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Unveiling the Pathogenesis of Adenomyosis through Animal Models. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061744. [PMID: 35330066 PMCID: PMC8953406 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disorder traditionally viewed as “elusive”. Several excellent review papers have been published fairly recently on its pathogenesis, and several theories have been proposed. However, the falsifiability, explanatory power, and predictivity of these theories are often overlooked. Since adenomyosis can occur spontaneously in rodents and many other species, the animal models may help us unveil the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. This review critically tallies experimentally induced models published so far, with a particular focus on their relevance to epidemiological findings, their possible mechanisms of action, and their explanatory and predictive power. Methods: PubMed was exhaustively searched using the phrase “adenomyosis and animal model”, “adenomyosis and experimental model”, “adenomyosis and mouse”, and “adenomyosis and rat”, and the resultant papers were retrieved, carefully read, and the resultant information distilled. All the retrieved papers were then reviewed in a narrative manner. Results: Among all published animal models of adenomyosis, the mouse model of adenomyosis induced by endometrial–myometrial interface disruption (EMID) seems to satisfy the requirements of falsifiability and has the predictive capability and also Hill’s causality criteria. Other theories only partially satisfy Hill’s criteria of causality. In particular, animal models of adenomyosis induced by hyperestrogenism, hyperprolactinemia, or long-term exposure to progestogens without much epidemiological documentation and adenomyosis is usually not the exclusive uterine pathology consequent to those induction procedures. Regardless, uterine disruption appears to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for causing adenomyosis. Conclusions: EMID is, however, unlikely the sole cause for adenomyosis. Future studies, including animal studies, are warranted to understand how and why in utero and/or prenatal exposure to elevated levels of estrogen or estrogenic compounds increases the risk of developing adenomyosis in adulthood, to elucidate whether prolactin plays any role in its pathogenesis, and to identify sufficient condition(s) that cause adenomyosis.
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Horiguchi K, Fujiwara K, Takeda Y, Nakakura T, Tsukada T, Yoshida S, Hasegawa R, Takigami S, Ohsako S. CD9-positive cells in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland are important supplier for prolactin-producing cells in the anterior lobe. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 385:713-726. [PMID: 33961126 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03460-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A supply of hormone-producing cells from stem/progenitor cells is critical to sustain the endocrine activity of the pituitary gland. In the adenohypophysis composing the anterior and intermediate lobe (AL and IL, respectively), stem/progenitor cells expressing sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) and S100β are located in the marginal cell layer (MCL) facing Rathke's cleft (primary niche) and the parenchyma of the AL (secondary niche). Our previous studies using mice and rats indicated that the tetraspanin superfamily CD9 and CD81 are expressed in S100β/SOX2-positive cells of primary and secondary niches (named CD9/CD81/S100β/SOX2-positive cell), and the cells located in the AL-side niches exhibit plasticity and multipotency. However, it is unclear whether CD9/CD81/S100β/SOX2-positive cells in the IL-side primary niche are stem/progenitor cells for the AL or IL. Here, we successfully isolated pure CD9/CD81/S100β/SOX2-positive cells from the IL-side primary niche. They had a higher level of S100β and SOX2 mRNA and a greater pituisphere forming capacity than those of CD9/CD81/S100β/SOX2-positive cells isolated from the AL. They also had capacity to differentiate into all types of adenohypophyseal hormone-producing cells, concomitantly with the loss of CD9 expression. Loss of CD9 and CD81 function in CD9/CD81/S100β/SOX2-positive cells by siRNA treatment impaired prolactin cell differentiation. Consistently, in the pituitary gland of CD9/CD81 double knockout mice, dysgenesis of the MCL and a lower population of prolactin cells were observed. These results suggest that the CD9/CD81/S100β/SOX2-positive cells in the MCL of the IL-side are potential suppliers of adult core stem cells in the AL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Horiguchi
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, 5-4-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8612, Japan.
| | - Ken Fujiwara
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, 2946 Tsuchiya, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1293, Japan
| | - Yoshito Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakakura
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Takehiro Tsukada
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Saishu Yoshida
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Rumi Hasegawa
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, 5-4-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8612, Japan
| | - Shu Takigami
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, 5-4-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8612, Japan
| | - Shunji Ohsako
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, 5-4-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8612, Japan
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LaPierre MP, Godbersen S, Torres Esteban M, Schad AN, Treier M, Ghoshdastider U, Stoffel M. MicroRNA-7a2 Regulates Prolactin in Developing Lactotrophs and Prolactinoma Cells. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6009069. [PMID: 33248443 PMCID: PMC7774778 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prolactin production is controlled by a complex and temporally dynamic network of factors. Despite this tightly coordinated system, pathological hyperprolactinemia is a common endocrine disorder that is often not understood, thereby highlighting the need to expand our molecular understanding of lactotroph cell regulation. MicroRNA-7 (miR-7) is the most highly expressed miRNA family in the pituitary gland and the loss of the miR-7 family member, miR-7a2, is sufficient to reduce prolactin gene expression in mice. Here, we used conditional loss-of-function and gain-of-function mouse models to characterize the function of miR-7a2 in lactotroph cells. We found that pituitary miR-7a2 expression undergoes developmental and sex hormone-dependent regulation. Unexpectedly, the loss of mir-7a2 induces a premature increase in prolactin expression and lactotroph abundance during embryonic development, followed by a gradual loss of prolactin into adulthood. On the other hand, lactotroph development is delayed in mice overexpressing miR-7a2. This regulation of lactotroph function by miR-7a2 involves complementary mechanisms in multiple cell populations. In mouse pituitary and rat prolactinoma cells, miR-7a2 represses its target Raf1, which promotes prolactin gene expression. These findings shed light on the complex regulation of prolactin production and may have implications for the physiological and pathological mechanisms underlying hyperprolactinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary P LaPierre
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Svenja Godbersen
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Anaïs Nura Schad
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Treier
- Max Delbrück Zentrum für molekulare Medizin (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Markus Stoffel
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: Markus Stoffel, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich, Institute for Molecular Health Science, HPL H36, Otto-Stern Weg 7, CH 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Maeda N, Okumura K, Yamaguchi K, Haeno S, Yasui Y, Kimura N, Ieko T, Miyasho T, Yokota H. Rapid prolactin induction in adult male rats after treatment with diethylstilbestrol. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12769. [PMID: 31283846 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic oestrogen known to disrupt the endocrine system and to cause reproductive toxicity mediated via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; however, its molecular mechanism of action is poorly understood. In the present study, we found that, after only 1 week of exposure to DES, blood testosterone dramatically decreased and that this decrease was associated with a strong induction of prolactin (PRL). Even with the increase in PRL, the luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone mRNAs slightly decreased. Our results show that, after 48 hours of a single dose of DES, there was a six-fold increase in PRL expression. After exploring the upstream mechanisms, we determined that dopamine, which inhibits PRL secretion in male rats, did not decrease in the pituitary gland of DES-treated rats, whereas vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which mediates the acute release of PRL, was elevated. Serotonin (5-HT) increased in the brain of male rats 24 hours after a single DES treatment; however, PRL, VIP or 5-HT was not induced by DES in female rats. Our results indicate that DES induces the expression of pituitary PRL in male rats by stimulating VIP in the hypothalamus and 5-HT in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Maeda
- Laboratory of Meat Science and Technology, Department of Food Science and Human Wellness, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
- Safety Research Institute for Chemical Compounds Co., Ltd, Sapporo, Japan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
- Japan Meat Science and Technology Institute, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanako Okumura
- Safety Research Institute for Chemical Compounds Co., Ltd, Sapporo, Japan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kousuke Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Haeno
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yumiko Yasui
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Nobuya Kimura
- Public Nutrition, Department of Food Science and Human Wellness, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ieko
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Taku Miyasho
- Laboratory of Animal Biological Responses, Department of Veterinary Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yokota
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
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Edwards W, Raetzman LT. Complex integration of intrinsic and peripheral signaling is required for pituitary gland development. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:504-513. [PMID: 29757344 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The coordination of pituitary development is complicated and requires input from multiple cellular processes. Recent research has provided insight into key molecular determinants that govern cell fate specification in the pituitary. Moreover, increasing research aimed to identify, characterize, and functionally describe the presumptive pituitary stem cell population has allowed for a better understanding of the processes that govern endocrine cell differentiation in the developing pituitary. The culmination of this research has led to the ability of investigators to recapitulate some of embryonic pituitary development in vitro, the first steps to developing novel regenerative therapies for pituitary diseases. In this current review, we cover the major players in pituitary stem/progenitor cell function and maintenance, and the key molecular determinants of endocrine cell specification. In addition, we discuss the contribution of peripheral hormonal regulation of pituitary gland development, an understudied area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Edwards
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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Nogami H, Koshida R, Omori H, Shibata M, Harigaya T, Takei Y. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor stimulates prolactin expression in primary culture of the mouse pituitary gland. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12764. [PMID: 31251840 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The roles of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the regulation of prolactin (PRL) gene expression in the normal pituitary gland remain poorly understood. In the present study, the effects of EGF and an inhibitor of the EGF receptor, erlotinib, on PRL gene expression were examined both in the pituitary tumour cell line GH3 and in a primary culture of the mouse pituitary gland under similar experimental conditions. The results showed that EGF stimulated PRL expression in GH3 cells, but not in normal cells. Erlotinib was found to counteract EGF in GH3 cells inhibiting the PRL expression enhanced by EGF. By contrast, erlotinib induced an elevation in the PRL mRNA levels in the primary culture of the adult pituitary gland and the initiation of PRL production in the culture of the foetal pituitary gland in which PRL production had not yet occurred. Western blot analyses showed that EGF induced and erlotinib inhibited the activation of extracellular regulated protein kinase equally in GH3 and normal cells. These results suggest that the consequences of EGF receptor activation in normal PRL cells contradict those in adenomatous PRL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Nogami
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Japan University of Health Sciences, Satte, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Koshida
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Omori
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Japan University of Health Sciences, Satte, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shibata
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Japan University of Health Sciences, Satte, Japan
| | - Toshio Harigaya
- Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yosuke Takei
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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7
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In focus in HCB. Histochem Cell Biol 2019; 151:279-281. [PMID: 30879135 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-019-01777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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8
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Tun N, Shibata Y, Soe MT, Htun MW, Koji T. Histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress transdifferentiation of gonadotrophs to prolactin cells and proliferation of prolactin cells induced by diethylstilbestrol in male mouse pituitary. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 151:291-303. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1760-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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9
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Ellsworth BS, Stallings CE. Molecular Mechanisms Governing Embryonic Differentiation of Pituitary Somatotropes. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2018; 29:510-523. [PMID: 29759686 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary somatotropes secrete growth hormone (GH), which is essential for normal growth and metabolism. Somatotrope defects result in GH deficiency (GHD), leading to short stature in childhood and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Current hormone replacement therapies fail to recapitulate normal pulsatile GH secretion. Stem cell therapies could overcome this problem but are dependent on a thorough understanding of somatotrope differentiation. Although several transcription factors, signaling pathways, and hormones that regulate this process have been identified, the mechanisms of action are not well understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight the known players in somatotrope differentiation while emphasizing the need to better understand these pathways to serve patients with GHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6523, USA.
| | - Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6523, USA
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Castrique E, Fernandez-Fuente M, Le Tissier P, Herman A, Levy A. Use of a prolactin-Cre/ROSA-YFP transgenic mouse provides no evidence for lactotroph transdifferentiation after weaning, or increase in lactotroph/somatotroph proportion in lactation. J Endocrinol 2010; 205:49-60. [PMID: 20139144 PMCID: PMC2837375 DOI: 10.1677/joe-09-0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In rats, a shift from somatotroph dominance to lactotroph dominance during pregnancy and lactation is well reported. Somatotroph to lactotroph transdifferentiation and increased lactotroph mitotic activity are believed to account for this and associated pituitary hypertrophy. A combination of cell death and transdifferentiation away from the lactotroph phenotype has been reported to restore non-pregnant pituitary proportions after weaning. To attempt to confirm that a similar process occurs in mice, we generated and used a transgenic reporter mouse model (prolactin (PRL)-Cre/ROSA26-expression of yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP)) in which PRL promoter activity at any time resulted in permanent, stable, and highly specific EYFP. Triple immunochemistry for GH, PRL, and EYFP was used to quantify EYFP+ve, PRL-ve, and GH+ve cell populations during pregnancy and lactation, and for up to 3 weeks after weaning, and concurrent changes in cell size were estimated. At all stages, the EYFP reporter was expressed in 80% of the lactotrophs, but in fewer than 1% of other pituitary cell types, indicating that transdifferentiation from those lactotrophs where reporter expression was activated is extremely rare. Contrary to expectations, no increase in the lactotroph/somatotroph ratio was seen during pregnancy and lactation, whether assessed by immunochemistry for the reporter or PRL: findings confirmed by PRL immunochemistry in non-transgenic mice. Mammosomatotrophs were rarely encountered at the age group studied. Individual EYFP+ve cell volumes increased significantly by mid-lactation compared with virgin animals. This, in combination with a modest and non-cell type-specific estrogen-induced increase in mitotic activity, could account for pregnancy-induced changes in overall pituitary size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Castrique
- Henry Wellcome Labs for Integrative Neuroscience and EndocrinologyUniversity of BristolDorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1 3NYUK
| | - Marta Fernandez-Fuente
- Division of Molecular NeuroendocrinologyNational Institute for Medical ResearchThe Ridgeway, Mill Hill, , London, NW7 1AAUK
| | - Paul Le Tissier
- Division of Molecular NeuroendocrinologyNational Institute for Medical ResearchThe Ridgeway, Mill Hill, , London, NW7 1AAUK
| | - Andy Herman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medical SciencesUniversity WalkClifton, BristolUK
| | - Andy Levy
- Henry Wellcome Labs for Integrative Neuroscience and EndocrinologyUniversity of BristolDorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1 3NYUK
- (Correspondence should be addressed to A Levy who is now at Bristol University and United Bristol Healthcare Trust, Bristol, UK; )
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Ogasawara K, Nogami H, Tsuda MC, Gustafsson JA, Korach KS, Ogawa S, Harigaya T, Hisano S. Hormonal regulation of prolactin cell development in the fetal pituitary gland of the mouse. Endocrinology 2009; 150:1061-8. [PMID: 18927214 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The developmental process of prolactin (PRL) cells in the fetal pituitary gland was studied in mice. Although PRL cells were hardly detectable in the pituitary gland of intact fetuses, a treatment with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) in vitro induced a number of PRL cells that varied drastically in number depending on the stage of gestation with a peak at embryonic d 15. This effect was specific to E(2), with epidermal growth factor, insulin, and forskolin failing to induce PRL cells. Although both estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and ERbeta were expressed in the fetal pituitary gland, the results from ER knockout models showed that only ERalpha mediates E(2) action on PRL cells. A few PRL cells were observed in ERalpha-deficient mice as well as in their control littermates, suggesting that estrogen is not required for the phenotype determination of PRL cells. Unexpectedly, the effect of E(2) on the induction of PRL cells in vitro was diminished after embryonic d 15. Present results suggest that the exposure of fetal PRL cells to glucocorticoids (GCs) results in a reduction of sensitivity to E(2). The mechanism underlying the down-regulation of estrogen sensitivity by GCs was found not to be down-regulation of ER levels, induction of annexin 1, a GC-inducible inhibitor of PRL secretion, or a decrease in the number of PRL precursors by apoptosis. The effect of GCs appeared within 2 h and did not require a de novo protein synthesis. GCs are considered to be involved in the mechanisms of silencing pituitary PRL in gestation possibly through a novel mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyomoto Ogasawara
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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12
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Nogami H, Hisano S. Functional maturation of growth hormone cells in the anterior pituitary gland of the fetus. Growth Horm IGF Res 2008; 18:379-388. [PMID: 18329307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2008.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2007] [Revised: 01/22/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have disclosed the molecular mechanisms responsible for the phenotype determination of the anterior pituitary cell types. However, as far as growth hormone (GH) cells are concerned, particular extra-cellular cues are required for the initiation of GH and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-receptor gene production in addition to the expression of the cell type specific transcription factor, pit-1. The glucocorticoids play a principal role in the functional maturation of nascent GH cells in the fetal pituitary glands in rodents, inducing GH and GHRH-receptor gene expression, and establish the GH secretory system regulated by the brain in late gestation. Research supporting this role for glucocorticoid in the development of GH cells is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Nogami
- Department of Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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Yokoyama K, Hayashi M, Mogi C, Sasakawa Y, Watanabe G, Taya K, Devnath S, Inoue K. Dose-dependent effects of a glucocorticoid on prolactin production. Endocr J 2008; 55:405-14. [PMID: 18379123 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.k07e-063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are known to stimulate growth hormone (GH) production but to suppress prolactin (PRL) production. However, previous data were obtained with rather high doses of corticosterone. In this study we examined the effects of various doses (10 (-12) -10 (-7) M) of corticosterone on GH and PRL production in a rat pituitary somatomammotropic cell line, MtT/SM cells, and found that GH mRNA expression was facilitated by high doses (10 (-7) and 10 (-8) M). In contrast, a biphasic effect of corticosterone on PRL mRNA expression and secretion was observed, i.e., high doses (10 (-7) and 10 (-8) M) suppressed and low doses (10 (-12) -10 (-10) M) facilitated them. In an immunofluorescent staining study, the number of PRL immunopositive cells increased with low doses of corticosterone while it decreased with high doses of it, which corresponded to PRL mRNA expression and hormone secretion, respectively. These effects of corticosterone on PRL production were abolished by a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, mifepristone. In addition, co-treatment with low doses of corticosterone (10 (-12) -10 (-10) M) and 17beta-estradiol (E(2), 10 nM) additively increased the number of PRL immunopositive cells. Moreover, a 24 h BrdU incorporation experiment suggested that the increase in the number of PRL immunopositive cells treated with low dose corticosterone was caused by novel synthesis of PRL while, on the other hand, that of those treated with E(2) resulted from PRL cell proliferation. Thus, we concluded that corticosterone biphasically regulates PRL production and the sensitivity of E(2) to different degrees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama, Japan
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14
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Yokoyama K, Mogi C, Miura K, Kuroda K, Inoue K. Somatotropes maintain their immature cells through Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Endocr Pathol 2007; 18:174-81. [PMID: 18058266 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-007-0016-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A pituitary tumor is considered to be composed of a heterogeneous population of hormone-producing endocrine cells, folliculo-stellate (FS) cells, and potential hormone-inactive progenitor cells to maintain a microenvironment such as that in angiogenesis for tumor development cooperatively. However, the system that maintains such a heterogeneous cell population has not been clarified yet. In the present study, we examined the mechanism for maintaining a heterogeneous cell population using two rat cell lines, MtT/S and MtT/E cells, which are known growth hormone (GH)-producing cells, and their progenitor cells, respectively. We found that conditioned medium of MtT/S cells could stimulate the growth of MtT/E cells. In addition, GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) stimulated the growth of MtT/E cells. The messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of receptors for IGF-I and GH were expressed in the MtT/E cells. Moreover, IGF-I receptor inhibitor AG1024 could abolish the growth stimulatory activity in the conditioned medium of MtT/S cells. Therefore, we concluded that somatotropes (MtT/S) maintain their progenitor cells (MtT/E) through the GH-IGF-I signaling and IGF-I directly, which might be involved in the maintenance of progenitors of GH-producing cells and might contribute to pituitary tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570, Japan
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15
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McArthur S, Siddique ZL, Christian HC, Capone G, Theogaraj E, John CD, Smith SF, Morris JF, Buckingham JC, Gillies GE. Perinatal glucocorticoid treatment disrupts the hypothalamo-lactotroph axis in adult female, but not male, rats. Endocrinology 2006; 147:1904-15. [PMID: 16439449 DOI: 10.1210/en.2005-1496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons of the arcuate nucleus and/or the lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland are key targets for the programming effects of perinatal glucocorticoids (GCs). Dexamethasone was administered noninvasively to fetal or neonatal rats via the mothers' drinking water (1 mug/ml) on embryonic d 16-19 or neonatal d 1-7, and control animals received normal drinking water. At 68 d of age, the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) cells in the arcuate nucleus and morphometric parameters of pituitary lactotrophs were analyzed. In control animals, striking sex differences in TH+ cell numbers, lactotroph cell size, and pituitary prolactin content were observed. Both pre- and neonatal GC treatment regimens were without effect in adult male rats, but in females, the overriding effect was to abolish the sex differences by reducing arcuate TH+ cell numbers (pre- and neonatal treatments) and reducing lactotroph cell size and pituitary prolactin content (prenatal treatment only) without changing lactotroph cell numbers. Changes in circulating prolactin levels represented a net effect of hypothalamic and pituitary alterations that exhibited independent critical windows of susceptibility to perinatal GC treatments. The dopaminergic neurons of the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus and the pituitary somatotroph populations were not significantly affected by either treatment regimen in either sex. These data show that the adult female hypothalamo-lactotroph axis is profoundly affected by perinatal exposure to GCs, which disrupts the tonic inhibitory tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic pathway and changes lactotroph morphology and prolactin levels in the pituitary and circulation. These findings provide new evidence for a long-term disruption in prolactin-dependent homeostasis in females, but not males, after inappropriate GC exposure in perinatal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McArthur
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Imperial College London, UK
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16
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Shukuwa K, Izumi SI, Hishikawa Y, Ejima K, Inoue S, Muramatsu M, Ouchi Y, Kitaoka T, Koji T. Diethylstilbestrol increases the density of prolactin cells in male mouse pituitary by inducing proliferation of prolactin cells and transdifferentiation of gonadotropic cells. Histochem Cell Biol 2006; 126:111-23. [PMID: 16468032 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-005-0141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) has been implicated in mammalian abnormalities. We examined the effects of DES on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL) cells in the pituitaries of male mice treated with various doses of DES for 20 days. DES reduced the density of FSH and LH cells in a dose-dependent manner, but increased that of PRL cells. When the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta was assessed, an induction of ERbeta by DES was found predominantly in PRL cells. However, since these effects were abolished in ERalpha knockout mice, DES appears to act primarily through ERalpha. When the expression of Ki-67 and Pit-1 in PRL cells was examined at various time-points after DES treatment, some PRL cells became Ki-67 positive at 10-15 days, and Pit-1-positive cells were increased at 5-15 days. Furthermore, some FSH and LH cells became Pit-1 positive, and co-localized with PRL at 5-10 days. Our results indicate that DES increases PRL cells by inducing proliferation of PRL cells and transdifferentiation of FSH/LH cells to PRL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Shukuwa
- Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Developmental and Reconstructive Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, 852-8523, Nagasaki, Japan
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17
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Miller KP, Borgeest C, Greenfeld C, Tomic D, Flaws JA. In utero effects of chemicals on reproductive tissues in females. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2004; 198:111-31. [PMID: 15236949 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2003.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2003] [Accepted: 07/25/2003] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemicals found in the environment as industrial byproducts or pollutants as well as those that are prescribed or part of our daily lives can have multiple effects on the human body. The manner in which we are exposed, and the levels we are exposed to are significant contributing factors. Adults have the bodily defense mechanisms in place to combat exposures to adverse toxicants and general pollution at a variety of levels. However, developing organisms may not have adequate defense mechanisms, and toxicants can have a significant effect on their health and development. In this review, we take particular note of the toxicities of chemicals on the developing female reproductive system as a result of in utero exposure. Environmental and prescribed chemicals such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diethylstilbestrol, and genistein, as well as others, will be reviewed for their in utero toxicity in the neuroendocrine system, the ovary, oviduct, placenta, uterus, vagina, cervix, and mammary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P Miller
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, and Program in Toxicology, University of Maryland-School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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18
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Hauspie A, Seuntjens E, Vankelecom H, Denef C. Stimulation of combinatorial expression of prolactin and glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit genes by gonadotropin-releasing hormone and estradiol-17beta in single rat pituitary cells during aggregate cell culture. Endocrinology 2003; 144:388-99. [PMID: 12488367 DOI: 10.1210/en.2002-220606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previously we showed the existence of rat and mouse anterior pituitary cells coexpressing mRNA from two or more hormone genes in which production and/or storage of the corresponding hormones were not detectable. To substantiate a putative function for these cells, we investigated whether these phenotypes were retained during long-term reaggregate cell culture and whether protagonist regulatory factors could expand cell populations expressing particular hormone mRNA combinations. After 4-wk culture and treatments, aggregates were trypsinized and single cells collected by means of a fluo-rescence-activated cell sorter. Hormone mRNAs were detected by single-cell RT-PCR. Combinatorial hormone mRNA expression was retained in culture. Both estradiol (E2) and GnRH (1 nM) markedly augmented the proportion of cells expressing prolactin (PRL) mRNA together with other hormone mRNAs and cells expressing glycoprotein subunit (GSU)-alpha mRNA together with other hormone mRNAs. GnRH strongly increased the proportion of cells containing alphaGSU mRNA alone, but E2 did not. GnRH and (E2) affected the expansion of a population (approximately 20% of all cells) coexpressing PRL and alphaGSU mRNA without betaGSUs. Immunostaining of stored hormone on tissue sections revealed colocalization of PRL and alphaGSU in the E2- but not in the GnRH-treated cells. The present findings suggest that cells coexpressing different pituitary hormone mRNAs form a distinct population that survives without extrapituitary factors. Their occurrence can be markedly modified by regulatory factors. Certain hormone regimens favor unique coexpressions distinctly at mRNA and protein level. These peculiar characteristics support the notion that combinatorial expression of hormone genes in the pituitary serves a biological role.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hauspie
- Laboratory of Cell Pharmacology, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Medical School, Campus Gasthuisberg (O&N), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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19
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Seuntjens E, Hauspie A, Vankelecom H, Denef C. Ontogeny of plurihormonal cells in the anterior pituitary of the mouse, as studied by means of hormone mRNA detection in single cells. J Neuroendocrinol 2002; 14:611-9. [PMID: 12153463 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2002.00808.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The expression of mRNA of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and the common glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit (alphaGSU) was studied by means of single cell reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in male mouse pituitary cells at key time points of fetal and postnatal development: embryonic day 16 (E16); postnatal day 1 (P1) and young-adult age (P38). At E16, the hormone mRNAs examined were detectable, although only in 44% of total cells. Most of the hormone-positive cells expressed only one of the tested hormone mRNAs (monohormonal) but 14% of them contained more than one hormone mRNA (plurihormonal cells). Combinations of GH mRNA with PRL mRNA, of alphaGSU mRNA with GH and/or PRL mRNA and of POMC mRNA with GH and/or PRL mRNA or alphaGSU mRNA were found. As expected, the proportion of hormone-positive cells rose as the mouse aged. The proportions of plurihormonal cells followed a developmental pattern independent of that of monohormonal cells and characteristic for each hormone mRNA examined. Cells coexpressing POMC mRNA with GH or PRL mRNA significantly rose in proportion between E16 and P1, while the proportion of cells coexpressing GH and PRL mRNA markedly increased between P1 and P38. The occurrence of cells displaying combined expression of alphaGSU mRNA with GH and/or PRL mRNA did not significantly change during development. Remarkably, the population of cells expressing PRL mRNA only, was larger at E16 than at P1 and expanded again thereafter. In conclusion, the normal mouse pituitary develops a cell population that is capable of expressing multiple hormone mRNAs, thereby combining typical phenotypes of different cell lineages. These plurihormonal cells are already present during embryonic life. This population is of potential physiological relevance because development-related factors appear to determine which hormone mRNAs are preferentially coexpressed. Coexpression of multiple hormone mRNAs may represent a mechanism to respond to temporally increased endocrine demands. The data also suggest that the control of combined hormone expression is different from that of single hormone expression, raising questions about the current view on pituitary cell lineage specifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Seuntjens
- Laboratory of Cell Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), School of Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
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