEPH1 expression. Inhibition of PI3K resulted in increased AR protein levels. These studies indicate that VEPH1 acts to enhance AR activity in ovarian cancer cells by decreasing SMAD3 and pAKT levels, resulting in increased levels of AR protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Premalatha Shathasivam
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Soyeon Park
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada.
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Gladanac B, Jonkman J, Shapiro CM, Brown TJ, Ralph MR, Casper RF, Rahman SA. Removing Short Wavelengths From Polychromatic White Light Attenuates Circadian Phase Resetting in Rats. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:954. [PMID: 31551702 PMCID: PMC6746919 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visible light is the principal stimulus for resetting the mammalian central circadian pacemaker. Circadian phase resetting is most sensitive to short-wavelength (blue) visible light. We examined the effects of removing short-wavelengths < 500 nm from polychromatic white light using optical filters on circadian phase resetting in rats. Under high irradiance conditions, both long- (7 h) and short- (1 h) duration short-wavelength filtered (< 500 nm) light exposure attenuated phase-delay shifts in locomotor activity rhythms by (∼40-50%) as compared to unfiltered light exposure. However, there was no attenuation in phase resetting under low irradiance conditions. Additionally, the reduction in phase-delay shifts corresponded to regionally specific attenuation in molecular markers of pacemaker activation in response to light exposure, including c-FOS, Per1 and Per2. These results demonstrate that removing short-wavelengths from polychromatic white light can attenuate circadian phase resetting in an irradiance dependent manner. These results have important implications for designing and optimizing lighting interventions to enhance circadian adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Gladanac
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James Jonkman
- Advanced Optical Microscopy Facility, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Colin M Shapiro
- Department of Psychiatry and Ophthalmology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Youthdale Child and Adolescent Sleep Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin R Ralph
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert F Casper
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shadab A Rahman
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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12
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Brown TJ, Kollara A, Shathasivam P, Ringuette MJ. Ventricular Zone Expressed PH Domain Containing 1 (VEPH1): an adaptor protein capable of modulating multiple signaling transduction pathways during normal and pathological development. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:116. [PMID: 31500637 PMCID: PMC6734325 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0433-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ventricular Zone Expressed PH Domain-Containing 1 (VEPH1) is an 833-amino acid protein encoded by an evolutionarily conserved single-copy gene that emerged with pseudocoelomates. This gene has no paralog in any species identified to date and few studies have investigated the function of its encoded protein. Loss of expression of its ortholog, melted, in Drosophila results in a severe neural phenotype and impacts TOR, FoxO, and Hippo signaling. Studies in mammals indicate a role for VEPH1 in modulating TGFβ signaling and AKT activation, while numerous studies indicate VEPH1 expression is altered in several pathological conditions, including cancer. Although often referred to as an uncharacterized protein, available evidence supports VEPH1 as an adaptor protein capable of modulating multiple signal transduction networks. Further studies are required to define these adaptor functions and the role of VEPH1 in development and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, 60 Murray Street, Box 42, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, 60 Murray Street, Box 42, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Premalatha Shathasivam
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, 60 Murray Street, Box 42, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Khalaj K, Kollara A, Hollingsworth J, Djedovic V, Brown TJ. Abstract 3450: Impact of BRCA1 on glucocorticoid signaling in fallopian tube epithelial cells. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-3450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), the most predominant ovarian cancer histotype, originates in the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE). Women with germline BRCA1 mutations are at high risk for this cancer subtype. Our previous work indicates that FTE cells from BRCA1 mutation carriers (mtBRCA1) have increased EGFR and NFκB signaling compared to FTE from control patients, and that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling may be impaired in BRCA1-deficient cells. Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory steroids that inhibit NFκB signaling. Studies using breast cancer cells report that BRCA1 increases microRNA miR-146 expression, which targets transcripts for EGFR and activators of NFκB. In this study, we examined the impact of BRCA1 deficiency on GR expression and signaling, and on miR-146 expression.
Methods: Primary FTE cells were derived from mtBRCA1 carriers or control patients. Immortalized human FTE OE6/7 cells were engineered to overexpress BRCA1. UWB1.289 and UWB1.289+BRCA1 HGSC cells were obtained from ATCC. Levels of GRα, GRβ (splice variant isoform that acts as a dominant-negative of GRα), inflammatory cytokines, and GR-regulated genes were quantified using qPCR and western blotting. miR146 was quantified using miR PCR assays.
Results: FTE and HGSC cells express both GR isoforms. GR mRNA levels in primary cultured FTE cells from mtBRCA1 carriers were similar to FTE cells from mtBRCA2 and control patients, although mtBRCA1 FTE cells had increased GRα:GRβ transcript ratios. In contrast, BRCA1 overexpression in OE6/7 cells and UWB1.1 289 cells increased the GRα:GRβ transcript ratio. Total GR protein levels were similar in UWB1.289 and UWB1.289+BRCA1 cells; however, BRCA1 expression associated with increased dexamethasone (DEX)-induced GR transactivation. GR target genes SGK1 and GILZ were upregulated by DEX similarly regardless of BRCA1 expression. TNFα was decreased in OE6/7 and UWB1.1 289 cells expressing higher levels of BRCA1 and was further decreased by DEX. miR-146 levels were elevated, rather than suppressed, in BRCA1-deficient cells, and correlated with decreased expression of targeted NFκB activators.
Conclusions: These data indicate GR signaling is affected by BRCA1 and that both GRα and GRβ are expressed in FTE cells. BRCA1 expression alters relative isoform expression ratios raising the possibility of altered response to glucocorticoids that could impact NFκB signaling. Furthermore, these studies indicate that mechanisms other than decreased miRNA-146 underlie increased NFκB and EGFR signaling in mtBRCA1 FTE cells.
Citation Format: Kasra Khalaj, Alexandra Kollara, Julia Hollingsworth, Vladimir Djedovic, Theodore J. Brown. Impact of BRCA1 on glucocorticoid signaling in fallopian tube epithelial cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3450.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasra Khalaj
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Lee Y, Kollara A, May T, Brown TJ. Wounding promotes ovarian cancer progression and decreases efficacy of cisplatin in a syngeneic mouse model. J Ovarian Res 2018; 11:56. [PMID: 29973223 PMCID: PMC6032528 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0428-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. The average interval between surgery and chemotherapy initiation is approximately 4-weeks at most centers; however, since surgery may accelerate residual tumor growth, a shorter interval may be more beneficial. METHODS The murine ID8 cell model of ovarian cancer was used to examine the efficacy of cisplatin treatment administered perioperatively or 7 days after surgical wounding. Luciferase-expressing cells ID8 cells were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into female C57/Bl6 mice. Fourteen days post-injection, animals received an abdominal incision or anesthesia alone and received i.p. cisplatin either on the surgical day or 7 days later, or received no chemotherapy. Additional animals received cisplatin 28 days after wounding for comparison. RESULTS Abdominal tumor mass increased 2.5-fold in wounded vs. unwounded animals as determined by bioluminescent in vivo tumor imaging. Cisplatin administered on the day of wounding decreased tumor burden by 50%, as compared to 90% in unwounded animals. Cisplatin on day 7 or day 28 decreased tumor burden by 80 and 37% respectively. CONCLUSIONS Surgical wounding increases ovarian tumor mass and decreases perioperative cisplatin efficacy in this animal model. Administration of cisplatin 1 week after surgery was more effective than cisplatin administered perioperatively or 4 weeks after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yooyoung Lee
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health Systems, Mt. Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, 6-10016-3, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health Systems, Mt. Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, 6-10016-3, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada
| | - Taymaa May
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health Systems, Mt. Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, 6-10016-3, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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15
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Hollingsworth J, Lau A, Tone A, Kollara A, Allen L, Colgan TJ, Dube V, Rosen B, Murphy KJ, Greenblatt EM, Feigenberg T, Virtanen C, Brown TJ. BRCA1 Mutation Status and Follicular Fluid Exposure Alters NFκB Signaling and ISGylation in Human Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells. Neoplasia 2018; 20:697-709. [PMID: 29852322 PMCID: PMC6030391 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations (mtBRCA1 and mtBRCA2) increase risk for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most commonly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer histotype. Other identified risk factors for this cancer, which originates primarily in the distal fallopian tube epithelium (FTE), implicate ovulation, during which the FTE cells become transiently exposed to follicular fluid (FF). To test whether mtBRCA1 or mtBRCA2 nonmalignant FTE cells respond differently to periovulatory FF exposure than control patient FTE cells, gene expression profiles from primary FTE cultures derived from BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers or control patients were compared at baseline, 24 hours after FF exposure, and 24 hours after FF replacement with culture medium. Hierarchical clustering revealed both FF exposure and BRCA mutation status affect gene expression, with BRCA1 mutation having the greatest impact. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed increased NFκB and EGFR signaling at baseline in mtBRCA1 samples, with increased interferon target gene expression, including members of the ISGylation pathway, observed after recovery from FF exposure. Gene set enrichment analysis did not identify altered pathway signaling in mtBRCA2 samples. An inverse relationship between EGFR signaling and ISGylation with BRCA1 protein levels was verified in an immortalized FTE cell line, OE-E6/E7, stably transfected with BRCA1 cDNA. Suppression of ISG15 and ISGylated protein levels by increased BRCA1 expression was found to be mediated by decreased NFκB signaling. These studies indicate that increased NFκB signaling associated with decreased BRCA1 expression results in increased ISG15 and protein ISGylation following FF exposure, which may be involved in predisposition to HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hollingsworth
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Angela Lau
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Alicia Tone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Lisa Allen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Terence J Colgan
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
| | - Valerie Dube
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Department of Pathology, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON
| | - Barry Rosen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
| | - K Joan Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
| | - Ellen M Greenblatt
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Tomer Feigenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
| | | | - Theodore J Brown
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
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16
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Bishop TM, Ashrafioun L, Walsh PG, Klein JS, Brown TJ, Pigeon WR. 0952 Sleep, Suicide Risk, and the Protective Role Of Sleep Medicine. Sleep 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsy061.951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T M Bishop
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY
| | - L Ashrafioun
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY
| | - P G Walsh
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY
| | - J S Klein
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY
| | - T J Brown
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY
| | - W R Pigeon
- VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY
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17
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Chioran A, Duncan S, Catalano A, Brown TJ, Ringuette MJ. Collagen IV trafficking: The inside-out and beyond story. Dev Biol 2017; 431:124-133. [PMID: 28982537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [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: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Collagen IV networks endow basement membranes (BMs) with remarkable tensile strength and function as morphoregulatory substrata for diverse tissue-specific developmental events. A complex repertoire of intracellular and extracellular molecular interactions are required for collagen IV secretion and supramolecular assembly into BMs. These include intracellular chaperones such as Heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47) and the chaperone-binding trafficking protein Transport and Golgi organization protein 1 (Tango1). Mutations in these proteins lead to compromised collagen IV protomer stability and secretion, leading to defective BM assembly and function. In addition to intracellular chaperones, a role for extracellular chaperones orchestrating the transport, supramolecular assembly, and architecture of collagen IV in BM is emerging. We present evidence derived from evolutionarily distant model organisms that supports an extracellular collagen IV chaperone-like activity for the matricellular protein SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic, Rich in Cysteine). Loss of SPARC disrupts BM homeostasis and compromises tissue biomechanics and physiological function. Thus, the combined contributions of intracellular and extracellular collagen IV-associated chaperones and chaperone-like proteins are critical to ensure proper secretion and stereotypic assembly of collagen IV networks in BMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Chioran
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G5
| | - Sebastian Duncan
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G5
| | | | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G5.
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18
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Brown TJ, O'Malley C, Blackshaw J, Coulton V, Tedstone A, Summerbell C, Ells LJ. Exploring the evidence base for Tier 3 weight management interventions for adults: a systematic review. Clin Obes 2017; 7:260-272. [PMID: 28695579 DOI: 10.1111/cob.12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Specialist weight management services provide a treatment option for severe obesity. The objective of the study is to review the characteristics, impact and practice implications of specialist weight management services for adults in the UK. Systematic review: EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched from January 2005 to March 2016 with supplementary searches. Adults with a body mass index of ≥40 kg m-2 , or ≥35 kg m-2 with comorbidity or ≥30 kg m-2 with type 2 diabetes and any study of multicomponent interventions, in any UK or Ireland setting, delivered by a specialist multidisciplinary team are the inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies in a variety of settings were included: 1 randomized controlled trial, 3 controlled and 10 observational studies. Mean baseline body mass index and age ranged from 40 to 54 kg m-2 and from 40 to 58 years. The studies were heterogeneous making comparisons of service characteristics difficult. Multidisciplinary team composition and eligibility criteria varied; dropout rates were high (43-62%). Statistically significant reduction in mean body mass index over time ranged from -1.4 to -3.1 kg m-2 and mean weight changes ranged from -2.2 to -12.4 kg. Completers achieving at least 5% reduction of initial body weight ranged from 32 to 51%. There was evidence for improved outcomes in diabetics. Specialist weight management services can demonstrate clinically significant weight loss and have an important role in supporting adults to manage severe and often complex forms of obesity. This review highlights important variations in provision and strongly indicates the need for further research into effective approaches to support severely obese adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Brown
- School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
- FUSE, Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, North East England, UK
| | - C O'Malley
- School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
- FUSE, Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, North East England, UK
| | - J Blackshaw
- Diet and Obesity; Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - V Coulton
- Diet and Obesity; Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - A Tedstone
- Diet and Obesity; Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - C Summerbell
- FUSE, Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, North East England, UK
- School of Applied Social Science, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - L J Ells
- School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
- FUSE, Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, North East England, UK
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19
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Shathasivam P, Kollara A, Spybey T, Park S, Clarke B, Ringuette MJ, Brown TJ. VEPH1 expression decreases vascularisation in ovarian cancer xenografts and inhibits VEGFA and IL8 expression through inhibition of AKT activation. Br J Cancer 2017; 116:1065-1076. [PMID: 28301874 PMCID: PMC5396109 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: VEPH1 is amplified in several cancers including ovarian but its impact on tumour progression is unknown. Previous work has shown that VEPH1 inhibits TGFβ signalling while its Drosophila ortholog increases tissue growth, raising the possibility that VEPH1 could impact tumour growth or progression. Methods: A CRISPR approach was used to disrupt VEPH1 expression in ovarian cancer ES-2 cells, while VEPH1-negative SKOV3 cells were stably transfected with VEPH1 cDNA. The impact of altered VEPH1 expression was assessed using in vitro and in vivo assays and mechanistic studies were performed in vitro. Results: VEPH1 expression in SKOV3 cells resulted in a reduced tumour growth rate associated with increased necrotic area, and decreased microvessel density and VEGF-A levels relative to tumours formed by mock-transfected cells. VEPH1 expression also decreased VEGFA and IL8 expression in SKOV3 cells and was associated with decreased activated AKT levels. These effects were not observed in ES-2 cells, which bear a BRAFV600E activating mutation that leads to constitutively increased IL8 and VEGFA expression. Conclusions: VEPH1 expression in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells inhibits AKT activation to decrease VEGFA and IL8 expression, which leads to decreased tumour vascularisation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Premalatha Shathasivam
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, Toronto, M5T 3L9 ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, 123 Edward Street, Toronto, M5G 1E2 ON, Canada
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, Toronto, M5T 3L9 ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, 123 Edward Street, Toronto, M5G 1E2 ON, Canada
| | - Thomasina Spybey
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, Toronto, M5T 3L9 ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, 123 Edward Street, Toronto, M5G 1E2 ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A8 ON, Canada
| | - Soyeon Park
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, Toronto, M5T 3L9 ON, Canada
| | - Blaise Clarke
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Health Network, 190 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, M5G 2C4 ON, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, M5S 3G5 ON, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, Toronto, M5T 3L9 ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, 123 Edward Street, Toronto, M5G 1E2 ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A8 ON, Canada
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20
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Hillier-Brown FC, Summerbell CD, Moore HJ, Routen A, Lake AA, Adams J, White M, Araujo-Soares V, Abraham C, Adamson AJ, Brown TJ. The impact of interventions to promote healthier ready-to-eat meals (to eat in, to take away or to be delivered) sold by specific food outlets open to the general public: a systematic review. Obes Rev 2017; 18:227-246. [PMID: 27899007 PMCID: PMC5244662 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ready-to-eat meals sold by food outlets that are accessible to the general public are an important target for public health intervention. We conducted a systematic review to assess the impact of such interventions. METHODS Studies of any design and duration that included any consumer-level or food-outlet-level before-and-after data were included. RESULTS Thirty studies describing 34 interventions were categorized by type and coded against the Nuffield intervention ladder: restrict choice = trans fat law (n = 1), changing pre-packed children's meal content (n = 1) and food outlet award schemes (n = 2); guide choice = price increases for unhealthier choices (n = 1), incentive (contingent reward) (n = 1) and price decreases for healthier choices (n = 2); enable choice = signposting (highlighting healthier/unhealthier options) (n = 10) and telemarketing (offering support for the provision of healthier options to businesses via telephone) (n = 2); and provide information = calorie labelling law (n = 12), voluntary nutrient labelling (n = 1) and personalized receipts (n = 1). Most interventions were aimed at adults in US fast food chains and assessed customer-level outcomes. More 'intrusive' interventions that restricted or guided choice generally showed a positive impact on food-outlet-level and customer-level outcomes. However, interventions that simply provided information or enabled choice had a negligible impact. CONCLUSION Interventions to promote healthier ready-to-eat meals sold by food outlets should restrict choice or guide choice through incentives/disincentives. Public health policies and practice that simply involve providing information are unlikely to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C Hillier-Brown
- Obesity Related Behaviours Research Group, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, UK.,Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - C D Summerbell
- Obesity Related Behaviours Research Group, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, UK.,Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - H J Moore
- Obesity Related Behaviours Research Group, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, UK.,Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - A Routen
- School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - A A Lake
- Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Centre for Public Policy & Health, School of Medicine, Pharmacy & Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, UK
| | - J Adams
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - M White
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - V Araujo-Soares
- Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - C Abraham
- Psychology Applied to Heath, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - A J Adamson
- Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - T J Brown
- Obesity Related Behaviours Research Group, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, UK.,Fuse - UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Casper RF, MacLusky NJ, Vanin C, Brown TJ. Rationale for Estrogen With Interrupted Progestin as a New Low-Dose Hormonal Replacement Therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/107155769600300501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert F. Casper
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, The Toronoto Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology, and Zoology, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; 6-246 EN, The Toronto Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St., Toronto, Ontario, Candada, M5G 2C4
| | | | | | - Theodore J. Brown
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, The Toronoto Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology, and Zoology, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Bowlby DA, Brown TJ, Hochberg RB, MacLusky NJ. In vitro Autoradiographic Analysis of Regional Changes in Estrogen Receptor Alpha in the Brains of Cycling Female Rats. Neuroendocrinology 2016; 103:538-51. [PMID: 26422138 DOI: 10.1159/000441077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The contributions of the three principal ovarian steroid hormones (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) to the regulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) levels in the rat brain were examined during the estrous cycle. METHODS Receptor concentrations were measured using an in vitro autoradiographic technique designed to separately quantify free, unoccupied receptors and receptors 'occupied' by (bound to) endogenous hormone. RESULTS ERα occupation increased at proestrus and declined at estrus, reflecting changes in circulating estradiol and testosterone levels. Total ERα content followed a pattern that was the inverse of the occupation data, falling over the night of proestrus. Between 2.00 and 10.00 a.m. on the day of estrus, total ERα concentrations recovered in all brain regions except the ventromedial nucleus (VMN), in which ERα binding remained depressed at estrus. Administration of the progesterone antagonist mifepristone on the afternoon of proestrus resulted in recovery of ERα levels in the VMN by the morning of estrus, consistent with the hypothesis that the preovulatory progesterone surge selectively inhibits VMN ERα expression. Residual ERα occupation observed at estrus, when estradiol is not detectable in the serum, likely reflects intracranial aromatization of circulating androgens, since the pattern of receptor occupation observed at this stage of the cycle could be reproduced in ovariectomized rats by replacement with testosterone. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that ERα binding in the brain fluctuates during the rat estrous cycle in a region-specific manner and suggest that local aromatization of testosterone may contribute significantly to ERα occupation when circulating estradiol levels are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Bowlby
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada
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Cydzik M, Abdul-Wahid A, Park S, Bourdeau A, Bowden K, Prodeus A, Kollara A, Brown TJ, Ringuette MJ, Gariépy J. Slow binding kinetics of secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine-VEGF interaction limit VEGF activation of VEGF receptor 2 and attenuate angiogenesis. FASEB J 2015; 29:3493-505. [PMID: 25921830 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-271775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
VEGF-A (VEGF) drives angiogenesis through activation of downstream effectors to promote endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Although VEGF binds both VEGF receptor 1 (R1) and receptor 2 (R2), its proangiogenic effects are attributed to R2. Secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular glycoprotein thought to inhibit angiogenesis by preventing VEGF from activating R1, but not R2. Because R2 rather than R1 mediates proangiogenic activities of VEGF, the role of human SPARC in angiogenesis was reevaluated. We confirm that association of SPARC with VEGF inhibits VEGF-induced HUVEC adherence, motility, and proliferation in vitro and blocks VEGF-induced blood vessel formation ex vivo. SPARC decreases VEGF-induced phosphorylation of R2 and downstream effectors ERK, Akt, and p38 MAPK as shown by Western blot and/or phosphoflow analysis. Surface plasmon resonance indicates that SPARC binds slowly to VEGF (0.865 ± 0.02 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)) with a Kd of 150 nM, forming a stable complex that dissociates slowly (1.26 ± 0.003 × 10(-3) s(-1)). Only domain III of SPARC binds VEGF, exhibiting a 15-fold higher affinity than full-length SPARC. These findings support a model whereby SPARC regulates angiogenesis by sequestering VEGF, thus restricting the activation of R2 and the subsequent activation of downstream targets critical for endothelial cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Cydzik
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aws Abdul-Wahid
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Soyeon Park
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annie Bourdeau
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine Bowden
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron Prodeus
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Gariépy
- *Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Department of Immunology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Backman S, Kollara A, Haw R, Stein L, Brown TJ. Glucocorticoid-induced reversal of interleukin-1β-stimulated inflammatory gene expression in human oviductal cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97997. [PMID: 24848801 PMCID: PMC4029821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies indicate that high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the most common epithelial ovarian carcinoma histotype, originates from the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE). Risk factors for this cancer include reproductive parameters associated with lifetime ovulatory events. Ovulation is an acute inflammatory process during which the FTE is exposed to follicular fluid containing both pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules, such as interleukin-1 (IL1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and cortisol. Repeated exposure to inflammatory cytokines may contribute to transforming events in the FTE, with glucocorticoids exerting a protective effect. The global response of FTE cells to inflammatory cytokines or glucocorticoids has not been investigated. To examine the response of FTE cells and the ability of glucocorticoids to oppose this response, an immortalized human FTE cell line, OE-E6/E7, was treated with IL1β, dexamethasone (DEX), IL1β and DEX, or vehicle and genome-wide gene expression profiling was performed. IL1β altered the expression of 47 genes of which 17 were reversed by DEX. DEX treatment alone altered the expression of 590 genes, whereas combined DEX and IL1β treatment altered the expression of 784 genes. Network and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that many genes altered by DEX are involved in cytokine, chemokine, and cell cycle signaling, including NFκΒ target genes and interacting proteins. Quantitative real time RT-PCR studies validated the gene array data for IL8, IL23A, PI3 and TACC2 in OE-E6/E7 cells. Consistent with the array data, Western blot analysis showed increased levels of PTGS2 protein induced by IL1β that was blocked by DEX. A parallel experiment using primary cultured human FTE cells indicated similar effects on PTGS2, IL8, IL23A, PI3 and TACC2 transcripts. These findings support the hypothesis that pro-inflammatory signaling is induced in FTE cells by inflammatory mediators and raises the possibility that dysregulation of glucocorticoid signaling could contribute to increased risk for HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Backman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Kollara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robin Haw
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Informatics and Bio-Computing, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lincoln Stein
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Informatics and Bio-Computing, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J. Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Lau A, Kollara A, St John E, Tone AA, Virtanen C, Greenblatt EM, King WA, Brown TJ. Altered expression of inflammation-associated genes in oviductal cells following follicular fluid exposure: implications for ovarian carcinogenesis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2013; 239:24-32. [PMID: 24186266 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213508216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence indicates that high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) may originate from lesions within the distal fallopian tube epithelium (FTE). Our previous studies indicate that fallopian tube epithelial cells from carriers of germline mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes exhibit a pro-inflammatory gene expression signature during the luteal phase, suggesting that delayed resolution of postovulatory inflammatory signaling may contribute to predisposition to this ovarian cancer histotype. To determine whether exposure of tubal epithelial cells to periovulatory follicular fluid alters expression of inflammation-associated genes, we used an ex vivo culture system of bovine oviductal epithelial cells. Oviductal cells grown on collagen IV-coated transwell membranes assumed a cobblestone appearance and immunocytochemistry for FoxJ1 and Pax8 indicated that both ciliated and secretory epithelial cells were maintained in the cultures. Oviductal cells were exposed to human follicular fluid or culture medium for 24 h following which total cellular RNA was extracted at various time points. Expression of genes associated with inflammation was determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Exposure to follicular fluid transiently increased the transcript levels of interleukin 8 (IL8) and cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2), and decreased the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), disabled homolog 2 (DAB2), and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL6 levels were also decreased while those of nicotinomide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) were unaffected. This study demonstrates that periovulatory follicular fluid can act directly upon oviductal epithelial cells to alter gene expression that might contribute to early carcinogenic events. Furthermore, these findings illustrate the potential use of bovine oviductal cells to study signaling events implicated in ovarian carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lau
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7 Canada
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Rahman SA, Shapiro CM, Wang F, Ainlay H, Kazmi S, Brown TJ, Casper RF. Effects of filtering visual short wavelengths during nocturnal shiftwork on sleep and performance. Chronobiol Int 2013; 30:951-62. [PMID: 23834705 PMCID: PMC3786545 DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2013.789894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Circadian phase resetting is sensitive to visual short wavelengths (450-480 nm). Selectively filtering this range of wavelengths may reduce circadian misalignment and sleep impairment during irregular light-dark schedules associated with shiftwork. We examined the effects of filtering short wavelengths (<480 nm) during night shifts on sleep and performance in nine nurses (five females and four males; mean age ± SD: 31.3 ± 4.6 yrs). Participants were randomized to receive filtered light (intervention) or standard indoor light (baseline) on night shifts. Nighttime sleep after two night shifts and daytime sleep in between two night shifts was assessed by polysomnography (PSG). In addition, salivary melatonin levels and alertness were assessed every 2 h on the first night shift of each study period and on the middle night of a run of three night shifts in each study period. Sleep and performance under baseline and intervention conditions were compared with daytime performance on the seventh day shift, and nighttime sleep following the seventh daytime shift (comparator). On the baseline night PSG, total sleep time (TST) (p < 0.01) and sleep efficiency (p = 0.01) were significantly decreased and intervening wake times (wake after sleep onset [WASO]) (p = 0.04) were significantly increased in relation to the comparator night sleep. In contrast, under intervention, TST was increased by a mean of 40 min compared with baseline, WASO was reduced and sleep efficiency was increased to levels similar to the comparator night. Daytime sleep was significantly impaired under both baseline and intervention conditions. Salivary melatonin levels were significantly higher on the first (p < 0.05) and middle (p < 0.01) night shifts under intervention compared with baseline. Subjective sleepiness increased throughout the night under both conditions (p < 0.01). However, reaction time and throughput on vigilance tests were similar to daytime performance under intervention but impaired under baseline on the first night shift. By the middle night shift, the difference in performance was no longer significant between day shift and either of the two night shift conditions, suggesting some adaptation to the night shift had occurred under baseline conditions. These results suggest that both daytime and nighttime sleep are adversely affected in rotating-shift workers and that filtering short wavelengths may be an approach to reduce sleep disruption and improve performance in rotating-shift workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadab A Rahman
- Fran and Lawrence Bloomberg Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Chan C, Brown TJ, Greenblatt EM. Response to editorial entitled "Biomarkers of endometrial receptivity through a minimally invasive approach". Fertil Steril 2013; 100:e11. [PMID: 23806851 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Chan C, Virtanen C, Winegarden NA, Colgan TJ, Brown TJ, Greenblatt EM. Discovery of biomarkers of endometrial receptivity through a minimally invasive approach: a validation study with implications for assisted reproduction. Fertil Steril 2013; 100:810-7. [PMID: 23725802 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether a minimally invasive approach to sampling endometrial cells that can be applied during an active conception cycle can generate robust biomarker candidates for endometrial receptivity by genomewide gene expression profiling. DESIGN Longitudinal study comparing gene expression profiles of cells isolated from uterine aspirates collected during the prereceptive and receptive phases of a natural cycle. SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PATIENT(S) Healthy volunteers, ≤40 years of age, with regular menstrual cycles and no history of infertility. INTERVENTION(S) One menstrual cycle monitored with urinary kits to identify the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge; uterine aspirations collected at LH + 2 days (LH + 2) and at LH + 7; endometrial biopsy obtained on LH + 7; RNA extraction from the cellular material for gene expression profiling, and differential gene expression validated by NanoString assay and cross-validated against a publically available data set. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Differentially expressed genes between LH + 2 and LH + 7 samples. RESULT(S) NanoString assay validated 96% of the 245 genes found differentially expressed at LH + 7. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of aspiration and biopsy samples demonstrated the concordance of the sampling methods. A predictor gene cassette derived by a shrunken centroid class prediction technique correctly classified the receptive phase within an external data set. CONCLUSION(S) Uterine aspiration, which can be performed during an active conception cycle, identified robust candidate biomarkers of endometrial receptivity, and will enable their validation by direct correlation with clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Baratta CA, Brown TJ, Al-Dhalaan F, Ringuette MJ. Evolution and Function of SPARC and Tenascins: Matricellular Counter-Adhesive Glycoproteins with Pleiotropic Effects on Angiogenesis and Tissue Fibrosis. Evolution of Extracellular Matrix 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-36002-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Panjwani N, Mulvihill EE, Longuet C, Yusta B, Campbell JE, Brown TJ, Streutker C, Holland D, Cao X, Baggio LL, Drucker DJ. GLP-1 receptor activation indirectly reduces hepatic lipid accumulation but does not attenuate development of atherosclerosis in diabetic male ApoE(-/-) mice. Endocrinology 2013. [PMID: 23183176 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reduce lipid accumulation in peripheral tissues, attenuating atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis in preclinical studies. We examined whether GLP-1R activation decreases atherosclerosis progression in high-fat diet-fed male ApoE(-/-) mice after administration of streptozotocin and treatment with the long-acting GLP-1R agonist taspoglutide administered once monthly vs. metformin in the drinking water for 12 wk. Taspoglutide did not reduce plaque area or lipid content in the aortic arch or abdominal aorta, and no significant change in aortic macrophage accumulation was detected after taspoglutide or metformin. In contrast, hepatic triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in livers from taspoglutide-treated mice. Both peripheral and intracerebroventricular administration of exendin-4 rapidly decreased plasma triglyceride levels in fasted mice, and taspoglutide therapy in ApoE(-/-) mice modulated the expression of hepatic genes controlling fatty acid uptake and oxidation. We were unable to detect expression of the entire Glp1r coding sequence in macrophages isolated from ApoE(-/-), C57BL/6, and IL10(-/-) mice. Similarly, Glp1r mRNA transcripts were not detected in RNA from isolated murine hepatocytes. Using Western blotting and tissue extracts from Glp1r(+/+) and Glp1r(-/-) mice, and cells transfected with a tagged murine GLP-1R cDNA, we could not validate the sensitivity and specificity of three different GLP-1R antisera commonly used for the detection of GLP-1R protein. Taken together, these findings illustrate divergent actions of GLP-1R agonists on atherosclerosis progression and accumulation of ectopic lipid in ApoE(-/-) mice and highlight the importance of indirect GLP-1R actions for the control of hepatic lipid accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim Panjwani
- Departments of Medicine, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto Ontario Canada M5G 1X5
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Chand D, Casatti CA, de Lannoy L, Song L, Kollara A, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Brown TJ, Lovejoy DA. C-terminal processing of the teneurin proteins: independent actions of a teneurin C-terminal associated peptide in hippocampal cells. Mol Cell Neurosci 2012; 52:38-50. [PMID: 23026563 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2012.09.006] [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] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 08/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neuropsychiatric conditions have a common set of neurological substrates associated with the integration of sensorimotor processing. The teneurins are a recently described family of proteins that play a significant role in visual and auditory development. Encoded on the terminal exon of the teneurin genes is a family of bioactive peptides, termed teneurin C-terminal associated peptides (TCAP), which regulate mood-disorder associated behaviors. Thus, the teneurin-TCAP system could represent a novel neurological system underlying the origins of a number of complex neuropsychiatric conditions. However, it is not known if TCAP-1 exerts its effects as part of a direct teneurin function, whereby TCAP represents a functional region of the larger teneurin protein, or if it has an independent role, either as a splice variant or post-translational proteolytic cleavage product of teneurin. In this study, we show that TCAP-1 can be transcribed as a smaller mRNA transcript. After translation, further processing yields a smaller 15 kDa protein containing the TCAP-1 region. In the mouse hippocampus, immunoreactive (ir) TCAP-1 is exclusively localized to the pyramidal layers of the CA1, CA2 and CA3 regions. Although the localization of TCAP and teneurin in hippocampal regions is similar, they are distinct within the cell as most ir-teneurin is found at the plasma membrane, whereas ir-TCAP-1 is predominantly found in the cytosol. Moreover, in mouse embryonic hippocampal cell culture, FITC-labeled TCAP-1 binds to the plasma membrane and is taken up into the cytosol via dynamin-dependent caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Our data provides novel evidence that TCAP-1 is structurally and functionally distinct from the larger teneurins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhan Chand
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G5.
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Tone AA, Virtanen C, Shaw P, Brown TJ. Prolonged Postovulatory Proinflammatory Signaling in the Fallopian Tube Epithelium May Be Mediated through a BRCA1/DAB2 Axis. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:4334-44. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Kollara A, Brown TJ. Expression and function of nuclear receptor co-activator 4: evidence of a potential role independent of co-activator activity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:3895-909. [PMID: 22562579 PMCID: PMC3492700 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1000-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NcoA4), also known as androgen receptor-associated protein 70 (ARA70), was initially discovered as a component of Ret-Fused Gene expressed in a subset of papillary thyroid carcinomas. Subsequent studies have established NcoA4 as a coactivator for a variety of nuclear receptors, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptors α and γ, and receptors for steroid hormones, vitamins D and A, thyroid hormone, and aryl hydrocarbons. While human NcoA4 has both LXXLL and FXXLF motifs that mediate p160 coactivator nuclear receptor interactions, this ubiquitously expressed protein lacks clearly defined functional domains. Several studies indicate that NcoA4 localizes predominantly to the cytoplasm and affects ligand-binding specificity of the androgen receptor, which has important implications for androgen-independent prostate cancer. Two NcoA4 variants, which may exert differential activities, have been identified in humans. Recent studies suggest that NcoA4 may play a role in development, carcinogenesis, inflammation, erythrogenesis, and cell cycle progression that may be independent of its role as a receptor coactivator. This review summarizes what is currently known of the structure, expression, regulation, and potential functions of this unique protein in cancerous and non-cancerous pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, 25 Orde Street, 6-1001TB, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada
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Seoudi N, Mitchell SL, Brown TJ, Dashti F, Amin AK, Drobniewski FA. Rapid molecular detection of tuberculosis and rifampicin drug resistance: retrospective analysis of a national UK molecular service over the last decade. Thorax 2012; 67:361-7. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Lamont BJ, Li Y, Kwan E, Brown TJ, Gaisano H, Drucker DJ. Pancreatic GLP-1 receptor activation is sufficient for incretin control of glucose metabolism in mice. J Clin Invest 2011; 122:388-402. [PMID: 22182839 DOI: 10.1172/jci42497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 11/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) circulates at low levels and acts as an incretin hormone, potentiating glucose-dependent insulin secretion from islet β cells. GLP-1 also modulates gastric emptying and engages neural circuits in the portal region and CNS that contribute to GLP-1 receptor-dependent (GLP-1R-dependent) regulation of glucose homeostasis. To elucidate the importance of pancreatic GLP-1R signaling for glucose homeostasis, we generated transgenic mice that expressed the human GLP-1R in islets and pancreatic ductal cells (Pdx1-hGLP1R:Glp1r-/- mice). Transgene expression restored GLP-1R-dependent stimulation of cAMP and Akt phosphorylation in isolated islets, conferred GLP-1R-dependent stimulation of β cell proliferation, and was sufficient for restoration of GLP-1-stimulated insulin secretion in perifused islets. Systemic GLP-1R activation with the GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 had no effect on food intake, hindbrain c-fos expression, or gastric emptying but improved glucose tolerance and stimulated insulin secretion in Pdx1-hGLP1R:Glp1r-/- mice. i.c.v. GLP-1R blockade with the antagonist exendin(9-39) impaired glucose tolerance in WT mice but had no effect in Pdx1-hGLP1R:Glp1r-/- mice. Nevertheless, transgenic expression of the pancreatic GLP-1R was sufficient to normalize both oral and i.p. glucose tolerance in Glp1r-/- mice. These findings illustrate that low levels of endogenous GLP-1 secreted from gut endocrine cells are capable of augmenting glucoregulatory activity via pancreatic GLP-1Rs independent of communication with neural pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Lamont
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Greenaway JB, Koehler A, McCulloch CA, Petrik J, Brown TJ, Ringuette MJ. The impact of the ovarian microenvironment on the anti-tumor effect of SPARC on ovarian cancer. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 90:96-107. [PMID: 22003835 DOI: 10.1139/o11-047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A lack of host-derived SPARC promotes disease progression in an intraperitoneal (IP) ID8 mouse model of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Since orthotopic injection (OT) of ID8 cells better recapitulates high-grade serous cancer, we examined the impact of host-derived SPARC following OT injection. Sparc(-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were injected with ID8 cells either OT or IP and tumors were analyzed at the moribund stage. Sparc(-/-) mice had reduced survival and fewer well-defined abdominal lesions compared with WT controls after IP injection, whereas no differences were observed in survival or abdominal lesions between Sparc(-/-) and WT mice after OT injection. No differences in mass or collagen content were observed in ovarian tumors between OT-injected Sparc(-/-) and WT mice. The abdominal wall of the IP-injected Sparc(-/-) mice exhibited immature and less abundant collagen fibrils compared with WT mice both in injected and non-injected controls. In contrast to human EOC, SPARC was expressed by the tumor cells but was absent in reactive stroma of WT mice. Exposure to the ovarian microenvironment through OT injections alters the metastatic behaviour of ID8 cells, which is not affected by the absence of host-derived SPARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Greenaway
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada
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Abstract
AIM Anal pain may occur in the absence of demonstrable anal pathology. Spasm of the sphincter muscles has been suggested as a cause in some patients. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of injection of botulinum toxin in treating this condition. METHOD Patients who had injection of botulinum toxin over a 3-year period were identified retrospectively. Patients were excluded if anal fissure or other organic pathology was found to account for their symptoms on examination under anaesthetic. Long-term outcome was assessed at a minimum 3-year post-procedure telephone follow up. RESULTS Fourteen (eight male) patients were identified, of median age 50 years. Botulinum toxin (20-200 u) was injected into the internal sphincter. Seven of the 14 patients reported significant improvement in symptoms at 3 months. Seven were available for a structured telephone review at a median of 59 (42-68) months. The four patients who had benefited from the injection had remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSION Injection of botulinum toxin into the internal anal sphincter has a role in alleviating symptoms in a small proportion of patients with functional anal pain.
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Kollara A, Ringuette MJ, Brown TJ. Dynamic distribution of nuclear coactivator 4 during mitosis: association with mitotic apparatus and midbodies. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22257. [PMID: 21814571 PMCID: PMC3144208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasmic localization of Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 4 (NcoA4), also referred to as androgen receptor associated protein 70 (ARA70), indicates it may possess activities in addition to its role within the nucleus as a transcriptional enhancer. Towards identifying novel functions of NcoA4, we performed an in silico analysis of its amino acid sequence to identify potential functional domains and related proteins, and examined its subcellular distribution throughout the cell cycle. NcoA4 has no known or predicted functional or structural domains with the exception of an LxxLL and FxxLF nuclear receptor interaction motif and an N-terminal putative coiled-coil domain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that NcoA4 has no paralogs and that a region referred to as ARA70-I family domain, located within the N-terminus and overlapping with the coiled-coil domain, is evolutionarily conserved in metazoans ranging from cnidarians to mammals. An adjacent conserved region, designated ARA70-II family domain, with no significant sequence similarity to the ARA70-I domain, is restricted to vertebrates. We demonstrate NcoA4 co-localizes with microtubules and microtubule organizing centers during prophase. Strong NcoA4 accumulation at the centrosomes was detected during interphase and telophase, with decreased levels at metaphase and anaphase. NcoA4 co-localized with tubulin and acetylated tubulin to the mitotic spindles during metaphase and anaphase, and to midbodies during telophase. Consistent with these observations, we demonstrated an interaction between NcoA4 and α-tubulin. Co-localization was not observed with microfilaments. These findings indicate a dynamic distribution of NcoA4 with components of the mitotic apparatus that is consistent with a potential non-transcriptional regulatory function(s) during cell division, which may be evolutionarily conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maurice J. Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodore J. Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
We previously reported that BRCA1/2-mutated fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) collected during the luteal phase exhibits gene expression profiles more closely resembling that of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) specimens than FTE collected during the follicular phase or from control patients. Since the luteal phase is characterised by high levels of progesterone, we determined whether the expression of progesterone receptor (PR) and PR-responsive genes was altered in FTE obtained from BRCA mutation carriers during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. RT-qPCR confirmed a decreased expression of PR mRNA in FTE during the luteal phase relative to follicular phase, in both BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and control patients. Immunohistochemistry using isoform-specific antibodies confirmed a low level of both PR-A and PR-B in HGSC and a lower level of staining in FTE samples obtained during the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase. No significant difference in PR-A or PR-B staining was found based on patient BRCA mutation status. Analysis of our previously reported gene expression profiles based upon known PR-A- and PR-B-specific target genes did not partition samples by BRCA mutation status, indicating that overall FTE PR response is not altered in BRCA mutation carriers. HGSC samples grouped separately from other samples, consistent with the observed loss of PR expression. These findings indicate no overall difference in PR signalling in FTE as a function of BRCA mutation status. Thus, the molecular similarity of BRCA1/2-mutated luteal phase FTE and HGSC likely results from an altered response to luteal phase factors other than progesterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A Tone
- The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai HospitalUniversity of Toronto60 Murray Street, PO Box 41, Toronto, OntarioCanadaM5T 3L9
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathobiologyUniversity of TorontoM5S 1A8, Toronto, OntarioCanada
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of TorontoM5G 1L4, Toronto, OntarioCanada
- Department of PathologyUniversity Health NetworkM5G 2C1, Toronto, OntarioCanada
| | - Carl Virtanen
- Microarray CentreUniversity Health NetworkM5G 1L7, Toronto, OntarioCanada
| | - Patricia A Shaw
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathobiologyUniversity of TorontoM5S 1A8, Toronto, OntarioCanada
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of TorontoM5G 1L4, Toronto, OntarioCanada
- Department of PathologyUniversity Health NetworkM5G 2C1, Toronto, OntarioCanada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai HospitalUniversity of Toronto60 Murray Street, PO Box 41, Toronto, OntarioCanadaM5T 3L9
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of TorontoM5G 1L4, Toronto, OntarioCanada
- (Correspondence should be addressed to T J Brown at The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto; )
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Rahman SA, Marcu S, Shapiro CM, Brown TJ, Casper RF. Spectral modulation attenuates molecular, endocrine, and neurobehavioral disruption induced by nocturnal light exposure. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2011; 300:E518-27. [PMID: 21177289 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00597.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The human eye serves distinctly dual roles in image forming (IF) and non-image-forming (NIF) responses when exposed to light. Whereas IF responses mediate vision, the NIF responses affect various molecular, neuroendocrine, and neurobehavioral variables. NIF responses can have acute and circadian phase-shifting effects on physiological variables. Both the acute and phase-shifting effects induced by photic stimuli demonstrate short-wavelength sensitivity peaking ≈450-480 nm. In the current study, we examined the molecular, neuroendocrine, and neurobehavioral effects of completely filtering (0% transmission) all short wavelengths <480 nm and all short wavelengths <460 nm or partially filtering (~30% transmission) <480 nm from polychromatic white light exposure between 2000 and 0800 in healthy individuals. Filtering short wavelengths <480 nm prevented nocturnal light-induced suppression of melatonin secretion, increased cortisol secretion, and disrupted peripheral clock gene expression. Furthermore, subjective alertness, mood, and errors on an objective vigilance task were significantly less impaired at 0800 by filtering wavelengths <480 nm compared with unfiltered nocturnal light exposure. These changes were not associated with significantly increased sleepiness or fatigue compared with unfiltered light exposure. The changes in molecular, endocrine, and neurobehavioral processes were not significantly improved by completely filtering <460 nm or partially filtering <480 nm compared with unfiltered nocturnal light exposure. Repeated light-dark cycle alterations as in rotating nightshifts can disrupt circadian rhythms and induce health disorders. The current data suggest that spectral modulation may provide an effective method of regulating the effects of light on physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadab A Rahman
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, 25 Orde St., Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Brown TJ, Shathasivam P. Maintaining mesenchymal properties of ovarian surface epithelial cells: a potential early protective role for TGF-beta in ovarian carcinogenesis. Endocrinology 2010; 151:5092-4. [PMID: 20962057 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-0938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J Brown
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Chand D, Kollara A, Brown TJ, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Lovejoy DA. Localization and Characterization of the Newly Elucidated Teneurin C-terminal Associated Peptide (TCAP) in the Mouse Testis. Biol Reprod 2010. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/83.s1.520] [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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Abstract
Human nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NcoA4) amplifies the activity of several ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and androgen receptor (AR). Because these receptors exert important regulatory effects during development, with AhR ubiquitously expressed after embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) and AR expressed from E12 onward, we examined NcoA4 expression in mouse embryos from E9.5 to E17.5. Full-length NcoA4 transcript was detected by RT-PCR at all embryonic stages and in all adult mouse tissues examined, although a novel splice variant was also detected. Western blot analysis indicated the expression of full-length NcoA4 protein, which was more highly expressed at later (E15.5-E17.5) embryonic stages. NcoA4 protein was also present at varying levels in all adult mouse tissues examined. A dynamic expression profile for NcoA4 during early development was indicated by immunohistochemistry in cardiac, hepatic, and lung tissue. Unlike human NcoA4, murine NcoA4 lacks an LXXLL motif, which has been implicated in the interaction with AR. Overexpression of murine NcoA4 augmented the transcriptional activity of AhR by 5-fold and AR by only 1.5-fold in COS cells. These studies demonstrate ubiquitous NcoA4 expression throughout development and suggest that this coactivator may play a role in modulating nuclear receptor activity, particularly that of the AhR, during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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May T, Virtanen C, Sharma M, Milea A, Begley H, Rosen B, Murphy KJ, Brown TJ, Shaw PA. Low malignant potential tumors with micropapillary features are molecularly similar to low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Gynecol Oncol 2010; 117:9-17. [PMID: 20117829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2010.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 12/30/2009] [Accepted: 01/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) is a chemoresistant ovarian neoplasm thought to potentially arise in a background of low malignant potential tumors (LMP), which are typically non-aggressive. However, LMP with micropapillary features (LMP-MP) have more aggressive clinical behavior and may represent an intermediate in progression to LGSC. The objective of this study was to obtain and compare gene expression profiles of LMP, LMP-MP and LGSC to determine if LMP-MP more closely resembles LGSC, and to identify genes involved in LGSC carcinogenesis. METHODS Epithelial cells from LMP (n=17), LMP-MP (n=9) and LGSC (n=11) were isolated by laser capture microdissection. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed to cDNA, amplified and hybridized to Affymetrix U133 Plus2 genechip arrays. Gene expression data were checked for quality, filtered and significantly altered genes between subgroups were identified. Differential expression of selected genes was verified by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Gene expression analysis identified differential expression between LMP and LMP-MP, LMP and LGSC but not LMP-MP and LGSC. Integration of differentially expressed genes into the protein interaction database CytoScape highlighted gene products in the MAPK pathway as differentially regulated between LMP and LGSC. Four genes were selected and validated by RT-qPCR performed on microarray samples (n=15) and immunohistochemistry on a representative microarray (n=57). CONCLUSION The gene expression profile of LMP-MP is similar to LGSC and distinct from LMP, reflecting their more aggressive clinical behavior. Candidate genes in the MAPK pathway were highlighted which may play a role in LGSC carcinogenesis and indicate potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taymaa May
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Canada
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Kollara A, Brown TJ. Four and a half LIM domain 2 alters the impact of aryl hydrocarbon receptor on androgen receptor transcriptional activity. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 118:51-8. [PMID: 19815066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2009.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands modulate androgen receptor (AR) signaling in prostate cancer cells through partially defined mechanisms. Furthermore, these facilitatory and inhibitory effects of AhR on AR signaling appear to be cell or context specific. In the present study we demonstrate that both AhR and AhR-nuclear translocator (ARNT) interact with AR. AhR but not ARNT enhanced the AR-transcriptional activity which was independent of exogenous AhR ligand treatment (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD). We then tested if coactivators common to both receptors alter the facilitatory effect of AhR on AR activity. NcoA4 overexpression did not alter the AhR facilitatory effect on AR, whereas SRC1 overexpression further enhanced the effect. In contrast, FHL2 overexpression blocked the facilitatory effect of AhR. In the presence of exogenous FHL2 expression, AhR repressed AR activity, whereas at low endogenous levels of FHL2 expression, AhR overexpression enhanced AR activity. At high FHL2 expression levels, TCDD treatment decreased AR activity and this effect was reversed by AhR overexpression. These findings demonstrate that AhR modulation of AR activity is differentially altered by the level of FHL2 and AhR present in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Giuffrida D, Rogers IM, Nagy A, Calogero AE, Brown TJ, Casper RF. Human embryonic stem cells secrete soluble factors that inhibit cancer cell growth. Cell Prolif 2009; 42:788-98. [PMID: 19732065 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2009.00640.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine whether normal human embryonic stem cells (hESC) would secrete factors that arrest growth of human epithelial cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell proliferation was examined using the MTT assay then haemocytometer cell counts. Staining with propidium iodide followed by flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle stages. Heat denaturation and molecular fractionation experiments were also performed. RESULTS We found that hESC conditioned medium (hESC CM) inhibited SKOV-3 and HEY cell proliferation. Similar results were also obtained when we used breast and prostate cancer cell lines, whereas little or no inhibitory effect was observed when human fibroblasts were tested. Moreover, a co-culture model confirmed that inhibition of cancer cell proliferation is mediated by soluble factors produced by hESCs. We also determined that the proportion of cancer cells in G(1) phase was increased by hESC CM treatment, accompanied by decrease in cells in S and G(2)/M phases, suggesting that the factors slow progression of cancer cells by cell cycle inhibition. Heat denaturation and molecular fractionation experiments indicated a low molecular weight thermostable factor was responsible for these properties. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence that the human embryonic microenvironment contains soluble factor(s) that are capable of inhibiting growth of cancer cells, and that exposure to such factors may represent a new cancer treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Giuffrida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bentov YH, Brown TJ, Esfandiari N, Casper RF. What is Keeping Estrogen Inside the Human Ovarian Follicle? Biol Reprod 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/81.s1.500] [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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Bentov Y, Brown TJ, Akbari MR, Royer R, Risch H, Rosen B, McLaughlin J, Sun P, Zhang S, Narod SA, Casper RF. Polymorphic variation of genes in the fibrinolytic system and the risk of ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5918. [PMID: 19526059 PMCID: PMC2691597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Accepted: 05/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The etiology of ovarian cancer is largely unknown. One hypothesis is that the inefficient removal of the blood clots and fibrin products which are deposited in the vicinity of the ovary by retrograde menstruation might be associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes which comprise the fibrinolytic system have been shown to have functional effects on the rate of blood clot degradation. These were considered to be candidate genes in the present study. AIM We studied the genotype distributions of 12 functional SNPs of four genes (tPA, uPA PAI1 and TAFI) among 775 ovarian cancer cases and 889 controls. RESULTS No significant associations were seen between any of the ten SNPs and the risk of ovarian cancer as a whole, or in any histologic subgroup. DISCUSSION Germline known functional variants of genes in the fibrinolytic system are not associated with risk of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaakov Bentov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Sodek KL, Ringuette MJ, Brown TJ. Compact spheroid formation by ovarian cancer cells is associated with contractile behavior and an invasive phenotype. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:2060-70. [PMID: 19132753 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer cells are present in malignant ascites both as individual cells and as multicellular spheroid aggregates. Although spheroid formation affords protection of cancer cells against some chemotherapeutic agents, it has not been established whether a relationship exists between invasive behavior and predisposition to spheroid formation. Aspects of spheroid formation, including cell-matrix adhesion, remodeling and contractility are characteristic myofibroblast-like behaviors associated with fibrosis that contribute to tumor growth and dissemination. We explored the possibility that cell behaviors that promote spheroid formation also facilitate invasion. Our analysis of 6 human ovarian cancer cell lines indicated that ovarian cancer cells possessing myofibroblast-like properties formed compact spheroids and invaded 3D matrices. These cells readily contracted collagen I gels, possessed a spindle-like morphology, and had elevated expression of genes associated with the TGFbeta-mediated fibrotic response and/or beta1 integrin function, including fibronectin (FN), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), lysyl oxidase (LOX1), tissue transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) and urinary plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Whereas cell aggregation was induced by TGFbeta, and by beta1-integrin overexpression and activation, these treatments did not stimulate the contractile activity required for spheroid compaction. The positive relationship found between compact spheroid formation and invasive behavior implies a preferential survival of an invasive subpopulation of ovarian cancer cells, as cells in spheroids are more resistant to several chemotherapeutics. Preventing the formation of ovarian cancer spheroids may represent a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of existing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine L Sodek
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
DNA-based typing has contributed to the understanding of M. tuberculosis epidemiology and evolution. IS6110 RFLP was the first method described and has been used in many epidemiologic investigations. Technological difficulties have hampered the widespread establishment of this method, and it has been found to be of little use in evolutionary studies. PCR-based methods such as spoligotyping and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis largely overcome these difficulties. Spoligotyping alone is of limited value in epidemiologic investigations due to low discrimination but can be useful in evolutionary studies. Panels of VNTR loci selected from the 59 polymorphic VNTRs described to date have been shown to be useful in both epidemiologic and evolutionary studies. A VNTR type is identified by, first, amplifying a series of PCR fragments each encompassing a different VNTR locus and, second, determining the PCR fragment sizes from which the number of repeats present is calculated. The repeat number present at a series of loci is used as numerical code to describe a type. This chapter describes a high-throughput automated method for VNTR analysis at 15 loci using a capillary fragment analyzer and a manual method using agarose gel analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Brown
- HPA MRU, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, 2 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK.
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