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Tong M, Scott JN, Whirledge SD, Abrahams VM. Decidualization dampens toll-like receptor mediated inflammatory responses in human endometrial stromal cells by upregulating IκBα. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 159:103988. [PMID: 37451159 PMCID: PMC10530124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103988] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) are the major cell type of the human endometrium and they undergo dramatic differentiation, termed decidualization, every month that enables them to be receptive to implantation. Appropriate decidualization and EnSC function is key for a successful pregnancy. EnSC function may be affected when the uterus is exposed to bacterial and viral infection. However, how human EnSCs respond to viral and bacterial components have not been well-studied and it remains unclear whether uterine innate immune responses change during decidualization. This study demonstrated that viral double-stranded RNA [Poly(I:C)] and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulated undecidualized human EnSC production of a large array of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and revealed that these immune responses were significantly dampened during decidualization in vitro and in vivo. This dampened response was associated with increased NFKBIA transcription during decidualization that leads to the accumulation of this negative regulator in decidualizing EnSCs that can bind to NFκB p65 and prevents its nuclear translocation and downstream Toll-like receptor signaling. These findings highlight that endometrial responses to infection may vary at different stages of the menstrual cycle which may be important for preparing the endometrium to support the growth of the semi-allogenic blastocyst. This work emphasizes the need to consider menstrual cycle stage, sex hormone levels and the differentiation status of cells when examining inflammatory responses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mancy Tong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Jacy N Scott
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shannon D Whirledge
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Vikki M Abrahams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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Oakley RH, Whirledge SD, Petrillo MG, Riddick NV, Xu X, Moy SS, Cidlowski JA. Combinatorial actions of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid stress hormone receptors are required for preventing neurodegeneration of the mouse hippocampus. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100369. [PMID: 34368410 PMCID: PMC8326231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress contributes to numerous human pathologies including cognition impairments and psychiatric disorders. Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones that activate two closely related nuclear receptors, the glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), that are both highly expressed in the hippocampus. To investigate potential combinatorial actions of hippocampal GR and MR, we developed mice with conditional knockout of both GR and MR in the hippocampus and compared them to their single knockout counterparts. Mice lacking MR alone or both GR and MR in the hippocampus exhibited altered expression of multiple CA2-specific neuronal markers and enhanced cue-dependent learning in a conditioned fear test. Provocatively, in contrast to the single knockouts, mice depleted of both GR and MR showed profound neurodegeneration of the hippocampus. Neuronal death was increased and neurogenesis was reduced in the dentate gyrus of the double knockout mice. Global gene expression assays of the knockout mice revealed a synergistic increase in the number of dysregulated genes in the hippocampus lacking both GR and MR. This large cohort of genes reliant on both GR and MR for expression was strongly associated with cell death and cell proliferation pathways. GR/MR complexes were detected in CA1 and dentate gyrus neurons suggesting receptor heterodimers contribute to the joint actions of GR and MR. These findings reveal an obligate role for MR signaling in regulating the molecular phenotype of CA2 neurons and demonstrate that combinatorial actions of GR and MR are essential for preserving dentate gyrus neurons and maintaining hippocampal health. New mouse model with double knockout of GR and MR in the hippocampus. Hippocampal MR signaling required for molecular phenotype of CA2 neurons. Combinatorial actions of hippocampal GR and MR prevent neurodegeneration. Large cohort of genes reliant on both hippocampal GR and MR for expression. GR/MR complexes detected in situ in CA1 and dentate gyrus neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Oakley
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Shannon D Whirledge
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Maria G Petrillo
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Natallia V Riddick
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- Laboratory of Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Sheryl S Moy
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - John A Cidlowski
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
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Tejos-Bravo M, Oakley RH, Whirledge SD, Corrales WA, Silva JP, García-Rojo G, Toledo J, Sanchez W, Román-Albasini L, Aliaga E, Aguayo F, Olave F, Maracaja-Coutinho V, Cidlowski JA, Fiedler JL. Deletion of hippocampal Glucocorticoid receptors unveils sex-biased microRNA expression and neuronal morphology alterations in mice. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100306. [PMID: 33665240 PMCID: PMC7906897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100306] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the brain have prompted many researchers to investigate the underlying molecular actors, such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). This nuclear receptor controls gene expression, including microRNAs (miRNAs), in non-neuronal cells. Here, we investigated sex-biased effects of GR on hippocampal miRNA expression and neuronal morphology by generating a neuron-specific GR knockout mouse (Emx1-Nr3c1−/−). The levels of 578 mature miRNAs were assessed using NanoString technology and, in contrast to males, female Emx1-Nr3c1−/− mice showed a substantially higher number of differentially expressed miRNAs, confirming a sex-biased effect of GR ablation. Based on bioinformatic analyses we identified several transcription factors potentially involved in miRNA regulation. Functional enrichment analyses of the miRNA-mRNA interactions revealed pathways related to neuronal arborization and both spine morphology and density in both sexes. Two recognized regulators of dendritic morphology, CAMKII-α and GSK-3β, increased their protein levels by GR ablation in female mice hippocampus, without changes in males. Additionally, sex-specific effects of GR deletion were observed on CA1 neuronal arborization and dendritic spine features. For instance, a reduced density of mushroom spines in apical dendrites was evidenced only in females, while a decreased length in basal dendrites was noted only in males. However, length and arborization of apical dendrites were reduced by GR ablation irrespective of the sex. Overall, our study provides new insights into the sex-biased GR actions, especially in terms of miRNAs expression and neuronal morphology in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Tejos-Bravo
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - Robert H Oakley
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Shannon D Whirledge
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Wladimir A Corrales
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan P Silva
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo García-Rojo
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile.,Carrera de Odontología. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
| | - Jorge Toledo
- Laboratory of Scientific Image Analysis (SCIAN-Lab), Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, 8380453, Chile
| | - Wendy Sanchez
- Laboratory of Scientific Image Analysis (SCIAN-Lab), Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, 8380453, Chile
| | - Luciano Román-Albasini
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esteban Aliaga
- Department of Kinesiology and the Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center (CINPSI-Neurocog), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Felipe Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Olave
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vinicius Maracaja-Coutinho
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases -ACCDiS. Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
| | - John A Cidlowski
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jenny L Fiedler
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, 8380492, Santiago, Chile
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Whirledge SD, Kisanga EP, Oakley RH, Cidlowski JA. Neonatal Genistein Exposure and Glucocorticoid Signaling in the Adult Mouse Uterus. Environ Health Perspect 2018; 126:047002. [PMID: 29624291 PMCID: PMC6071733 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female reproductive tract development is sensitive to the endocrine-disrupting potential of environmental estrogens. Early-life exposure to the dietary phytoestrogen genistein impairs fertility and persistently alters the transcriptome in the oviduct and uterus of rodents. Glucocorticoid signaling, which has recently been shown to be essential for normal fertility in the female mouse uterus, is antagonized by genistein. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to determine whether early-life exposure to genistein disrupts glucocorticoid signaling in the mouse uterus, which may contribute to infertility. METHODS Female C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to either 50 mg/kg per day genistein, 10 μg/kg per day estradiol, or vehicle (corn oil) on postnatal days 1-5 (PND1-5), and then treated with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex: 1 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) on PND5, at weaning on PND21, or as adults on PND56 following adrenalectomy and ovariectomy to evaluate glucocorticoid responsiveness. Uteri were isolated following treatment for gene expression or chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS Neonatal exposure to genistein altered the uterine transcriptome of adult mice and caused substantial changes to the transcriptional response to glucocorticoids. Although expression of the glucocorticoid receptor was not affected, genistein exposure disrupted glucocorticoid receptor recruitment to specific regulatory sites in target genes. Many genes involved in chromatin remodeling were dysregulated in genistein-exposed mice, suggesting that epigenetic reprograming may contribute to the altered glucocorticoid response of the uterus following early-life exposure to genistein. These changes affected the biological activity of glucocorticoids within the uterus, as glucocorticoids antagonized the proliferative effects of estradiol in the uterus of control mice but not genistein-exposed mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that disruption of glucocorticoid signaling due to early-life exposure to environmental estrogens may in part render the uterus unable to support implantation. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1575.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon D Whirledge
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Edwina P Kisanga
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Robert H Oakley
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - John A Cidlowski
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Whirledge SD, Garcia JM, Smith RG, Lamb DJ. Ghrelin partially protects against cisplatin-induced male murine gonadal toxicity in a GHSR-1a-dependent manner. Biol Reprod 2015; 92:76. [PMID: 25631345 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.123570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin causes a number of dose-dependent side effects, including cachexia and testicular damage. Patients receiving a high cumulative dose of cisplatin may develop permanent azoospermia and subsequent infertility. Thus, the development of chemotherapeutic regimens with the optimal postsurvival quality of life (fertility) is of high importance. This study tested the hypothesis that ghrelin administration can prevent or minimize cisplatin-induced testicular damage and cachexia. Ghrelin and its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a), are expressed and function in the testis. Targeted deletion of ghrelin, or its receptor, significantly increases the rate of cell death in the testis, suggesting a protective role. Intraperitoneal administration of vehicle, ghrelin, or cisplatin alone or in combination with ghrelin, in cycles of 9 or 18 days, to adult male C57Bl/6 mice was performed. Body weight was measured daily and testicular and epididymal weight, sperm density and motility, testicular histology, and testicular cell death were analyzed at the time of euthanization. Ghrelin coadministration decreased the severity of cisplatin-induced cachexia and gonadal toxicity. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights significantly increased as testicular cell death decreased with ghrelin coadministration. The widespread damage to the seminiferous epithelium induced by cisplatin administration was less severe in mice simultaneously treated with ghrelin. Furthermore, ghrelin diminished the deleterious effects of cisplatin on testis and body weight homeostasis in wild-type but not Ghsr(-/-) mice, showing that ghrelin's actions are mediated via GHSR. Ghrelin or more stable GHSR agonists potentially offer a novel therapeutic approach to minimize the testicular damage that occurs after gonadotoxin exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon D Whirledge
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jose M Garcia
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Roy G Smith
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Dolores J Lamb
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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