Octylphenol stimulates resistin gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via the estrogen receptor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (6) ◽  
pp. C1542-C1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng-Jung Lee ◽  
Heng Lin ◽  
Chi-Wei Liu ◽  
Min-Hua Wu ◽  
Wei-Ju Liao ◽  
...  

Resistin is known as an adipocyte-specific secretory hormone that can cause insulin resistance and decrease adipocyte differentiation. It can be regulated by sexual hormones. Whether environmental estrogens regulate the production of resistin is still not clear. Using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we found that octylphenol upregulated resistin mRNA expression in dose- and time-dependent manners. The concentration of octylphenol that increased resistin mRNA levels by 50% was ∼100 nM within 6 h of treatment. The basal half-life of resistin mRNA induced by actinomycin D was lengthened by octylphenol treatment, suggesting that octylphenol decreases the rate of resistin mRNA degradation. In addition, octylphenol stimulated resistin protein expression and release. The basal half-life of resistin protein induced by cycloheximide was lengthened by octylphenol treatment, suggesting that octylphenol decreases the rate of resistin protein degradation. While octylphenol was shown to increase activities of the estrogen receptor (ER) and MEK1, signaling was demonstrated to be blocked by pretreatment with either ICI-182780 (an ERα antagonist) or U-0126 (a MEK1 inhibitor), in which both inhibitors prevented octylphenol-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK. These results imply that ERα and ERK are necessary for the octylphenol stimulation of resistin mRNA expression. Moreover, U-0126 antagonized the octylphenol-increased resistin protein expression and release. These data suggest that the way octylphenol signaling increases resistin protein levels is similar to that by which it increases resistin mRNA levels; it is likely mediated through an ERK-dependent pathway. In vivo, octylphenol increased adipose resistin mRNA expression and serum resistin and glucose levels, supporting its in vitro effect.

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimiter Avtanski ◽  
Horacio J. Novaira ◽  
Sheng Wu ◽  
Christopher J. Romero ◽  
Rhonda Kineman ◽  
...  

Abstract Although sex steroids have been implicated in the control of mammalian growth, their direct effect on GH synthesis is less clear. The aim of this study was to establish whether estradiol (E2) directly affects GH synthesis in somatotrophs. Somatotroph GH3 and MtT/S cells were used as in vitro models. At physiological doses of E2 stimulation, GH mRNA levels were increased and the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 completely abolished this effect. Estrogen receptor (ER) α– and ERβ-selective agonists, propylpyrazole triol (PPT), and 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionitrile (DPN), respectively, augmented GH mRNA expression and secretion, whereas E2 and PPT, but not DPN increased prolactin (PRL) mRNA levels. E2, PPT, and DPN stimulated expression of the pituitary transcription factor Pou1f1 and increased its binding to the GH promoter. In vivo evidence of E2 effects on GH synthesis was obtained from the generation of the somatotroph-specific ERα knockout (sERα-KO) mouse model. Basal pituitary GH, PRL, POU1F1, and ERα mRNA expression levels were lower in sERα-KO mice compared with those in controls; whereas ERβ mRNA levels remained unchanged. E2 and DPN stimulated pituitary GH mRNA expression and serum GH levels in control and sERα-KO ovariectomized mice; however, serum GH levels were unchanged in PPT-treated ovariectomized sERα-KO mice. In these animal models, PRL mRNA levels increased after either E2 or PPT, but an increase was not seen after DPN treatment. Thus, we propose a mechanism by which estrogen directly regulates somatotroph GH synthesis at a pretranslational level. In contrast to the predominant effect of ERα in the lactotroph, these results support a role for both ERα and ERβ in the transcriptional control of Gh in the somatotroph and illustrate important differences in ER isoform specificity in the anterior pituitary gland.


Endocrinology ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
pp. 2230-2237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caixia Guo ◽  
Lisa Savage ◽  
Kevin D. Sarge ◽  
Ok-Kyong Park-Sarge

Abstract We have previously shown that the preovulatory LH surge down-regulates estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels selectively in the granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. To gain insight into the underlying mechanisms, we examined whether the LH-induced loss of ERβ mRNA expression in rat granulosa cells is attributable to the hormone-induced changes at the level of transcription and/or mRNA degradation. When the rate of ERβ gene transcription was assessed in cultured granulosa cells, by nuclear run-off assays, we observed only a marginal effect of hCG on ERβ gene transcription. In contrast, when ERβ mRNA levels were estimated in granulosa cells that were cultured in the presence of 5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), an RNA synthesis inhibitor, we observed a significant inhibitory effect of human CG (hCG) on ERβ mRNA expression at a magnitude similar to that observed in the absence of DRB. Forskolin (FSK) and 2-O-tetradecanol-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), pharmacological agents that mimic LH actions in granulosa cells, also showed similar effects. Thus, these results suggest that LH decreases ERβ mRNA expression in the granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles, primarily by destabilizing the preexisting ERβ mRNA. We next determined the decay rate of the ERβ mRNA in granulosa cells that were cultured in the presence of DRB and additional hCG, FSK, or TPA for various time periods, by estimating ERβ mRNA levels, using semiquantitative RT-PCR assays and subsequent linear regression analyses. The half-life of the ERβ mRNA in the presence of vehicle was 17.87 ± 1.2 h (n = 4). hCG dramatically decreased the half-life of the ERβ mRNA (4.85 ± 0.49 h, n = 4). Similarly, both FSK and TPA decreased the half-life of the ERβ mRNA to 3.57 ± 0.31 h and 4.02± 0.13 h, respectively. We extended these findings by examining whether the LH-induced down-regulation of the ERβ mRNA is cycloheximide-sensitive. When granulosa cells were cultured in the presence of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, the inhibitory effects of hCG, FSK, and TPA on ERβ mRNA levels were abolished. Similar results were obtained in the presence or absence of DRB, indicating that the hormone-induced destabilization of the ERβ mRNA is coupled with translation processes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that LH decreases ERβ mRNA expression, predominantly at the posttranscriptional level, in a cycloheximide-sensitive manner.


Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martyna Łupicka ◽  
Gabriel Bodek ◽  
Nahum Shpigel ◽  
Ehud Elnekave ◽  
Anna J Korzekwa

The aim of this study was to identify uterine pluripotent cells both in bovine uterine tissues as well in epithelial, stromal, and myometrial uterine cell populations. Moreover, the relationship of pluripotent markers expression with age and the uterine horn side was considered. Uterine tissue was collected from ipsilateral and contralateral horns (days 8–10 of the estrous cycle). Immunohistostaining for C-KIT, OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in uterine tissue was determined. mRNA expression of C-KIT, OCT3/4, NANOG and SOX2 was evaluated in uterine tissue relative to the age of the cow and uterine horn side. Gene and protein expression of these markers in the uterine luminal epithelial, stromal, and myometrial cells was evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting respectively. The expression of pluripotent cell markers OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 was identified by flow cytometry assay in epithelial, stromal, and myometrial cells. Multilineage differentiation of the bovine uterine cells was performed. mRNA expression of OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in uterine tissue was higher in the ipsilateral horn than in the contralateral horn. Flow cytometry assay revealed positive fluorescence for OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in all uterine cell types. Results showed the age-dependent expression of pluripotent markers in uterine tissue. Beside, the different expression of pluripotent cells in each horn of uterus suggests the influence of ovarian hormones on these characteristics. The highest mRNA and protein expression for pluripotent markers was observed in stromal cells among uterine cells, which indicates this population of cells as the main site of pluripotent cells in the cow uterus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Jun Gao ◽  
Xu-Dong Sun ◽  
Yan-Ping Luo ◽  
Hua-Sheng Pang ◽  
Xing-Ming Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Echinococcosis, which is caused by the larvae of cestodes of the genus Echinococcus, is a parasitic zoonosis that poses a serious threat to the health of humans and animals globally. Albendazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of echinococcosis, but it is difficult to meet clinical goals with this chemotherapy due to its low cure rate and associated side effects after its long-term use. Hence, novel anti-parasitic targets and effective treatment alternatives are urgently needed. A previous study showed that verapamil (Vepm) can suppress the growth of Echinococcus granulosus larvae; however, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to gain insight into the anti-echinococcal effect of Vepm on Echinococcus with a particular focus on the regulatory effect of Vepm on calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Ca2+/CaM-CaMKII) in infected mice. Methods The anti-echinococcal effects of Vepm on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (PSC) in vitro and Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes in infected mice were assessed. The morphological alterations in Echinococcus spp. induced by Vepm were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the changes in calcium content in both the parasite and mouse serum and liver were measured by SEM-energy dispersive spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and alizarin red staining. Additionally, the changes in the protein and mRNA levels of CaM and CaMKII in infected mice, and in the mRNA levels of CaMKII in E. granulosus PSC, were evaluated after treatment with Vepm by immunohistochemistry and/or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results In vitro, E. granulosus PSC could be killed by Vepm at a concentration of 0.5 μg/ml or higher within 8 days. Under these conditions, the ultrastructure of PSC was damaged, and this damage was accompanied by obvious calcium loss and downregulation of CaMKII mRNA expression. In vivo, the weight and the calcium content of E. multilocularis metacestodes from mice were reduced after treatment with 40 mg/kg Vepm, and an elevation of the calcium content in the sera and livers of infected mice was observed. In addition, downregulation of CaM and CaMKII protein and mRNA expression in the livers of mice infected with E. multilocularis metacestodes was found after treatment with Vepm. Conclusions Vepm exerted a parasiticidal effect against Echinococcus both in vitro and in vivo through downregulating the expression of Ca2+/CaM-CaMKII, which was over-activated by parasitic infection. The results suggest that Ca2+/CaM-CaMKII may be a novel drug target, and that Vepm is a potential anti-echinococcal drug for the future control of echinococcosis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (10) ◽  
pp. L852-L860 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Yoshida ◽  
N. Minematsu ◽  
S. Chubachi ◽  
H. Nakamura ◽  
M. Miyazaki ◽  
...  

Efferocytosis is believed to be a key regulator for lung inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this study we pharmacologically inhibited efferocytosis with annexin V and attempted to determine its impact on the progression of pulmonary emphysema in mouse. We first demonstrated in vitro and in vivo efferocytosis experiments using annexin V, an inhibitor for phosphatidylserine-mediated efferocytosis. We then inhibited efferocytosis in porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-treated mice. PPE-treated mice were instilled annexin V intranasally starting from day 8 until day 20. Mean linear intercept (Lm) was measured, and cell apoptosis was assessed in lung specimen obtained on day 21. Cell profile, apoptosis, and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and growth factors were evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells on day 15. Annexin V attenuated macrophage efferocytosis both in vitro and in vivo. PPE-treated mice had a significant higher Lm, and annexin V further increased that by 32%. More number of macrophages was found in BAL fluid in this group. Interestingly, cell apoptosis was not increased by annexin V treatment both in lung specimens and BAL fluid, but macrophages from mice treated with both PPE and annexin V expressed higher MMP-2 mRNA levels and had a trend for higher MMP-12 mRNA expression. mRNA expression of keratinocyte growth factor tended to be downregulated. We showed that inhibited efferocytosis with annexin V worsened elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice, which was, at least partly, attributed to a lack of phenotypic change in macrophages toward anti-inflammatory one.


2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (11) ◽  
pp. F1247-F1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kitterer ◽  
Joerg Latus ◽  
Christoph Ulmer ◽  
Peter Fritz ◽  
Dagmar Biegger ◽  
...  

Peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis are responses to the uremic milieu and exposure to hyperosmolar dialysis fluids in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Cells respond to high osmolarity via the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT5). In the present study, the response of human peritoneal fibroblasts to glucose was analyzed in vitro. Expression levels of NFAT5 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL2) mRNA were quantified in peritoneal biopsies of five nonuremic control patients, five uremic patients before PD (pPD), and eight patients on PD (oPD) using real-time PCR. Biopsies from 5 control patients, 25 pPD patients, and 25 oPD patients were investigated using immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of NFAT5, CCL2, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, and CD68. High glucose concentrations led to an early, dose-dependent induction of NFAT5 mRNA in human peritoneal fibroblasts. CCL2 mRNA expression was upregulated by high concentrations of glucose after 6 h, but, most notably, a concentration-dependent induction of CCL2 was present after 96 h. In human peritoneal biopsies, NFAT5 mRNA levels were increased in uremic patients compared with nonuremic control patients. No significant difference was found between the pPD group and oPD group. CCL2 mRNA expression was higher in the oPD group. Immunohistochemistry analysis was consistent with the results of mRNA analysis. CD68-positive cells were significantly increased in the oPD group. In conclusion, uremia results in NFAT5 induction, which might promote early changes of the peritoneum. Upregulation of NFAT5 in PD patients is associated with NFκB induction, potentially resulting in the recruitment of macrophages.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sashwati Roy ◽  
Savita Khanna ◽  
Chandan K Sen

Background . Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta-1) is a key cytokine implicated in the development of cardiac fibrosis following ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The profibrotic effects of TGFbeta-1 are primarily attributable to the differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CF) to myofibroblasts. Previously, we have reported perceived hyperoxia (Circ Res 92:264 –71), sub-lethal reoxygenation shock during IR, induces differentiation of CF to myofibroblasts at the infarct site. The mechanisms underlying oxygen-sensitive induction of TGFbeta-1 mRNA remain to be characterized. Hypothesis . Fra2 mediates oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 mRNA expression in adult cardiac fibroblasts. Methods. TGFbeta-1 mRNA expression in infarct tissue was investigated in an IR injury model. The left anterior descending coronary artery of mice was transiently occluded for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion to induce IR injury. Spatially resolved infarct and non-infarct tissues were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-IR using laser capture microdissection. TGFbeta-1 mRNA levels were measured using real-time PCR. To investigate the role of oxygen in the regulation of TGFbeta-1, we used our previously reported model of perceived hyperoxia where CF (from 5wks old mice) after isolation were cultured at 5%O 2 (physiological pO 2 ) followed by transferring them to 20%O 2 to induce hyperoxic insult. Results & Conclusions. In vivo, a significant increase (p<0.01; n=5) in TGFbeta-1 mRNA was observed at the infarct site already at day 1 post-IR. The levels continued to increase until day 7 post-IR. In vitro, exposure of CF to 20%O 2 hyperoxic insult induced TGFbeta-1 mRNA (p<0.001; n=4) and protein (p<0.01; n=4) expression. Using a TGFbeta-1 promoter-luciferase reporter and DNA binding assays, we collected first evidence that AP-1 and its component Fra2 as major mediators of oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 expression. Exposure to 20%O 2 resulted in increased localization of Fra2 in nucleus. siRNA-dependent Fra-2 knock-down completely abrogated oxygen-induced TGFbeta1 expression. In conclusion, this study presents first evidence that Fra-2 is involved in inducible TGFbeta1 expression in CF. Fra2 was noted as being central in regulating oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 expression.s


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 2111-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Bing Hu ◽  
Xiao-Ting Ye ◽  
Qing-Qing Zhou ◽  
Rong-Quan Fu

Background/Aims: Sestrin 2 is associated with the pathophysiology of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Sestrin 2 in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis. Methods: In this study, Sestrin 2 protein expression was detected in rat HSC-T6 cells challenged with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a well-known model of hepatic fibrosis. Next, HSC-T6 cells and fibrotic mice were transfected with lentivirus. The mRNA expression levels of markers of liver fibrosis [alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen 1A1 (Col1A1)] were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell death and proliferation were evaluated by the MTT assay, and biochemical markers of liver damage in serum [alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST)] were also measured using a biochemical analyzer. Histopathological examination was used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis, and protein expression [phospho-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), AMPK, phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and mTOR] was determined by western blotting. Results: We found that Sestrin 2 was elevated in both the HSC-T6 cell and hepatic fibrosis models. In vitro, overexpression of Sestrin 2 attenuated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and Col1A1, suppressed α-SMA protein expression, and modulated HSC-T6 cell proliferation. In vivo, overexpression of Sestrin 2 reduced the ALT and AST levels as well as the α-SMA and Col1A1 protein expression in the CCl4 model of liver fibrosis. Moreover, the degree of liver fibrosis was ameliorated. Interestingly, overexpression of Sestrin 2 increased p-AMPK but decreased p-mTOR protein expression. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Sestrin 2 may attenuate the activation of HSCs and ameliorate liver fibrosis, most likely via upregulation of AMPK phosphorylation and suppression of the mTOR signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 4080-4092
Author(s):  
Takahiro Ichikawa ◽  
Masahiro Shibata ◽  
Takahiro Inaishi ◽  
Ikumi Soeda ◽  
Mitsuro Kanda ◽  
...  

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates tumor-promoting roles of synaptotagmin 13 (SYT13) in several cancers; however, no studies have investigated its expression in breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to clarify the significance of SYT13 in BC. Methods: SYT13 mRNA expression levels were evaluated in BC cell lines. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between expression levels of SYT13 and other tumor-associated genes. Then, the association of SYT13 expression levels in the clinical BC specimens with patients’ clinicopathological factors was evaluated. These findings were subsequently validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Results: Among 13 BC cell lines, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive cells showed higher SYT13 mRNA levels than ER-negative cells. PCR array analysis revealed positive correlations between SYT13 and several oncogenes predominantly expressed in ER-positive BC, such as estrogen receptor 1, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1, and cyclin-dependent kinases 4. In 165 patients, ER-positive specimens exhibited higher SYT13 mRNA expression levels than ER-negative specimens. The TCGA database analysis confirmed that patients with ER-positive BC expressed higher SYT13 levels than ER-negative patients. Conclusion: This study suggests that SYT13 is highly expressed in ER-positive BC cells and clinical specimens, and there is a positive association of SYT13 with the ER signaling pathways.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parveen Bazard ◽  
Bo Ding ◽  
Harish K. Chittam ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhu ◽  
Thomas A. Parks ◽  
...  

Abstract Na+–K+–2Cl− Cotransporter (NKCC1) is a protein that aids in the active transport of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions across cell membranes. It has been shown that long-term systemic treatment with aldosterone (ALD) can enhance NKCC1 protein expression and activity in the aging cochlea resulting in improved hearing. In the present work, we used a cell line with confirmed NKCC1 expression to demonstrate that in vitro application of ALD increased outward voltage-gated potassium currents significantly, and simultaneously upregulated whole lysate and membrane portion NKCC1 protein expression. These ALD-induced changes were blocked by applying the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone. However, application of the NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide or the potassium channel antagonist Tetraethyl ammonium had no effect. In addition, NKKC1 mRNA levels remained stable, indicating that ALD modulates NKCC1 protein expression via the activation of mineralocorticoid receptors and post-transcriptional modifications. Further, in vitro electrophysiology experiments, with ALD in the presence of NKCC1, K+ channel and mineralocorticoid receptor inhibitors, revealed interactions between NKCC1 and outward K+ channels, mediated by a mineralocorticoid receptor-ALD complex. These results provide evidence of the therapeutic potential of ALD for the prevention/treatment of inner ear disorders such as age-related hearing loss.


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