BackgroundAtrazine is a potent endocrine disruptor that increases aromatase expression in some human cancer cell lines. The mechanism involves the inhibition of phosphodiesterase and subsequent elevation of cAMP.MethodsWe compared steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) expression in atrazine responsive and non-responsive cell lines and transfected SF-1 into nonresponsive cell lines to assess SF-1’s role in atrazine-induced aromatase. We used a luciferase reporter driven by the SF-1–dependent aromatase promoter (ArPII) to examine activation of this promoter by atrazine and the related simazine. We mutated the SF-1 binding site to confirm the role of SF-1. We also examined effects of 55 other chemicals. Finally, we examined the ability of atrazine and simazine to bind to SF-1 and enhance SF-1 binding to ArPII.ResultsAtrazine-responsive adrenal carcinoma cells (H295R) expressed 54 times more SF-1 than nonresponsive ovarian granulosa KGN cells. Exogenous SF-1 conveyed atrazine-responsiveness to otherwise nonresponsive KGN and NIH/3T3 cells. Atrazine induced binding of SF-1 to chromatin and mutation of the SF-1 binding site in ArPII eliminated SF-1 binding and atrazine-responsiveness in H295R cells. Out of 55 chemicals examined, only atrazine, simazine, and benzopyrene induced luciferase via ArPII. Atrazine bound directly to SF-1, showing that atrazine is a ligand for this “orphan” receptor.ConclusionThe current findings are consistent with atrazine’s endocrine-disrupting effects in fish, amphibians, and reptiles; the induction of mammary and prostate cancer in laboratory rodents; and correlations between atrazine and similar reproductive cancers in humans. This study highlights the importance of atrazine as a risk factor in endocrine disruption in wildlife and reproductive cancers in laboratory rodents and humans.
Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1)/adrenal 4 binding protein is an essential nuclear receptor for steroidogenesis, as well as for adrenal and gonadal gland development. We have previously clarified that adenovirus-mediated forced expression of SF-1 can transform long-term cultured mouse bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMCs) into ACTH-responsive steroidogenic cells. In the present study, we extended this work to adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal cells (AMCs) and compared its steroidogenic capacity with those of BMCs prepared from the identical mouse. Several cell surface markers, including potential mesenchymal cell markers, were identical in both cell types, and, as expected, forced expression of SF-1 caused AMCs to be transformed into ACTH-responsive steroidogenic cells. However, more elaborate studies revealed that the steroidogenic property of AMCs was rather different from that of BMCs, especially in steroidogenic lineage. In response to increased SF-1 expression and/or treatment with retinoic acid, AMCs were much more prone to produce adrenal steroid, corticosterone rather than gonadal steroid, testosterone, whereas the contrary was evident in BMCs. Such marked differences in steroidogenic profiles between AMCs and BMCs were also evident by the changes of steroidogenic enzymes. These novel results suggest a promising utility of AMCs for autologous cell regeneration therapy for patients with steroid insufficiency and also a necessity for appropriate tissue selection in preparing mesenchymal stem cells according to the aim. The different steroidogenic potency of AMCs or BMCs might provide a good model for the clarification of the mechanism of tissue- or cell-specific adrenal and gonadal steroidogenic cell differentiation.
Bone marrow stem cells develop into haematopoietic and mesenchymal lineages, but have not been known to participate in steroidogenic cell production. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), also designated adrenal 4 binding protein (Ad4BP), is an essential orphan nuclear receptor for steroidogenesis as well as for adrenal and gonadal gland development. In the present study, we revealed that the adenovirus-mediated forced expression of SF-1 can transform cultured primary long-term cultured bone marrow cells into steroidogenic cells, showing the de novo synthesis of multiple steroid hormones in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This finding may provide an initial step in innovative autograft cell transfer therapy for steroid hormone deficiencies.
Steroidogenic factor 1/adrenal 4 binding protein (SF-1/Ad4BP) is an essential nuclear receptor for steroidogenesis as well as for adrenal and gonadal gland development. Mesenchymal bone marrow cells (BMCs) contain pluripotent progenitor cells, which differentiate into multiple lineages. In a previous study, we reported that adenovirus-mediated forced expression of SF-1 could transform mouse primary long-term cultured BMCs into steroidogenic cells. For future clinical application, trials using human BMCs would be indispensable. In this study, we examined whether SF-1 could transform human BMCs into steroidogenic cells and compared the steroid profile of these cellswith that of mouse steroidogenic BMCs. Primary cultured human BMCs infected with adenovirus containing bovine SF-1 cDNA could produce progesterone, corticosterone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and estradiol. Such a mixed character of adrenal and gonadal steroid production in human BMCs was supported by the expressions of P450scc, 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3b-HSD), P450c21, P450c11, P450c17, 17b-HSD, and P450arom mRNAs. Unlike mouse steroidogenic BMCs, introduction of SF-1 into human BMCs caused dramatic inductions of both ACTH and LH receptors, thus leading to good responsiveness of the cells to ACTH and LH respectively. Importantly, among several factors that are known to be closely associated with adrenal and/or gonadal development, introduction of only SF-1 enabled the human BMCs to express P450scc and to produce cortisol and testosterone, suggesting that SF-1 is truly a master regulator for the production of steroidogenic cells from human BMCs.
BackgroundRecently, incretin hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, have been found to regulate glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy and safety of the clinical usage of DPP-4 inhibitors in Japan.MethodsThis study was designed as a prospective, open-label, multi-center trial. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) with poor glycemic profiles (HbA1c ≥ 6.2%) in spite of receiving a medical diet, therapeutic exercise, and/or medications were eligible for this study. The participants received 50 to 100 mg of the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin once daily for 12 months.ResultsOne hundred and eighty-eight subjects were enrolled. After 12 months of sitagliptin treatment, HbA1c levels decreased (7.65% ± 1.32% to 7.05% ± 1.10%, p < 0.001) as well as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (145 ± 52 mg/dl to 129 ± 43 mg/dl, p = 0.005). The rate of glycemic control achieved (in accordance with the guidelines of the Japanese Diabetes Society) significantly increased. Blood pressure and serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol decreased significantly. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Diabetes Symptomatic Scores improved significantly. Adverse events such as hypoglycemia and loss of consciousness occurred in twenty three subjects (11%).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the actions of DPP-4 inhibitors improve not only glycemic control, but also blood pressure, lipid profiles, and quality of life (QOL). Sitagliptin is a sound agent for use in the comprehensive treatment of patients with T2DM.
Abstract. In animal experiments, adrenal cortical tissue has been successfully regenerated through xenotransplantation of cloned adrenocortical cells, suggesting that the intraadrenal stem cells required for such tissue formation may be present in the adrenal cortex. Stable expression of Ad4BP/SF-1, a key factor for adrenal and gonadal development and steroidogenesis, has been shown to direct embryonic stem cells toward the steroidogenic lineage. However, this steroidogenic capacity was very limited since progesterone was only produced in the presence of an exogenous substrate. Bone marrow mesenchymal cells are thought to contain pluripotent progenitor cells, which differentiate into multiple lineages. We have demonstrated that adenovirus-mediated forced expression of SF-1 in long-term cultured bone marrow cells can produce steroidogenic cells with the capacity for de novo synthesis of various steroid hormones in response to ACTH. This discovery may represent the first step in autologous cell transplantation therapy for patients with steroid hormone deficiency.
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