Localization, Secretion, and Action of Inhibin in Human Placenta

Sawchenko, Paul E.; Lim, Alan T.; Rivier, Jean; Vale, Wylie

doi:10.1126/science.3299703

Cited by 253 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The β A protein is expressed in both inner and outer layers. The expressions of all these subunits are increased during the progression of pregnancy [75].…”

Section: Inhibins and Its Role In Tumourigenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This suggested that inhibin is a critical negative regulator of gonadal stromal cell proliferation, and it is antitumorigenic. The human placenta is a major source of plasma inhibin-like activity and placental cells in culture secrete these proteins [75]. The α-subunit and its mRNA are found in the cytotrophoblast region of the villi, whereas β B is expressed in the syncytial layer.…”

Section: Inhibins and Its Role In Tumourigenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

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New targets for old hormones: inhibins clinical role revisited [Review]

2011

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Abstract. Inhibins are gonadal peptide hormones belonging to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily that regulate the pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion by negative feedback mechanisms. It is evident that the understanding of inhibins function in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis will provide insights into physiology and pathology of the gonadal function. In recent years, a great deal of attention has been focussed on clinical relevance of measuring circulating inhibins in normal and disease state. The past few years also have witnessed the emergence and discovery of extra pituitary action of inhibins that might provide further insights into the underlying diseases like cancer especially in the reproductive axis and various other new endocrine target organs. In this review after systematic analysis of literature, we discuss briefly the known and recent advances in function of these hormones highlighting also its structure, production and mechanisms of signal transduction. Also this review discusses about the physiological relevance of inhibin association in the normal function to the development of reproductive cancers. Finally, we describe evidence from various emerging studies that inhibins make an important contribution to other physiological functions apart from reproduction which reveals new endocrine target organs of inhibins. The emerging view is inhibin participates in multiple ways to regulate the function in different cell types and still complete repertoire of its actions is under investigation. Key words: Inhibin, Transforming growth factor, Ovarian cancer, Activins, BetaglycanMAMMAliAn reproduction is intricate, highly ordered and is coordinated by assorted neural, neuroendocrine, endocrine, autocrine and paracrine cell-cell communication pathways. Many of the pioneering discoveries meticulously demonstrated the roles of hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) that stimulates pituitary gonadotropins such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH), which directly control gonadal functions. Subsequent breakthroughs in the advancement of molecular biology and in understanding signal transduction mechanisms suggested involvement of various cytokines and growth factors at each level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the paracrine/autocrine control of different programmed reproductive events. Members include inhibins and activins, belonging to the transforming growth factor (TGF-β) super family and follistatin (FS), a structurally distinct though functionally related molecule. It has been more than 70 years since the identification of negative feedback control of pituitary FSH secretion by inhibins. These factors also were shown to act in autocrine, endocrine or paracrine manner within the reproductive tissues, but the identification of specific pathways in different cellular context along the gonadal axis is still quite unclear and should thus be further investigated. The discovery process of extra pituitary action of ...

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“…The β A protein is expressed in both inner and outer layers. The expressions of all these subunits are increased during the progression of pregnancy [75].…”

Section: Inhibins and Its Role In Tumourigenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Inhibins and Its Role In Tumourigenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

New targets for old hormones: inhibins clinical role revisited [Review]

2011

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“…During pregnancy, the human trophoblast (2,3), fetal membranes (4) and decidua (5,6) express subunit mRNAs and immunoreactive proteins. Significant amounts of both proteins are secreted into the biological fluids of pregnancy (maternal and cord serum, coelomic and amniotic fluids) (7), and the feto-placental unit is the main source of circulating inhibin A and activin A (8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal serum inhibin A levels are a marker of a viable trophoblast in incomplete and complete miscarriage

Luisi

Florio

D’Antona

et al. 2003

European Journal of Endocrinology

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Objective: From early gestation the human trophoblast secretes large amounts of inhibin A and activin A, and their measurement provides a value for predicting the outcome in women who become pregnant after assisted reproductive techniques. The aim of the study was to investigate the putative role of maternal serum inhibin A and activin A levels as markers of a viable trophoblast in women who miscarry. Design: Controlled cross-sectional study. Methods: One group consisted of 65 healthy pregnant women (controls), progressing to deliver a healthy singleton baby and another group consisted of 54 miscarriages (38 incomplete (27 nonviable, 11 anembryonic pregnancies) and 16 complete). Maternal blood samples were collected between 5 and 12 weeks of gestation. Results: Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in women with incomplete or complete miscarriages were significantly (both P , 0:001) lower than in controls; activin A levels being lowest only in women with a complete miscarriage ðP , 0:001Þ: On the other hand, inhibin A levels were significantly lower in incomplete or complete miscarriage than in controls (both P , 0:0001). Conclusions: Maternal serum inhibin A, but not activin A, determination reflects the lack of a viable trophoblast in complete miscarriage.

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“…Messenger RNA for inhibin a subunit has been identified in the syncytiotrophoblast and inhibin/activin b A and b B mRNAs have been identified in both cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast in the placenta (2). Immunocytochemical staining has also shown the presence of the a subunit, b A subunit and the b B subunit protein in syncytiotrophoblast (16,17) and the decidua (18).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Amniotic fluid concentrations of dimeric inhibins, activin A and follistatin in pregnancy

Muttukrishna

Chamberlain²,

Evans³

et al. 1999

European Journal of Endocrinology

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Objective: The feto-placental unit is the major source of circulating concentrations of inhibin A and activin A in human pregnancy. The aim of this study was to measure the amniotic fluid concentrations of inhibin A, inhibin B, activin A and follistatin in pregnancies bearing male and female fetuses. Design and Method: Amniotic fluid samples collected by amniocentesis were stored at ¹20 ЊC. Dimeric inhibins, 'total' activin A and 'total' follistatin were measured using specific two-site enzyme immunoassays. Samples were assayed blindly and the information on fetal sex was obtained from the cytogenetics laboratory. Results: Data show that amniotic fluid concentrations of inhibin A, inhibin B and activin A gradually increase with gestation whilst concentrations of follistatin are similar between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Mean amniotic fluid levels of inhibin A and inhibin B at 16 and 17 weeks gestation and mean activin A levels at 15 and 16 weeks gestation are considerably lower in pregnancies with male (n = 24) compared with female (n = 28) fetuses. Levels of follistatin are not different in the male and female fetal pregnancies at any studied gestation. Conclusions:The results indicate that amniotic fluid contains high concentrations of inhibins (A and B), activin A and follistatin in early pregnancy suggesting that these hormones are produced by the fetal membranes and may be involved in the development of the fetus.

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Localization, Secretion, and Action of Inhibin in Human Placenta

Cited by 253 publications

References 40 publications

New targets for old hormones: inhibins clinical role revisited [Review]

New targets for old hormones: inhibins clinical role revisited [Review]

Maternal serum inhibin A levels are a marker of a viable trophoblast in incomplete and complete miscarriage

Amniotic fluid concentrations of dimeric inhibins, activin A and follistatin in pregnancy

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