scholarly journals Molecular mechanisms underlying AMH elevation in hyperoestrogenic states in males

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Valeri ◽  
María M. Lovaisa ◽  
Chrystèle Racine ◽  
Nadia Y. Edelsztein ◽  
Marina Riggio ◽  
...  

Abstract Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by Sertoli cells of the testes from early fetal life until puberty, when it is downregulated by androgens. In conditions like complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), AMH downregulation does not occur and AMH increases at puberty, due in part to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) effect. However, other conditions like Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), characterised by low FSH, also have increased AMH. Because both CAIS and PJS may present as hyperoestrogenic states, we tested the hypothesis that oestradiol (E2) upregulates AMH expression in peripubertal Sertoli cells and explored the molecular mechanisms potentially involved. The results showed that E2 is capable of inducing an upregulation of endogenous AMH and of the AMH promoter activity in the prepubertal Sertoli cell line SMAT1, signalling through ERα binding to a specific ERE sequence present on the hAMH promoter. A modest action was also mediated through the membrane oestrogen receptor GPER. Additionally, the existence of ERα expression in Sertoli cells in patients with CAIS was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The evidence presented here provides biological plausibility to the hypothesis that testicular AMH production increases in clinical conditions in response to elevated oestrogen levels.

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Marcelo Rindone ◽  
Agostina Gorga ◽  
Mariana Regueira ◽  
Eliana Herminia Pellizzari ◽  
Selva Beatriz Cigorraga ◽  
...  

Metformin (MET) is one of the most widely used anti-hyperglycemic agents for treating patients with type 2 diabetes and it has started to be used in pediatric population at ages when Sertoli cells are still proliferating. It is well known that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the major Sertoli cell mitogen. The aim of the study is to investigate a possible effect of MET, which has been shown to have anti-proliferative properties, on FSH regulation of postnatal Sertoli cell proliferation and on the molecular mechanisms involved in this regulation. The present study was performed in eight-day-old rat Sertoli cell cultures. The results obtained show that MET in the presence of FSH increases phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase and decreases phosphorylated p70S6K levels. Moreover, we show that MET decreases FSH-stimulated Sertoli cell proliferation, and this decrease is accompanied by a reduction in FSH-stimulated Ccnd1 and Ccnd2 expression and an increase in cell cycle inhibitor p21Cip expression. Altogether, these results suggest that MET can, at least in part, counteract the effect of FSH on postnatal Sertoli cell proliferation.


1997 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
J S Fisher ◽  
M R Millar ◽  
G Majdic ◽  
P T K Saunders ◽  
H M Fraser ◽  
...  

Abstract The sites of action and the physiological role of oestrogens in the male reproductive tract are poorly understood. We have undertaken a systematic study of the immunoexpression of oestrogen receptor-α (ERα) in the male rat from late fetal life through to adulthood and compared the findings with results obtained in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) from neonatal to adult life. The testes, rete testis, efferent ducts and epididymis were examined from normal male rats (aged 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 38, 48 and 90 days) and from male rat fetuses on days 17·5 and 18·5 of gestation; comparable tissues were examined from neonatal, infantile, peripubertal and adult marmosets aged 8, 18–24, 54–62 and 92–112 weeks respectively. Immunolocalisation of ERa used antigen retrieval and a monoclonal antibody directed to the N-terminus, which had proved superior to six other antisera tested. ERa was immunoexpressed in interstitial cells, including the fetal/neonatal generation of Leydig cells, in both the rat and marmoset. In the rat, the adult generation of Leydig cells were also immunopositive for ERa whereas the comparable cells in the marmoset were only weakly immunopositive. ERa was not expressed in Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, blood vessels or germ cells at any time in either species. In late fetal life in the rat, ERa was immunoexpressed in cells surrounding the mesonephric tubules, whereas postnatally it was expressed in the epithelium of the rete testis and efferent ducts at all ages from 4 to 90 days; this immunoexpression was most pronounced in the efferent ducts. In the marmoset, the efferent ducts, but not the rete testis, also showed intense immunoexpression of ERa. Apart from sporadic immunostaining for ERa in the epididymal duct of the rat in the neonatal period, the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis were negative for immunoexpression of ERa at all ages in both species. These findings suggest that the main actions of oestrogens in the male reproductive tract, mediated by ERa, are related to the development and function of the efferent ducts and the Leydig cells. In consideration of data from this and previous studies of oestrogen binding, we predict possible sites of expression of other oestrogen receptors (e.g. ERβ) in Sertoli cells and the epididymis. Interactive effects, related to the relative levels of androgens and oestrogens, could be physiologically important in the excurrent ducts of the adult testis. Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 485–495


1991 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alan Talbot ◽  
Ann Lambert ◽  
Robert Mitchell ◽  
Marek Grabinski ◽  
David C. Anderson ◽  
...  

Abstract We have investigated the role of Ca2+ in the control of FSH-induced estradiol secretion by Sertoli cells isolated from 8-10 days old rats. Exogenous Ca2+ (4-8 mmol/1) inhibited FSH-stimulated E2 secretion such that, with 8 mmol/l Ca2+ and FSH (8 IU/l) E2 secretion decreased from 2091±322 to 1480±84 pmol/l (p<0.002), whilst chelation of Ca2+ in the culture medium with EGTA (3 mmol/l) increased E2 secretion from 360±45 to 1242±133 pmol/l) in the absence of FSH. Further, EGTA (3 mmol/l) markedly potentiated FSH (8 IU/l), forskolin (1 μmol/l) and dibutyryl cAMP (1 mmol/l)-stimulated E2 secretion. Addition of the Ca2+ ionophores, ionomycin (2-5 μmol/l) and A23187 (2 μmol/l), inhibited FSH (8 IU/l)-stimulated E2 secretion by >80%. The effect of ionomycin was totally reversible, whereas that of A23187 was irreversible. Ionomycin (5 μmol/l) had no effect on EGTA-induced E2 secretion in the absence of FSH, but reduced EGTA-provoked E2 secretion by 59% in the presence of FSH (8 IU/l). Similarly, forskolin- and dibutyryl cAMP-provoked E2 production was inhibited 46-50% by ionomycin (5 μmol/l). We conclude that FSH-induced E2 secretion from immature rat Sertoli cells is modulated by intra- and extracellular Ca2+.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 1353-1397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Wadhawan ◽  
Mark A. Reynolds ◽  
Hina Makkar ◽  
Alison J. Scott ◽  
Eileen Potocki ◽  
...  

Increasing evidence incriminates low-grade inflammation in cardiovascular, metabolic diseases, and neuropsychiatric clinical conditions, all important causes of morbidity and mortality. One of the upstream and modifiable precipitants and perpetrators of inflammation is chronic periodontitis, a polymicrobial infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) playing a central role in the disease pathogenesis. We review the association between P. gingivalis and cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric illness, and the molecular mechanisms potentially implicated in immune upregulation as well as downregulation induced by the pathogen. In addition to inflammation, translocation of the pathogens to the coronary and peripheral arteries, including brain vasculature, and gut and liver vasculature has important pathophysiological consequences. Distant effects via translocation rely on virulence factors of P. gingivalis such as gingipains, on its synergistic interactions with other pathogens, and on its capability to manipulate the immune system via several mechanisms, including its capacity to induce production of immune-downregulating micro-RNAs. Possible targets for intervention and drug development to manage distal consequences of infection with P. gingivalis are also reviewed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1264
Author(s):  
Nina Tyutyusheva ◽  
Ilaria Mancini ◽  
Giampiero Igli Baroncelli ◽  
Sofia D’Elios ◽  
Diego Peroni ◽  
...  

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is due to complete resistance to the action of androgens, determining a female phenotype in persons with a 46,XY karyotype and functioning testes. CAIS is caused by inactivating mutations in the androgen receptor gene (AR). It is organized in eight exons located on the X chromosome. Hundreds of genetic variants in the AR gene have been reported in CAIS. They are distributed throughout the gene with a preponderance located in the ligand-binding domain. CAIS mainly presents as primary amenorrhea in an adolescent female or as a bilateral inguinal/labial hernia containing testes in prepubertal children. Some issues regarding the management of females with CAIS remain poorly standardized (such as the follow-up of intact testes, the timing of gonadal removal and optimal hormone replacement therapy). Basic research will lead to the consideration of new issues to improve long-term well-being (such as bone health, immune and metabolic aspects and cardiovascular risk). An expert multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to increase the long-term quality of life of women with CAIS.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 782
Author(s):  
Veronica Tisato ◽  
Juliana A. Silva ◽  
Giovanna Longo ◽  
Ines Gallo ◽  
Ajay V. Singh ◽  
...  

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting behavior and communication, presenting with extremely different clinical phenotypes and features. ASD etiology is composite and multifaceted with several causes and risk factors responsible for different individual disease pathophysiological processes and clinical phenotypes. From a genetic and epigenetic side, several candidate genes have been reported as potentially linked to ASD, which can be detected in about 10–25% of patients. Folate gene polymorphisms have been previously associated with other psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, mainly focused on gene variants in the DHFR gene (5q14.1; rs70991108, 19bp ins/del), MTHFR gene (1p36.22; rs1801133, C677T and rs1801131, A1298C), and CBS gene (21q22.3; rs876657421, 844ins68). Of note, their roles have been scarcely investigated from a sex/gender viewpoint, though ASD is characterized by a strong sex gap in onset-risk and progression. The aim of the present review is to point out the molecular mechanisms related to intracellular folate recycling affecting in turn remethylation and transsulfuration pathways having potential effects on ASD. Brain epigenome during fetal life necessarily reflects the sex-dependent different imprint of the genome-environment interactions which effects are difficult to decrypt. We here will focus on the DHFR, MTHFR and CBS gene-triad by dissecting their roles in a sex-oriented view, primarily to bring new perspectives in ASD epigenetics.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1134
Author(s):  
Hao-Qi Wang ◽  
Wei-Di Zhang ◽  
Bao Yuan ◽  
Jia-Bao Zhang

Mammalian reproduction is mainly driven and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, is a key regulator that ultimately affects animal fertility. As a dimeric glycoprotein hormone, the biological specificity of FSH is mainly determined by the β subunit. As research techniques are being continuously innovated, studies are exploring the underlying molecular mechanism regulating the secretion of mammalian FSH. This article will review the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways systematically regulating FSH synthesis and will present the latest hypothesis about the nuclear cross-talk among the various endocrine-induced pathways for transcriptional regulation of the FSH β subunit. This article will provide novel ideas and potential targets for the improved use of FSH in livestock breeding and therapeutic development.


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