Androgen control of cell proliferation and cytoskeletal reorganization in human fibrosarcoma cells: role of RhoB signaling

Transcriptome Analysis of Choroidal Endothelium Links Androgen Receptor Role to Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

BACKGROUND

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) manifests as fluid accumulation between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Elevated levels of steroid hormones have been implicated in CSCR pathogenesis. This investigation aims to delineate the gene expression patterns of CSCR-associated risk and steroid receptors across human choroidal cell types and RPE cells to discern potential underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

This study utilized a comprehensive query of transcriptomic data derived from non-pathological human choroid and RPE cells.

FINDINGS

CSCR-associated genes such as PTPRB, CFH, and others are predominantly expressed in the choroidal endothelium as opposed to the RPE. The androgen receptor, encoded by the AR gene, demonstrates heightened expression in the macular endothelium compared to peripheral regions, unlike other steroid receptor genes. AR-expressing endothelial cells display an augmented responsiveness to Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), indicating a propensity towards endothelial to mesenchymal transition (endMT) transcriptional profiling.

INTERPRETATION

These results highlight the proclivity of CSCR to manifest primarily within the choroidal vasculature rather than the RPE, suggesting its categorization as a vascular eye disorder. This study accentuates the pivotal role of androgenic steroids, in addition to glucocorticoids. The observed linkage to TGF-β-mediated endMT provides a potential mechanistic insight into the disease's etiology.

Androgen receptor activation decreases proliferation in thyroid cancer cells

The American Cancer Society predicted more than 52 000 new cases of thyroid cancer in 2020, making it the most prevalent endocrine malignancy. Due to the approximately threefold higher incidence of thyroid cancer in women, we hypothesize that androgens and/or androgen receptors play a protective role and that thyroid cancer in men represents an escape from androgen-mediated cell regulation. The analysis of androgen receptor (AR) expression in patient tissue samples identified a 2.7-fold reduction in AR expression (p < 0.005) in papillary thyroid cancer compared with matched, normal tissue. An in vitro cell model was developed by stably transfecting AR into 8505C undifferentiated thyroid cancer cells (resulting in clone 84E7). The addition of DHT to the clone 84E7 resulted in AR translocation into the nucleus and a 70% reduction in proliferation, with a shift in the cell cycle toward G1 arrest. RNASeq analysis revealed significant changes in mRNA levels associated with proliferation, cell cycle, and cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, androgen significantly decreased the levels of the G1-associated cell cycle progression proteins cdc25a CDK6 CDK4 and CDK2 as well as increased the levels of the cell cycle inhibitors, p27 and p21. The data strongly suggest that DHT induces a G1 arrest in androgen-responsive thyroid cancer cells. Together, these data support our hypothesis that AR/androgen may play a protective, antiproliferative role and are consistent with younger men having a lower incidence of thyroid cancer than women.

Viral-mediated Zif268 expression in the prefrontal cortex protects against gonadectomy-induced working memory, long-term memory, and social interaction deficits in male rats

In humans, some males experience reductions in testosterone levels, as a natural consequence of aging or in the clinical condition termed hypogonadism, which are associated with impaired cognitive performance and mood disorder(s). Some of these behavioral deficits can be reversed by testosterone treatment. Our previous work in rats reported that sex differences in the expression of the transcription factor Zif268, a downstream target of testosterone, within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) mediates sex differences in social interaction. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of gonadectomy (GNX) in male rats on mPFC Zif268 expression, mood and cognitive behaviors. We also examined whether reinstitution of Zif268 in GNX rats will correct some of the behavioral deficits observed following GNX. Our results show that GNX induced a downregulation of Zif268 protein in the mPFC, which was concomitant with impaired memory in the y-maze and spontaneous object recognition test, reduced social interaction time, and depression-like behaviors in the forced swim test. Reinstitution of mPFC Zif268, using a novel adeno-associated-viral (AAV) construct, abrogated GNX-induced working memory and long-term memory impairments, and reductions in social interaction time, but not GNX-induced depression-like behaviors. These findings suggest that mPFC Zif268 exerts beneficial effects on memory and social interaction, and could be a potential target for novel treatments for behavioral impairments observed in hypogonadal and aged men with declining levels of gonadal hormones.

Androgen Signaling in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines In Vitro

BACKGROUND

We showed previously that nuclear localization of the androgen receptor (AR) and expression of the androgen-responsive gene FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5) in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) tissues were associated with decreased patient survival, suggesting a role for androgens in this cancer.

AIM

To investigate the effect of the AR ligand 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on AR-expressing EAC cell lines in vitro.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In tissue resection specimens from EAC patients, FKBP5 expression was positively associated with proliferation as measured by Ki-67 expression. We stably transduced AR into three AR-negative EAC cell lines, OE33, JH-EsoAd1, and OE19, to investigate androgen signaling in vitro. In the AR-expressing cell lines, 10 nM DHT, the concentration typically used to study AR signaling, induced changes in the expression of androgen-responsive genes and inhibited proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest and senescence. At lower DHT concentrations near the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), the AR-expressing cell lines proliferated and there were changes in the expression of androgen-responsive genes. In direct co-culture with cancer-associated fibroblast-like PShTert myofibroblasts, 10 nM DHT induced changes in the expression of androgen-responsive genes but did not inhibit proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to show that EAC cell lines respond to androgen in vitro. Proliferation together with the expression of androgen-responsive genes was dependent on the concentration of DHT, or the presence of a permissive microenvironment, consistent with observations in the tissues. These findings are consistent with a role for androgen signaling in EAC.

The splice variant Ehm2/1 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells interacted with β-catenin and increased its localization to plasma membrane

Ehm2, which belongs to the FERM superfamily, is a metastasis-associated protein.

Response of keloid fibroblasts to Vitamin D3 and quercetin treatment - in vitro study

Keloid scars continue to pose a challenge to clinicians as the treatment armamentarium lacks a formidable agent to tackle them. We have undertaken an in vitro study based on the mechanism of action of Vitamin D3 and quercetin on isolated keloid fibroblasts. Dose-dependent action on the reduction of cellular proliferation, collagen synthesis and induction of apoptosis by Vitamin D3 and quercetin are analyzed and probable mechanism of action is elaborated. This study thus opens up newer avenues in tackling keloid scars effectively.

Androgen-induced cell migration: role of androgen receptor/filamin A association

BACKGROUND

Androgen receptor (AR) controls male morphogenesis, gametogenesis and prostate growth as well as development of prostate cancer. These findings support a role for AR in cell migration and invasiveness. However, the molecular mechanism involved in AR-mediated cell migration still remains elusive.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Mouse embryo NIH3T3 fibroblasts and highly metastatic human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells harbor low levels of transcriptionally incompetent AR. We now report that, through extra nuclear action, AR triggers migration of both cell types upon stimulation with physiological concentrations of the androgen R1881. We analyzed the initial events leading to androgen-induced cell migration and observed that challenging NIH3T3 cells with 10 nM R1881 rapidly induces interaction of AR with filamin A (FlnA) at cytoskeleton. AR/FlnA complex recruits integrin beta 1, thus activating its dependent cascade. Silencing of AR, FlnA and integrin beta 1 shows that this ternary complex controls focal adhesion kinase (FAK), paxillin and Rac, thereby driving cell migration. FAK-null fibroblasts migrate poorly and Rac inhibition by EHT impairs motility of androgen-treated NIH3T3 cells. Interestingly, FAK and Rac activation by androgens are independent of each other. Findings in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells strengthen the role of Rac in androgen signaling. The Rac inhibitor significantly impairs androgen-induced migration in these cells. A mutant AR, deleted of the sequence interacting with FlnA, fails to mediate FAK activation and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation in androgen-stimulated cells, further reinforcing the role of AR/FlnA interaction in androgen-mediated motility.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The present report, for the first time, indicates that the extra nuclear AR/FlnA/integrin beta 1 complex is the key by which androgen activates signaling leading to cell migration. Assembly of this ternary complex may control organ development and prostate cancer metastasis.

Clinical implications of the influence of Ehm2 on the aggressiveness of breast cancer cells through regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression

Ehm2, a member of NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily, has been indicated in disease progression and metastasis of prostate cancer. However, its function and implication in malignancies remain largely unknown. The present study aimed to examine the role of Ehm2 in breast cancer. We first constructed a hammerhead ribozyme transgene to knock down Ehm2 expression in breast cancer cells. The effect on growth, cell matrix adhesion, motility, and invasion following knockdown of Ehm2 was then investigated using in vitro models. Reduction of Ehm2 had inhibitory effects on in vitro growth and invasion of breast cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that knockdown of Ehm2 induced apoptosis. Knockdown of Ehm2 also significantly decreased matrix metalloproteinase 9 mRNA and protein levels, as well as the corresponding enzymatic activity, and consequently led to a reduction of the invasion. The expression pattern of Ehm2 in a cohort of breast specimens (normal, n = 33; cancer, n = 127) was analyzed using both quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining. Increased expression of Ehm2 in breast cancer was seen at both mRNA and protein levels. Higher levels of Ehm2 transcripts were correlated with disease progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Disease-free survival of the patients with lower levels of Ehm2 was 135.8 (95% confidence interval, 125.1-146.5) months, significantly longer compared with 102.5 (95% confidence interval, 78.7-126.4) months of patients with higher levels of Ehm2 expression (P = 0.039). Taken together, increased Ehm2 expression correlates with poor prognosis and metastasis. Ehm2 may promote the invasive ability of breast cancer cells via regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9.

Increased expression of the metastasis-associated gene Ehm2 in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Alterations of fibroblast growth factors and their receptors contribute to prostate cancer progression by enhancing cell survival, motility, and proliferation. The expression of the FGFR-4 Arg(388) variant is correlated with the occurrence of pelvic lymph node metastasis and biochemical (PSA) recurrence in men undergoing radical prostatectomy. Ehm2 is an androgen-regulated gene that has been associated with metastasis in other systems, so we sought to determine if it is expressed in prostate cancer and if the FGFR-4 Arg(388) variant can increase its expression.

METHODS

Expression of Ehm2 was examined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting in prostate cell lines and by quantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry in prostate tissues. The effect of Ehm2 expression on collagen IV adhesion was tested by transient overexpression and RNA interference.

RESULTS

Ehm2 expression is upregulated in prostate cancer cell lines and prostate cancer tissues. Expression of the FGFR-4 Arg(388) variant results in increased expression of Ehm2. Increased expression of Ehm2 leads to decreased adhesion to collagen IV, which has been associated with metastasis in cancers. Analysis of tissue microarrays revealed that increased Ehm2 expression is associated with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, which is indicative of more aggressive disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Ehm2 is overexpressed in prostate cancer and may enhance disease progression and metastasis.

Up-regulation of RhoB by glucocorticoids and its effects on the cell proliferation and NF-kappaB transcriptional activity

Although there is ample evidence that glucocorticoids (GCs) have an antiproliferative effect on many cell types, the molecular mechanism remains elusive. We reported in our previous study that Dex treatment led to cell growth arrest in a human ovarian cancer cell HO-8910. RhoB, as a member of Rho GTPases, have been implicated to be a negative regulator of cell proliferation. In this study, we provided novel evidence that Dex induced the expressions of small GTPase RhoB mRNA and protein, but not RhoA and RhoC mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent fashion via glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Over-expression of RhoB increased while inhibition of RhoB expression by RNA interference reversed Dex-induced growth arrest, indicating that RhoB signaling is involved in Dex-induced proliferation inhibition. We also presented the novel observation that over-expression or activation of RhoB signaling elevated the basal transcriptional activity of the transcription factor NF-kappaB in HO-8910 cells. Furthermore, elevating RhoB signaling enhanced the inhibitory effect of Dex on NF-kappaB activity, while attenuating RhoB signaling almost abrogated Dex suppression of NF-kappaB signaling, indicating that RhoB pathway is involved in the regulation of NF-kappaB activity and is essential for Dex transcriptional repression on NF-kappaB signaling in HO-8910 cells.

A pp32–retinoblastoma protein complex modulates androgen receptor-mediated transcription and associates with components of the splicing machinery

We have previously shown pp32 and the retinoblastoma protein interact. pp32 and the retinoblastoma protein are nuclear receptor transcriptional coregulators: the retinoblastoma protein is a coactivator for androgen receptor, the major regulator of prostate cancer growth, while pp32, which is highly expressed in prostate cancer, is a corepressor of the estrogen receptor. We now show pp32 increases androgen receptor-mediated transcription and the retinoblastoma protein modulates this activity. Using affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we identify members of the pp32-retinoblastoma protein complex as PSF and nonO/p54nrb, proteins implicated in coordinate regulation of nuclear receptor-mediated transcription and splicing. We show that the pp32-retinoblastoma protein complex is modulated during TPA-induced K562 differentiation. Present evidence suggests that nuclear receptors assemble multiprotein complexes to coordinately regulate transcription and mRNA processing. Our results suggest that pp32 and the retinoblastoma protein may be part of a multiprotein complex that coordinately regulates nuclear receptor-mediated transcription and mRNA processing.