Development of Polydiacetylene-Based Testosterone Detection as a Model Sensing Platform for Water-Insoluble Hormone Analytes

We have developed a polydiacetylene (PDA)-based sensing platform to detect testosterone (T) as a potential biomarker of preterm birth. The insolubility of the steroid hormone in water, where PDA assemblies are dispersed, poses a major issue, since they can hardly interact with each other. To overcome this challenge, acetonitrile was used as a suitable solvent. In addition, to minimize false signals of PDA assemblies caused by the solvent, a mixture of acetonitrile and distilled water was selected. To prove a concept of PDA-based sensing platform for targeting T hormone, we conjugated anti-T antibodies to surface of PDA assemblies to induce selective binding between T and anti-T antibodies. The fluorescence sensory signaling of the PDA-anti-T antibody conjugate was selectively generated for T, over 3.4 times higher sensitivity of the signaling compared to that from other sex steroid hormones studied (β-estradiol and progesterone).

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining Whether Changing Ovarian Sex Steroid Hormone Levels Influence Cerebrovascular Function

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.687591 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Bethany D. Skinner ◽

Rebecca J. Davies ◽

Samuel R. Weaver ◽

N. Tim Cable ◽

Samuel J. E. Lucas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Steroid Hormones ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Oral Contraception ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Sex Steroid Hormone ◽

Cerebrovascular Function ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Post Menopausal

Sex differences in cerebrovascular disease rates indicate a possible role for ovarian sex steroid hormones in cerebrovascular function. To synthesise and identify knowledge gaps, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess how ovarian sex steroid hormone changes across the lifespan affect cerebrovascular function in women. Three databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science) were systematically searched for studies on adult cerebrovascular function and ovarian sex steroid hormones. Forty-five studies met pre-defined inclusion criteria. Studied hormone groups included hormone replacement therapy (HRT; n = 17), pregnancy (n = 12), menstrual cycle (n = 7), menopause (n = 5), oral contraception (n = 2), and ovarian hyperstimulation (n = 2). Outcome measures included pulsatility index (PI), cerebral blood flow/velocity (CBF), resistance index (RI), cerebral autoregulation, and cerebrovascular reactivity. Meta-analysis was carried out on HRT studies. PI significantly decreased [−0.05, 95% CI: (−0.10, −0.01); p = 0.01] in post-menopausal women undergoing HRT compared to post-menopausal women who were not, though there was considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 96.8%). No effects of HRT were seen in CBF (p = 0.24) or RI (p = 0.77). This review indicates that HRT improves PI in post-menopausal women. However, there remains insufficient evidence to determine how changing ovarian sex steroid hormone levels affects cerebrovascular function in women during other hormonal phases (e.g., pregnancy, oral contraception).

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Changes in plasma steroid hormones and gonadal histology associated with sexual maturation in wild southern hake (Merluccius australis)

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research ◽

10.3856/vol43-issue4-fulltext-2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 632-640

Author(s):

Manuel Alvarado ◽

Edison Serrano ◽

Juan Carlos Sánchez ◽

Luis Valladares

Keyword(s):

Steroid Hormones ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

Sex Steroid Hormones ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Sex Steroid Hormone ◽

Asynchronous Development ◽

Gonadal Histology ◽

Males And Females ◽

First Time

A detailed study of gametes development and characterization of plasma sex steroid hormones during the maturation cycle was performed for the first time in the southern hake (Merluccius australis). Fish were caught in the inland waters of the Reloncaví Sound, Interior Sea of Chiloé, Chile. Samples of gonads and blood were collected for histology and sex steroid hormone (17 β-estradiol, 11-ketotestosterone and 17,20 βdihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) analysis, respectively. Sex steroid hormone quantification was performed using enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA). Results showed that M. australis males and females have asynchronous development of testicles and ovaries, in all stages of maturation. Most spawning fish were found during the spring months. Regarding the sex steroid hormones, serological fluctuations of 17 β-estradiol and 11- ketotestosterone were found during gonadal maturation of M. australis. These hormones are the main hormones responsible for vitelogenesis and spermatogenesis processes, respectively. Conversely, 17,20 β-dihydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one did not show any serological fluctuation in females and males. Further studies involving gonadotropins, 17,20 β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and vitellogenin quantification are required in order to obtain a more complete description of the reproductive physiology of wild and farmed M. australis.

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The Nexus of Endocrine Signaling and Cancer: How Steroid Hormones Influence Genomic Stability

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/endocr/bqaa177 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 162 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shinjini Ganguly ◽

Divya Naik ◽

Andrew Muskara ◽

Omar Y Mian

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Steroid Hormones ◽

Dna Damage Response ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

Genomic Stability ◽

Genotoxic Stress ◽

Steroid Hormone Receptors ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Damage Response ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Endocrine-driven malignancies, including breast and prostate cancer, are among the most common human cancers. The relationship between sex steroid hormones (eg, androgen, estrogen, and progesterone), their cognate receptors, and genomic stability lie at the center of endocrine-driven cancer development, progression, and therapeutic resistance. A variety of direct and indirect mechanisms have been described that link steroid hormone signaling to the loss of genomic integrity that drives early carcinogenesis. These effects are often enriched within endocrine receptor cistromes, accounting for the high proportion of mutations and rearrangements in the region of hormone response elements. In other cases, the effects are generalized and rely on a complex array of genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic interactions. Both androgen and estrogen receptors directly modulate the DNA damage response by trans-activating DNA damage response genes and redirecting the cellular repair machinery in the wake of genotoxic stress. Here we review the key mechanistic underpinnings of the relationship between sex steroid hormone receptors and genomic stability. In addition, we summarize emerging research in this area and discuss important implications for cancer prevention and treatment.

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Anti-Angiogenic Treatments Interact with Steroid Secretion in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Triple Negative Cell Lines

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13153668 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 3668

Author(s):

Ángela Alonso-Diez ◽

Sara Cáceres ◽

Laura Peña ◽

Belén Crespo ◽

Juan Carlos Illera

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Steroid Hormones ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Inflammatory Breast Cancer ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Antiangiogenic Therapies

Human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a highly angiogenic disease for which antiangiogenic therapy has demonstrated only a modest response, and the reason for this remains unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different antiangiogenic therapies on in vitro and in vivo steroid hormone and angiogenic growth factor production using canine and human inflammatory breast carcinoma cell lines as well as the possible involvement of sex steroid hormones in angiogenesis. IPC-366 and SUM149 cell lines and xenotransplanted mice were treated with different concentrations of VEGF, SU5416, bevacizumab and celecoxib. Steroid hormone (progesterone, dehydroepiandrostenedione, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone sulphate and 17β-oestradiol), angiogenic growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D) and IL-8 determinations in culture media, tumour homogenate and serum samples were assayed by EIA. In vitro, progesterone- and 17β-oestradiol-induced VEGF production promoting cell proliferation and androgens are involved in the formation of vascular-like structures. In vivo, intratumoural testosterone concentrations were augmented and possibly associated with decreased metastatic rates, whereas elevated E1SO4 concentrations could promote tumour progression after antiangiogenic therapies. In conclusion, sex steroid hormones could regulate the production of angiogenic factors. The intratumoural measurement of sex steroids and growth factors may be useful to develop preventive and individualized therapeutic strategies.

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Predominance of Atopobium vaginae at Midtrimester: a Potential Indicator of Preterm Birth Risk in a Nigerian Cohort

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.01261-20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nkechi Martina Odogwu ◽

Jun Chen ◽

Chinedum Amara Onebunne ◽

Patricio Jeraldo ◽

Lu Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Steroid Hormones ◽

Pregnancy Outcome ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Vaginal Microbiome ◽

Content Type ◽

Microbiome Composition ◽

Atopobium Vaginae

ABSTRACT Preterm birth (PTB) is the largest contributor to infant death in sub-Saharan Africa and globally. With a global estimate of 773,600, Nigeria has the third highest rate of PTB worldwide. There have been a number of microbiome profiling studies to identify vaginal microbiomes suggestive of preterm and healthy birth outcome. However, studies on the pregnancy vaginal microbiome in Africa are sparse with none performed in Nigeria. Moreover, few studies have considered the concurrent impact of steroid hormones and the vaginal microbiome on pregnancy outcome. We assessed two key determinants of pregnancy progression to gain a deeper understanding of the interactions between vaginal microbiome composition, steroid hormone concentrations, and pregnancy outcome. Vaginal swabs and blood samples were prospectively collected from healthy midtrimester pregnant women. Vaginal microbiome compositions were assessed by analysis of the V3-V5 region of 16S rRNA genes, and potential functional metabolic traits of identified vaginal microbiomes were imputed by PICRUSt (phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states) analysis, while plasma estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P1) levels were quantified by the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PTB vaginal samples were characterized by increased microbial richness, high diversity, and depletion of lactobacilli compared to term delivery samples. Women who delivered preterm were characterized by an Atopobium vaginae-dominated vagitype. High relative abundance of Atopobium vaginae at the midtrimester was highly predictive of PTB (area under the receiving operator characteristics [AUROC] of 0.983). There was a marked overlap in the range of plasma E2 and P1 values between term and PTB groups. IMPORTANCE Giving birth too soon accounts for half of all newborn deaths worldwide. Clinical symptoms alone are not sufficient to identify women at risk of giving birth too early, as such a pragmatic approach to reducing the incidence of preterm birth entails developing early strategies for intervention before it materializes. In view of the role played by the vaginal microbiome and maternal steroid hormones in determining obstetric outcome, we assessed the vaginal microbiome composition and steroid hormone during pregnancy and examined their relationship in predicting preterm birth risk in Nigerian women. This study highlights a potential early-driver microbial marker for prediction of preterm birth risk and supports the notion that vaginal microbiome composition varies across populations. A knowledge of relevant preterm birth microbial markers specific to populations would enhance the development of personalized therapeutic interventions toward restoring a microbiome that optimizes reproductive health fitness, therefore reducing the incidence of preterm birth.

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A Review on Sex Steroid Hormone Estrogen Receptors in Mammals and Fish

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2020/5386193 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Eric Amenyogbe ◽

Gang Chen ◽

Zhongliang Wang ◽

Xiaoying Lu ◽

Mingde Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Estrogen Receptors ◽

Steroid Hormones ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Reproductive Hormone ◽

Binding Affinities ◽

Sex Steroid Hormone ◽

Central Nervous Systems ◽

Males And Females

Steroid hormones play essential roles in the reproductive biology of vertebrates. Estrogen exercises its effect through estrogen receptors and is not only a female reproductive hormone but acts virtually in all vertebrates, including fish, and is involved in the physiological and pathological states in all males and females. Estrogen has been implicated in mandible conservation and circulatory and central nervous systems as well as the reproductive system. This review intended to understand the structure, function, binding affinities, and activations of estrogens and estrogen receptors and to discuss the understanding of the role of sex steroid hormone estrogen receptors in mammals and fish.

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