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Lafront C, Germain L, Campolina-Silva GH, Weidmann C, Berthiaume L, Hovington H, Brisson H, Jobin C, Frégeau-Proulx L, Cotau R, Gonthier K, Lacouture A, Caron P, Ménard C, Atallah C, Riopel J, Latulippe É, Bergeron A, Toren P, Guillemette C, Pelletier M, Fradet Y, Belleannée C, Pouliot F, Lacombe L, Lévesque É, Audet-Walsh É. The estrogen signaling pathway reprograms prostate cancer cell metabolism and supports proliferation and disease progression. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e170809. [PMID: 38625747 PMCID: PMC11142735 DOI: 10.1172/jci170809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Just like the androgen receptor (AR), the estrogen receptor α (ERα) is expressed in the prostate and is thought to influence prostate cancer (PCa) biology. Yet the incomplete understanding of ERα functions in PCa hinders our ability to fully comprehend its clinical relevance and restricts the repurposing of estrogen-targeted therapies for the treatment of this disease. Using 2 human PCa tissue microarray cohorts, we first demonstrate that nuclear ERα expression was heterogeneous among patients, being detected in only half of the tumors. Positive nuclear ERα levels were correlated with disease recurrence, progression to metastatic PCa, and patient survival. Using in vitro and in vivo models of the normal prostate and PCa, bulk and single-cell RNA-Seq analyses revealed that estrogens partially mimicked the androgen transcriptional response and activated specific biological pathways linked to proliferation and metabolism. Bioenergetic flux assays and metabolomics confirmed the regulation of cancer metabolism by estrogens, supporting proliferation. Using cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids, selective estrogen receptor modulators, a pure anti-estrogen, and genetic approaches impaired cancer cell proliferation and growth in an ERα-dependent manner. Overall, our study revealed that, when expressed, ERα functionally reprogrammed PCa metabolism, was associated with disease progression, and could be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lafront
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Lucas Germain
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Gabriel H. Campolina-Silva
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Cindy Weidmann
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Line Berthiaume
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Hélène Hovington
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Hervé Brisson
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Cynthia Jobin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Lilianne Frégeau-Proulx
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Raul Cotau
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Kevin Gonthier
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Aurélie Lacouture
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick Caron
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Claire Ménard
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Chantal Atallah
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pathology, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Riopel
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pathology, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Éva Latulippe
- Department of Pathology, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Alain Bergeron
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Paul Toren
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Chantal Guillemette
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, and
| | - Martin Pelletier
- Department of Microbiology-Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Infectious and Immune Diseases Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- ARThrite Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Yves Fradet
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Clémence Belleannée
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Pouliot
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Louis Lacombe
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Éric Lévesque
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Étienne Audet-Walsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
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Lacouture A, Lafront C, Peillex C, Pelletier M, Audet-Walsh É. Impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on prostate function and cancer. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112085. [PMID: 34562481 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Because of their historical mode of action, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are associated with sex-steroid receptors, namely the two estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and the androgen receptor (AR). Broadly, EDCs can modulate sex-steroid receptor functions. They can also indirectly impact the androgen and estrogen pathways by influencing steroidogenesis, expression of AR or ERs, and their respective activity as transcription factors. Additionally, many of these chemicals have multiple cellular targets other than sex-steroid receptors, which results in a myriad of potential effects in humans. The current article reviews the association between prostate cancer and the endocrine-disrupting functions of four prominent EDC families: bisphenols, phthalates, phytoestrogens, and mycoestrogens. Results from both in vitro and in vivo models are included and discussed to better assess the molecular mechanisms by which EDCs can modify prostate biology. To overcome the heterogeneity of results published, we established common guidelines to properly study EDCs in the context of endocrine diseases. Firstly, the expression of sex-steroid receptors in the models used must be determined before testing. Then, in parallel to EDCs, pharmacological compounds acting as positive (agonists) and negative controls (antagonists) have to be employed. Finally, EDCs need to be used in a precise range of concentrations to modulate sex-steroid receptors and avoid off-target effects. By adequately integrating molecular endocrinology aspects in EDC studies and identifying their underlying molecular mechanisms, we will truly understand their impact on prostate cancer and distinguish those that favor the progression of the disease from those that slow down tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Lacouture
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada; Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC), Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | - Camille Lafront
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada; Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC), Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | - Cindy Peillex
- Infectious and Immune Diseases Research Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada; ARThrite Research Center, Laval University, Québec, Canada; Master de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Martin Pelletier
- Infectious and Immune Diseases Research Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada; ARThrite Research Center, Laval University, Québec, Canada; Department of Microbiology-Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
| | - Étienne Audet-Walsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada; Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC), Laval University, Québec, Canada.
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Lafront C, Germain L, Weidmann C, Audet-Walsh É. A Systematic Study of the Impact of Estrogens and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators on Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4024. [PMID: 32132580 PMCID: PMC7055213 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60844-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The estrogen signaling pathway has been reported to modulate prostate cancer (PCa) progression through the activity of estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ). Given that selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are used to treat breast cancer, ERs have been proposed as attractive therapeutic targets in PCa. However, many inconsistencies regarding the expression of ERs and the efficacy of SERMs for PCa treatment exist, notably due to the use of ERβ antibodies lacking specificity and treatments with high SERM concentrations leading to off-target effects. To end this confusion, our objective was to study the impact of estrogenic and anti-estrogenic ligands in well-studied in vitro PCa models with appropriate controls, dosages, and ER subtype-specific antibodies. When using physiologically relevant concentrations of nine estrogenic/anti-estrogenic compounds, including five SERMs, we observed no significant modulation of PCa cell proliferation. Using RNA-seq and validated antibodies, we demonstrate that these PCa models do not express ERs. In contrast, RNA-seq from PCa samples from patients have detectable expression of ERα. Overall, our study reveals that commonly used PCa models are inappropriate to study ERs and indicate that usage of alternative models is essential to properly assess the roles of the estrogen signaling pathway in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lafront
- Department of molecular medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer (CRC) of Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Lucas Germain
- Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer (CRC) of Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Department of biochemistry, microbiology and bioinformatics, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Université Laval, Québec City, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Cindy Weidmann
- Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer (CRC) of Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Étienne Audet-Walsh
- Department of molecular medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, G1V 0A6, Canada.
- Endocrinology - Nephrology Research Axis, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, Canada.
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer (CRC) of Université Laval, Québec City, Canada.
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