1
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Thomas PB, Alinezhad S, Joshi A, Sweeney K, Tse BWC, Tevz G, McPherson S, Nelson CC, Williams ED, Vela I. Introduction of Androgen Receptor Targeting shRNA Inhibits Tumor Growth in Patient-Derived Prostate Cancer Xenografts. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:9437-9447. [PMID: 37999103 PMCID: PMC10670201 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30110683] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models have been established as important preclinical cancer models, overcoming some of the limitations associated with the use of cancer cell lines. The utility of prostate cancer PDX models has been limited by an inability to genetically manipulate them in vivo and difficulties sustaining PDX-derived cancer cells in culture. Viable, short-term propagation of PDX models would allow in vitro transfection with traceable reporters or manipulation of gene expression relevant to different studies within the prostate cancer field. Here, we report an organoid culture system that supports the growth of prostate cancer PDX cells in vitro and permits genetic manipulation, substantially increasing the scope to use PDXs to study the pathobiology of prostate cancer and define potential therapeutic targets. We have established a short-term PDX-derived in vitro cell culture system which enables genetic manipulation of prostate cancer PDXs LuCaP35 and BM18. Genetically manipulated cells could be re-established as viable xenografts when re-implanted subcutaneously in immunocompromised mice and were able to be serially passaged. Tumor growth of the androgen-dependent LuCaP35 PDX was significantly inhibited following depletion of the androgen receptor (AR) in vivo. Taken together, this system provides a method to generate novel preclinical models to assess the impact of controlled genetic perturbations and allows for targeting specific genes of interest in the complex biological setting of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B. Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Saeid Alinezhad
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Andre Joshi
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Katrina Sweeney
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Brian W. C. Tse
- Preclinical Imaging Facility, Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Gregor Tevz
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Stephen McPherson
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Colleen C. Nelson
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Elizabeth D. Williams
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Ian Vela
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
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2
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Feng M, Divall S, Jones D, Ubba V, Fu X, Yang L, Wang H, Yang X, Wu S. Comparison of Reproductive Function Between Normal and Hyperandrogenemia Conditions in Female Mice With Deletion of Hepatic Androgen Receptor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:868572. [PMID: 35757434 PMCID: PMC9218244 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.868572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity, altered glucose homeostasis, hyperinsulinism, and reproductive dysfunction develops in female humans and mammals with hyperandrogenism. We previously reported that low dose dihydrotestosterone (DHT) administration results in metabolic and reproductive dysfunction in the absence of obesity in female mice, and conditional knock-out of the androgen receptor (Ar) in the liver (LivARKO) protects female mice from DHT-induced glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. Since altered metabolic function will regulate reproduction, and liver plays a pivotal role in the reversible regulation of reproductive function, we sought to determine the reproductive phenotype of LivARKO mice under normal and hyperandrogenemic conditions. Using Cre/Lox technology, we deleted the Ar in the liver, and we observed LivARKO female mice have normal puberty timing, cyclicity and reproductive function. After DHT treatment, like control mice, LivARKO experience altered estrous cycling, reduced numbers of corpus lutea, and infertility. Liver Ar is not involved in hyperandrogenemia-induced reproductive dysfunction. The reproductive dysfunction in the DHT-treated LivARKO lean females with normal glucose homeostasis indicates that androgen-induced reproductive dysfunction is independent from metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiao Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sara Divall
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle’s Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Dustin Jones
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vaibhave Ubba
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences/Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiaomin Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences/Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences/Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sheng Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences/Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Sheng Wu,
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3
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Chen YH, Chen YC, Hwang LL, Yang LY, Lu DY. Deficiency in Androgen Receptor Aggravates Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Pathophysiology and Motor Deficits in Mice. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26206250. [PMID: 34684832 PMCID: PMC8537172 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens have been shown to have a beneficial effect on brain injury and lower reactive astrocyte expression after TBI. Androgen receptors (ARs) are known to mediate the neuroprotective effects of androgens. However, whether ARs play a crucial role in TBI remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of ARs in TBI pathophysiology, using AR knockout (ARKO) mice. We used the controlled cortical impact model to produce primary and mechanical brain injuries and assessed motor function and brain-lesion volume. In addition, the AR knockout effects on necrosis and autophagy were evaluated after TBI. AR knockout significantly increased TBI-induced expression of the necrosis marker alpha-II-spectrin breakdown product 150 and astrogliosis marker glial fibrillary acidic protein. In addition, the TBI-induced astrogliosis increase in ARKO mice lasted for three weeks after a TBI. The autophagy marker Beclin-1 was also enhanced in ARKO mice compared with wild-type mice after TBI. Our results also indicated that ARKO mice showed a more unsatisfactory performance than wild-type mice in a motor function test following TBI. Further, they were observed to have more severe lesions than wild-type mice after injury. These findings strongly suggest that ARs play a role in TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsin Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.C.); (L.-L.H.)
| | - Yen-Chou Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.C.); (L.-L.H.)
| | - Ling-Ling Hwang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.C.); (L.-L.H.)
| | - Liang-Yo Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Laboratory of Neural Repair, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-Y.Y.); (D.-Y.L.); Tel.: +886-422-053-366 (ext. 1615) (L.-Y.Y.); +886-422-053-366 (ext. 2253) (D.-Y.L.)
| | - Dah-Yuu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan
- Department of Photonics and Communication Engineering, Asia University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-Y.Y.); (D.-Y.L.); Tel.: +886-422-053-366 (ext. 1615) (L.-Y.Y.); +886-422-053-366 (ext. 2253) (D.-Y.L.)
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4
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Lantero Rodriguez M, Schilperoort M, Johansson I, Svedlund Eriksson E, Palsdottir V, Kroon J, Henricsson M, Kooijman S, Ericson M, Borén J, Ohlsson C, Jansson JO, Levin MC, Rensen PCN, Tivesten Å. Testosterone reduces metabolic brown fat activity in male mice. J Endocrinol 2021; 251:83-96. [PMID: 34370693 DOI: 10.1530/joe-20-0263] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) burns substantial amounts of mainly lipids to produce heat. Some studies indicate that BAT activity and core body temperature are lower in males than females. Here we investigated the role of testosterone and its receptor (the androgen receptor; AR) in metabolic BAT activity in male mice. Castration, which renders mice testosterone deficient, slightly promoted the expression of thermogenic markers in BAT, decreased BAT lipid content, and increased basal lipolysis in isolated brown adipocytes. Further, castration increased the core body temperature. Triglyceride-derived fatty acid uptake, a proxy for metabolic BAT activity in vivo, was strongly increased in BAT from castrated mice (4.5-fold increase vs sham-castrated mice) and testosterone replacement reversed the castration-induced increase in metabolic BAT activity. BAT-specific AR deficiency did not mimic the castration effects in vivo and AR agonist treatment did not diminish the activity of cultured brown adipocytes in vitro, suggesting that androgens do not modulate BAT activity via a direct, AR-mediated pathway. In conclusion, testosterone is a negative regulator of metabolic BAT activity in male mice. Our findings provide new insight into the metabolic actions of testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lantero Rodriguez
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maaike Schilperoort
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Inger Johansson
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Svedlund Eriksson
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vilborg Palsdottir
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcus Henricsson
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sander Kooijman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mia Ericson
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan Borén
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Center for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - John-Olov Jansson
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin C Levin
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Åsa Tivesten
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Cara AL, Myers MG, Elias CF. Lack of AR in LepRb Cells Disrupts Ambulatory Activity and Neuroendocrine Axes in a Sex-Specific Manner in Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa110. [PMID: 32609838 PMCID: PMC7383963 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa110] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of androgen imbalance, such as hyperandrogenism in females or hypoandrogenism in males, increase risk of visceral adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and infertility. Androgens act upon androgen receptors (AR) which are expressed in many tissues. In the brain, AR are abundant in hypothalamic nuclei involved in regulation of reproduction and energy homeostasis, yet the role of androgens acting via AR in specific neuronal populations has not been fully elucidated. Leptin receptor (LepRb)-expressing neurons coexpress AR predominantly in hypothalamic arcuate and ventral premammillary nuclei (ARH and PMv, respectively), with low colocalization in other LepRb neuronal populations, and very low colocalization in the pituitary gland and gonads. Deletion of AR from LepRb-expressing cells (LepRbΔAR) has no effect on body weight, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis in male and female mice. However, LepRbΔAR female mice show increased body length later in life, whereas male LepRbΔAR mice show an increase in spontaneous ambulatory activity. LepRbΔAR mice display typical pubertal timing, estrous cycles, and fertility, but increased testosterone levels in males. Removal of sex steroid negative feedback action induced an exaggerated rise in luteinizing hormone in LepRbΔAR males and follicle-stimulating hormone in LepRbΔAR females. Our findings show that AR can directly affect a subset of ARH and PMv neurons in a sex-specific manner and demonstrate specific androgenic actions in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Cara
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Martin G Myers
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Carol F Elias
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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6
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Harada N, Hanada K, Minami Y, Kitakaze T, Ogata Y, Tokumoto H, Sato T, Kato S, Inui H, Yamaji R. Role of gut microbiota in sex- and diet-dependent metabolic disorders that lead to early mortality of androgen receptor-deficient male mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2020; 318:E525-E537. [PMID: 32017595 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00461.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiota is involved in metabolic disorders induced by androgen deficiency after sexual maturation in males (late-onset hypogonadism). However, its role in the energy metabolism of congenital androgen deficiency (e.g., androgen-insensitive syndrome) remains elusive. Here, we examined the link between the gut microbiota and metabolic disease symptoms in androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mouse by administering high-fat diet (HFD) and/or antibiotics. HFD-fed male, but not standard diet-fed male or HFD-fed female, ARKO mice exhibited increased feed efficiency, obesity with increased visceral adipocyte mass and hypertrophy, hepatic steatosis, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and loss of thigh muscle. In contrast, subcutaneous fat mass accumulated in ARKO mice irrespective of the diet and sex. Notably, all HFD-dependent metabolic disorders observed in ARKO males were abolished after antibiotics administration. The ratios of fecal weight-to-food weight and cecum weight-to-body weight were specifically reduced by ARKO in HFD-fed males. 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal microbiota from HFD-fed male mice revealed differences in microbiota composition between control and ARKO mice. Several genera or species (e.g., Turicibacter and Lactobacillus reuteri, respectively) were enriched in ARKO mice, and antibiotics treatment spoiled the changes. Furthermore, the life span of HFD-fed ARKO males was shorter than that of control mice, indicating that androgen deficiency causes metabolic dysfunctions leading to early death. These findings also suggest that AR signaling plays a role in the prevention of metabolic dysfunctions, presumably by influencing the gut microbiome, and improve our understanding of health consequences in subjects with hypogonadism and androgen insensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Harada
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Hanada
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukari Minami
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kitakaze
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Ogata
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Tokumoto
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Sato
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Kato
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iryo Sosei University, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inui
- Department of Nutrition, College of Health and Human Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Yamaji
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
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7
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Silvestri R, Pucci P, Venalainen E, Matheou C, Mather R, Chandler S, Aceto R, Rigas SH, Wang Y, Rietdorf K, Bootman MD, Crea F. T-type calcium channels drive the proliferation of androgen-receptor negative prostate cancer cells. Prostate 2019; 79:1580-1586. [PMID: 31334879 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the treatment of choice for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). After an initial response to ADT, PCa cells can generate castration resistant (CRPC) or neuroendocrine (NEPC) malignancies, which are incurable. T-type calcium channels (TTCCs) are emerging as promising therapeutic targets for several cancers, but their role in PCa progression has never been investigated. METHODS To examine the role of TTCCs in PCa, we analyzed their expression level, copy number variants (CNV) and prognostic significance using clinical datasets (Oncomine and cBioPortal). We then evaluated TTCC expression in a panel of PCa cell lines and measured the effect of their inhibition on cell proliferation and survival using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and caspase assays. RESULTS TTCCs were upregulated in PCas harboring androgen receptor (AR) mutations; CNV rate was positively associated with PCa progression. Higher expression of one TTCC isoform (CACNA1G) predicted poorer postoperative prognosis in early stage PCa samples. Pharmacological or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based inhibition of TTCCs caused a decrease in PC-3 cell survival and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that TTCCs are overexpressed in advanced forms of PCa and correlate with a poorer prognosis. TTCC inhibition reduces cell proliferation and survival, suggesting that there may be possible value in the therapeutic targeting of TTCCs in advanced PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Silvestri
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Perla Pucci
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Erik Venalainen
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BCCA Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Chrysanthi Matheou
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Rebecca Mather
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Stephen Chandler
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Romina Aceto
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sushilaben H Rigas
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Katja Rietdorf
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Martin David Bootman
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Francesco Crea
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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8
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Su W, Han HH, Wang Y, Zhang B, Zhou B, Cheng Y, Rumandla A, Gurrapu S, Chakraborty G, Su J, Yang G, Liang X, Wang G, Rosen N, Scher HI, Ouerfelli O, Giancotti FG. The Polycomb Repressor Complex 1 Drives Double-Negative Prostate Cancer Metastasis by Coordinating Stemness and Immune Suppression. Cancer Cell 2019; 36:139-155.e10. [PMID: 31327655 PMCID: PMC7210785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms that enable immune evasion at metastatic sites are poorly understood. We show that the Polycomb Repressor Complex 1 (PRC1) drives colonization of the bones and visceral organs in double-negative prostate cancer (DNPC). In vivo genetic screening identifies CCL2 as the top prometastatic gene induced by PRC1. CCL2 governs self-renewal and induces the recruitment of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages and regulatory T cells, thus coordinating metastasis initiation with immune suppression and neoangiogenesis. A catalytic inhibitor of PRC1 cooperates with immune checkpoint therapy to reverse these processes and suppress metastasis in genetically engineered mouse transplantation models of DNPC. These results reveal that PRC1 coordinates stemness with immune evasion and neoangiogenesis and point to the potential clinical utility of targeting PRC1 in DNPC.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy
- Adenocarcinoma/immunology
- Adenocarcinoma/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma/secondary
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Self Renewal/drug effects
- Chemokine CCL2/genetics
- Chemokine CCL2/metabolism
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Nude
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/immunology
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
- PC-3 Cells
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1/genetics
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Prostatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Receptors, Androgen/deficiency
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, CCR4/genetics
- Receptors, CCR4/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Tumor Escape/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Su
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hyun Ho Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1906, PO Box 301429, Houston, TX 77054/77030-1429, USA; Department of Urology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1906, PO Box 301429, Houston, TX 77054/77030-1429, USA
| | - Boyu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1906, PO Box 301429, Houston, TX 77054/77030-1429, USA
| | - Bing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yuanming Cheng
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alekya Rumandla
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1906, PO Box 301429, Houston, TX 77054/77030-1429, USA
| | - Sreeharsha Gurrapu
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1906, PO Box 301429, Houston, TX 77054/77030-1429, USA
| | - Goutam Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jie Su
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Guangli Yang
- Organic Synthesis Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xin Liang
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Guocan Wang
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Howard I Scher
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, MSKCC, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ouathek Ouerfelli
- Organic Synthesis Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Filippo G Giancotti
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1906, PO Box 301429, Houston, TX 77054/77030-1429, USA; Department of Genitourinary Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
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9
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Capaia M, Granata I, Guarracino M, Petretto A, Inglese E, Cattrini C, Ferrari N, Boccardo F, Barboro P. A hnRNP K⁻AR-Related Signature Reflects Progression toward Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071920. [PMID: 29966326 PMCID: PMC6073607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The major challenge in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains the ability to predict the clinical responses to improve patient selection for appropriate treatments. The finding that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induces alterations in the androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional program by AR coregulators activity in a context-dependent manner, offers the opportunity for identifying signatures discriminating different clinical states of prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Gel electrophoretic analyses combined with western blot showed that, in androgen-dependent PCa and CRPC in vitro models, the subcellular distribution of spliced and serine-phosphorylated heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) isoforms can be associated with different AR activities. Using mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analyses, we showed that the protein sets of androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and ADT-resistant cell lines (PDB and MDB) co-immunoprecipitated with hnRNP K varied depending on the cell type, unravelling a dynamic relationship between hnRNP K and AR during PCa progression to CRPC. By comparing the interactome of LNCaP, PDB, and MDB cell lines, we identified 51 proteins differentially interacting with hnRNP K, among which KLK3, SORD, SPON2, IMPDH2, ACTN4, ATP1B1, HSPB1, and KHDRBS1 were associated with AR and differentially expressed in normal and tumor human prostate tissues. This hnRNP K–AR-related signature, associated with androgen sensitivity and PCa progression, may help clinicians to better manage patients with CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Capaia
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Granata
- Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), National Research Council (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Mario Guarracino
- Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), National Research Council (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Andrea Petretto
- Core Facilities-Proteomics Laboratory, Giannina Gaslini Institute, L.go G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy.
| | - Elvira Inglese
- Core Facilities-Proteomics Laboratory, Giannina Gaslini Institute, L.go G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy.
| | - Carlo Cattrini
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Genova, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Ferrari
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Francesco Boccardo
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Genova, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Paola Barboro
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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10
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Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) contains phenotypically and functionally distinct cells, and this cellular heterogeneity poses clinical challenges as the distinct cell types likely respond differently to various therapies. Clonal evolution, driven by genetic instability, and intraclonal cancer cell diversification, driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs), together create tumor cell heterogeneity. In this review, we first discuss PCa stem cells (PCSCs) and heterogeneity of androgen receptor (AR) expression in primary, metastatic, and treatment-failed PCa. Based on literature reports and our own studies, we hypothesize that, whereas PCSCs in primary and untreated tumors and models are mainly AR(-), PCSCs in CRPCs could be either AR(+) or AR(-/lo). We illustrate the potential mechanisms AR(+) and AR(-) PCSCs may employ to propagate PCa at the population level, mediate therapy resistance, and metastasize. As a result, targeting AR alone may not achieve long-lasting therapeutic efficacy. Elucidating the roles of AR and PCSCs should provide important clues to designing novel personalized combinatorial therapeutic protocols targeting both AR(+) and AR(-) PCa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qu Deng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Park Road 1C, Smithville, Texas 78957, USAProgram in Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USACancer Stem Cell InstituteResearch Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Park Road 1C, Smithville, Texas 78957, USAProgram in Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USACancer Stem Cell InstituteResearch Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Park Road 1C, Smithville, Texas 78957, USAProgram in Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USACancer Stem Cell InstituteResearch Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Park Road 1C, Smithville, Texas 78957, USAProgram in Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USACancer Stem Cell InstituteResearch Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Park Road 1C, Smithville, Texas 78957, USAProgram in Molecular CarcinogenesisUniversity of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USACancer Stem Cell InstituteResearch Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
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11
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Bermejo-Costa F, Lloreda-García JM, Donate-Legaz JM. Partial androgen insensitivity syndrome with persistent müllerian remnants. A case report. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 62:469-71. [PMID: 26242926 DOI: 10.1016/j.endonu.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jose María Donate-Legaz
- Unidad de Endocrinología y Nutrición Pediátricas, Hospital Universitario Santa Lucía, Cartagena, Murcia, España
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12
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Walker WH, Easton E, Moreci RS, Toocheck C, Anamthathmakula P, Jeyasuria P. Restoration of spermatogenesis and male fertility using an androgen receptor transgene. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120783. [PMID: 25803277 PMCID: PMC4372537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgens signal through the androgen receptor (AR) to regulate male secondary sexual characteristics, reproductive tract development, prostate function, sperm production, bone and muscle mass as well as body hair growth among other functions. We developed a transgenic mouse model in which endogenous AR expression was replaced by a functionally modified AR transgene. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) was constructed containing all AR exons and introns plus 40 kb each of 5' and 3' regulatory sequence. Insertion of an internal ribosome entry site and the EGFP gene 3’ to AR allowed co-expression of AR and EGFP. Pronuclear injection of the BAC resulted in six founder mice that displayed EGFP production in appropriate AR expressing tissues. The six founder mice were mated into a Sertoli cell specific AR knockout (SCARKO) background in which spermatogenesis is blocked at the meiosis stage of germ cell development. The AR-EGFP transgene was expressed in a cyclical manner similar to that of endogenous AR in Sertoli cells and fertility was restored as offspring were produced in the absence of Sertoli cell AR. Thus, the AR-EGFP transgene under the control of AR regulatory elements is capable of rescuing AR function in a cell selective, AR-null background. These initial studies provide proof of principle that a strategy employing the AR-EGFP transgene can be used to understand AR functions. Transgenic mice expressing selective modifications of the AR-EGFP transgene may provide crucial information needed to elicit the molecular mechanisms by which AR acts in the testis and other androgen responsive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Walker
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Evan Easton
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rebecca S. Moreci
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Corey Toocheck
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Prashanth Anamthathmakula
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Pancharatnam Jeyasuria
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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13
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Abstract
During mammalian development, androgens produced by the fetal testis are the most important hormones controlling the masculinization of the reproductive tract and the genitalia. New findings show that the male germ line is the most sensitive to anti-androgenic endocrine disruptors during the embryonic period. In a recent study, we reported that endogenous androgens physiologically control germ cell growth in the male mouse fetus during early fetal life. In the present study, we extended this result by showing the presence of a functional androgen receptor in the gonocytes in the latter part of the fetal life. We also studied the effect of androgens on the development of the somatic testicular cells using the Tfm mice which carry a naturally inactivating mutation of the androgen receptor. Fetal Leydig cells are largely independent of endogenous androgens during fetal development whereas fetal Sertoli cell number is decreased following a default of peritubular myoid cells differenciation. They also point to the gonocyte as a special target for androgens during the embryonic period and indicate a novel mechanism of androgen action on gonocytes. Elucidation of this new pathway in the fetal testis will clarify not only fetal testis physiology but also the effects of environmental anti-androgens that act during fetal life and open new perspectives for future investigations into the sensitivity of fetal germ cell to androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Merlet
- Laboratory of Differentiation and Radiobiology of the Gonads, Université Paris 7-Denis Diderot, CEA, DSV/iRCM/SCSR/LDRG and INSERM, Fontenay aux Roses, France
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14
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Fraysse B, Vignaud A, Fane B, Schuh M, Butler-Browne G, Metzger D, Ferry A. Acute effect of androgens on maximal force-generating capacity and electrically evoked calcium transient in mouse skeletal muscles. Steroids 2014; 87:6-11. [PMID: 24844204 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
As androgens might have rapid androgen-receptor (AR) independent action on muscle cells, we analysed the in vivo acute effect of androgens on maximal force generation capacity and electrically evoked calcium transient responsible for the excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle from wild-type male mice and muscle fibre androgen receptor (AR) deficient (AR(skm-/y)) male mice. We tested the hypothesis that acute in vivo androgen treatment improves contractility and modifies calcium transient in mouse hindlimb muscles. In addition, we determined whether the reduced maximal force generation capacity of AR(skm-/y) mice is caused by an alteration in calcium transient. We found that acute dehydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone treatment of mice does not change in situ maximal force, power or fatigue resistance of tibialis anterior muscles. In agreement with this observation, maximal force and twitch kinetics also remained unchanged when both whole extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle or fibre bundles were incubated in vitro with DHT. Electrically evoked calcium transient, i.e. calcium amplitude, time to peak and decay, was also not modified by DHT treatment of EDL muscle fibre bundles. Finally, we found no difference in calcium transient between AR(skm-/y) and wild-type mice despite the reduced maximal force in EDL fibre bundles of AR(skm-/y) mice. In conclusion, acute androgen treatment has no ergogenic effect on muscle contractility and does not affect calcium transient in response to stimulation. In addition, the reduced maximal force of AR(skm-/y) mice is not related to calcium transient dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodvael Fraysse
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, Sorbonne Universités, UMR 974S794, INSERM U974, CNRS UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France
| | | | - Bourama Fane
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, Sorbonne Universités, UMR 974S794, INSERM U974, CNRS UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Schuh
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS UMR7104/INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Gillian Butler-Browne
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, Sorbonne Universités, UMR 974S794, INSERM U974, CNRS UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France
| | - Daniel Metzger
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS UMR7104/INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Arnaud Ferry
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, Sorbonne Universités, UMR 974S794, INSERM U974, CNRS UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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15
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Abstract
For many decades, elevated androgens in women have been associated with poor reproductive health. However, recent studies have shown that androgens play a crucial role in women's fertility. The following review provides an overall perspective about how androgens and androgen receptor-mediated actions regulate normal follicular development, as well as discuss emerging concepts, latest perceptions, and controversies regarding androgen actions and signaling in the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hen Prizant
- Division of Endocrinology and MetabolismDepartment of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, PO Box 693, Rochester, New York 14642, USACenter for Human ReproductionNew York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Norbert Gleicher
- Division of Endocrinology and MetabolismDepartment of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, PO Box 693, Rochester, New York 14642, USACenter for Human ReproductionNew York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Aritro Sen
- Division of Endocrinology and MetabolismDepartment of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, PO Box 693, Rochester, New York 14642, USACenter for Human ReproductionNew York, New York 10021, USADivision of Endocrinology and MetabolismDepartment of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, PO Box 693, Rochester, New York 14642, USACenter for Human ReproductionNew York, New York 10021, USA
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16
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Kilcoyne KR, Smith LB, Atanassova N, Macpherson S, McKinnell C, van den Driesche S, Jobling MS, Chambers TJG, De Gendt K, Verhoeven G, O’Hara L, Platts S, Renato de Franca L, Lara NLM, Anderson RA, Sharpe RM. Fetal programming of adult Leydig cell function by androgenic effects on stem/progenitor cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E1924-32. [PMID: 24753613 PMCID: PMC4020050 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1320735111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth plays a role in programming of adult cardiometabolic disorders, which in men, are associated with lowered testosterone levels. Fetal growth and fetal androgen exposure can also predetermine testosterone levels in men, although how is unknown, because the adult Leydig cells (ALCs) that produce testosterone do not differentiate until puberty. To explain this conundrum, we hypothesized that stem cells for ALCs must be present in the fetal testis and might be susceptible to programming by fetal androgen exposure during masculinization. To address this hypothesis, we used ALC ablation/regeneration to identify that, in rats, ALCs derive from stem/progenitor cells that express chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II. These stem cells are abundant in the fetal testis of humans and rodents, and lineage tracing in mice shows that they develop into ALCs. The stem cells also express androgen receptors (ARs). Reduction in fetal androgen action through AR KO in mice or dibutyl phthalate (DBP) -induced reduction in intratesticular testosterone in rats reduced ALC stem cell number by ∼40% at birth to adulthood and induced compensated ALC failure (low/normal testosterone and elevated luteinizing hormone). In DBP-exposed males, this failure was probably explained by reduced testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression, which is associated with increased histone methylation (H3K27me3) in the proximal promoter. Accordingly, ALCs and ALC stem cells immunoexpressed increased H3K27me3, a change that was also evident in ALC stem cells in fetal testes. These studies highlight how a key component of male reproductive development can fundamentally reprogram adult hormone production (through an epigenetic change), which might affect lifetime disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen R. Kilcoyne
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Lee B. Smith
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Atanassova
- Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Sheila Macpherson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Chris McKinnell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sander van den Driesche
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew S. Jobling
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas J. G. Chambers
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Karel De Gendt
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, B-300 Leuven, Belgium; and
| | - Guido Verhoeven
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, B-300 Leuven, Belgium; and
| | - Laura O’Hara
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Platts
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Luiz Renato de Franca
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Nathália L. M. Lara
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Richard A. Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Sharpe
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
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17
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Cooper SC, Trudgill NJ. Subjects with prostate cancer are less likely to develop esophageal cancer: analysis of SEER 9 registries database. Cancer Causes Control 2013; 23:819-25. [PMID: 24251326 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-012-9950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is five times more common among men. EAC tissue exhibits an increased concentration of androgen receptors. We previously reported lower EAC incidence following prostate cancer (PC), suggesting androgen deprivation therapy may reduce EAC incidence, but were unable to demonstrate reducing incidence of EAC with time (latency effect) that would support a cumulative effect of anti-androgen treatment.The Survival Epidemiology and End Results (SEER9) dataset from 1977–2004 was therefore examined to identify subjects with a first malignant primary of PC.Subjects were followed until second primary cancer diagnosis,death, or time period end. Age- and period-adjusted standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated as an estimate of relative risk of an esophageal second malignant primary. Between 1977 and 2004, 343,538 subjects (following exclusion criteria) developed PC as a first primary malignant tumor, providing 2,014,337 years of follow-up.Subsequently 604 esophageal cancers developed, with 763 expected. The incidence of EAC fell following PC [SIR0.83 (95 % CI 0.74–0.93)] with a latency effect identified with SIR 1.1 3 months to 1 year post-PC, SIR 0.85 1–5 years post-PC, and SIR 0.75 greater than five years post-PC. The incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after PC was also reduced [SIR, 0.79 (0.69-0.89)],with evidence of a latency effect also seen. There is a reduced risk of developing esophageal cancer, both EAC and ESCC, following PC. Androgen deprivation therapy may contribute, but changes in lifestyle following PC diagnosis and decrease in ESCC incidence are also plausible explanations.
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18
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Tsai WC, Yang LY, Chen YC, Kao YH, Lin YK, Chen SA, Cheng CF, Chen YJ. Ablation of the androgen receptor gene modulates atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis with calcium protein dysregulation. Endocrinology 2013; 154:2833-42. [PMID: 23748361 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-2265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Androgen deficiency is important in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Androgen regulates cardiac electrophysiology and calcium (Ca(2+)) homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) can modulate atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis with modulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis proteins. We used conventional microelectrodes to study the action potential (AP) in left atrium (LA) tissues prepared from wild-type (WT) and ARKO mice (aged 6-10 months) before and after the administration of isoproterenol, hypocalcemic/hypercalcemic solutions, and ouabain. Echocardiography and Western blots were used to evaluate the cardiac function and expression levels of ionic channel proteins in WT and ARKO LAs. ARKO LAs had larger LA diameter with decreased LA fractional shortening than did WT LAs. In the current study, we found that ARKO LAs had a lower negative resting membrane potential and a greater 90% AP duration (APD) than did WT LAs. Isoproterenol increased the incidence and amplitude of delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) in ARKO LAs but not in WT LAs. Hypocalcemic solutions prolonged APD in WT and ARKO LAs but increased DAD amplitude only in ARKO LAs. Hypercalcemic solutions shortened APD in ARKO LAs but not in WT LAs. Ouabain increased DAD amplitude in ARKO LAs but not in WT LAs. ARKO LAs expressed higher amounts of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, and phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser-16/Thr-17 site) and less Cav1.2, Kir2.1, Kir3.1, and Kv7.1 than WT LAs. These observations indicate that ARKO alters atrial electrophysiology with increased atrial arrhythmogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chin Tsai
- Division of Cardiology, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien 970, Taiwan
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19
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Abstract
Androgens, the male sex hormones, exert various biological effects on many target organs through the transcriptional effects of the nuclear androgen receptor (AR). ARs are expressed not only in classical target organs, such as the brain, genital organs, bone, and skeletal muscles, but also in the cardiovascular system. Because the female sex hormones estrogens are well-known to protect against cardiovascular disease, sex has been considered to have a significant clinical impact on cardiovascular mortality. However, the influence of androgens on the cardiovascular system has not been fully elucidated. To clarify this issue, we analyzed the effects of administration of angiotensin II and doxorubicin, an anticancer agent, in a loading model in male wild-type and AR-deficient mice. In this review, we focus on the actions of androgens as potential targets for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasumasa Ikeda
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Tokushima, Graduate School of Health Biosciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
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O'Shaughnessy PJ, Monteiro A, Abel M. Testicular development in mice lacking receptors for follicle stimulating hormone and androgen. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35136. [PMID: 22514715 PMCID: PMC3325994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-natal testicular development is dependent on gonadotrophin and androgen stimulation. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) acts through receptors (FSHR) on the Sertoli cell to stimulate spermatogenesis while androgens promote testis growth through receptors (AR) on the Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells. In this study we have examined the effects on testis development of ablating FSHRs (FSHRKO mice) and/or ARs ubiquitously (ARKO mice) or specifically on the Sertoli cells (SCARKO mice). Cell numbers were measured using stereological methods. In ARKO mice Sertoli cell numbers were reduced at all ages from birth until adulthood. FSHR ablation also caused small reductions in Sertoli cell numbers up to day 20 with more marked effects seen in the adult. Germ cell numbers were unaffected by FSHR and/or AR ablation at birth. By day 20 ubiquitous AR or FSHR ablation caused a marked reduction in germ cell numbers with a synergistic effect of losing both receptors (germ cell numbers in FSHRKO.ARKO mice were 3% of control). Germ cell numbers in SCARKO mice were less affected. By adulthood, in contrast, clear synergistic control of germ cell numbers had become established between the actions of FSH and androgen through the Sertoli cells. Leydig cell numbers were normal on day 1 and day 5 in all groups. By day 20 and in adult animals total AR or FSHR ablation significantly reduced Leydig cell numbers but Sertoli cell specific AR ablation had no effect. Results show that, prior to puberty, development of most testicular parameters is more dependent on FSH action than androgen action mediated through the Sertoli cells although androgen action through other cells types is crucial. Post-pubertally, germ cell numbers and spermatogenesis are dependent on FSH and androgen action through the Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J O'Shaughnessy
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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Yu S, Yeh CR, Niu Y, Chang HC, Tsai YC, Moses HL, Shyr CR, Chang C, Yeh S. Altered prostate epithelial development in mice lacking the androgen receptor in stromal fibroblasts. Prostate 2012; 72:437-49. [PMID: 21739465 PMCID: PMC4402036 DOI: 10.1002/pros.21445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) play important roles in the development of male urogenital organs. We previously found that mice with total AR knockout (ARKO) and epithelial ARKO failed to develop normal prostate with loss of differentiation. We have recently knocked out AR gene in smooth muscle cells and found the reduced luminal infolding and IGF-1 production in the mouse prostate. However, AR roles of stromal fibroblasts in prostate development remain unclear. METHODS To further probe the stromal fibroblast AR roles in prostate development, we generated tissue-selective knockout mice with the AR gene deleted in stromal fibroblasts (FSP-ARKO). We also used primary culture stromal cells to confirm the in vivo data and investigate mechanisms related to prostate development. RESULTS The results showed cellular alterations in the FSP-ARKO mouse prostate with decreased epithelial proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased collagen composition. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that FSP-ARKO mice have defects in the expression of prostate stromal growth factors. To further confirm these in vivo findings, we prepared primary cultured mouse prostate stromal cells and found knocking down the stromal AR could result in growth retardation of prostate stromal cells and co-cultured prostate epithelial cells, as well as decrease of some stromal growth factors. CONCLUSIONS Our FSP-ARKO mice not only provide the first in vivo evidence in Cre-loxP knockout system for the requirement of stromal fibroblast AR to maintain the normal development of the prostate, but may also suggest the selective knockdown of stromal AR might become a potential therapeutic approach to battle prostate hyperplasia and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengqiang Yu
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Chiuan-Ren Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Yuanjie Niu
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The 2 nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong-Chiang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Departments of Urology and Oncology, National Taiwan University/Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chieh Tsai
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The 2 nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Harold L Moses
- Department of Cancer Biology and Urology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Chih-Rong Shyr
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University & Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University & Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Correspondence to: Chawnshang Chang and Shuyuan Yeh, George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642. ,
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
- Correspondence to: Chawnshang Chang and Shuyuan Yeh, George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642. ,
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22
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Niu Y, Wang J, Shang Z, Huang SP, Shyr CR, Yeh S, Chang C. Increased CK5/CK8-positive intermediate cells with stromal smooth muscle cell atrophy in the mice lacking prostate epithelial androgen receptor. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20202. [PMID: 21754978 PMCID: PMC3130731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Results from tissue recombination experiments documented well that stromal androgen receptor (AR) plays essential roles in prostate development, but epithelial AR has little roles in prostate development. Using cell specific knockout AR strategy, we generated pes-ARKO mouse with knock out of AR only in the prostate epithelial cells and demonstrated that epithelial AR might also play important roles in the development of prostate gland. We found mice lacking the prostate epithelial AR have increased apoptosis in epithelial CK8-positive luminal cells and increased proliferation in epithelial CK5-positive basal cells. The consequences of these two contrasting results could then lead to the expansion of CK5/CK8-positive intermediate cells, accompanied by stromal atrophy and impaired ductal morphogenesis. Molecular mechanism dissection found AR target gene, TGF-β1, might play important roles in this epithelial AR-to-stromal morphogenesis modulation. Collectively, these results provided novel information relevant to epithelial AR functions in epithelial-stromal interactions during the development of normal prostate, and suggested AR could also function as suppressor in selective cells within prostate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjie Niu
- Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YN); (CC)
| | - Juan Wang
- Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiqun Shang
- Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Shu-Pin Huang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Chih-Rong Shyr
- Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (YN); (CC)
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23
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study changes of testicular p63 expression and its effect on spermatogenic function in seminiferous tubules in androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice. METHODS A total of 28 ARKO mice (ARKO group) screened by Cre-lox and 28 male Wistar mice without ARKO (controlled group) were enrolled in our study. Route pathology was performed and p63 examination was detected by immunohistochemistry in testes. Linear correlations were used to explore potential associations between p63 protein expression and spermatogenic function (TMS score). RESULTS In ARKO group, inner diameter of seminiferous tubules was decreased (62 +/- 1.3 microm vs. 91 +/- 1.2 microm), thickness of the basal membrane of the tubules (4 +/- 0.3 microm vs. 2.7 +/- 0.5 microm), cellular population within tubules was reduced (2 +/- 0.4 vs. 4 +/- 0.1 layers), degree of spermatogenesis within the tubules turned to disturbance (3 +/- 1.0 vs. 5 +/- 0.1), Testicular Makler score was lower than controlled group (7 +/- 0.2 vs.15 +/- 0.3), they had significant differences (p <0.01). P63 expressed significantly lower in ARKO group than that in Wistar group, and was limited at stages from spermatocyte to round spermatid. (Percentage of positive cells ? 68.1 +/- 3.7 vs. 81.7 +/- 5.1, p<0.001). The HSCORE yielded similar results (HSCORE 3.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.2, p<0.001). p63 protein expression was significantly positively correlated with spermatogenic function (r=0.87, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS p63 developed important effect on spermatogenesis and the regulatory effect of p63 on spermatogenesis mainly occurred in the early stage of spermiogenesis in testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Jun Yu
- Shang Hai 6th People's Hospital, Shang Hai Jiaotong University, Shang Hai 200233, China.
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24
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Makkonen H, Kauhanen M, Jääskeläinen T, Palvimo JJ. Androgen receptor amplification is reflected in the transcriptional responses of Vertebral-Cancer of the Prostate cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 331:57-65. [PMID: 20728506 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is overexpressed in a majority of castration-resistant prostate cancers, but most of the cell model studies addressing AR function have been conducted in LNCaP prostate cancer cells expressing unamplified AR levels. Here, we have compared the responses of various types of AR ligands towards a pattern of AR target genes and chromatin binding sites in Vertebral-Cancer of the Prostate (VCaP) cells and LNCaP cells. In keeping with the AR gene amplification in VCaP cells, our analyses show that these cells contain ≥10-fold receptor mRNA and protein than LNCaP cells. Loading of the agonist-occupied AR onto chromatin regulatory sites and expression of several AR target genes, including their basal expression, were stronger in VCaP cells than LNCaP cells. Bicalutamide displayed a trend towards agonism in VCaP cells. Bicalutamide also evoked AR-chromatin interaction, whereas diarylthiohydantoin antiandrogen RD162 was inert with this respect both in VCaP and LNCaP cells. These results support the notion that the AR protein level translates into augmented occupancy of AR-regulated enhancers and target gene activity in prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harri Makkonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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25
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Willems A, Batlouni SR, Esnal A, Swinnen JV, Saunders PTK, Sharpe RM, França LR, De Gendt K, Verhoeven G. Selective ablation of the androgen receptor in mouse sertoli cells affects sertoli cell maturation, barrier formation and cytoskeletal development. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14168. [PMID: 21152390 PMCID: PMC2994754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation that mice with a selective ablation of the androgen receptor (AR) in Sertoli cells (SC) (SCARKO mice) display a complete block in meiosis supports the contention that SC play a pivotal role in the control of germ cell development by androgens. To delineate the physiological and molecular mechanism responsible for this control, we compared tubular development in pubertal SCARKO mice and littermate controls. Particular attention was paid to differences in SC maturation, SC barrier formation and cytoskeletal organization and to the molecular mediators potentially involved. Functional analysis of SC barrier development by hypertonic perfusion and lanthanum permeation techniques and immunohistochemical analysis of junction formation showed that SCARKO mice still attempt to produce a barrier separating basal and adluminal compartment but that barrier formation is delayed and defective. Defective barrier formation was accompanied by disturbances in SC nuclear maturation (immature shape, absence of prominent, tripartite nucleoli) and SC polarization (aberrant positioning of SC nuclei and cytoskeletal elements such as vimentin). Quantitative RT-PCR was used to study the transcript levels of genes potentially related to the described phenomena between day 8 and 35. Differences in the expression of SC genes known to play a role in junction formation could be shown from day 8 for Cldn11, from day 15 for Cldn3 and Espn, from day 20 for Cdh2 and Jam3 and from day 35 for ZO-1. Marked differences were also noted in the transcript levels of several genes that are also related to cell adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics but that have not yet been studied in SC (Actn3, Ank3, Anxa9, Scin, Emb, Mpzl2). It is concluded that absence of a functional AR in SC impedes the remodeling of testicular tubules expected at the onset of spermatogenesis and interferes with the creation of the specific environment needed for germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Willems
- Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sergio R. Batlouni
- Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arantza Esnal
- Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes V. Swinnen
- Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippa T. K. Saunders
- Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Sharpe
- Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Luiz R. França
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Karel De Gendt
- Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guido Verhoeven
- Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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MacLean HE, Moore AJ, Sastra SA, Morris HA, Ghasem-Zadeh A, Rana K, Axell AM, Notini AJ, Handelsman DJ, Seeman E, Zajac JD, Davey RA. DNA-binding-dependent androgen receptor signaling contributes to gender differences and has physiological actions in males and females. J Endocrinol 2010; 206:93-103. [PMID: 20395380 DOI: 10.1677/joe-10-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We used our genomic androgen receptor (AR) knockout (ARKO) mouse model, in which the AR is unable to bind DNA to: 1) document gender differences between males and females; 2) identify the genomic (DNA-binding-dependent) AR-mediated actions in males; 3) determine the contribution of genomic AR-mediated actions to these gender differences; and 4) identify physiological genomic AR-mediated actions in females. At 9 weeks of age, control males had higher body, heart and kidney mass, lower spleen mass, and longer and larger bones compared to control females. Compared to control males, ARKO males had lower body and kidney mass, higher splenic mass, and reductions in cortical and trabecular bone. Deletion of the AR in ARKO males abolished the gender differences in heart and cortical bone. Compared with control females, ARKO females had normal body weight, but 14% lower heart mass and heart weight/body weight ratio. Relative kidney mass was also reduced, and relative spleen mass was increased. ARKO females had a significant reduction in cortical bone growth and changes in trabecular architecture, although with no net change in trabecular bone volume. In conclusion, we have shown that androgens acting via the genomic AR signaling pathway mediate, at least in part, the gender differences in body mass, heart, kidney, spleen, and bone, and play a physiological role in the regulation of cardiac, kidney and splenic size, cortical bone growth, and trabecular bone architecture in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E MacLean
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
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27
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Saita Y, Nakamura T, Mizoguchi F, Nakashima K, Hemmi H, Hayata T, Ezura Y, Kurosawa H, Kato S, Noda M. Combinatory effects of androgen receptor deficiency and hind limb unloading on bone. Horm Metab Res 2009; 41:822-8. [PMID: 19629928 DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1231056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Male sex hormones play a critical role in regulation of bone metabolism. In male mice lacking androgen receptor (AR), osteopenia and high turnover state in bone remodeling have been reported. However, androgen receptor's role in disuse-induced osteopenia is not known. Therefore, we examined the effects of AR deficiency on unloading-induced bone loss. Wild type or androgen receptor deficient mice (ARKO) were subjected to hind limb unloading (HU) or normal housing (Control). The groups of mice were as follows; wild type control mice (Group WT-Cont), ARKO control mice (Group ARKO-Cont), wild type HU mice (Group WT-HU), and ARKO-HU mice (Group ARKO-HU). HU reduced cancellous bone mass in ARKO (ARKO-HU) by about 70% compared to ARKO-Cont and this reduction rate was over two-fold more than that of wild type (WT-HU) (reduction by less than 30% compared to WT-Cont). Combination of ARKO and HU (ARKO-HU) resulted in the least levels of cortical bone mass and bone mineral density among the four groups. ARKO-HU group indicated the highest levels of systemic bone resorption marker, deoxypyridinoline. Osteoclast development levels in the cultures in ARKO-HU derived bone marrow cells were the highest among the four groups. These data suggest that combination of androgen receptor deficiency and hind limb unloading results in exacerbation of disuse-induced osteopenia due to the enhanced levels of bone resorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Saita
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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28
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Noh T, Gabet Y, Cogan J, Shi Y, Tank A, Sasaki T, Criswell B, Dixon A, Lee C, Tam J, Kohler T, Segev E, Kockeritz L, Woodgett J, Müller R, Chai Y, Smith E, Bab I, Frenkel B. Lef1 haploinsufficient mice display a low turnover and low bone mass phenotype in a gender- and age-specific manner. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5438. [PMID: 19412553 PMCID: PMC2673053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the role of Lef1, one of the four transcription factors that transmit Wnt signaling to the genome, in the regulation of bone mass. Microcomputed tomographic analysis of 13- and 17-week-old mice revealed significantly reduced trabecular bone mass in Lef1(+/-) females compared to littermate wild-type females. This was attributable to decreased osteoblast activity and bone formation as indicated by histomorphometric analysis of bone remodeling. In contrast to females, bone mass was unaffected by Lef1 haploinsufficiency in males. Similarly, females were substantially more responsive than males to haploinsufficiency in Gsk3beta, a negative regulator of the Wnt pathway, displaying in this case a high bone mass phenotype. Lef1 haploinsufficiency also led to low bone mass in males lacking functional androgen receptor (AR) (tfm mutants). The protective skeletal effect of AR against Wnt-related low bone mass is not necessarily a result of direct interaction between the AR and Wnt signaling pathways, because Lef1(+/-) female mice had normal bone mass at the age of 34 weeks. Thus, our results indicate an age- and gender-dependent role for Lef1 in regulating bone formation and bone mass in vivo. The resistance to Lef1 haploinsufficiency in males with active AR and in old females could be due to the reduced bone turnover in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Noh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yankel Gabet
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jon Cogan
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yunfan Shi
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Archana Tank
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Tomoyo Sasaki
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Braden Criswell
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Alexis Dixon
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher Lee
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph Tam
- Bone Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Thomas Kohler
- Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eran Segev
- Bone Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lisa Kockeritz
- Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Woodgett
- Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ralph Müller
- Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yang Chai
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Elisheva Smith
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Itai Bab
- Bone Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Baruch Frenkel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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29
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Abstract
The biological actions of androgens are mediated by transcriptional control of target genes through binding to the androgen receptor (AR). The AR belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and acts as a ligand-inducible transcriptional factor. Androgens/AR system is thought to be central to male physiology and behaviors to the development of clinical pathology. The physiological importance of AR function currently recognized in female reproduction also has been verified in mouse genetic model. Here we review functions of AR in male and female physiology as revealed by mice lacking AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Matsumoto
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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30
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Abstract
Testosterone (T) is an important factor for determining body composition in males. Abdominal obesity is inversely correlated with serum T levels in men, leading to greater mortality. Pathologically hypogonadal men also have a significantly higher fat mass, which is reversed by T administration. However, the mechanism for such anti-obesity effect of androgen has not been well clarified. Androgen receptor (AR) null male mice revealed late-onset obesity. Male ARKO mice were euphagic compared to the wild-type male controls, but also less dynamic and less oxygen consuming. Transcript profiling indicated that male ARKO mice had lower transcripts for the thermogenetic uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). We also found enhanced secretion of adiponectin, which is insulin-sensitizing, from adipose tissue in comparison to wild type, which might partly explain why the overall insulin sensitivity of male ARKO mice remained almost intact despite their apparent obesity. In addition, decreased lipolysis rather than increased lipid synthesis was observed, which might also account for the increased adiposity in male ARKO mice. The results revealed that AR plays important roles in male metabolism by affecting the energy balance, and is negative to both adiposity and insulin sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Yanase
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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31
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The precise role of androgen receptor (AR) in the normal development of prostate and the progression of prostate cancer (CaP) remains controversial. While AR expression and activity is associated with growth arrest and differentiation of normal prostate cells, it is maintained in CaP cells that are characterized by continued proliferation. Our objective was to determine the importance of AR signaling for survival and growth of CaP cells, particularly those with a hormone-refractory phenotype. METHOD AR expression was modulated in androgen-sensitive (AS) and androgen-insensitive (AI) CaP cells using RNAi and cDNA transduction. Resulting changes in AR transcriptional activity and cell growth were quantified. RESULTS Interference with AR expression in both AS and AI CaP cells by shRNA transduction demonstrated a direct correlation between residual AR expression and cell viability. CaP cells lacking AR expression undergo apoptosis several days after AR down-regulation. This delayed response suggests that AR regulates apoptosis likely through an indirect mechanism. Overexpression of AR or hyper-stimulation of AR with high levels of androgen was also poorly tolerated by CaP cells. Cells with elevated AR had a growth disadvantage due to G1 cell cycle arrest and induction of p21 and GADD45 expression. CONCLUSIONS CaP cells expressing endogenous AR are sensitive to both increases and decreases in AR expression levels and activity. AR in CaP cells is delicately regulated to provide a balance between cell death and continued proliferation. Thus, both approaches, inhibition and over-stimulation of AR activity, may have therapeutic value for treatment of prostate cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Apoptosis/physiology
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Cycle/physiology
- Cell Growth Processes/physiology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Dihydrotestosterone/pharmacology
- Humans
- Male
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/genetics
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/pathology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- RNA Interference
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Androgen/deficiency
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia D. Tararova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | - Andrei V. Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York
| | - Katerina V. Gurova
- Cleveland BioLabs, Inc., Buffalo, New York
- Correspondence to: Katerina V. Gurova, Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery, Cleveland BioLabs, 73 High Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
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32
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Wu CT, Altuwaijri S, Ricke WA, Huang SP, Yeh S, Zhang C, Niu Y, Tsai MY, Chang C. Increased prostate cell proliferation and loss of cell differentiation in mice lacking prostate epithelial androgen receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:12679-84. [PMID: 17652515 PMCID: PMC1937526 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704940104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental studies of the prostate have established that ductal morphogenesis, epithelial cytodifferentiation, and proliferation/apoptosis are regulated by androgens acting through stromal androgen receptor (AR). Here, we found mice lacking epithelial AR within the mature prostate (pes-ARKO) developed prostate tissue that was less differentiated and hyperproliferative relative to WT littermates. Epithelial AR protein was significantly decreased in 6-week-old mice and was nearly absent by >/=24 weeks of age. Circulating levels of testosterone, external genitalia, or fertility were not altered in pes-ARKO mice. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in bromo-deoxyuridine-positive epithelia was observed in ventral and dorsal-lateral prostates of pes-ARKO mice at 24 weeks of age. Less differentiation was observed as indicated by decreased epithelial height and glandular infolding through 24 weeks of age, differentiation markers probasin, PSP-94, and Nkx3.1 were sig nificantly decreased, and epithelial sloughing and luminal cell apoptosis increased from 6 to 32 weeks of age in pes-ARKO mice. Gain of function occurred by crossing pes-ARKO to the T857A transgenic mice containing constitutively activated AR. In T857A-pes-ARKO mice prostates were of normal size, contained glandular infoldings, and maintained high secretory epithelium, and the appropriate prostatic epithelial proliferation was restored. Collectively, these results suggest that prostatic epithelial AR plays an important role in the homeostasis of the prostate gland. These data support the hypothesis that epithelial AR controls prostate growth by suppressing epithelial proliferation in the mature gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Te Wu
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Departments of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 333, Taiwan
| | - Saleh Altuwaijri
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
- Clinical Research Laboratory, Saad Specialist Hospital, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia 31952; and
| | - William A. Ricke
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
| | - Shu-Pin Huang
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
- Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
| | - Caixia Zhang
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
| | - Yuanjie Niu
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
| | - Meng-Ying Tsai
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Departments of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 333, Taiwan
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- *George Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology and Urology, and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Fuse H, Korenaga S, Sakari M, Hiyama T, Ito T, Kimura K, Kato S. Non-steroidal antiandrogens act as AF-1 agonists under conditions of high androgen-receptor expression. Prostate 2007; 67:630-7. [PMID: 17342748 DOI: 10.1002/pros.20269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of resistance acquisition to antiandrogens in prostate cancer is not fully understood. Numerous clinical and basic research studies have shown expression of androgen receptors (ARs) increases in hormone-refractory prostate cancer and therefore we explored possible molecular mechanisms by which prostate cancer acquires resistance to antiandrogens under conditions of increased AR expression. METHODS In order to study resistance to antiandrogens at the AR transactivation level we used a human AR (hAR) reporter assay system. In addition, we utilized an hAR deletion mutant to determine the functional domain responsible for the acquisition of resistance. RESULTS Increased hAR protein expression enhanced the sensitivity of AR transactivation to low concentrations of DHT, and also reduced the inhibitory activity of the non-steroidal antiandrogens, hydroxyflutamide, and bicalutamide on DHT-induced AR transactivation. Moreover, these antiandrogens acquired agonistic activity under conditions of high hAR protein expression. Such agonistic activity of antiandrogens was not detected in an hAR deletion mutant (hAR-DeltaA/B) that lacked an A/B domain with AF-1 activity. CONCLUSIONS We found that non-steroidal antiandrogens act as AF-1 agonists under conditions of high AR protein expression. This partial antagonistic property of antiandrogens may be a molecular mechanism by which prostate cancer develops resistance to these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Fuse
- Pharmacological Research Department, ASKA Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.
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Miyamoto J, Matsumoto T, Shiina H, Inoue K, Takada I, Ito S, Itoh J, Minematsu T, Sato T, Yanase T, Nawata H, Osamura YR, Kato S. The pituitary function of androgen receptor constitutes a glucocorticoid production circuit. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:4807-14. [PMID: 17470551 PMCID: PMC1951475 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.02039-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) mediates diverse androgen actions, particularly reproductive processes in males and females. AR-mediated androgen signaling is considered to also control metabolic processes; however, the molecular basis remains elusive. In the present study, we explored the molecular mechanism of late-onset obesity in male AR null mutant (ARKO) mice. We determined that the obesity was caused by a hypercorticoid state. The negative feedback system regulating glucocorticoid production was impaired in ARKO mice. Male and female ARKO mice exhibited hypertrophic adrenal glands and glucocorticoid overproduction, presumably due to high levels of adrenal corticotropic hormone. The pituitary glands of the ARKO males had increased expression of proopiomelanocortin and decreased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). There were no overt structural abnormalities and no alteration in the distribution of cell types in the pituitaries of male ARKO mice. Additionally, there was normal production of the other hormones within the glucocorticoid feedback system in both the pituitary and hypothalamus. In a cell line derived from pituitary glands, GR expression was under the positive control of the activated AR. Thus, this study suggests that the activated AR supports the negative feedback regulation of glucocorticoid production via up-regulation of GR expression in the pituitary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Miyamoto
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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35
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Miyamoto H, Yang Z, Chen YT, Ishiguro H, Uemura H, Kubota Y, Nagashima Y, Chang YJ, Hu YC, Tsai MY, Yeh S, Messing EM, Chang C. Promotion of bladder cancer development and progression by androgen receptor signals. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007; 99:558-68. [PMID: 17406000 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djk113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [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: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Males have a higher incidence of bladder cancer than females, but the reason remains unknown. Unlike prostate cancer, human bladder cancer is not generally considered to be dependent on hormone activity. We investigated the possible involvement of androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) in bladder cancer. METHODS We used N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) to induce bladder cancer in wild-type male and female mice, with and without castration in males, and in AR knockout (ARKO) male and female mice, with and without dihydrotestosterone (DHT) supplementation in males. We also treated human bladder cancer cell lines, including TCC-SUP and UMUC3, and mouse xenograft models established from these same lines with androgen deprivation therapy (antiandrogen treatment or castration), AR-small-interfering RNA (AR-siRNA), or the anti-AR molecule ASC-J9, which causes selective degradation of the AR. RESULTS More than 92% of wild-type male and 42% of wild-type female mice treated with BBN eventually developed bladder cancer, whereas none of the male or female ARKO mice did. Treatment with BBN induced bladder cancer in 25% of ARKO mice supplemented with DHT and in 50% of castrated wild-type male mice. Androgen deprivation of AR-positive human bladder cancer cells by androgen depletion in vitro or castration in mice and/or by treatment with the antiandrogen flutamide in vitro or in vivo, as well as AR knockdown by AR-siRNA or by ASC-J9, suppressed cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings implicate the involvement of both androgens and the AR in bladder cancer. Targeting AR and androgens may provide novel chemopreventive and therapeutic approaches for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Miyamoto
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 626, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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36
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Verras M, Lee J, Xue H, Li TH, Wang Y, Sun Z. The androgen receptor negatively regulates the expression of c-Met: implications for a novel mechanism of prostate cancer progression. Cancer Res 2007; 67:967-75. [PMID: 17283128 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The precise molecular mechanisms by which prostate cancer cells progress from androgen-sensitive to androgen-insensitive status still remain largely unclear. The hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) plays a critical role in the regulation of cell growth, cell motility, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis. The aberrant expression of HGF/SF and its receptor, c-Met, often correlates with poor prognosis in a variety of human malignancies, including prostate cancer. Here, we investigate a potential link between androgen signaling and c-Met expression in prostate cancer cells. First, we showed that the androgen receptor (AR) represses the expression of c-Met in a ligand-dependent manner. Using different c-Met promoter/reporter constructs, we identified that Sp1 induces the transcription of c-Met and that AR can repress the Sp1-induced transcription in prostate cancer cells. Moreover, the data from electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that AR interferes with the interaction between Sp1 and the functional Sp1 binding site within the c-Met promoter. Furthermore, we tested the effect of AR on c-Met expression in an androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell line, CWR22Rv1. Finally, the repressive role of androgen signaling on c-Met expression was confirmed in prostate cancer xenografts. The above data indicate a dual role of AR in transcriptional regulation. Although the current androgen ablation therapy can repress the expression of growth-promoting genes that are activated by the AR, it may also attenuate the repressive role of AR on c-Met expression. Therefore, the therapeutic strategies to inhibit the activation of the HGF/c-Met pathway may be of benefit when combined with current androgen ablation treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Progression
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/biosynthesis
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/deficiency
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Sp1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Transfection
- Transplantation, Heterologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Meletios Verras
- Departments of Urology and Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Merlet J, Racine C, Moreau E, Moreno SG, Habert R. Male fetal germ cells are targets for androgens that physiologically inhibit their proliferation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:3615-20. [PMID: 17360691 PMCID: PMC1805536 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0611421104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In adulthood, the action of androgens on seminiferous tubules is essential for full quantitatively normal spermatogenesis and fertility. In contrast, their role in the fetal testis, and particularly in fetal germ cell development, remains largely unknown. Using testicular feminized (Tfm) mice, we investigated the effects of a lack of functional androgen receptor (AR) on fetal germ cells, also named gonocytes. We demonstrated that endogenous androgens/AR physiologically control normal gonocyte proliferation. We observed an increase in the number of gonocytes at 17.5 days postconception resulting from an increase in proliferative activity in Tfm mice. In a reciprocal manner, gonocyte proliferation is decreased by the addition of DHT in fetal testis organotypic culture. Furthermore, the AR coregulator Hsp90alpha (mRNA and protein) specifically expressed in gonocytes was down-regulated in Tfm mice at 15.5 days postconception. To investigate whether these effects could result from direct action of androgens on gonocytes, we collected pure gonocyte preparations and detected AR transcripts therein. We used an original model harboring a reporter gene that specifically reflects AR activity by androgens and clearly demonstrated the presence of a functional AR protein in fetal germ cells. These data provide in vivo and in vitro evidence of a new control of endogenous androgens on gonocytes identified as direct target cells for androgens. Finally, our results focus on a new pathway in the fetal testis during the embryonic period, which is the most sensitive to antiandrogenic endocrine disruptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Merlet
- Laboratory of Differentiation and Radiobiology of the Gonads, Unit of Gametogenesis and Genotoxicity, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S 566, Université Denis Diderot Paris 7 and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique, Institut de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 566, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Chrystèle Racine
- Laboratory of Differentiation and Radiobiology of the Gonads, Unit of Gametogenesis and Genotoxicity, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S 566, Université Denis Diderot Paris 7 and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique, Institut de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 566, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| | - Evelyne Moreau
- Laboratory of Differentiation and Radiobiology of the Gonads, Unit of Gametogenesis and Genotoxicity, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S 566, Université Denis Diderot Paris 7 and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique, Institut de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 566, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Stéphanie G. Moreno
- Laboratory of Differentiation and Radiobiology of the Gonads, Unit of Gametogenesis and Genotoxicity, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S 566, Université Denis Diderot Paris 7 and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique, Institut de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 566, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - René Habert
- Laboratory of Differentiation and Radiobiology of the Gonads, Unit of Gametogenesis and Genotoxicity, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S 566, Université Denis Diderot Paris 7 and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique, Institut de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 566, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Hermans KG, van Marion R, van Dekken H, Jenster G, van Weerden WM, Trapman J. TMPRSS2:ERG fusion by translocation or interstitial deletion is highly relevant in androgen-dependent prostate cancer, but is bypassed in late-stage androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2006; 66:10658-63. [PMID: 17108102 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-1871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [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: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a unique fusion between the prostate-specific, androgen-regulated TMPRSS2 gene and the ETS genes ERG, ETV1, or ETV4 has been described in clinical prostate cancer. We investigated mechanisms of expression of four ETS genes, ERG, ETV1, ETV4, and FLI1, in 11 xenografts representing different stages of prostate cancer. All five androgen-dependent xenografts showed as major transcript overexpression of two splice variants of TMPRSS2:ERG, linking TMPRSS2 exon 1 or 2 sequences to ERG exon 4. In one of two androgen-sensitive xenografts, fusion transcripts of TMPRSS2 and ETV1 were detected. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated both interstitial deletions and translocations as mechanisms of TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion. Importantly, TMPRSS2 to ERG fusions were also observed in three of four androgen-independent, androgen receptor (AR)-negative xenografts and in two AR-negative clinical prostate cancer specimens; however, the fusion gene was not expressed. In almost all AR-negative tumor samples, overexpression of wild-type ETV4 or FLI1 was detected. Combined, our observations indicate a key role of fusion of TMPRSS2 and ETS genes in most androgen-regulated prostate cancers, which might be bypassed by androgen-independent expression of wild-type ETS factors in late-stage disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Down-Regulation
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Staging
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/genetics
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/pathology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/biosynthesis
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Androgen/deficiency
- Serine Endopeptidases/biosynthesis
- Serine Endopeptidases/genetics
- Trans-Activators/biosynthesis
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Transcriptional Regulator ERG
- Translocation, Genetic
- Transplantation, Heterologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin G Hermans
- Departments of Pathology and Urology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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39
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Tsai MY, Yeh SD, Wang RS, Yeh S, Zhang C, Lin HY, Tzeng CR, Chang C. Differential effects of spermatogenesis and fertility in mice lacking androgen receptor in individual testis cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:18975-80. [PMID: 17142319 PMCID: PMC1748162 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0608565103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a Cre-Lox conditional knockout strategy, we generated a germ cell-specific androgen receptor (AR) knockout mouse (G-AR(-/y)) with normal spermatogenesis. Sperm count and motility in epididymis from AR(-/y) mice are similar to that of WT (G-AR(+/y)) mice. Furthermore, fertility tests show there was no difference in fertility, and almost 100% of female pups sired by G-AR(-/y) males younger than 15 weeks carried the deleted AR allele, suggesting the efficient AR knockout occurred in germ cells during meiosis. Together, these data provide in vivo evidence showing male mice without AR in germ cells can still have normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting the essential roles of AR during spermatogenesis might come from indirect cell-cell communication in a paracrine fashion. We then compared the consequences of AR loss in the spermatogenesis and fertility of G-AR(-/y) mice with two other testicular cell-specific AR(-/y) mice and total AR knockout male mice. The results provide clear in vivo evidence that androgen/AR signaling in Sertoli cells plays a direct important role in spermatogenesis and in Leydig cells plays an autocrine regulatory role to modulate Leydig cell steroidogenic function. Total AR knockout male mice have the most severe defects among these mice. These contrasting data with G-AR(-/y) mice suggest AR might have different roles in the various cells within testis to contribute to normal spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yin Tsai
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and
| | - Shauh-Der Yeh
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Departments of Urology and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Sheng Wang
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Departments of Urology and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Caixia Zhang
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Hung-Yun Lin
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Chii-Ruey Tzeng
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Departments of Urology and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- *George H. Whipple Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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40
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Thomas PS, Fraley GS, Damian V, Damien V, Woodke LB, Zapata F, Sopher BL, Plymate SR, La Spada AR. Loss of endogenous androgen receptor protein accelerates motor neuron degeneration and accentuates androgen insensitivity in a mouse model of X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2006; 15:2225-38. [PMID: 16772330 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddl148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA; Kennedy's disease) is a polyglutamine (polyQ) disease in which the affected males suffer progressive motor neuron degeneration accompanied by signs of androgen insensitivity, such as gynecomastia and reduced fertility. SBMA is caused by CAG repeat expansions in the androgen receptor (AR) gene resulting in the production of AR protein with an extended glutamine tract. SBMA is one of nine polyQ diseases in which polyQ expansion is believed to impart a toxic gain-of-function effect upon the mutant protein, and initiate a cascade of events that culminate in neurodegeneration. However, whether loss of a disease protein's normal function concomitantly contributes to the neurodegeneration remains unanswered. To address this, we examined the role of normal AR function in SBMA by crossing a highly representative AR YAC transgenic mouse model with 100 glutamines (AR100) and a corresponding control (AR20) onto an AR null (testicular feminization; Tfm) background. Absence of endogenous AR protein in AR100Tfm mice had profound effects upon neuromuscular and endocrine-reproductive features of this SBMA mouse model, as AR100Tfm mice displayed accelerated neurodegeneration and severe androgen insensitivity in comparison to AR100 littermates. Reduction in size and number of androgen-sensitive motor neurons in the spinal cord of AR100Tfm mice underscored the importance of AR action for neuronal health and survival. Promoter-reporter assays confirmed that AR transactivation competence diminishes in a polyQ length-dependent fashion. Our studies indicate that SBMA disease pathogenesis, both in the nervous system and the periphery, involves two simultaneous pathways: gain-of-function misfolded protein toxicity and loss of normal protein function.
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MESH Headings
- Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome/genetics
- Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome/metabolism
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Genetic Linkage
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Mutant Strains
- Mice, Transgenic
- Motor Neurons/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology
- Nerve Degeneration/pathology
- Peptides/chemistry
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Androgen/chemistry
- Receptors, Androgen/deficiency
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- X Chromosome/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S Thomas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, 98195-7110, USA
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41
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Venken K, De Gendt K, Boonen S, Ophoff J, Bouillon R, Swinnen JV, Verhoeven G, Vanderschueren D. Relative impact of androgen and estrogen receptor activation in the effects of androgens on trabecular and cortical bone in growing male mice: a study in the androgen receptor knockout mouse model. J Bone Miner Res 2006; 21:576-85. [PMID: 16598378 DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.060103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [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: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The relative importance of AR and ER activation has been studied in pubertal male AR knockout and WT mice after orchidectomy and androgen replacement therapy, either with or without an aromatase inhibitor. AR activation dominates normal trabecular bone development and cortical bone modeling in male mice. Moreover, optimal periosteal bone expansion is only observed in the presence of both AR and ER activation. INTRODUCTION Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated androgen action has traditionally been considered a key determinant of male skeletal growth. Increasing evidence, however, suggests that estrogens are also essential for normal male bone growth. Therefore, the relative importance of AR-mediated and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated androgen action after aromatization remains to be clarified. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trabecular and cortical bone was studied in intact or orchidectomized pubertal AR knockout (ARKO) and male wildtype (WT) mice, with or without replacement therapy (3-8 weeks of age). Nonaromatizable (dihydrotestosterone [DHT]) and aromatizable (testosterone [T]) androgens and T plus an aromatase inhibitor (anastrazole) were administered to orchidectomized ARKO and WT mice. Trabecular and cortical bone modeling were evaluated by static and dynamic histomorphometry, respectively. RESULTS AR inactivation or orchidectomy induced a similar degree of trabecular bone loss (-68% and -71%, respectively). Both DHT and T prevented orchidectomy-induced bone loss in WT mice but not in ARKO mice. Administration of an aromatase inhibitor did not affect T action on trabecular bone. AR inactivation and orchidectomy had similar negative effects on cortical thickness (-13% and -8%, respectively) and periosteal bone formation (-50% and -26%, respectively). In orchidectomized WT mice, both DHT and T were found to stimulate periosteal bone formation and, as a result, to increase cortical thickness. In contrast, the periosteum of ARKO mice remained unresponsive to either DHT or T. Interestingly, administration of an aromatase inhibitor partly reduced T action on periosteal bone formation in orchidectomized WT mice (-34% versus orchidectomized WT mice on T), but not in ARKO mice. This effect was associated with a significant decrease in serum IGF-I (-21% versus orchidectomized WT mice on T). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a major role for AR activation in normal development of trabecular bone and periosteal bone growth in male mice. Moreover, optimal stimulation of periosteal growth is only obtained in the presence of both AR and ER activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Venken
- Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Kawano H, Kawaguchi H. [Androgen function on skeletal tissues: analysis of androgen receptor-deficient mice]. Clin Calcium 2006; 16:455-460. [PMID: 16508128] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Although sex hormones had been thought to be essential for normal skeletal development and maintenance of bone mass, the physiological role of androgen receptor (AR) in skeletal tissues was not well established. To reveal physiological function of AR on skeletal tissues, we generated AR deficient mice (AR KO) by means of the Cre-loxP system that was used to avoid the problem of male infertility and analyzed their phenotype in skeletal tissues. It was indicated that AR contributes to maintain bone mass in male, but not in female in mice. However, recent studies suggested the contribution of sex hormones to maintain bone mass is different not only between sexes but among species due to the difference of aromatase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Kawano
- The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Shiina H, Matsumoto T, Sato T, Igarashi K, Miyamoto J, Takemasa S, Sakari M, Takada I, Nakamura T, Metzger D, Chambon P, Kanno J, Yoshikawa H, Kato S. Premature ovarian failure in androgen receptor-deficient mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 103:224-9. [PMID: 16373508 PMCID: PMC1324980 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0506736102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [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: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature ovarian failure (POF) syndrome, an early decline of ovarian function in women, is frequently associated with X chromosome abnormalities ranging from various Xq deletions to complete loss of one of the X chromosomes. However, the genetic locus responsible for the POF remains unknown, and no candidate gene has been identified. Using the Cre/LoxP system, we have disrupted the mouse X chromosome androgen receptor (Ar) gene. Female AR(-/-) mice appeared normal but developed the POF phenotype with aberrant ovarian gene expression. Eight-week-old female AR(-/-) mice are fertile, but they have lower follicle numbers and impaired mammary development, and they produce only half of the normal number of pups per litter. Forty-week-old AR(-/-) mice are infertile because of complete loss of follicles. Genome-wide microarray analysis of mRNA from AR(-/-) ovaries revealed that a number of major regulators of folliculogenesis were under transcriptional control by AR. Our findings suggest that AR function is required for normal female reproduction, particularly folliculogenesis, and that AR is a potential therapeutic target in POF syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Shiina
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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Notini AJ, Davey RA, McManus JF, Bate KL, Zajac JD. Genomic actions of the androgen receptor are required for normal male sexual differentiation in a mouse model. J Mol Endocrinol 2005; 35:547-55. [PMID: 16326839 DOI: 10.1677/jme.1.01884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Androgens mediate their effects in target cells via the androgen receptor (AR), which acts predominantly as a ligand-dependent transcription factor. In addition, androgens induce rapid activation of second messenger signal transduction cascades, and this is thought to occur via non-genomic mechanisms. We have used the Cre/loxP system to generate an AR knockout (ARKO) mouse targeting exon 3, which encodes the second zinc finger of the DNA-binding domain. To generate universal ARKO mice, floxed AR mice were mated with CMV-Cre mice, which express Cre recombinase ubiquitously. Deletion of the floxed allele in our mice does not disrupt the reading frame, and has been designed so that the mutant AR can bind ligand but not target genes. ARKO males displayed a complete androgen insensitivity phenotype, with female external genitalia and a reduction in body weight compared with wild-type males (P < 0.001). Testes of ARKO males were smaller than control males (P < 0.0001) and were located intra-abdominally. We have demonstrated that genotypically XY mice lacking the second zinc finger of the AR have a female phenotype, and we conclude that the genomic actions of the AR (mediated by DNA binding) are indispensable for normal male sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Notini
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
The authors reviewed the occurrence and concomitant factors of laryngospasm in X-linked spinobulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease [KD]). Recurrent laryngospasm was observed in 47% of 49 patients with KD, but in only 2% of a control group of patients with early-stage ALS.
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Huss WJ, Gray DR, Greenberg NM, Mohler JL, Smith GJ. Breast cancer resistance protein-mediated efflux of androgen in putative benign and malignant prostate stem cells. Cancer Res 2005; 65:6640-50. [PMID: 16061644 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-2548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignantly transformed stem cells represent a potential common nidus for the primary cancer and the recurrent cancer that arises after treatment failure. Putative prostate stem cells and prostate tumor stem cells in benign and malignant human prostate tissue, in primary human prostate xenografts, and in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mouse model of prostate cancer, are defined by expression of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), a marker of pluripotent hematopoietic, muscle, and neural stem cells, and by an absence of androgen receptor (AR) protein. Inhibition of BCRP-mediated efflux of dihydrotestosterone by novobiocin or fumitremorgin C in a rat prostate progenitor cell line that expresses BCRP and AR mRNAs, but minimal AR protein, results in stabilization and nuclear translocation of AR protein, providing a mechanism for lack of AR protein in BCRP-expressing stem cells. In both benign and malignant human prostate tissue, the rare epithelial cells that express BCRP and lack AR protein are localized in the basal cell compartment, survive androgen deprivation, and maintain proliferative potential in the hypoxic, androgen-deprived prostate. Putative prostate tumor stem cells that express BCRP but not AR protein in TRAMP are the source of a BCRP-negative and AR-negative, Foxa2- and SV40Tag-expressing, transit amplifying compartment that progresses to the poorly differentiated carcinomas that arise rapidly after castration. Therefore, BCRP expression isolates prostate stem/tumor stem cells from the prostate tissue microenvironment through constitutive efflux of androgen, protecting the putative tumor stem cells from androgen deprivation, hypoxia, or adjuvant chemotherapy, and providing the nidus for recurrent prostate cancer.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/antagonists & inhibitors
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/biosynthesis
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism
- Androgens/deficiency
- Androgens/metabolism
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Humans
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoplasm Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
- Novobiocin/pharmacology
- Prostate/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Rats
- Receptors, Androgen/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Androgen/deficiency
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Transplantation, Heterologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy J Huss
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7525, USA
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Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men in western countries and is usually treated by surgery and/or radiotherapy. More recently, hyperthermia has been introduced into clinical trials investigating a possible effect in the first-line treatment of prostate cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of hyperthermia are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of hyperthermia on proteasome function and its significance for signal transduction, cell death and androgen receptor (AR) expression in PC-3, LnCaP, and DU-145 human and TRAMP-C2 murine prostate cancer cells. Hyperthermia caused apoptosis and radiosensitization and decreased 26S proteasome activity in all three human cell lines to about 40% of untreated control cells. 20S proteasome activity was not affected by heat. Heat treatment inhibited constitutive and radiation-induced activation of nuclear factor kappaB caused by stabilization of IkappaB. Although stabilization of AR by proteasome inhibitors has been reported previously, AR protein levels in LnCaP cells decreased dramatically after heat. Our data suggest that inhibition of proteasome function and dependent signal transduction pathways might be a major molecular mechanisms of heat-induced apoptosis and radiosensitization. Hyperthermia abrogates AR expression in androgen-dependent cells and might thus promote malignant progression of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Pajonk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Experimental Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1714, USA.
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Smith JT, Dungan HM, Stoll EA, Gottsch ML, Braun RE, Eacker SM, Clifton DK, Steiner RA. Differential regulation of KiSS-1 mRNA expression by sex steroids in the brain of the male mouse. Endocrinology 2005; 146:2976-84. [PMID: 15831567 DOI: 10.1210/en.2005-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 487] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Kisspeptins are products of the Kiss1 gene, which bind to GPR54, a G protein-coupled receptor. Kisspeptins and GPR54 have been implicated in the neuroendocrine regulation of GnRH secretion. To test the hypothesis that testosterone regulates Kiss1 gene expression, we compared the expression of KiSS-1 mRNA among groups of intact, castrated, and castrated/testosterone (T)-treated male mice. In the arcuate nucleus (Arc), castration resulted in a significant increase in KiSS-1 mRNA, which was completely reversed with T replacement, whereas in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, the results were the opposite, i.e. castration decreased and T increased KiSS-1 mRNA expression. In the Arc, the effects of T on KiSS-1 mRNA were completely mimicked by estrogen but only partially mimicked by dihydrotestosterone, a nonaromatizable androgen, suggesting that both estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) play a role in T-mediated regulation of KiSS-1. Studies of the effects of T on KiSS-1 expression in mice with either a deletion of the ERalpha or a hypomorphic allele to the AR revealed that the effects of T are mediated by both ERalpha and AR pathways, which was confirmed by the presence of either ERalpha or AR coexpression in most KiSS-1 neurons in the Arc. These observations suggest that KiSS-1 neurons in the Arc, whose transcriptional activity is inhibited by T, are targets for the negative feedback regulation of GnRH secretion, whereas KiSS-1 neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, whose activity is stimulated by T, may mediate other T-dependent processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy T Smith
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7290, USA
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Mucci J, Mocetti E, Leguizamón MS, Campetella O. A sexual dimorphism in intrathymic sialylation survey is revealed by the trans-sialidase from Trypanosoma cruzi. J Immunol 2005; 174:4545-50. [PMID: 15814675 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.8.4545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sialylation is emerging as an important issue in developing thymocytes and is considered among the most significant cell surface modifications, although its physiologic relevance is far from being completely understood. It is regulated by the concerted expression of sialyl transferases along thymocyte development. After in vivo administration of trans-sialidase, a virulence factor from the American trypanosomatid Trypanosoma cruzi that directly transfers the sialyl residue among macromolecules, we found that the alteration of the sialylation pattern induces thymocyte apoptosis inside the "nurse cell complex." This suggests a glycosylation survey in the development of the T cell compartment. In this study, we report that this thymocyte apoptosis mechanism requires the presence of androgens. No increment in apoptosis was recorded after trans-sialidase administration in females or in antiandrogen-treated, gonadectomized, or androgen receptor mutant male mice. The androgen receptor presence was required only in the thymic epithelial cells as determined by bone marrow chimeric mouse approaches. The presence of the CD43 surface mucin, a molecule with a still undefined function in thymocytes, was another absolute requirement. The trans-sialidase-induced apoptosis proceeds through the TNF-alpha receptor 1 deathly signaling leading to the activation of the caspase 3. Accordingly, the production of the cytokine was increased in thymocytes. The ability of males to delete thymocytes altered in their sialylation pattern reveals a sexual dimorphism in the glycosylation survey during the development of the T cell compartment that might be related to the known differences in the immune response among sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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50
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Tan KAL, Turner KJ, Saunders PTK, Verhoeven G, De Gendt K, Atanassova N, Sharpe RM. Androgen Regulation of Stage-Dependent Cyclin D2 Expression in Sertoli Cells Suggests a Role in Modulating Androgen Action on Spermatogenesis1. Biol Reprod 2005; 72:1151-60. [PMID: 15659706 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.037689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of spermatogenesis involves stage-dependent androgen action on Sertoli cells, but the pathways involved are unclear. We assessed if cyclin D2 could play a role. In rats, Sertoli cell nuclear, stage-dependent immunoexpression of cyclin D2 switched on after Day 10 and persisted through Day 35, but disappeared by adulthood. However, ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS)-induced testosterone withdrawal in adult rats for 6 days induced stage-dependent cyclin D2 immunoexpression in Sertoli cells, with highest expression at stages IX-XII and nondetectable at stages VI-VIII (opposite that for androgen receptor [AR] immunoexpression). In EDS-treated rats, a single injection of testosterone but not of estrogen reversed this change in 4 h, and testosterone administration from the time of EDS treatment prevented expression of cyclin D2 in Sertoli cells. The EDS-induced changes in cyclin D2 immunoexpression were matched by changes in expression of Ccnd2 (cyclin D2) mRNA in isolated stage-dissected tubules. Treatment of adult rats with flutamide induced stage-dependent cyclin D2 immunoexpression in Sertoli cells within 18 h, and confocal microscopy revealed that immunoexpression of AR and cyclin D2 were mutually exclusive within individual seminiferous tubules in these animals. Sertoli cell-selective ablation of the AR in mice using Cre/loxP technology also resulted in stage-dependent Sertoli cell cyclin D2 immunoexpression. Downstream from cyclin D2 action is retinoblastoma 1 (RB1), a tumor suppressor protein, immunoexpression of which paralleled stage-dependent AR expression in Sertoli cells; RB1 stage specificity disappeared after EDS treatment. These results point to a non-cell cycle role for cyclin D2 and RB1 in mature Sertoli cells in the stage-dependent mechanisms regulated by AR expression and androgen action.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A L Tan
- MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland, United Kingdom
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