1
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Tzimorotas D, Solberg NT, Andreassen RC, Moutsatsou P, Bodiou V, Pedersen ME, Rønning SB. Expansion of bovine skeletal muscle stem cells from spinner flasks to benchtop stirred-tank bioreactors for up to 38 days. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1192365. [PMID: 37609488 PMCID: PMC10442166 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1192365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Successful long-term expansion of skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) on a large scale is fundamental for cultivating animal cells for protein production. Prerequisites for efficient cell expansion include maintaining essential native cell activities such as cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation while ensuring consistent reproducibility. Method This study investigated the growth of bovine MuSC culture using low-volume spinner flasks and a benchtop stirred-tank bioreactor (STR). Results and discussion Our results showed for the first time the expansion of primary MuSCs for 38 days in a bench-top STR run with low initial seeding density and FBS reduction, supported by increased expression of the satellite cell marker PAX7 and reduced expression of differentiation-inducing genes like MYOG, even without adding p38-MAPK inhibitors. Moreover, the cells retained their ability to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate after enzymatic dissociation from the microcarriers. We also showed reproducible results in a separate biological benchtop STR run.
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2
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Hubalek S, Melke J, Pawlica P, Post MJ, Moutsatsou P. Non-ammoniagenic proliferation and differentiation media for cultivated adipose tissue. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1202165. [PMID: 37555077 PMCID: PMC10405928 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1202165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ammonia (Amm), and its aqueous solved state, ammonium, which is produced from glutamine (Gln) metabolism, is a known inhibitor of stem cell proliferation in vitro. In the context of cultivated beef, primary bovine fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells (FAPs) need to be grown and differentiated for several weeks in vitro for the production of cultivated fat. In this study, the ammonium sensitivity of these cells was investigated by introducing ammonium chloride, which was found to inhibit their proliferation when above 5 mM and their adipogenic differentiation when above 2 mM. Novel serum-free proliferation and differentiation media were hence developed with the aim to suppress Amm production during expansion and adipogenesis. Glutamine substitutes, such as a-ketoglutarate (aKG), glutamate (Glt) and pyruvate (Pyr) were investigated. It was found that aKG based proliferation medium (PM) was the most effective in promoting and maintaining FAPs growth over several passages while the specific Amm production rate was reduced more than 5-fold. In terms of differentiation capacity, the substitution of glucose (Gluc) and Gln with galactose (Gal) and Pyr was shown to be the most effective in promoting FAPs differentiation into mature adipocytes, resulting in over 2-fold increase of fat volume per cell, while suppressing Amm production. Our findings suggest that FAPs do not require Gln as an essential nutrient but, on the contrary, possess all the necessary metabolic pathways to proliferate and subsequently differentiate in a Gln-free medium, resulting in decreased Amm production rates and seemingly synthesising glutamine de novo. These findings are important for prolonging the lifespan of culture medium, allowing for reduced costs and process interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Hubalek
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- CARIM, School of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - J. Melke
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - M. J. Post
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- CARIM, School of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - P. Moutsatsou
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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3
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Ochs J, Hanga MP, Shaw G, Duffy N, Kulik M, Tissin N, Reibert D, Biermann F, Moutsatsou P, Ratnayake S, Nienow A, Koenig N, Schmitt R, Rafiq Q, Hewitt CJ, Barry F, Murphy JM. Needle to needle
robot‐assisted
manufacture of cell therapy products. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10387. [PMID: 36176619 PMCID: PMC9472012 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs) have emerged as novel therapies for untreatable diseases, generating the need for large volumes of high‐quality, clinically‐compliant GMP cells to replace costly, high‐risk and limited scale manual expansion processes. We present the design of a fully automated, robot‐assisted platform incorporating the use of multiliter stirred tank bioreactors for scalable production of adherent human stem cells. The design addresses a needle‐to‐needle closed process incorporating automated bone marrow collection, cell isolation, expansion, and collection into cryovials for patient delivery. AUTOSTEM, a modular, adaptable, fully closed system ensures no direct operator interaction with biological material; all commands are performed through a graphic interface. Seeding of source material, process monitoring, feeding, sampling, harvesting and cryopreservation are automated within the closed platform, comprising two clean room levels enabling both open and closed processes. A bioprocess based on human MSCs expanded on microcarriers was used for proof of concept. Utilizing equivalent culture parameters, the AUTOSTEM robot‐assisted platform successfully performed cell expansion at the liter scale, generating results comparable to manual production, while maintaining cell quality postprocessing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Ochs
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) Aachen Germany
| | - Mariana P. Hanga
- School of Biosciences, Life and Health Sciences College Aston University Birmingham UK
- Chemical Engineering University College London London UK
| | - Georgina Shaw
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Biomedical Sciences Building National University of Ireland Galway Galway Ireland
| | - Niamh Duffy
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Biomedical Sciences Building National University of Ireland Galway Galway Ireland
| | - Michael Kulik
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) Aachen Germany
| | - Nokilaj Tissin
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) Aachen Germany
| | - Daniel Reibert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) Aachen Germany
| | | | - Panagiota Moutsatsou
- School of Biosciences, Life and Health Sciences College Aston University Birmingham UK
| | - Shibani Ratnayake
- School of Biosciences, Life and Health Sciences College Aston University Birmingham UK
| | - Alvin Nienow
- Chemical Engineering University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Niels Koenig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) Aachen Germany
| | - Robert Schmitt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) Aachen Germany
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany
| | - Qasim Rafiq
- Biochemical Engineering, Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering University College London London UK
| | - Christopher J. Hewitt
- School of Biosciences, Life and Health Sciences College Aston University Birmingham UK
| | - Frank Barry
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Biomedical Sciences Building National University of Ireland Galway Galway Ireland
| | - J. Mary Murphy
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Biomedical Sciences Building National University of Ireland Galway Galway Ireland
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4
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Kolkmann AM, Van Essen A, Post MJ, Moutsatsou P. Development of a Chemically Defined Medium for in vitro Expansion of Primary Bovine Satellite Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:895289. [PMID: 35992337 PMCID: PMC9385969 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.895289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in animal cell culture media is widely spread since it provides a broad spectrum of molecules that are known to support cell attachment and growth. However, the harvest and collection procedures of FBS raise ethical concerns and serum is an ill-defined and expensive component. This is especially problematic when it comes to regulatory approval for food applications like cultured meat. The aim of this study is to develop a chemically defined, cost efficient serum-free and animal-free medium that supports the attachment and expansion of bovine myoblasts while maintaining their differentiation capacity. Bovine satellite cells were harvested and isolated from a fresh sample of skeletal muscle tissue and cultured in planar systems. The efficacy of the tested formulations was assessed with metabolic assays and cell counting techniques. Optical microscopy was used to observe cellular morphology and statistical analysis was applied. Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, a defined serum-free medium (SFM) composition was developed consisting of DMEM/F12 as basal medium, supplemented with L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, fibronectin, hydrocortisone, GlutaMAX™, albumin, ITS-X, hIL-6, α-linolenic acid, and growth factors such as FGF-2, VEGF, IGF-1, HGF, and PDGF-BB. To our knowledge, this is the first defined serum-free and animal free medium formulation specific for bovine myoblasts to date. We conclude that the SFM formulation supported exponential cell growth up to 97% of the serum—containing golden standard growth medium. All reagents used in this study are chemically defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Kolkmann
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Mark J. Post
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Panagiota Moutsatsou
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Panagiota Moutsatsou, ,
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5
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Dohmen RGJ, Hubalek S, Melke J, Messmer T, Cantoni F, Mei A, Hueber R, Mitic R, Remmers D, Moutsatsou P, Post MJ, Jackisch L, Flack JE. Muscle-derived fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells for production of cultured bovine adipose tissue. NPJ Sci Food 2022; 6:6. [PMID: 35075125 PMCID: PMC8786866 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-021-00122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cultured meat is an emergent technology with the potential for significant environmental and animal welfare benefits. Accurate mimicry of traditional meat requires fat tissue; a key contributor to both the flavour and texture of meat. Here, we show that fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells (FAPs) are present in bovine muscle, and are transcriptionally and immunophenotypically distinct from satellite cells. These two cell types can be purified from a single muscle sample using a simple fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) strategy. FAPs demonstrate high levels of adipogenic potential, as measured by gene expression changes and lipid accumulation, and can be proliferated for a large number of population doublings, demonstrating their suitability for a scalable cultured meat production process. Crucially, FAPs reach a mature level of adipogenic differentiation in three-dimensional, edible hydrogels. The resultant tissue accurately mimics traditional beef fat in terms of lipid profile and taste, and FAPs thus represent a promising candidate cell type for the production of cultured fat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G J Dohmen
- Mosa Meat B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Hubalek
- Mosa Meat B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tobias Messmer
- Mosa Meat B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Rui Hueber
- Mosa Meat B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rada Mitic
- Mosa Meat B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mark J Post
- Mosa Meat B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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6
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Hanga MP, de la Raga FA, Moutsatsou P, Hewitt CJ, Nienow AW, Wall I. Scale-up of an intensified bioprocess for the expansion of bovine adipose-derived stem cells (bASCs) in stirred tank bioreactors. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:3175-3186. [PMID: 34076888 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cultivated meat is an emerging field, aiming to establish the production of animal tissue for human consumption in an in vitro environment, eliminating the need to raise and slaughter animals for their meat. To realise this, the expansion of primary cells in a bioreactor is needed to achieve the high cell numbers required. The aim of this study was to develop a scalable, microcarrier based, intensified bioprocess for the expansion of bovine adipose-derived stem cells as precursors of fat and muscle tissue. The intensified bioprocess development was carried out initially in spinner flasks of different sizes and then translated to fully controlled litre scale benchtop bioreactors. Bioprocess intensification was achieved by utilising the previously demonstrated bead-to-bead transfer phenomenon and through the combined addition of microcarrier and medium to double the existing surface area and working volume in the bioreactor. Choosing the optimal time point for the additions was critical in enhancing the cell expansion. A significant fold increase of 114.19 ± 1.07 was obtained at the litre scale in the intensified bioprocess compared to the baseline (**p < .005). The quality of the cells was evaluated pre- and post-expansion and the cells were found to maintain their phenotype and differentiation capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Petronela Hanga
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fritz Anthony de la Raga
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK
| | - Panagiota Moutsatsou
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher J Hewitt
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alvin W Nienow
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ivan Wall
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Nanobiomedical Science, Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea
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7
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Panagiotou C, Lambadiari V, Maratou E, Geromeriati C, Artemiadis A, Dimitriadis G, Moutsatsou P. Insufficient glucocorticoid receptor signaling and flattened salivary cortisol profile are associated with metabolic and inflammatory indices in type 2 diabetes. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:37-48. [PMID: 32394161 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01260-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Impaired negative feedback and hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis characterizes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a key mediator of HPA axis negative feedback; however, its role in linking hypercortisolemia and T2DM-associated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and inflammation is not yet known. METHODS In peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31 T2DM patients and 24 healthy controls, we measured various GR-signaling parameters such as phosphorylated GR (pGR-S211), GRα/GRβ gene expression and GC-sensitivity [using the basal and dexamethasone (DEX)-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) and FK506 binding-protein (FKBP5) mRNA levels as well as the basal interleukin (IL)-1β protein levels]. Diurnal salivary cortisol curve parameters such as the cortisol awaking response (CAR) and area under the curve (AUCtotal and AUCi) as well as inflammatory and metabolic indices were also determined. RESULTS T2DM patients exhibited diminished pGR-S211 protein content, increased GRβ, decreased basal GILZ and FKBP5 mRNA levels and increased IL-1β levels. Flattened DEX-induced GILZ and FKBP5 response curves and a flattened salivary cortisol profile characterized T2DM patients. Significant associations of GR measures and saliva cortisol curve parameters with biochemical and clinical characteristics were found. CONCLUSION Our novel data implicate an insufficient GR signaling in PBMCs in T2DM patients and HPA axis dysfunction. The significant associations of GR-signaling parameters with inflammatory and metabolic indices implicate that GR may be the critical link between HPA axis dysfunction, hypercortisolemia and diabetes-associated metabolic disturbances. Our findings provide significant insights into the contribution of GR-mediated mechanisms in T2DM aetiopathology and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Panagiotou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Rimini 1, Haidari, 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - V Lambadiari
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, University General Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece
| | - E Maratou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Rimini 1, Haidari, 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - C Geromeriati
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Rimini 1, Haidari, 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - A Artemiadis
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - G Dimitriadis
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, University General Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece
| | - P Moutsatsou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Rimini 1, Haidari, 12462, Athens, Greece.
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8
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Hanga MP, Ali J, Moutsatsou P, de la Raga FA, Hewitt CJ, Nienow A, Wall I. Bioprocess development for scalable production of cultivated meat. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:3029-3039. [PMID: 32568406 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Traditional farm-based products based on livestock are one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Cultivated meat is an alternative that mimics animal meat, being produced in a bioreactor under controlled conditions rather than through the slaughtering of animals. The first step in the production of cultivated meat is the generation of sufficient reserves of starting cells. In this study, bovine adipose-derived stem cells (bASCs) were used as starting cells due to their ability to differentiate towards both fat and muscle, two cell types found in meat. A bioprocess for the expansion of these cells on microcarriers in spinner flasks was developed. Different cell seeding densities (1,500, 3,000, and 6,000 cells/cm2 ) and feeding strategies (80%, 65%, 50%, and combined 80%/50% medium exchanges) were investigated. Cell characterization was assessed pre- and postbioprocessing to ensure that bioprocessing did not negatively affect bASC quality. The best growth was obtained with the lowest cell seeding density (1,500 cells/cm2 ) with an 80% medium exchange performed (p < .0001) which yielded a 28-fold expansion. The ability to differentiate towards adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages was retained postbioprocessing and no significant difference (p > .5) was found in clonogenicity pre- or postbioprocessing in any of the feeding regimes tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana P Hanga
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Junaid Ali
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Panagiota Moutsatsou
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fritz A de la Raga
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher J Hewitt
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alvin Nienow
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ivan Wall
- Department of Biosciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
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9
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Post MJ, Levenberg S, Kaplan DL, Genovese N, Fu J, Bryant CJ, Negowetti N, Verzijden K, Moutsatsou P. Scientific, sustainability and regulatory challenges of cultured meat. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1038/s43016-020-0112-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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10
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Abstract
Due to the considerable environmental impact and the controversial animal welfare associated with industrial meat production, combined with the ever-increasing global population and demand for meat products, sustainable production alternatives are indispensable. In 2013, the world's first laboratory grown hamburger made from cultured muscle cells was developed. However, coming at a price of $300.000, and being produced manually, substantial effort is still required to reach sustainable large-scale production. One of the main challenges is scalability. Microcarriers (MCs), offering a large surface/volume ratio, are the most promising candidates for upscaling muscle cell culture. However, although many MCs have been developed for cell lines and stem cells typically used in the medical field, none have been specifically developed for muscle stem cells and meat production. This paper aims to discuss the MCs' design criteria for skeletal muscle cell proliferation and subsequently for meat production based on three scenarios: (1) MCs are serving only as a temporary substrate for cell attachment and proliferation and therefore they need to be separated from the cells at some stage of the bioprocess, (2) MCs serve as a temporary substrate for cell proliferation but are degraded or dissolved during the bioprocess, and (3) MCs are embedded in the final product and therefore need to be edible. The particularities of each of these three bioprocesses will be discussed from the perspective of MCs as well as the feasibility of a one-step bioprocess. Each scenario presents advantages and drawbacks, which are discussed in detail, nevertheless the third scenario appears to be the most promising one for a production process. Indeed, using an edible material can limit or completely eliminate dissociation/degradation/separation steps and even promote organoleptic qualities when embedded in the final product. Edible microcarriers could also be used as a temporary substrate similarly to scenarios 1 and 2, which would limit the risk of non-edible residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Bodiou
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- CARIM, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Panagiota Moutsatsou
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mark J. Post
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mosa Meat BV, Maastricht, Netherlands
- CARIM, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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11
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Moutsatsou P, Ochs J, Schmitt RH, Hewitt CJ, Hanga MP. Automation in cell and gene therapy manufacturing: from past to future. Biotechnol Lett 2019; 41:1245-1253. [PMID: 31541330 PMCID: PMC6811377 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-019-02732-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
As more and more cell and gene therapies are being developed and with the increasing number of regulatory approvals being obtained, there is an emerging and pressing need for industrial translation. Process efficiency, associated cost drivers and regulatory requirements are issues that need to be addressed before industrialisation of cell and gene therapies can be established. Automation has the potential to address these issues and pave the way towards commercialisation and mass production as it has been the case for 'classical' production industries. This review provides an insight into how automation can help address the manufacturing issues arising from the development of large-scale manufacturing processes for modern cell and gene therapy. The existing automated technologies with applicability in cell and gene therapy manufacturing are summarized and evaluated here.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B7 4ET, UK
| | - J Ochs
- Fraunhofer Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT, Steinbachstrasse 17, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - R H Schmitt
- Fraunhofer Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT, Steinbachstrasse 17, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - C J Hewitt
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B7 4ET, UK
| | - M P Hanga
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B7 4ET, UK.
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12
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Abstract
Background:
Within the healthcare industry, including the care of chronic wounds, the
challenge of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow. As such, there is a need to develop new
treatments that can reduce the bioburden in wounds.
Objective:
The present study is focused on the development of polyaniline (PANI) / chitosan (CH)
nanofibrous electrospun membranes and evaluates their antibacterial properties.
Methods:
To this end, experimental design was used to determine the electrospinning windows of
both pure chitosan and PANI/CH blends of different ratios (1:3, 3:5, 1:1). The effect of key environmental
and process parameters (relative humidity and applied voltage) was determined, as well as the
effect of the PANI/CH ratio in the blend and the molecular interactions between PANI and chitosan
that led to jet stability.
Results:
The nanofibrous mats were evaluated regarding their morphology and antibacterial effect
against model gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains, namely B. subtilis and E. coli. High
PANI content mats show increased bactericidal activity against both bacterial strains.
Conclusion:
The blend fibre membranes combine the materials’ respective properties, namely electrical
conductivity, biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. This study suggests that electrospun
PANI/CH membranes are promising candidates for healthcare applications, such as wound dressings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Moutsatsou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Coopman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Stella Georgiadou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
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Rallidis L, Kiouri E, Katsimardos A, Kotakos C, Drosatos A, Zolindaki M, Moutsatsou P, Iliodromitis E. P5552Prevalence of familial hypercholesterolaemia and familial combined hyperlipidaemia in very young survivors of myocardial infarction and association with the severity of atheromatus burden. Eur Heart J 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy566.p5552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L Rallidis
- Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - E Kiouri
- Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - C Kotakos
- 251 Air Force General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - A Drosatos
- Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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14
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Rallidis L, Panagiotakos D, Pavlakis G, Kotakos C, Liakos G, Moutsatsou P, Iliodromitis E. P641Lipoprotein (a) and premature myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx501.p641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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15
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Rallidis L, Triantafyllis A, Drosatos A, Katsimardos A, Kotakos C, Zolindaki M, Moutsatsou P, Iliodromitis E. P638Potential candidates for PCSK9 inhibitors among patients with stable coronary artery disease presumed to be on maximally tolerated hypolipidemic treatment. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx501.p638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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16
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Magnisali P, Chalioti MB, Livadara T, Mataragas M, Paliatsiou S, Malamitsi-Puchner A, Moutsatsou P. Simultaneous quantification of 17α-OH progesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, Δ4-androstenedione, cortisol and cortisone in newborn blood spots using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2011; 879:1565-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2011.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 03/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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17
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Kassi E, Moutsatsou P. Glucocorticoid receptor signaling and prostate cancer. Cancer Lett 2011; 302:1-10. [PMID: 21078539 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2010] [Revised: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 10/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are provided to hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients partly due to the inhibitory effects on adrenal androgen production acting as a pituitary suppressant. Nowadays, the combination of chemotherapy and dexamethasone is a standard treatment for HRPC patients while increasing evidence suggests that a lot of local tissue factors like growth factors, angiogenic/lymphogenic factors, apoptosis-related factors, cytokines related to the transition of prostate cancer from androgen dependence to hormone-refractory status, are among the targets of GR signaling. However, although glucocorticoids have been recognized to be one of a limited number of treatment options for HRPC, the molecular basis of GC-induced effects in prostate cancer remains poorly defined. In this review, we focus on how GCs induce effects via the GR-mediated transcriptional regulation of specific genes known to play key roles in cellular/tissue functions, including growth, apoptosis, inflammation, metastasis, differentiation, cell survival and angiogenesis. In our effort to unravel the molecular interplay of GR signaling with other signaling cascades prevalent in prostate cancer, we also include a detailed description of GR gene and protein structure/function and provide the knowledge gained recently into the mechanism(s) of the cross talk between GR and other signaling cascades via which GCs exert their multiple effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
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18
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Bei E, Salpeas V, Pappa D, Anagnostara C, Alevizos V, Moutsatsou P. Phosphorylation status of glucocorticoid receptor, heat shock protein 70, cytochrome c and Bax in lymphocytes of euthymic, depressed and manic bipolar patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009; 34:1162-75. [PMID: 19359101 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Revised: 03/05/2009] [Accepted: 03/07/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD), a severe mental illness, has been correlated with alterations in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling. Since it is phosphorylated GR that contributes to receptor function and determines its transcriptional activity, the Ser211 being a biomarker for activated GR in vivo, it is pertinent that we seek to determine the putative role of the total phosphorylation status of GR and site-specific phosphorylation at serine 211 (S211) in BD and their possible association with parameters of apoptosis. In lymphocytes from 48 BD patients under multiple psychotropic therapy and 20 healthy subjects, we measured whole cell GR, total GR phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of GR at serine 211 in nucleus, using immunoprecipitation, phosphospecific antibody and Western-blot analysis. Cytosolic cytochrome c and Bax and whole cell HSP70 were determined by immunoblot analysis. One-way ANOVA statistical analysis was carried out. Total phosphorylated GR was lower (P<0.001) while the GR S211 was higher (P<0.001) in all BD patients as compared to healthy subjects. HSP70 was reduced in euthymic (P<0.05), depressed (P<0.001) and manic (P<0.001) as compared to healthy subjects. Cytochrome c was higher in all-patient groups as compared to healthy subjects, however without reaching statistical significance (P>0.05). Bax levels were lower in the cytosolic fraction of all three BD groups. We provide the first evidence of altered GR phosphorylation joined with signs of apoptosis in lymphocytes of BD patients and suggest that the phosphorylation status of GR may play a role in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bei
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Goudi, GR 11527 Athens, Greece
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19
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Kassi E, Sourlingas TG, Spiliotaki M, Papoutsi Z, Pratsinis H, Aligiannis N, Moutsatsou P. Ursolic acid triggers apoptosis and Bcl-2 downregulation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cancer Invest 2009; 27:723-33. [PMID: 19440893 DOI: 10.1080/07357900802672712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this report we determine the ability of ursolic acid (UA) to induce apoptosis and to modulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) in MCF-7 cells. The UA-induced apoptosis (53 microM), the PARP cleavage, and the decrease in Bcl-2 protein (53 microM) support the notion that UA induces apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. UA binds GR (relative binding affinity: 2.57) and translocates GR into nucleus, suggesting its potential as a GR modulator. UA had no effect on GRE- or TRE-driven gene expression. In summary, UA is a GR modulator and may be considered as a potential anticancer agent in breast cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/pathology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Binding, Competitive
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor/pathology
- Dexamethasone/pharmacology
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Genes, bcl-2
- HeLa Cells/drug effects
- HeLa Cells/metabolism
- HeLa Cells/pathology
- Humans
- Mifepristone/pharmacology
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/drug effects
- Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Triamcinolone/pharmacology
- Triterpenes/pharmacology
- Ursolic Acid
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kassi
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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20
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Kassi E, Papoutsi Z, Pratsinis H, Aligiannis N, Manoussakis M, Moutsatsou P. Ursolic acid, a naturally occurring triterpenoid, demonstrates anticancer activity on human prostate cancer cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2007; 133:493-500. [PMID: 17516089 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-007-0193-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2005] [Accepted: 01/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glucocorticoids are widely used as adjuvant therapy in hormonal refractory prostate cancer; their therapeutic role, however, remains unclear. Ursolic acid, a natural triterpene, structurally similar to dexamethasone, exhibits antitumor effects in various cell types. Our main objective was to investigate the effects of ursolic acid on cell viability, apoptosis and bcl-2 protein, in human hormone refractory and androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells. METHODS The ursolic acid-induced changes in cell viability, apoptosis and bcl-2 protein were examined in human hormone refractory prostate cancer PC-3 cells and androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, by MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS Ursolic acid inhibited significantly the cell viability and induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells at 55 microM and in LNCaP cells at 45 microM associated with a downregulation of bcl-2 protein. CONCLUSIONS The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of ursolic acid in PC-3 and LNCaP cells implicate its potential therapeutic use for the treatment of hormone refractory and androgen-sensitive prostate cancer. The downregulation of bcl-2 may be one of the molecular mechanisms via which it induces apoptosis in PC-3 and LNCaP cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece
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21
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Papoutsi Z, Kassi E, Halabalaki M, Mitakou S, Moutsatsou P. Evaluation of estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of Onobrychis ebenoides extract – Interaction with estrogen receptor subtypes ERα and ERβ. Toxicol In Vitro 2007; 21:364-70. [PMID: 17092687 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2006.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2006] [Revised: 09/11/2006] [Accepted: 09/14/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A protective effect of plant extract from Onobrychis ebenoides on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats has been shown. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that underly the beneficial effect of O. ebenoides (Onb) on bone loss, we studied its potential to activate ER subtypes (ERalpha and ERbeta) on transiently transfected HeLa cells with HO-hERalpha or pSG5-hERbeta and 3xERE-TATA-Luc expression vectors. Its impact to stimulate differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts (KS483 cell line) by Alizarin Red-S staining was also examined. Furthermore we sought to induce for its potential the IGFBP3, a known estrogen-dependent marker in MCF7 breast cancer cells. 17beta-Estradiol and the pure antiestrogen ICI182780 were included to serve as control samples of the estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity respectively. Our data revealed: (1) Onb extract displayed a significant estrogenic activity on both ERalpha and ERbeta subtypes. (2) It exhibited direct action on osteoblasts by inducing mineralization. (3) It showed estrogenic activity in MCF7 cells. These findings suggest that the beneficial effect of Onb extract on bone loss is mediated through an estrogen-like action via activation of ERalpha-ERE and ERbeta-ERE pathways and via direct action on the mineralization process of osteoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Papoutsi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens 75, Mikras Asias Str, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece
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22
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Spiliotaki M, Salpeas V, Malitas P, Alevizos V, Moutsatsou P. Altered glucocorticoid receptor signaling cascade in lymphocytes of bipolar disorder patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006; 31:748-60. [PMID: 16621324 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2005] [Revised: 02/20/2006] [Accepted: 02/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, glucocorticoid insensitivity and alterations in serotonin and inflammatory mediators. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) regulate the above mentioned processes; we therefore assessed their role in BD. Fifteen bipolar depressed patients under multiple anti-depressant therapy, 15 bipolar euthymics under lithium monotherapy and 25 matched controls were studied. Whole cell and nuclear extracts from lymphocytes were immunoblotted for GR, c-fos, JNK and NF-kappaB and nuclear aliquots were submitted to electrophoretic mobility shift assay for GR, AP-1 and NF-kappaB. Associations with the anti-depressant therapy and the state of the disease were also sought. Results, expressed as percentage of pooled protein standard sample intergraded optical density (IOD) (mean +/- SD), revealed: (a) depressed patients had significantly higher GR levels than controls in whole cell (82.63 +/- 6.18 versus 76.27 +/- 4.21%, P < 0.01) and nuclear extracts (86.66 +/- 3.81 versus 81.72 +/- 2.71%, P < 0.001) but lower GR-DNA binding (68.75 +/- 7.91 versus 81.84 +/- 4.25%, P < 0.05). Euthymics had normalized whole cell GR content (73.64 +/- 5.95%) and GR-DNA binding activity (76.82 +/- 7.29%) but higher nuclear GR content (86.89+/-3.96%, P<0.01) than controls; (b) nuclear c-fos content and AP-1-DNA-binding were significantly lower in depressed patients than controls (80.49 +/- 2.03 versus 84.82 +/- 3.48%, P < 0.05 and 78.46 +/- 4.17 versus 84.80 +/- 5.79%, P < 0.05, respectively). Euthymics however, showed similar nuclear c-fos and AP-1-DNA-binding to controls (85.48 +/- 2.71 and 87.78 +/- 3.54%, respectively) but lower whole cell c-fos than in controls (81.18 +/- 3.87 versus 87.01 +/- 4.22%, P < 0.001); (c) depressed patients had significantly lower whole cell and nuclear JNK than controls (67.01 +/- 4.29 versus 72.00 +/- 3.68%, P < 0.05 and 80.10 +/- 2.53 versus 86.96 +/- 2.49%, P < 0.001) whereas euthymics showed lower nuclear JNK (83.27 +/- 1.93%, P < 0.01); (d) whole cell NF-kB was higher in the depressed patients than in controls (67.30 +/- 5.00 versus 63.63 +/- 3.3%, P < 0.05). Concluding, intracellular signaling of GR, AP-1 and JNK are altered in BD and may underly disease aetiopathogenesis and/or reflect the effect of the anti-depressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Spiliotaki
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias street, Goudi, GR 11527 Athens, Attiki, Greece
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23
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Dontas I, Halabalaki M, Moutsatsou P, Mitakou S, Papoutsi Z, Khaldi L, Galanos A, Lyritis GP. Protective effect of plant extract from Onobrychis ebenoides on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. Maturitas 2006; 53:234-42. [PMID: 15979258 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2005.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2004] [Revised: 04/26/2005] [Accepted: 05/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Certain plant extracts have been the object of recent studies due to their mild estrogenic action and their possible potential role in osteoporosis prevention and/or treatment. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effect of the aqueous solution of the plant Onobrychis ebenoides, with proven in vitro mild estrogenic action, on bone mass loss of the ovariectomized (Ovx) rat experimental model of osteoporosis. METHODS Forty intact female mature (10-month-old) Wistar rats were separated into three groups: Ovx, Ovx plus plant extract (Ph) and sham-operated (control). Ph administration in the drinking water at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight/day commenced immediately after Ovx. Bone mineral density (BMD) values, percentage change from the baseline measurement and histomorphometry of the tibia, as well as body and uterine weight, were examined and compared between groups. RESULTS Comparison of BMD absolute values of the whole tibia of Ovx + Ph and Ovx animals at both 3 and 6 months post-Ovx were highly significant (p < 0.0005), showing a protective effect on treated animals. The extract did not appear to have such a beneficial effect on BMD of the proximal tibia of the treated animals compared to the Ovx animals after 3 months; however, a significant protective effect was observed at 6 months post-Ovx in treated animals compared to the Ovx (p = 0.015). When the % changes from baseline measurement of the whole tibia of Ovx + Ph and controls were compared, there was no significant difference at 3 or 6 months, demonstrating a highly protective effect; the respective comparisons of proximal tibia % changes did not display such protection. Body and uterine weight comparisons showed no significant difference between Ovx and treated rats, whereas, the level of significance for each group compared to controls was p < 0.0005. CONCLUSIONS The Ph studied showed a highly significant protective effect on BMD of the whole tibia of Ovx rats after 3 and 6 months of treatment, compared to the non-treated animals. Its effect on the proximal tibia was less pronounced, but also statistically significant compared to non-treated rats after 6 months. The lack of significant effect on body and uterine weight is in favor of its selective estrogen receptor modulator-like activity, and merits further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Dontas
- Laboratory for the Research of the Musculoskeletal System, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
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24
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Kassi E, Vlachoyiannopoulos PG, Kominakis A, Kiaris H, Moutsopoulos HM, Moutsatsou P. Estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus: a possible risk? Lupus 2005; 14:391-8. [PMID: 15934440 DOI: 10.1191/0961203305lu2104oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens and their receptors may play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Genetic alterations in the exon 8-coding region of the estrogen receptor alpha alter the intracellular signalling of estrogens, leading in enhanced or diminished activity. We investigated whether genetic alterations in exon 8 of ERalpha gene are associated with the occurrence and clinical features of lupus disease. The coding region of ERalpha exon 8 was subjected to mutation analysis using the polymerase chain reaction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequence analysis, using DNA isolated from whole blood of 36 female patients and 38 healthy females. Clinical and laboratory parameters were available from the patients' files. We identified the codon 594 polymorphism either in homozygous for the wild type gene (ACG/ACG) or heterozygous (ACG/ACA), both in patients and healthy females. Statistical analysis of the genotype and allele distribution revealed that there was a significant difference (chi2 test, P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively) between patients and healthy women. Odds ratio estimate revealed that carriers of ACG/ACA genotype have three-fold higher risk of developing lupus disease (OR = 3.129, 95% CI 1.181-8.292). Moreover, in patients the heterozygous genotype was associated with rash, mouth ulcers and serositis (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.055, P = 0.083, P = 0.065, respectively). The heterozygous patients were associated significantly with an early age at disease onset (ANOVA test, P < 0.05). We conclude that estrogen receptor alpha codon 594 genotype may influence the development of systemic lupus erythematosus at a younger age, as well as a certain disease clinical pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
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25
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Fountas L, Anapliotou M, Kominakis A, Sekeris CE, Kassi E, Moutsatsou P. Estrogen receptor alpha gene analysis in osteoporosis and familial osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 2004; 15:948-56. [PMID: 15258723 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-004-1654-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2003] [Accepted: 04/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens are important determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) mediating their effects via estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta). The strong genetic predisposition to osteoporosis, and the fact that alterations in the aminoterminal region of ERalpha have been linked to bone disturbances, prompted us to identify genetic alterations in exon 1 and exon 2 of ERalpha in osteoporotic individuals. Sixty-two unrelated normal subjects (age 46.1+/-9.5 years) and 72 unrelated osteoporotic subjects (age 52.3+/-7.9 years) were studied. Their menopausal status was pre- and perimenopausal. We also included 30 related osteoporotic individuals (mother-daughter or sister-sister relationship) (age 46.2+/-12.8 years) belonging to 14 families who where also pre- and perimenopausal. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, exons 1 and 2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were further submitted to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis. Bone turnover markers were also determined. Two polymorphisms were identified in exon 1 (codons 10 and 87) in both normal and osteoporotic women. Statistical analysis revealed no difference (P>0.05) in the ERalpha genotype frequencies within osteoporotic families as compared with the same genotypes in the unrelated normal or osteoporotic subjects. Codon 10, codon 87 polymorphisms were not related to BMD or bone turnover markers. No other mutations were found in exons 1 and 2 in all subjects studied. Genetic alterations in exons 1 and 2 of ERalpha are not associated to osteoporosis and familial osteoporosis. Moreover, the codon 10 and codon 87 polymorphisms do not seem to be correlated with BMD and bone turnover markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fountas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street Goudi, 115 27 Athens, Greece
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26
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Abstract
Receptor proteins for estrogens, progesterone, androgens, and glucocorticoids have been detected in the various cell types of the uterus. Reference is made to the genes encoding these receptors, to the structure of the receptor proteins, and their functional domains. The mode of action of steroid hormones by gene activation, through their cognate receptors, and by nongenomic effects is briefly presented. The role of the steroid receptors in uterine physiology and the significance of the use of steroid receptor knock-out animals in delineating the in vivo action of the hormones is discussed. Recent results on the possible correlation of steroid receptor gene polymorphisms and of quantitative and qualitative changes in the receptor proteins to the etiopathology of endometriosis are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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27
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Kassi E, Moutsatsou P, Sekeris CE, Moutsopoulos HM, Manoussakis MN. Oestrogen receptors in cultured epithelial cells from salivary glands of Sjogren's syndrome patients. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2003; 42:1120-2. [PMID: 12923274 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keg290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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28
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Douroudis K, Tarassi K, Ioannidis G, Giannakopoulos F, Moutsatsou P, Thalassinos N, Papasteriades C. Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density in postmenopausal women of Hellenic origin. Maturitas 2003; 45:191-7. [PMID: 12818464 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5122(03)00148-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There are numerous indications that genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, a common condition characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been suggested as a possible candidate gene for the regulation of bone mass but the relationship between VDR polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD) is controversial and has not been confirmed by all workers in different ethnic groups studied. METHODS In order to evaluate the contribution of the VDR alleles in bone mass loss, the BsmI, ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms in the VDR gene were studied in 126 postmenopausal women. RESULTS It was found that the bb, aa and TT genotypes and the bAT and baT haplotypes were associated with a lower BMD measured at the forearm. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis reveals a significant association between VDR gene alleles and bone mass in the population studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Douroudis
- Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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29
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Tsolakidou AF, Coulocheri SA, Sekeris CE, Moutsatsou P. Mutation detection of the human glucocorticoid receptor alpha gene area coding for the hormone-binding domain by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. J Biochem Biophys Methods 2002; 51:233-41. [PMID: 12088883 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-022x(02)00012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the hormone-binding domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor alpha (hGRalpha) gene have been detected in a variety of glucocorticoid resistance syndromes. Using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique, we developed a sensitive method for the detection of alterations in the gene area coding for the whole hormone-binding domain and part of the DNA-binding domain of the hGRalpha. This method can be applied for screening of glucocorticoid receptor gene alterations in glucocorticoid-dependent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Tsolakidou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 75, Mikras Asias Str., GR-115 27, Athens, Greece
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30
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Kasiotis KM, Magiatis P, Pratsinis H, Skaltsounis A, Abadji V, Charalambous A, Moutsatsou P, Haroutounian SA. Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel daunorubicin-estrogen conjugates. Steroids 2001; 66:785-91. [PMID: 11522342 DOI: 10.1016/s0039-128x(01)00110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of two novel daunorubicin-estrogen conjugates with a steroidal and a non-steroidal ligand was undertaken in an attempt to target the cytotoxicity of anthracycline to estrogen-receptor positive cells. These conjugates (3 and 4), in contrast to their corresponding ligands, displayed weak binding affinities of 0.079 and 0.851 for the estrogen receptor. Conjugate 3 was consistently more cytotoxic than 4, which however showed some selectivity to estrogen receptor positive cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Kasiotis
- Chemistry Lab., Agric. University of Athens, Iera odos 75, 11855, Athens, Greece
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Malamitsi-Puchner A, Tziotis J, Evangelopoulos D, Fountas L, Vlachos G, Creatsas G, Sekeris CE, Moutsatsou P. Gene analysis of the N-terminal region of the estrogen receptor alpha in preeclampsia. Steroids 2001; 66:695-700. [PMID: 11546557 DOI: 10.1016/s0039-128x(01)00101-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the NH(2)-terminal region of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) gene expressed in placental bed tissue may be implicated in the development of preeclampsia, the pathogenesis of which involves the spiral arteries. Therefore, mutations and polymorphisms on exons 1 and 2 of the gene encoding ERalpha were studied. Placental bed biopsies were taken from 20 healthy, normotensive pregnant women and 16 preeclamptic patients. DNA was extracted from the tissue and exon 1 and exon 2 were amplified by PCR prior to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis or to single stranded conformational polymorphism analysis. In exon 1, a codon 10 polymorphism, either homozygous for the wild type gene, homozygous for the mutant type gene, or heterozygous, was revealed in both patients and healthy individuals. A codon 87 polymorphism, homozygous for the wild type gene, was detected in both groups. No mutations or polymorphisms were found in exon 2. The allele distribution for either codon 10 or 87 between patients and healthy individuals showed no significant differences. In conclusion, genetic alterations in the NH(2)-terminal region of the ERalpha molecule are not correlated with preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Malamitsi-Puchner
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Moutsatsou P, Psarra AM, Tsiapara A, Paraskevakou H, Davaris P, Sekeris CE. Localization of the Glucocorticoid Receptor in Rat Brain Mitochondria. Arch Biochem Biophys 2001; 386:69-78. [PMID: 11361002 DOI: 10.1006/abbi.2000.2162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of glucocorticoid receptor in subcellular fractions of brain cortex and hippocampus, two regions rich in glucocorticoid receptor, has revealed its presence in nuclei, cytosol, mitochondria, synaptosomes, and synaptosomal mitochondria. The identification of glucocorticoid receptor has been accomplished both by Western blotting using antibodies recognizing the carboxy and the amino terminus of the glucocorticoid receptor and by immunogold electron microscopy using the same anti-glucocorticoid receptor antibodies. Antibody-glucocorticoid receptor interaction is abolished by preincubation of each antibody with its competing peptide. In addition to the intact 95-kDa glucocorticoid receptor in all fractions, lower molecular weight glucocorticoid receptor fragments have been also detected by Western blotting. The presence of glucocorticoid receptor in brain mitochondria supports the concept of a direct action of glucocorticoids on mitochondrial gene transcription, parallel to the established primary actions of the hormones on nuclear gene transcription, as a mechanism of coordinate regulation of respiratory enzyme biosynthesis by steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece.
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33
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we identified estrogen receptor ERa, ERb and ERa variant transcripts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Exon 1 and 2 of ERa gene was subjected to mutation analysis to assess whether possible nucleotide alterations are linked to the disease. METHODS The whole coding sequence of ERa was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cDNA sequencing in PBMC prepared from 19 SLE patients and 12 healthy females. ERa exon 1 and exon 2 were subjected to mutation analysis using DNA isolated from whole blood of 21 SLE patients and 29 healthy females. The aminoterminal coding sequence of ERb was also analysed by RT-PCR. RESULTS Wild type ERa and ERa splicing variants with deletions in exons 2, 5 and 7 were detected both in healthy individuals and in SLE patients, with no qualitative difference in their expression among the two populations. In ERa exon 1, the polymorphisms identified codon 10 and codon 87, both in patients and in healthy individuals who were not associated with the disease. No other mutations were present in ERa exon 1 or ERa exon 2 in all subjects studied. ERb was expressed in both populations. CONCLUSION PBMC of SLE patients express wild type ERa, ERb and the same ERa variants as do healthy individuals. Genetic alterations in exon 1 and exon 2 of the ERa gene are not linked with SLE disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Kassi
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
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Halabalaki M, Aligiannis N, Papoutsi Z, Mitakou S, Moutsatsou P, Sekeris C, Skaltsounis AL. Three new arylobenzofurans from Onobrychis ebenoides and evaluation of their binding affinity for the estrogen receptor. J Nat Prod 2000; 63:1672-1674. [PMID: 11141112 DOI: 10.1021/np000071b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Three new 2-phenyl-benzofurans, ebenfuran I, ebenfuran II, and ebenfuran III, were isolated from Onobrychis ebenoides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral data as 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-benzofuran (1), 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-formyl-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-benzofuran (2), and 2-(2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-formyl-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5-(3-methyl-buten- 2-y l)-benzofuran (3). The affinity of these compounds for the estrogen receptor was studied using a receptor-binding assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Halabalaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
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Abstract
The secretion of cortisol, a principle homeostatic regulator in humans, shows a circadian rhythm, with high concentrations in the morning and low levels in the evening and at night. Tissue response to hormones is dependent on hormone concentrations but also on a variety of cellular factors, such as hormone receptors, transcription factors, and activators. In this report, we evaluated whether cell sensitivity to glucocorticoids (GCs) is also subject to diurnal variation using a whole cell system (whole blood samples) stimulated by lipopolysacharide to induce the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha); the induction of TNF-alpha is inhibited by dexamethasone. Blood samples obtained in the morning (08.30-09.00 h) and in the evening (22.30-23.00 h) from 37 healthy individuals (18 males, 19 females) aged 29+/-3 years were treated with lipopolysacharide in the presence or absence of 10(-6) M dexamethasone, and the percentage of inhibition of TNF-alpha production was used as an index of sensitivity to GCs. The mean +/- SD in morning samples was 43.5+/-13.8% for the general population, 42.3+/-14.0% for males and 44.6+/-13.8% for females, whereas that in the evening samples was 36.5+/-15.7%, 35.6+/-13.8% and 37.4+/-17.7%, respectively. The results support a significantly increased sensitivity to GCs in the morning hours compared with that in the evening in the general population (P<0.001) as well as in males (P<0.001) and in females (P<0.001). No sex related differences in sensitivity to GCs were observed in the morning or in the evening hours. The sensitive and reproducible assay utilized in this study could also be used to investigate the sensitivity to GCs in various diseases characterized by resistance to GCs and/or alterations in glucocorticoid receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Gratsias
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens, Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias str., GR-115 27, Athens, Greece
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Moutsatsou P, Liakou K, Breen K, Cuckle H. Serum expression of sialyltransferase in normal and Down's syndrome-affected pregnancy. Ann Clin Biochem 2000; 37 ( Pt 4):507-11. [PMID: 10902868 DOI: 10.1177/000456320003700412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has been used as a serum biochemical marker of Down's syndrome (DS) pregnancies, and recent studies have reported an increase in a hyperglycosylated form of the protein associated with DS. In the present study, the activity of the combined soluble serum sialyltransferase (ST) enzymes was examined as a potential marker for the hyperglycosylated form of hCG. There were no changes in total ST activity during the course of the pregnancy in normal mothers and there was no difference in enzyme activity in the DS pregnancies when compared with controls. These results suggest that, although there may be an alteration in the activities of one or more of the glycosyltransferase enzymes in the placenta resulting in an alteration in hCG glycosylation, this is not reflected in the serum soluble enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens, Medical School, Greece.
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37
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Moutsatsou P, Kazazoglou T, Fleischer-Lambropoulos H, Psarra AM, Tsiapara A, Sekeris CE, Stefanis C, Vernadakis A. Expression of the glucocorticoid receptor in early and late passage C-6 glioma cells and in normal astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres. Int J Dev Neurosci 2000; 18:329-35. [PMID: 10715588 DOI: 10.1016/s0736-5748(99)00102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of the glucocorticoid receptor in early and late passage C-6 glioma cells 2B clone and in astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres has been documented by immunoblotting and/or immunofluorescence labelling. All cell types studied express the glucocorticoid receptor of molecular weight 97 KDa. In addition, in astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres a smaller molecular weight polypeptide reacting with anti-glucocorticoid receptor antibody was also demonstrated. No difference in the amount of the 97 KDa glucocorticoid receptor between early and late C-6 2B cells was observed, whereas the astrocytes from aged cerebral hemispheres contained considerably reduced amounts of the glucocorticoid receptor compared to C-6 2B cells. Late passage C-6 2B cells were immunofluorescence labelled with the anti-glucocorticoid antibody, the receptor being almost exclusively present in the cytoplasm, with particular concentration in the perinuclear region. The presence of glucocorticoid receptor of molecular weight 97 KDa in glial cells corroborates and expands the existing data based on radioligand binding and immunocytochemical studies. These cell populations can be exploited as a model system for the study of the effects of glucocorticoids on senescence and brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, GR-115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece
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Abstract
The periodically hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in bipolar affective disorders, as well as the reported changes in the binding characteristics of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), suggest the possible involvement of the GR in the aetiopathology of this disease. This was investigated by screening the coding sequences of both GR isoforms, GRalpha and GRbeta, for the presence of mutations. As a genetic predisposition has been implicated, we included in this study bipolar patients who were siblings. By RT-PCR of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients suffering from bipolar illness, using primers spanning the whole length of the GRalpha and GRbeta coding region and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis, heteroduplex and sequence analyses, no GR mutations could be detected. Since glucocorticoid receptor activity can be modulated by agents other than the respective ligand (eg by growth factors, cytokines and stress signals), our results favor derangements in the modulation of GR activity by such agents and not in the primary structure of the receptor as aetiopathologic factors of bipolar disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias Str, GR-115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece
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Moutsatsou P, Fountas L, Coulocheri S, Kassi E, Sekeris CE. The oestrogen receptor codon 10 polymorphism detected in breast cancer is also present in non-malignant cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1999; 125:214-8. [PMID: 10235476 DOI: 10.1007/s004320050265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The effect of oestrogens on oestrogen-receptive organs and cells is mediated via intracellular receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta). Oestrogen receptor gene polymorphisms in the region encoding the N-terminal portion of the protein are reportedly associated with pathological conditions including breast cancer, hypertension, spontaneous abortion and coronary heart disease. A silent mutation in codon 10 of exon 1, detected in ER-negative and ER-positive human breast cancer cell lines, in breast tumors and blood DNA from breast cancer patients, has been recognized as a polymorphic site. In this study we examined, by denaturing gradient-gel electrophoresis and DNA sequence analysis, the possible presence of a codon 10 polymorphic site in normal oestrogen target organs and cells such as the uterus (myometrium and endometrium), in the placenta and peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in a benign uterus tumour (leiomyoma). We have detected ER codon 10 polymorphism in these samples and have compared them to those observed in breast cancer samples. All tissues and cells studied were homozygous for the wild-type gene, and were heterozygous as well as homozygous for the codon-10-variant type. These results indicate that the presence of the codon-10-variant type is not a characteristic of breast cancer. Out current findings suggest that further investigations are warranted to elucidate the possible linkage of ER codon 10 polymorphism to physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Greece
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40
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Fountas L, Moutsatsou P, Kastanias I, Tamouridis N, Tzanela M, Anapliotou M, Sekeris CE. The contribution of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in osteoporosis and familial osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 1999; 10:392-8. [PMID: 10591837 DOI: 10.1007/s001980050245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Previous reports have suggested that vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms, particularly the BB, tt and AA genotypes, are associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). If these VDR genotypes are indeed an important determinant of BMD, then a population of related osteoporotic individuals (mother-daughter or sister-sister relationship) should have a high prevalence of the BB, tt or AA VDR genotypes. To test this hypothesis we determined the VDR genotypes in 26 osteoporotic persons (age 44.3 +/- 12.7 years, mean +/- SD) belonging to 12 families. Furthermore, for comparison with existing studies, we applied the VDR genotype analysis in a population of 53 unrelated healthy subjects (age 45.2 +/- 9.8 years, mean +/- SD) and 59 unrelated osteoporotic subjects (age 52.1 +/- 9.0 years, mean +/- SD). The menopausal status of the healthy and osteoporotic populations was pre-, peri- and mostly early postmenopausal. The proportions of the three genotypes, BB, tt and AA, within the 12 osteoporotic families were 15%, 12% and 27%, respectively, whereas the proportions of the other three homozygous genotypes (bb, TT, aa) were 50%, 50% and 23%. The distribution of the BB, tt and AA genotypes in the normal population was 21%, 21% and 36%, respectively (vs bb, TT, aa: 36%, 38%, 21%), whereas in the osteoporotic population it was 24%, 20% and 34% (vs bb, TT, aa: 27%, 34%, 14%). Our data indicate that there is not a statistically significant (p>0.05) difference in the VDR genotype frequencies within osteoporotic families as compared with the same genotypes in the population of unrelated normal or osteoporotic subjects. VDR genotype analysis showed no significant relation between VDR polymorphisms and BMD or Z-score values at the lumbar spine. This study demonstrates the lack of a heritability pattern between the BB, tt and AA genotypes and low BMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fountas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National University of Athens, Greece
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41
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Moutsatsou P, Kassi E, Creatsas G, Coulocheri S, Scheller K, Sekeris CE. Detection of oestrogen receptor variants in endometrium, myometrium, leiomyoma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells: comparison to variants present in breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1998; 124:478-84. [PMID: 9808421 DOI: 10.1007/s004320050202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Oestradiol has mitogenic and regulatory effects on various organs and cells, mediated mainly by its nuclear receptor (ER). The presence of aberrant ER forms in Oestrogen-dependent tumours has been discussed in correlation with tumour progression. ER variants, generated by alternative splicing, have been detected in human breast cancer, but also in normal mammary glands, therefore their role in tumorigenesis has been questioned. We have investigated, by the use of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction amplification technique, the possible existence of ER variants in other normal oestrogen target organs and cells, such as uterus (myometrium and endometrium), in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in a benign uterus tumour (leiomyoma). We have detected variant ER in these samples and have compared the variant profile to that observed in breast cancer. All tissues and cells studied expressed both wild-type ER and variant species. Variant forms encompassed ER with deletions of exons 2, 5 and 7. Variants with exon 5 deleted were detected only in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in breast cancer. Variants with exons 2 and 7 deleted were present in all specimens tested. These results corroborate previous findings that the presence of ER variants is not a characteristic of breast cancer. The physiological significance and possible clinical relevance of the variant ER forms remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Greece
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Abstract
The endometrium, as a target of estrogens and progestins, possesses the respective receptor proteins. These receptors belong to the superfamily of nuclear receptors, having important functional domains required for steroid ligand binding, for dimer formation, for interaction with HREs of DNA, for transcription modulation, for association with other proteins, for intracellular trafficking, and other activities. The mechanism of action of the steroid hormones involves modulation of gene activity through interaction of the hormone-receptor complex with HREs and with other nuclear proteins, but also encompasses nongenomic effects, which accounts for the rapid effects of the steroids on cellular functions. Antihormones-antiestrogen and antiprogestins-compete with their respective hormones for binding sites on the receptor molecules. Some antihormones are partial agonists. The molecular mechanisms underlying the dual behavior of antihormones is under consideration. The concentration of ER and PR in different physiological and pathophysiological states, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and endometrial cancer, has been determined by biochemical and immuno(cyto)chemical methods. The levels of estrogens and progestins are important regulators of ER and PR gene expression. Estradiol acts as a cell mitogen, inducing key genes involved in replication, and its tumor promoter effect is discussed in this sense, whereas progesterone has reverse effects when compared to estradiol and acts as a differentiation factor. The cross-talk between the endocrine system, growth factors, and neurotransmitters can take place both at the receptor level, involving mainly phosphorylation reactions, and at the gene level, mainly through protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Moutsatsou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Greece
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