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Ren AA, Snellings DA, Su YS, Hong CC, Castro M, Tang AT, Detter MR, Hobson N, Girard R, Romanos S, Lightle R, Moore T, Shenkar R, Benavides C, Beaman MM, Müller-Fielitz H, Chen M, Mericko P, Yang J, Sung DC, Lawton MT, Ruppert JM, Schwaninger M, Körbelin J, Potente M, Awad IA, Marchuk DA, Kahn ML. PIK3CA and CCM mutations fuel cavernomas through a cancer-like mechanism. Nature 2021; 594:271-276. [PMID: 33910229 PMCID: PMC8626098 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03562-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Vascular malformations are thought to be monogenic disorders that result in dysregulated growth of blood vessels. In the brain, cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) arise owing to inactivation of the endothelial CCM protein complex, which is required to dampen the activity of the kinase MEKK31-4. Environmental factors can explain differences in the natural history of CCMs between individuals5, but why single CCMs often exhibit sudden, rapid growth, culminating in strokes or seizures, is unknown. Here we show that growth of CCMs requires increased signalling through the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-mTOR pathway as well as loss of function of the CCM complex. We identify somatic gain-of-function mutations in PIK3CA and loss-of-function mutations in the CCM complex in the same cells in a majority of human CCMs. Using mouse models, we show that growth of CCMs requires both PI3K gain of function and CCM loss of function in endothelial cells, and that both CCM loss of function and increased expression of the transcription factor KLF4 (a downstream effector of MEKK3) augment mTOR signalling in endothelial cells. Consistent with these findings, the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin effectively blocks the formation of CCMs in mouse models. We establish a three-hit mechanism analogous to cancer, in which aggressive vascular malformations arise through the loss of vascular 'suppressor genes' that constrain vessel growth and gain of a vascular 'oncogene' that stimulates excess vessel growth. These findings suggest that aggressive CCMs could be treated using clinically approved mTORC1 inhibitors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics
- Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Endothelial Cells/pathology
- Gain of Function Mutation
- Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/blood supply
- Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/genetics
- Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/metabolism
- Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/pathology
- Humans
- Kruppel-Like Factor 4
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Loss of Function Mutation
- MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 3/metabolism
- Male
- Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism
- Mice
- Mutation
- Neoplasms/blood supply
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Sirolimus/pharmacology
- TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen A Ren
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel A Snellings
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yourong S Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Courtney C Hong
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marco Castro
- Angiogenesis and Metabolism Laboratory, Max Planck institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Alan T Tang
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew R Detter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nicholas Hobson
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Romuald Girard
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sharbel Romanos
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rhonda Lightle
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Thomas Moore
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert Shenkar
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christian Benavides
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - M Makenzie Beaman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Helge Müller-Fielitz
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mei Chen
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Mericko
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jisheng Yang
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Derek C Sung
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael T Lawton
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jakob Körbelin
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Potente
- Angiogenesis and Metabolism Laboratory, Max Planck institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Issam A Awad
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Douglas A Marchuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Mark L Kahn
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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2
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Luan Z, Fan X, Song H, Li R, Zhang W, Zhang J. Testosterone promotes GPX5 expression of goat epididymal epithelial cells cultured in vitro. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2019; 55:677-685. [PMID: 31429037 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-019-00391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Androgens are involved in maintaining epididymal structure and function. In the present study, primary culture of goat EECs and effect of testosterone on expression of glutathione peroxidase-5 (GPX5) in goat epididymal epithelial cells (EECs) were investigated. The EECs isolated from 12-mo-old goat caput epididymis were cultured with testosterone in vitro, and expression of glutathione peroxidase-5 (GPX5) and androgen receptors (ARs) was analyzed. Our results showed that testosterone effectively increased EEC proliferation activity, and EECs cultured with testosterone could maintain molecular markers for up to 12 passages. Compared with the control group, 100 nM testosterone significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of GPX5 (P < 0.05) and ARs (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) in EECs, and this effect was blocked by the AR blocker enzalutamide. In conclusion, testosterone can promote the expression of GPX5 in EECs by up-regulating AR expression. We established an effective culture system for goat EECs which can be for further investigation on the regulation of epithelial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojin Luan
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China. .,Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China.
| | - Xiaomei Fan
- Basic Medical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010059, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Huizi Song
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China.,Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Ruilan Li
- Basic Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, 037009, Shanxi, China
| | - Wenguang Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China.,Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China. .,Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, Inner Mongolia, China.
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3
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Chodari L, Mohammadi M, Mohaddes G, Ghorbanzadeh V, Dariushnejad H. THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE AND VOLUNTARY EXERCISE, ALONE OR TOGETHER, ON miRNA-126 EXPRESSION CHANGES IN HEART OF DIABETIC RATS. ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA-BUCHAREST 2017; 13:266-271. [PMID: 31149186 DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2017.266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Methods Ninety Wistar male rats were used in this study. Type 1 diabetes was induced by i.p injection of 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin in all animals. After 42 days of treatment with testosterone (2mg/kg/day) or voluntary exercise alone or in combination, the heart of the rats has been removed and MicroRNA was extracted from the heart using miRCURYTM RNA isolation kit. Results Our results showed that either testosterone or exercise increased miRNA-126 expression levels in the heart of diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with testosterone and exercise at the same time had a synergistic effect on miRNA-126 levels in the heart. Furthermore, in castrated diabetes group, miRNA-126 levels were significantly decreased in heart, whereas either testosterone treatment or exercise training enhanced expression of this miRNA. Also, simultaneous treatment of castrated diabetic rats with testosterone and exercise had an additive effect on miRNA-126 expression levels. Conclusion This study showed that testosterone and exercise promote an increase in the expression of miRNA-126 in the heart tissue and this may be related to cardiac angiogenesis. These results may indicate that testosterone and exercise can help to prevent progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy due to impaired angiogenesis in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chodari
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - M Mohammadi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - G Mohaddes
- Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - V Ghorbanzadeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - H Dariushnejad
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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4
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Chodari L, Mohammadi M, Mohaddes G, Alipour MR, Ghorbanzade V, Dariushnejad H, Mohammadi S. Testosterone and Voluntary Exercise, Alone or Together Increase Cardiac Activation of AKT and ERK1/2 in Diabetic Rats. Arq Bras Cardiol 2016; 107:532-541. [PMID: 28558078 PMCID: PMC5210457 DOI: 10.5935/abc.20160174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Impaired angiogenesis in cardiac tissue is a major complication of diabetes.
Protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)
signaling pathways play important role during capillary-like network
formation in angiogenesis process. Objectives To determine the effects of testosterone and voluntary exercise on levels of
vascularity, phosphorylated Akt (P- AKT) and phosphorylated ERK (P-ERK) in
heart tissue of diabetic and castrated diabetic rats. Methods Type I diabetes was induced by i.p injection of 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin in
animals. After 42 days of treatment with testosterone (2mg/kg/day) or
voluntary exercise alone or in combination, heart tissue samples were
collected and used for histological evaluation and determination of P-AKT
and P-ERK levels by ELISA method. Results Our results showed that either testosterone or exercise increased
capillarity, P-AKT, and P-ERK levels in the heart of diabetic rats.
Treatment of diabetic rats with testosterone and exercise had a synergistic
effect on capillarity, P-AKT, and P-ERK levels in heart. Furthermore, in the
castrated diabetes group, capillarity, P-AKT, and P-ERK levels significantly
decreased in the heart, whereas either testosterone treatment or exercise
training reversed these effects. Also, simultaneous treatment of castrated
diabetic rats with testosterone and exercise had an additive effect on P-AKT
and P-ERK levels. Conclusion Our findings suggest that testosterone and exercise alone or together can
increase angiogenesis in the heart of diabetic and castrated diabetic rats.
The proangiogenesis effects of testosterone and exercise are associated with
the enhanced activation of AKT and ERK1/2 in heart tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Chodari
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mustafa Mohammadi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gisou Mohaddes
- Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Vajiheh Ghorbanzade
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hassan Dariushnejad
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shima Mohammadi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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5
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Levi M, Hasky N, Stemmer SM, Shalgi R, Ben-Aharon I. Anti-Müllerian Hormone Is a Marker for Chemotherapy-Induced Testicular Toxicity. Endocrinology 2015; 156:3818-27. [PMID: 26252060 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to increased numbers of young cancer patients and improved survival, the impact of anticancer treatments on fertility has become a major health concern. Despite mounting research on ovarian toxicity, there is paucity of data regarding reliable biomarkers of testicular toxicity. Our aim was to evaluate anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a marker for chemotherapy-induced testicular toxicity. Serum AMH and a panel of gonadal hormones were measured in male cancer patients at baseline and after chemotherapy. In the preclinical setting, mice were injected with diverse chemotherapies and were killed 1 week or 1, 3, or 6 months later. We evaluated spermatogenesis by AMH as well as qualitative and quantitative sperm parameters. Nineteen patients were enrolled, the median age was 38 years (21-44 y). Serum AMH was correlated with increased FSH and T and decreased inhibin-B in gonadotoxic protocols (cisplatin or busulfan) and remained unchanged in nongonadotoxic protocols (capecitabine). AMH expression had the same pattern in mice serum and testes; it was negatively correlated with testicular/epididymal weight and sperm motility. The increase in testicular AMH expression was also correlated with elevated apoptosis (terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end labeling) and reduced proliferation (Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; all seminiferous tubules cells were analyzed). Severely damaged mice testes demonstrated a marked costaining of AMH and GATA-4, a Sertoli cell marker; staining that resembled the pattern of the Sertoli cell-only condition. Our study indicates that the pattern of serum AMH expression, in combination with other hormones, can delineate testicular damage, as determined in both experimental settings. Future large-scale clinical studies are warranted to further define the role of AMH as a biomarker for testicular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattan Levi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (M.L., N.H., R.S.), Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel and Institute of Oncology (S.M.S., I.B-A.), Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqva 49100, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Noa Hasky
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (M.L., N.H., R.S.), Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel and Institute of Oncology (S.M.S., I.B-A.), Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqva 49100, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Salomon M Stemmer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (M.L., N.H., R.S.), Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel and Institute of Oncology (S.M.S., I.B-A.), Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqva 49100, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Ruth Shalgi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (M.L., N.H., R.S.), Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel and Institute of Oncology (S.M.S., I.B-A.), Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqva 49100, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Irit Ben-Aharon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (M.L., N.H., R.S.), Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel and Institute of Oncology (S.M.S., I.B-A.), Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqva 49100, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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6
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Levi M, Tzabari M, Savion N, Stemmer SM, Shalgi R, Ben-Aharon I. Dexrazoxane exacerbates doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity. Reproduction 2015; 150:357-66. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Infertility induced by anti-cancer treatments pose a major concern for cancer survivors. Doxorubicin (DXR) has been previously shown to exert toxic effects on the testicular germinal epithelium. Based upon the cardioprotective traits of dexrazoxane (DEX), we studied its potential effect in reducing DXR-induced testicular toxicity. Male mice were injected with 5 mg/kg DXR, 100 mg/kg DEX, combination of both or saline (control) and sacrificed either 1, 3 or 6 months later. Testes were excised and further processed. Glutathione and apoptosis assays were performed to determine oxidative stress. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to study the effects of the drugs on testicular histology and on spermatogonial reserve. DXR and the combined treatment induced a striking decline in testicular weight. DEX prevented DXR-induced oxidative stress, but enhanced DXR-induced apoptosis within the testes. Furthermore, the combined treatment depleted the spermatogonial reserve after 1 month, with impaired recovery at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. This resulted in compromised sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal weights as well as significantly reduced sperm motility, all of which were more severe than those observed in DXR-treated mice. The activity of DEX in the testis may differ from its activity in cardiomyocytes. Adding DEX to DXR exacerbates DXR-induced testicular toxicity.
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7
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Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors. Urol Oncol 2015; 33:268.e17-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
Venous malformations (VMs) can cause significant morbidity, particularly because they enlarge over time and become symptomatic. The purpose of this study was to determine the natural progression of VMs to facilitate patient counseling, gain insight into pathophysiology, and guide therapy. Our Vascular Anomalies Center database was reviewed for patients with cutaneous and soft-tissue VMs. Predictive variables were age, gender, location, pregnancy, and size. The outcome variable was natural progression of the malformation defined by expansion of the lesion or the onset/worsening of symptoms. The study included 614 patients. Children had a 26.1% risk of progression prior to adolescence, 74.9% before adulthood, and 93.2% over their lifetime. Progression was more likely in adolescence (60.9%) than in childhood (22.5%); the relative risk was 2.6 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-3.2) (P = 0.0001). Diffuse VMs progressed more often than localized lesions (P = 0.002); extremity and trunk VMs worsened more frequently than head/neck lesions (P = 0.03). VMs have a higher risk of progression in adolescents than in children; pubertal hormones may contribute to expansion. Because of their high rate of progression, early treatment of asymptomatic VMs should be considered.
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Expression of androgen, estrogen, progesterone, and growth hormone receptors in vascular malformations. Plast Reconstr Surg 2012; 129:919e-924e. [PMID: 22634690 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0b013e31824ec3fb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular malformations frequently enlarge during adolescence, suggesting that hormones may be involved. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pubertal hormone receptors are present in vascular malformations and whether they differ from normal tissue. METHODS Tissue specimens (arteriovenous malformation, lymphatic malformation, and venous malformation) were prospectively collected from patients undergoing resection. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the presence of androgen, estrogen, progesterone, and growth hormone receptors. The effects of age, sex, location, and malformation type on receptor expression were analyzed. Age-, sex-, and location-matched normal tissues served as controls. RESULTS Forty-five vascular malformation specimens were collected: arteriovenous malformation (n = 11), lymphatic malformation (n = 20), and venous malformation (n = 14). Growth hormone receptor expression was increased in arteriovenous malformation (72.7 percent), lymphatic malformation (65.0 percent), and venous malformation (57.1 percent) tissues compared with controls (25.8 percent) (p < 0.05). Growth hormone receptor was present primarily in the endothelium/perivasculature of malformations (93.1 percent), whereas in normal tissue growth hormone receptor was located only in the stroma (p < 0.0001). Neither age, nor sex, nor location influenced receptor expression (p = 0.9). No differences in androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor staining were found between malformations and control samples (p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS Growth hormone receptor is overexpressed and principally located in the vessels of vascular malformations. Growth hormone might contribute to the expansion of vascular malformations.
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10
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Alkafafy M, Rashed R, Helal A. Immunohistochemical studies on the bovine lactating mammary gland (Bos taurus). Acta Histochem 2012; 114:87-93. [PMID: 21439612 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2011.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the validity of immunohistochemistry in the differential labeling of the diverse components of the lactating mammary gland. Paraffin-embedded sections of lactating bovine mammary glands were stained by conventional and histochemical techniques. Primary antibodies against S100, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), connexin-43 (Cx43), cytokeratin-14 (Ck14), galactosyltransferase (GalTase), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were applied on paraffin sections. Strong cytoplasmic and nuclear S100 immunoreactivity was mainly expressed by alveolar epithelium and to a lesser variable extent by ductal epithelium. The Golgi zone of the epithelial cells expressed strong GalTase immunostaining. Myoepithelial cells displayed a strong immunostaining for α-SMA, Cx43 and Ck14, but not for S100. Vascular endothelium showed a moderate (for VEGF) to strong (for ACE) immunostaining. The presence of VEGF-immunoreactive mast cells within the interstitium may reflect their functional significance in angiogenesis, vascular permeability and migration of mononuclear leukocytes, suggesting their regulatory role in the secretory and immunological functions of the mammary glands.
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11
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Primary xenografts of human prostate tissue as a model to study angiogenesis induced by reactive stroma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29623. [PMID: 22303438 PMCID: PMC3269421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of the mechanism(s) of androgen-driven human angiogenesis could have significant implications for modeling new forms of anti-angiogenic therapies for CaP and for developing targeted adjuvant therapies to improve efficacy of androgen-deprivation therapy. However, models of angiogenesis by human endothelial cells localized within an intact human prostate tissue architecture are until now extremely limited. This report characterizes the burst of angiogenesis by endogenous human blood vessels in primary xenografts of fresh surgical specimens of benign prostate or prostate cancer (CaP) tissue that occurs between Days 6–14 after transplantation into SCID mice pre-implanted with testosterone pellets. The wave of human angiogenesis was preceded by androgen-mediated up-regulation of VEGF-A expression in the stromal compartment. The neo-vessel network anastomosed to the host mouse vascular system between Days 6–10 post-transplantation, the angiogenic response ceased by Day 15, and by Day 30 the vasculature had matured and stabilized, as indicated by a lack of leakage of serum components into the interstitial tissue space and by association of nascent endothelial cells with mural cells/pericytes. The angiogenic wave was concurrent with the appearance of a reactive stroma phenotype, as determined by staining for α-SMA, Vimentin, Tenascin, Calponin, Desmin and Masson's trichrome, but the reactive stroma phenotype appeared to be largely independent of androgen availability. Transplantation-induced angiogenesis by endogenous human endothelial cells present in primary xenografts of benign and malignant human prostate tissue was preceded by induction of androgen-driven expression of VEGF by the prostate stroma, and was concurrent with and the appearance of a reactive stroma phenotype. Androgen-modulated expression of VEGF-A appeared to be a causal regulator of angiogenesis, and possibly of stromal activation, in human prostate xenografts.
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12
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Müller K, Ellenberger C, Hoppen HO, Schoon HA. Immunohistochemical study of angiogenesis and angiogenic factors in equine granulosa cell tumours. Res Vet Sci 2011; 92:471-7. [PMID: 21492887 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 02/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The first part of our study (Müller et al., 2009) characterized angiogenesis in the equine cycling ovary through histomorphological and immunohistochemical examinations (vascular endothelial growth factors A and B [VEGF A, VEGF B], vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 [VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2], vascular angiopoietins 1 and 2 [Ang1, Ang2], angiopoietin receptor [Tie2], and von Willebrand Factor). Since angiogenesis plays an important role in development and growth of numerous tumours, the second part of our study involved a similar examination of 70 equine granulosa cell tumours (GCTt). The results of the second study were compared with those of the normal equine ovary. Certain similarities in the expression pattern could be detected between normal, cyclical ovaries (Müller et al., 2009) and GCTt. The immunoreactivity of granulosa cells and Leydig-like cells in GCTt resembles granulosa cells and luteinized thecal cells in periovulatory cycling ovaries. The neoplastic cells support circulation, supply and growth of GCTt by contributing to angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Müller
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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Alkafafy M, Elnasharty M, Sayed-Ahmed A, Abdrabou M. Immunohistochemical studies of the epididymal duct in Egyptian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Acta Histochem 2011; 113:96-102. [PMID: 19836061 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2009.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 08/16/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), this study aimed to evaluate the regional distribution pattern of some biologically active proteins in the epididymis of Egyptian water buffalo and to determine the structural-functional relationships of the different epididymal structures. Wax-embedded sections from different regions of the epididymal duct from adult, clinically healthy, buffalo bulls were used. Primary antibodies against angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), S-100, galactosyltransferase (GalTase), alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), connexin 43 (Cx43) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were used for immunohistochemical studies. The results showed that, in addition to the well-known principal and basal cells, the epididymal epithelium, similar to that of other species, possessed apical cells and intraepithelial leukocytes. IHC showed that, with the exception of VEGF which reacted negatively, all antibodies used displayed variable reactivity in the different epididymal structures. Apical cells expressed a strong reaction with ACE along the entire length of the duct. The principal cells in the caput epididymis exhibited a distinct reactivity with S-100 and GalTase. The peritubular muscular coat displayed a marked immunostaining for α-SMA and for Cx43. In conclusion these findings showed a regional-specific distribution pattern, distinct from that in bovine bulls. Some potential functional capacities, especially absorptive and secretory ones, are discussed in relation to the different epididymal regions.
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14
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Silván U, Díez-Torre A, Jiménez-Rojo L, Aréchaga J. Vascularization of testicular germ cell tumours: evidence from experimental teratocarcinomas. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 33:765-74. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01068.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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15
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Mota PC, Ramalho-Santos J, Schlatt S. Xenografting as a tool to preserve endangered species: outcomes and challenges in model systems. Vet Med Int 2010; 2011. [PMID: 20885939 PMCID: PMC2946607 DOI: 10.4061/2011/629409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of testis tissue xenografting as a valuable tool to rescue endangered and genetically valuable individuals that die young or otherwise fail to produce sperm has been the subject of much interest. Although the technique has been successfully applied to a wide variety of species, little is known about what determines the outcome. Furthermore, to improve the applicability of xenografting, new methods to preserve and transport testis tissue from valuable animals are emerging. However, one major issue remains: the application of xenografting implies the development of subsequent ART techniques to produce offspring from the recovered material. This paper focuses on these three aspects of testis tissue xenografting as a tool for rescuing endangered and valuable genetic pools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula C Mota
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, P.O. Box/Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
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16
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Extracranial Arteriovenous Malformations: Natural Progression and Recurrence after Treatment. Plast Reconstr Surg 2010; 125:1185-1194. [DOI: 10.1097/prs.0b013e3181d18070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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17
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Stoffel MH, von Rotz A, Kocher M, Merkli M, Boesch D, Steiner A. Histological assessment of testicular residues in lambs and calves after Burdizzo castration. Vet Rec 2009; 164:523-7. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.164.17.523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. H. Stoffel
- Division of Veterinary Anatomy; Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health
| | - A. von Rotz
- Division of Veterinary Anatomy; Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health
| | - M. Kocher
- Division of Veterinary Anatomy; Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health
| | - M. Merkli
- Clinic for Ruminants; Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; PO Box 8466 3001 Bern Switzerland
| | - D. Boesch
- Clinic for Ruminants; Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; PO Box 8466 3001 Bern Switzerland
| | - A. Steiner
- Clinic for Ruminants; Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; PO Box 8466 3001 Bern Switzerland
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18
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Carvalho M, Mateus L, Afonso F, Van Harten S, Cardoso LA, Redmer DA, Ferreira-Dias G. Testicular angiogenic activity in response to food restriction in rabbits. Reproduction 2008; 137:509-15. [PMID: 19073712 DOI: 10.1530/rep-08-0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different levels of food restriction on testicular angiogenic activity, microvascularization, tissue growth, and regression, using the rabbit as a study model. The rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus) were randomly assigned to a control group (A, n=5), fed ad libitum, and to groups B (n=5) and C (n=5), with two different levels of food restriction. Food restriction was responsible for a 21.2% decrease in body weight in group B and 34.7% in group C. Testis explants were cultured for 24 h and conditioned media were tested for their ability to stimulate mitogenesis of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). There was an increase in testicular microvascular area and mitogenesis of BAEC in group C rabbits. Despite no change in testicular DNA concentration among groups, food restriction decreased both RNA and protein compared with control. No treatment differences in the percentage of seminiferous tubules filled with all stages of spermatogenesis (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids) and spermatozoa, as well as the area occupied by seminiferous tubules, were observed. Nevertheless, serum testosterone was markedly less in group C compared with groups A and B. These results suggest that angiogenesis may play a role in overcoming testicular nutritional impairment in rabbits subjected to food restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carvalho
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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19
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Nelius T, Filleur S, Yemelyanov A, Budunova I, Shroff E, Mirochnik Y, Aurora A, Veliceasa D, Xiao W, Wang Z, Volpert OV. Androgen receptor targets NFkappaB and TSP1 to suppress prostate tumor growth in vivo. Int J Cancer 2007; 121:999-1008. [PMID: 17487836 PMCID: PMC2810747 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The androgen role in the maintenance of prostate epithelium is subject to conflicting opinions. While androgen ablation drives the regression of normal and cancerous prostate, testosterone may cause both proliferation and apoptosis. Several investigators note decreased proliferation and stronger response to chemotherapy of the prostate cancer cells stably expressing androgen receptor (AR), however no mechanistic explanation was offered. In this paper we demonstrate in vivo anti-tumor effect of the AR on prostate cancer growth and identify its molecular mediators. We analyzed the effect of AR on the tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells. Unexpectedly, the AR-expressing cells formed tumors in male mice at a much lower rate than the AR-negative controls. Moreover, the AR-expressing tumors showed decreased vascularity and massive apoptosis. AR expression lowered the angiogenic potential of cancer cells, by increasing secretion of an anti-angiogenic protein, thrombospondin-1. AR activation caused a decrease in RelA, a subunit of the pro-survival transcription factor NFkappaB, reduced its nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. This, in turn, diminished the expression of its anti-apoptotic targets, Bcl-2 and IL-6. Increased apoptosis within AR-expressing tumors was likely due to the NFkappaB suppression, since it was restricted to the cells lacking nuclear (active) NFkappaB. Thus we for the first time identified combined decrease of NFkappaB and increased TSP1 as molecular events underlying the AR anti-tumor activity in vivo. Our data indicate that intermittent androgen ablation is preferable to continuous withdrawal, a standard treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Nelius
- Department of Urology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Stephanie Filleur
- Department of Urology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Alexander Yemelyanov
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Irina Budunova
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - E. Shroff
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Yelena Mirochnik
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Arin Aurora
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Dorina Veliceasa
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Wuhan Xiao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhou Wang
- Department of Urology and Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Olga V. Volpert
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Correspondence to: Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Fax: 312-908-7275.
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20
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Ohlson N, Bergh A, Persson ML, Wikström P. Castration rapidly decreases local insulin-like growth factor-1 levels and inhibits its effects in the ventral prostate in mice. Prostate 2006; 66:1687-97. [PMID: 16998818 DOI: 10.1002/pros.20368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms by which castration induces prostate involution are largely unknown. METHODS Early responses to castration in mouse ventral prostate (VP) were explored by quantitative microscopy, cDNA array expression, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. As several changes occurred in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system this was studied in more detail. Laser micro-dissection was used to localize sites of IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-R1) production. IGF-1 protein levels and IGF-R1 mediated signaling via insulin regulated substrate 1 and 2 (IRS-1 and 2) were examined. IGF-1 was injected into the VP in intact, and castrated mice and effects studied 1 day later. RESULTS IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) mRNA were rapidly reduced whereas IGFBP-3 and IGF-R1 mRNA were increased after castration. IGF-1 was principally produced in the stromal compartment, while IGF-R1 was produced in both epithelial and stromal cells. IGF-1 and IRS-1 protein levels were decreased 1 and 3 days after castration, respectively, while IRS-2 was unchanged. Inactivating phosphorylation of IRS-1 at serine 307 was increased 1 day after castration, and activating phosphorylation at tyrosine 612 was decreased 2 days later. These changes were accompanied by decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death in the glandular and vascular compartment. Local injection of IGF-1 increased vascular density and epithelial cell proliferation in intact mice, but had no effect in castrated animals. CONCLUSION Decreased IGF-1 levels and action may mediate some of the key features of castration-induced prostate involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Ohlson
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Sweden.
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21
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Blanco-Rivero J, Balfagón G, Ferrer M. Male castration increases neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity in the rat mesenteric artery through protein kinase C activation. J Vasc Res 2005; 42:526-34. [PMID: 16174988 DOI: 10.1159/000088342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2005] [Accepted: 08/04/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of endogenous male sex hormones on the activity of protein kinase C (PKC), as well as the regulatory effect of this kinase on the neuronal nitric oxide (NO) release induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS; 200 mA; 0.3 ms; 1-16 Hz). For this purpose, superior mesenteric arteries from control and orchidectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. PKC activity was greater in arteries from orchidectomized than control rats. Basal and EFS-induced NO release was similar in arteries from both groups despite the lower nNOS expression in arteries from orchidectomized rats. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a PKC activator, EFS-induced NO release was higher in arteries from control compared to orchidectomized rats. Calphostin C, a non-selective PKC inhibitor, or Gö6976, a PKC inhibitor partially selective for conventional isoforms,abolished the EFS-induced NO release in arteries from control animals, while it was decreased in arteries from orchidectomized animals. The PKCzeta pseudosubstrate inhibitor decreased EFS-induced NO release equally in both groups. The NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) enhanced the EFS-elicited contractions in arteries from both groups. Calphostin C increased the contractions elicited by EFS in arteries from control and orchidectomized rats. This increase was further enhanced by calphostin C plus L-NAME only in orchidectomized rats. PDBu reduced EFS-induced contraction in arteries from controls but did not affect it in orchidectomized rats. The further addition of L-NAME increased the responses in both types of arteries. These results show that PKC activity is enhanced in mesenteric arteries from orchidectomized rats, which may be the responsible for the greater nNOS activity in these arteries. Conventional and atypical PKCzeta isoforms positively regulate nNOS activity in arteries from both control and orchidectomized rats, but the contribution of conventional PKC isoforms to enhanced nNOS activity seems to be greater in arteries from orchidectomized rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Blanco-Rivero
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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22
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Karsan A, Pollet I, Yu LR, Chan KC, Conrads TP, Lucas DA, Andersen R, Veenstra T. Quantitative proteomic analysis of sokotrasterol sulfate-stimulated primary human endothelial cells. Mol Cell Proteomics 2004; 4:191-204. [PMID: 15611527 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m400152-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelium forms a continuous monolayer at the interface between blood and tissue and contributes significantly to the sensing and transducing of signals between blood and tissue. New blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, is initiated by the activation of endothelial cells and is an important process required for various pathological and physiological situations. This study used cleavable isotope-coded affinity tag reagents combined with mass spectrometry to investigate the molecular basis of a recently discovered angiogenesis-promoting steroid, sokotrasterol sulfate. Changes in the relative abundances of over 1000 proteins within human endothelial cells treated with sokotrasterol sulfate and vehicle-treated cells were identified and quantitated using this technique. A method that examines the entire ensemble of quantitative measurements was developed to identify proteins that showed a statistically significant change in relative abundance resulting from treatment with sokotrasterol sulfate. A total of 93 proteins was significantly up-regulated, and 37 were down-regulated in response to sokotrasterol sulfate stimulation of endothelial cells. Among the up-regulated proteins, several were identified that are novel to endothelial cells and are likely involved in cell communication and morphogenesis. These findings are consistent with a role for sokotrasterol sulfate in endothelial sprouting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly Karsan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.
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23
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Halin S, Wikström P, Rudolfsson SH, Stattin P, Doll JA, Crawford SE, Bergh A. Decreased Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Is Associated with Metastatic Phenotype in Human and Rat Prostate Tumors. Cancer Res 2004; 64:5664-71. [PMID: 15313905 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-0835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pigment epithelium-derived factor, a potent angiogenesis inhibitor in the eye, is also expressed in the prostate. Prostate size and angiogenesis is increased in pigment epithelium-derived factor knockout mice, and pigment epithelium-derived factor is down-regulated in some prostate cancers. To investigate whether pigment epithelium-derived factor expression correlates with tumor progression, we examined 5 Dunning rat prostate sublines with different growth rates, differentiation, androgen dependence, vascular density, and metastatic ability and 26 human prostate cancers of Gleason score 8-10 obtained from patients at transurethral resection selected to represent two groups, with and without metastases at diagnosis. By Western blot, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and immunostaining, pigment epithelium-derived factor was detected in highly differentiated, nonmetastatic, androgen-sensitive Dunning tumors and in the anaplastic, androgen insensitive but nonmetastatic Dunning tumors. In contrast, the metastatic Dunning tumor sublines showed very low pigment epithelium-derived factor expression levels. In human cancer tissues, by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, patients without metastases at diagnosis had higher tumor pigment epithelium-derived factor levels than tumors from patients with metastases at diagnosis. In both the rat model and in the human tumors, the proliferation index and vascular count, as determined by Ki-67 staining and endoglin and/or factor VIII-related antigen staining, inversely correlated with pigment epithelium-derived factor mRNA levels. These observations indicate that loss of pigment epithelium-derived factor expression could be associated with the progression toward a metastatic phenotype in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Halin
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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24
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Nishino T, Wedel T, Schmitt O, Bühlmeyer K, Schönfelder M, Hirtreiter C, Schulz T, Kühnel W, Michna H. Androgen-dependent morphology of prostates and seminal vesicles in the Hershberger Assay: Evaluation of immunohistochemical and morphometric parameters. Ann Anat 2004; 186:247-53. [PMID: 15255301 DOI: 10.1016/s0940-9602(04)80011-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate androgen-like effects using immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. Therefore, orchiectomized Wistar rats (n > or = 13) were treated s.c. with 1 mg/kg bw/day testosterone propionate (TP) for 7 days and compared to orchiectomized rats without TP substitution (OX) and to an untreated intact control group. Sections obtained from prostates and seminal vesicles were stained with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the androgen receptor (AR) and assessed densitometrically (intensity of the immunoreaction) and morphometrically (epithelial height, luminal area). TP caused an enhancement of staining intensity and an increase in organ weights, epithelial height and luminal area. The use of proliferation markers (PCNA, MIB-5) showed also a highly significant increase of immunoreactive cells in TP-substituted orchiectomized rats compared with the OX group. Based on the present data, the densitometric analysis of AR-immunoreactivity as well as the assessment of proliferation markers, epithelial height and luminal area proved to be sensitive parameters for the evaluation of androgen effects on prostates and seminal vesicles. In further studies these parameters will be used to test several industrial xenooestrogens as well as phytooestrogens on their possible androgenic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyuki Nishino
- Institute of Public Health Research, Technical University of Munich, Connollystrasse 32, 80809 Munich, Germany.
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25
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Geigerseder C, Doepner RFG, Thalhammer A, Krieger A, Mayerhofer A. Stimulation of TM3 Leydig cell proliferation via GABA(A) receptors: a new role for testicular GABA. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2004; 2:13. [PMID: 15040802 PMCID: PMC416489 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-2-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2003] [Accepted: 03/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and subtypes of GABA receptors were recently identified in adult testes. Since adult Leydig cells possess both the GABA biosynthetic enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), as well as GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors, it is possible that GABA may act as auto-/paracrine molecule to regulate Leydig cell function. The present study was aimed to examine effects of GABA, which may include trophic action. This assumption is based on reports pinpointing GABA as regulator of proliferation and differentiation of developing neurons via GABA(A) receptors. Assuming such a role for the developing testis, we studied whether GABA synthesis and GABA receptors are already present in the postnatal testis, where fetal Leydig cells and, to a much greater extend, cells of the adult Leydig cell lineage proliferate. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blotting and a radioactive enzymatic GAD assay evidenced that fetal Leydig cells of five-six days old rats possess active GAD protein, and that both fetal Leydig cells and cells of the adult Leydig cell lineage possess GABA(A) receptor subunits. TM3 cells, a proliferating mouse Leydig cell line, which we showed to possess GABA(A) receptor subunits by RT-PCR, served to study effects of GABA on proliferation. Using a colorimetric proliferation assay and Western Blotting for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) we demonstrated that GABA or the GABA(A) agonist isoguvacine significantly increased TM3 cell number and PCNA content in TM3 cells. These effects were blocked by the GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline, implying a role for GABA(A) receptors. In conclusion, GABA increases proliferation of TM3 Leydig cells via GABA(A) receptor activation and proliferating Leydig cells in the postnatal rodent testis bear a GABAergic system. Thus testicular GABA may play an as yet unrecognized role in the development of Leydig cells during the differentiation of the testicular interstitial compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Geigerseder
- Anatomisches Institut der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biedersteinerstr.29, D-80802 München, Germany
| | - Richard FG Doepner
- Anatomisches Institut der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biedersteinerstr.29, D-80802 München, Germany
| | - Andrea Thalhammer
- Anatomisches Institut der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biedersteinerstr.29, D-80802 München, Germany
| | - Annette Krieger
- Anatomisches Institut der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biedersteinerstr.29, D-80802 München, Germany
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Anatomisches Institut der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biedersteinerstr.29, D-80802 München, Germany
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26
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Häggström Rudolfsson S, Johansson A, Franck Lissbrant I, Wikström P, Bergh A. Localized expression of angiopoietin 1 and 2 may explain unique characteristics of the rat testicular microvasculature. Biol Reprod 2003; 69:1231-7. [PMID: 12773423 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.013375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The testicular vasculature is unique in several ways. The unfenestrated endothelial cells constitute one part of the blood-testis barrier, and testicular microvessels are normally resistant to inflammation mediators. At the same time that angiogenic factors and inflammation mediators are constitutively produced, the proportion of proliferating endothelial cells is considerably higher than in other organs, but new blood vessels are not formed. Hormonal stimulation of the testis with hCG increase endothelial cell proliferation, vascular permeability, and sensitivity to locally injected inflammation mediators. In the present study, we examined whether local expression of angiopoietin (ang) 1, an inhibitor of vascular leakage and sprouting angiogenesis, and its antagonist, ang 2, could be involved in establishing this vascular phenotype. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that testicular vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), ang 1, ang 2, and the ang-receptor tie 2 are expressed in the testis and that hormonal stimulation with hCG is accompanied by increased expression of VEGF-A and ang 2. The ang 1 protein is expressed in testicular microvessels under basal conditions, and it is largely unaffected after hCG stimulation. Expression of ang 2 in microvessels, in contrast, is low under basal conditions and is up-regulated by hCG. Intratesticular injection of human recombinant ang 1 protein inhibits hCG-induced increase in vascular permeability. Injection of ang 2 in the testis increases endothelial cell proliferation and the volume of the interstitial space. We therefore suggest that ang 1 stabilizes testicular microvessels under basal conditions and that a shift in this balance caused by increased ang 2, together with increased VEGF-A, allows vascular leakage, high endothelial cell proliferation, and presumably, vascular growth after hormonal stimulation.
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27
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Simon AM, McWhorter AR. Role of connexin37 and connexin40 in vascular development. CELL COMMUNICATION & ADHESION 2003; 10:379-85. [PMID: 14681045 DOI: 10.1080/cac.10.4-6.379.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Mice lacking both connexin37 (Cx37) and connexin40 (Cx40), gap junction proteins expressed in vascular endothelium, die perinatally with pronounced vascular abnormalities. Early vasculogenesis proceeds normally, but by E18.5 Cx37(-/-)Cx40(-/-) animals display vessel dilatation and congestion as well as localized hemorrhages in skin, testis, intestines, and lungs. Abnormal vascular channels are present in the testis, often forming cavernous hemangioma-like defects. Unusually large, distended vessels are also present in the submucosa and lamina propria of the intestine. Ablation of Cx40 has a greater effect on endothelial dye-transfer than ablation of Cx37, and the effect of Cx40 ablation is age-dependent. Only in embryonic aortas lacking both Cx37 and Cx40 is there a complete loss of endothelial coupling. Surprisingly, elimination of Cx40 results in a large drop in aortic endothelial Cx37 on western blots, and deletion of Cx37 also reduces endothelial Cx40 levels. In contrast, in the medial layer, both Cx37 and Cx43 increase when Cx40 is ablated. These studies indicate that Cx37 and Cx40 are collectively critical for endothelial communication and provide evidence of an important role for gap junctions in vascular development. In addition, Cx37 and Cx40 appear to be mutually dependent on each other for normal expression in vascular endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Simon
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
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