Daidzein affects steroidogenesis and oestrogen receptor expression in medium ovarian follicles of pigs

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nynca ◽  
Dominika Słonina ◽  
Olga Jablońska ◽  
Barbara Kamińska ◽  
Renata Ciereszko

Daidzein, a phytoestrogen present in soybean products used in swine feed, has been demonstrated to affect both reproductive and endocrine functions. The aims of this study were to examine the in vitro effects of daidzein on (1) progesterone (P4) and oestradiol (E2) secretion by porcine luteinised granulosa cells harvested from medium follicles, and (2) the mRNA and protein expression of oestrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ) in these cells. The influence of E2 on P4 secretion and ERα and ERβ expression in the granulosa cells of pigs was also investigated. It was found that daidzein inhibited progesterone secretion by luteinised granulosa cells isolated from medium follicles. In contrast, E2 did not affect progesterone production by these cells. Moreover, daidzein did not alter the granulosal secretion of E2. Both daidzein and E2 decreased mRNA expression of ERα in the cells examined. The expression of ERβ mRNA was not affected by daidzein but was inhibited by E2. ERα protein was not detected while ERβ protein was found in the nuclei of the cells. Daidzein and E2 upregulated the expression of ERβ protein in the cells. In summary, the phytoestrogen daidzein directly affected the porcine ovary by inhibiting progesterone production and increasing ERβ protein expression. Daidzein-induced changes in follicular steroidogenesis and granulosal sensitivity to oestrogens may disturb reproductive processes in pigs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 608-619
Author(s):  
Ping Zhong ◽  
Jin Liu ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Senbin Lin ◽  
Lingfeng Zeng ◽  
...  

Abstract This study aimed to investigate whether cadmium (Cd) cytotoxicity in rat ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) is mediated through apoptosis or autophagy and to determine the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in Cd cytotoxicity. To test this hypothesis, rat OGCs were exposed to 0, 10, and 20 μM CdCl2 in vitro. As the Cd concentration increased, OGC apoptosis increased. In addition, Cd promoted apoptosis by decreasing the mRNA and protein expression levels of inhibition of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). However, under our experimental conditions, no autophagic changes in rat OGCs were observed, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of the autophagic markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha (Map1lc3b) and Beclin1 (Becn1) were not changed. Microarray chip analysis, miRNA screening, and bioinformatics approaches were used to further explore the roles of apoptosis regulation-related miRNAs. In total, 19 miRNAs putatively related to Cd-induced apoptosis in rat OGCs were identified. Notably, miR-204-5p, which may target Bcl2, was identified. Then, rat OGCs were cultured in vitro and used to construct the miR-204-5p-knockdown cell line LV2-short hairpin RNA (shRNA). LV2-shRNA cells were exposed to 20 μM Cd for 12 h, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl2 were increased. Our findings suggest that Cd is cytotoxic to rat OGCs, and mitochondrial apoptosis rather than autophagy mediates Cd-induced damage to OGCs. Cd also affects apoptosis-related miRNAs, and the underlying apoptotic mechanism may involve the Bcl2 gene.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Zhang ◽  
Qiangqiang Tao ◽  
Jinnan Shang ◽  
Yiliang Xu ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective: Apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) affects mammalian follicular development and fecundity. This study aimed to explore the regulatory relationship between microRNA-26a (miR-26a) and the 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24-reductase gene (<i>DHCR24</i>) gene in porcine follicular granular cells (pGCs), and to provide empirical data for the development of methods to improve the reproductive capacity of pigs.Methods: The pGCs were transfected with miR-26a mimic, miR-26a inhibitor and <i>DHCR24</i>-siRNA <i>in vitro</i>. The cell apoptosis rate of pGCs was detected by the flow cytometry. The secretion levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in pGCs were detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Double luciferase validation system was used to detect the binding sites between miR-26a and <i>DHCR24</i> 3′-UTR region. Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to verify the <i>DHCR24</i> mRNA and protein expression in pGCs, respectively, after transfecting with miR-26a mimic and miR-26a inhibitor.Results: Results showed that enhancement of miR-26a promoted apoptosis, and inhibited E2 and P secretion in pGCs. Meanwhile, inhibition of <i>DHCR24</i> also upregulated the Caspase-3 expression, reduced the BCL-2 expression, promoted pGCs apoptosis, and inhibited E2 and P secretion in pGCs. There were the binding sites of miR-26a located within <i>DHCR24</i> 3′-UTR. Up-regulation of miR-26a inhibited <i>DHCR24</i> mRNA and protein expression in pGCs.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that miR-26a can promote cell apoptosis and inhibit E2 and P secretion by inhibiting the expression of <i>DHCR24</i> in pGCs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 096368972097873
Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Youming Zhu ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Tao Wu ◽  
Xianyu Zheng ◽  
...  

The lack of vasculogenesis often hampers the survivability and integration of newly engineered tissue grafts within the host. Autologous endothelial cells (ECs) are an ideal cell source for neovascularization, but they are limited by their scarcity, lack of proliferative capacity, and donor site morbidity upon isolation. The objective of this study was to determine whether differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) into the endothelial lineage can be enhanced by recombinant ETV2 overexpression. DPSCs were extracted from fresh dental pulp tissues. ETV2 overexpression in DPSCs was achieved by lentiviral infection and cellular morphological changes were evaluated. The mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial-specific markers were assessed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. The tube formation assay and Matrigel plug assay were also performed to evaluate the angiogenic potential of the ETV2-transduced cells in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Additionally, proteomic analysis was performed to analyze global changes in protein expression following ETV2 overexpression. After lentiviral infection, ETV2-overexpressing DPSCs showed endothelial-like morphology. Compared with control DPSCs, significantly higher mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial-specific genes, including CD31, VE-Cadherin, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2, were detected in ETV2-overexpressing DPSCs. Moreover, ETV2 overexpression enhanced capillary-like tube formation on Matrigel in vitro, as well as neovascularization in vivo. In addition, comparative proteomic profiling showed that ETV2 overexpression upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, which was indicative of increased VEGF signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that ETV2 overexpression significantly enhanced the endothelial differentiation of DPSCs. Thus, this study shows that DPSCs can be a promising candidate cell source for tissue engineering applications.


Author(s):  
Christina I. Messini ◽  
Anna Vasilaki ◽  
Evangelia Korona ◽  
George Anifandis ◽  
Eleni Katsiani ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Safia Akhtar ◽  
Silas A. Culver ◽  
Helmy M. Siragy

AbstractRecent studies suggested that renal gluconeogenesis is substantially stimulated in the kidney in presence of obesity. However, the mechanisms responsible for such stimulation are not well understood. Recently, our laboratory demonstrated that mice fed high fat diet (HFD) exhibited increase in renal Atp6ap2 [also known as (Pro)renin receptor] expression. We hypothesized that HFD upregulates renal gluconeogenesis via Atp6ap2-PGC-1α and AKT pathway. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and immunostaining, we evaluated renal expression of the Atp6ap2 and renal gluconeogenic enzymes, PEPCK and G6Pase, in wild type and inducible nephron specific Atp6ap2 knockout mice fed normal diet (ND, 12 kcal% fat) or a high-fat diet (HFD, 45 kcal% fat) for 8 weeks. Compared with ND, HFD mice had significantly higher body weight (23%) (P < 0.05), renal mRNA and protein expression of Atp6ap2 (39 and 35%), PEPCK (44 and 125%) and G6Pase (39 and 44%) respectively. In addition, compared to ND, HFD mice had increased renal protein expression of PGC-1α by 32% (P < 0.05) and downregulated AKT by 33% (P < 0.05) respectively in renal cortex. Atp6ap2-KO abrogated these changes in the mice fed HFD. In conclusion, we identified novel regulation of renal gluconeogenesis by Atp6ap2 in response to high fat diet via PGC1-α/AKT-1 pathway.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1469-1480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Lin ◽  
Xintng Zhen ◽  
Haiting Huang ◽  
Haohao Wu ◽  
Yanwu You ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of inhibition of miR-155 on podocyte injury induced by TGF-β1 and to determine further molecular mediators involved in the effects of miR-155. Methods: Conditionally immortalized podocytes were cultured in vitro and they were divided into four groups: control; TGF-β1 treatment; TGF-β1 with miR-155 knockdown [using antisense oligonucleotides against miR-155 (ASO-miR-155)] and TGF-β1 with negative control antisense oligonucleotides (ASO-NC). Real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were employed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of nephrin, desmin and caspase-9, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptotic rate of podocytes and DAPI fluorescent staining was used to determine apoptotic morphology. In addition, we examined the levels of miR-155, TGF-β1, nephrin, desmin and caspase-9 in glomerular tissues of nephropathy induced by intravenous injections of adriamycin in rats. Results: mRNA and protein expression of desmin and caspase-9 was increased in cultured TGF-β1-treated podocytes, whereas nephrin was decreased as compared with the control group. Importantly, miR-155 knockdown significantly attenuated upregulation of desmin and caspase-9, and alleviated impairment of nephrin induced by TGF-β1. Moreover, the number of apoptotic podocytes was increased after exposure to TGF-β1 and this was alleviated after miR-155 knockdown. Knocking down miR-155 also decreased an apoptosis rate of TGF-β1-treated podocytes. Note that negative control antisense oligonucleotides failed to alter an increase of the apoptosis rate in TGF-β1-treated podocytes. Consistent with in vitro results, expression of miR-155, TGF-β1, desmin and caspase-9 was increased and nephrin was decreased in glomerular tissues with nephropathy in vivo experiments. Conclusions: TGF-β1 impairs the protein expression of nephrin and amplifies the protein expression of desmin and caspase -9 via miR-155 signal pathway. Inhibition of miR-155 alleviates these changes in podocytes-treated with TGF-β1 and attenuated apoptosis of podocytes. Our data suggest that miR-155 plays a role in mediating TGF-β1-induced podocyte injury via nephrin, desmin and caspase-9. Results of the current study also indicate that blocking miR-155 signal has a protective effect on podocyte injury. Targeting one or more of these signaling molecules may present new opportunities for treatment and management of podocyte injury observed in glomerulosclerosis.


1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2283-2290
Author(s):  
B Beck-Schimmer ◽  
B Oertli ◽  
T Pasch ◽  
R P Wüthrich

Hyaluronan (HA) is a nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan that accumulates in the renal interstitium in immune-mediated kidney diseases. The functional significance of such HA deposition in the kidney has not been elucidated. Several studies have suggested that HA may exhibit proinflammatory effects. Since chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) play an important role in the recruitment of leukocytes in renal injury, this study tested whether HA and its fragments could promote MCP-1 production by renal parenchymal cells. Mouse cortical tubular cells were stimulated with fragmented HA or with high molecular weight HA (Healon) in vitro and were examined for MCP-1 expression. Fragmented HA, but not Healon, increased MCP-1 mRNA within 30 min with a peak after 2 h. In addition, a 10-fold increase of MCP-1 protein in the supernatant was found after a 6-h stimulation with fragmented HA. The enhanced MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in response to HA was dose-dependent between 1 and 100 microg/ml. Upregulation of MCP-1 protein production could be blocked by preincubation with actinomycin D or cycloheximide, suggesting that MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in response to HA are based on de novo synthesis. The HA-stimulated MCP-1 production was also inhibited with anti-CD44 antibodies, suggesting that MCP-1 is upregulated at least in part by signaling through CD44. In summary, fragmented HA markedly stimulates renal tubular MCP-1 production by mechanisms that involve binding to the HA receptor CD44. It is hypothesized that the accumulation of HA in immune renal injury could participate in the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in vivo through production of MCP-1.


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