scholarly journals Pravastatin Modulate Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 and ATP-Binding Cassette G5 and G8 to Influence Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Kawase ◽  
Seiji Hata ◽  
Mai Takagi ◽  
Masahiro Iwaki
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Niemann Pick ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette

Purpose. Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1), ATP-binding cassette (ABC)G5, and ABCG8 mediate intestinal cholesterol absorption. It is unclear whether pravastatin (PR) or ezetimibe (EZ) affect expression of these transporters. We examined the effects of PR and EZ on NPC1L1, ABCG5, and ABCG8 expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and the murine small intestine. We also assessed expression of the transcription factors liver X receptor (LXR)a, LXRb and sterol regulatory element-binding protein. Methods. Transporter mRNA levels were determined in murine small intestines 6 and 24 h after oral PR and EZ administration by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In PR- and EZ-treated HepG2 cells, transporter and transcription factor mRNA and protein levels were examined by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Results. Significant decreases in NPC1L1, ABCG5, and ABCG8 mRNA expression were observed in the duodenum, but not jejunum and ileum, of mice 24 h after treatment with PR, but not EZ. In HepG2 cells, PR but not EZ treatment for 24 h also significantly decreased NPC1L1 protein and ABCG5, and ABCG8 mRNA expression, while increasing LXRa  mRNA levels. Conclusion. PR but not EZ treatment reduced duodenal cholesterol transporter expression in mice. PR-induced increases in LXRa  mRNA levels may be involved in attenuation of NPC1L1 expression, subsequently decreasing intestinal cholesterol absorption. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

scholarly journals Phytosterol-mediated inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption is independent of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Calpe-Berdiel ◽  
Joan Carles Escolà-Gil ◽  
Francisco Blanco-Vaca
Keyword(s):  
Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Lipoprotein Profile ◽  
Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette Transporter ◽  
Niemann Pick ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Gene Expression Levels ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette

An increased activity of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1 has been proposed as a mechanism underlying the hypocholesterolaemic effect of phytosterols. In the present study, ABCA1-deficient mice (ABCA1−/− mice) were used to examine the involvement of the ABCA1 in the reduction of intestinal cholesterol absorption in response to a phytosterol-enriched diet. A decrease in intestinal cholesterol absorption of 39 and 35% was observed after phytosterol treatment in ABCA1+/+ mice and in ABCA1−/− mice, respectively. No statistically significant changes in plasma lipoprotein profile or in intestinal ABCG5, ABCG8 and Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 gene expression levels were found when phytosterol-treated ABCA1−/− mice and untreated ABCA1−/− mice were compared. We conclude that phytosterol inhibition of cholesterol absorption in mice is independent of ABCA1

Negative Correlation Between Serum Levels of Homocysteine and Apolipoprotein M

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-126
Author(s):  
J. Wei ◽  
Y. Yu ◽  
Y. Feng ◽  
J. Zhang ◽  
Q. Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Apolipoprotein M ◽  
Protein Mass ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) has been suggested as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a constituent of the HDL particles. The goal of this study was to examine the serum levels of homocysteine and apoM and to determine whether homocysteine influences apoM synthesis. Methods: Serum levels of apoM and Hcy in 17 hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) patients and 19 controls were measured and their correlations were analyzed. Different concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) and LY294002, a specific phosphoinositide 3- kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, were used to treat HepG2 cells. The mRNA levels were determined by RT-PCR and the apoM protein mass was measured by western blot. Results: We found that decreased serum apoM levels corresponded with serum HDL levels in HHcy patients, while the serum apoM levels showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the serum Hcy levels. Moreover, apoM mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased after the administration of Hcy in HepG2 cells, and this effect could be abolished by addition of LY294002. Conclusions: resent study demonstrates that Hcy downregulates the expression of apoM by mechanisms involving the PI3K signal pathway.

Abstract 276: Shockwave Reduces Macrophage Foam Cell Formation Via Increased Expression of ATP Binding Cassette Transporters.

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonkyoung Cho ◽  
Young Eun Yoon ◽  
Kihwan Kwon ◽  
Young Mi Park
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Cell Formation ◽  
Foam Cell Formation ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Macrophage Foam Cell ◽  
Migration Assay ◽  
Intracellular Cholesterol ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette

Background: Excessive lipid accumulation by macrophages plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. Foam cells are generated by uncontrolled uptake of modified LDL, especially oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and/or impaired cholesterol efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family transporters, ABCA-1 and ABCG-1. Shockwave, elicited by transient pressure disturbance, have been used for extracorporeal lithotripsy or for treating musculoskeletal disorders. Our current study suggests an evidence that shockwave may have anti-atherogenic effect by inhibiting foam cell formation. Methods/Results: Murine peritoneal macrophages were exposed to shockwaves at 0.04 mJ/mm 2 with 1000 impulses, lysed after 6, 18 and 24 hours, and tested for expression of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1. The western blot showed that shockwave induced 2.0-2.8 fold increase of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 within 18-24 hours. mRNA levels of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 were also increased by shockwave with 2.0 fold of peak increase in 18 hours. The increased expression of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 was mediated by phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 (Tyr204). Western blot analysis revealed that shockwave induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 (Tyr204) in murine macrophages. Shockwave-induced increase of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 was blocked by U0126 (40µM), a specific inhibitor for ERK. Oil-red O staining showed that macrophages exposed to shockwave had 25% less intracellular lipid droplets. Intracellular cholesterol measured by cholesterol oxidase and esterase revealed that macrophages exposed to shockwave had 23% less intracellular cholesterol when incubated with oxLDL (50µg/ml) for 16 hours. In vitro migration assays including modified Boyden chamber migration assay and scratch wound healing migration assay showed that macrophages exposed to shockwave had 1.2 fold more migration and had diminished migration-inhibitory effect of oxLDL. Conclusions: Shockwave reduces macrophage foam cell formation via ERK-mediated increase of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 mediating lipid efflux and promotes macrophage migration which may induce macrophage egress from atherosclerotic lesion. Our study suggests anti-atherogenic effects of shockwave as a potential treatment modality for atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals A role for NPC1 and NPC2 in intestinal cholesterol absorption – the hypothesis gutted

2007 ◽  
Vol 408 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Liscum
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Dietary Cholesterol ◽  
Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Biochemical Journal ◽  
Good Target ◽  
Type C ◽  
Niemann Pick

Dietary and biliary cholesterol are taken up by intestinal epithelial cells and transported to the endoplasmic reticulum. At the endoplasmic reticulum, cholesterol is esterified, packaged into chylomicrons and secreted into the lymph for delivery to the bloodstream. NPC1L1 (Niemann–Pick C1-like 1) is a protein on the enterocyte brush-border membrane that facilitates cholesterol absorption. Cholesterol's itinerary as it moves to the endoplasmic reticulum is unknown, as is the identity of any cellular proteins that facilitate the movement. Two proteins that play an important role in intracellular cholesterol transport and could potentially influence NPC1L1-mediated cholesterol uptake are NPC1 and NPC2 (Niemann–Pick type C disease proteins 1 and 2). In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Dixit and colleagues show that the absence or presence of NPC1 and NPC2 has no effect on intestinal cholesterol absorption in the mouse. Thus neither protein fills the gap in our knowledge of intra-enterocyte cholesterol transport. Furthermore, the NPC1/NPC2 pathway would not be a good target for limiting the uptake of dietary cholesterol.

scholarly journals Human mononuclear cells express 12-LX: coordinated mRNA regulation with 5-LX and FLAP genes

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-340
Author(s):  
WE Kaminski ◽  
E Jendraschak ◽  
K Baumann ◽  
R Kiefl ◽  
S Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Human Mononuclear Cells

Lipoxygenases (LXs) catalyze formation of leukotrienes and hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), proinflammatory, and spasmogenic autacoids that are critical for host defense systems. We studied the expression and regulation of LX genes (12-LX, 5-LX, and 15-LX) and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) in human mononuclear cells (MNC) and granulocytes using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. We show that 12-LX mRNA is constitutively expressed in resting platelet-free MNC. 12-LX gene expression was upregulated by activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The formation of 12-HETE was inducible with ionophore in MNC, as assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography, and increased after LPS pretreatment. In addition to 12- LX, resting MNC expressed the genes for 5-LX and FLAP constitutively. Quantitative time course analyses of 12-LX, 5-LX, and FLAP gene expression suggested coregulation of 12-LX and FLAP mRNAs, and reciprocal regulation of 5-LX and FLAP mRNAs. During cell stimulation with LPS 5-LX mRNA levels remained unchanged, whereas FLAP gene expression increased. No 15-LX mRNA expression or 15-HETE formation was detectable in unstimulated and activated MNC. In contrast to MNC, quantitative RT-PCR mRNA analysis showed intermittent intraindividual expression of the 5-LX and FLAP genes in resting granulocytes. mRNAs for 12-LX and 15-LX were not expressed. On stimulation of granulocytes ex vivo, mRNA expression of 5-LX and FLAP was upregulated. Stimulation by LPS differed from that by ionophore A23187. Neither LPS nor ionophore induced gene expression of 12-LX or 15-LX in granulocytes. Our data indicate that resting human MNC and granulocytes express LX and FLAP genes in a cell-specific manner. Cell activation induces coordinated upregulation of 12-LX and FLAP genes in MNC, and 5-LX and FLAP genes in granulocytes, respectively. The constitutive expression of 12-LX mRNA, its upregulation on cell activation, and the formation of 12-HETE clearly indicate the presence of a functional 12-LX in human MNC.

scholarly journals Liver-X-receptor-mediated increase in ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 expression is attenuated by fatty acids in CaCo- cells: effect on cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoprotein

2004 ◽  
Vol 377 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubha MURTHY ◽  
Ella BORN ◽  
Satya N. MATHUR ◽  
F. Jeffrey FIELD
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Cholesterol Efflux ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette Transporter ◽  
Arachidonic Acids ◽  
Docosahexaenoic Acids ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette

The effect of fatty acids on LXR (liver X receptors)-mediated enhancement of ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) expression and cholesterol efflux was investigated in human intestinal cells CaCo-2. LXR activation by T0901317 increased basolateral cholesterol efflux to lipoprotein particles isolated at a density of 1.21 g/ml or higher. Oleic and arachidonic acids attenuated the amount of cholesterol isolated from these particles. Stearic, linoleic and docosahexaenoic acids also decreased cholesterol efflux from basolateral membranes, with the polyunsaturated fatty acids being the most potent. Although oleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids modestly decreased ABCA1 mRNA levels in response to LXR activation, stearic and linoleic acids did not. Except for oleic acid, all fatty acids substantially attenuated an increase in ABCA1 mass secondary to LXR activation. Inhibiting acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity prevented the decrease in cholesterol efflux caused by oleic acid. Thus, in response to LXR activation, all fatty acids decreased the efflux of cholesterol from the basolateral membrane of CaCo-2 cells. Although modest suppression of ABCA1 gene expression by oleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids cannot be completely excluded as a mechanism, the predominant effect of fatty acids on ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux is at a post-transcriptional level.

scholarly journals Visfatin Induces Inflammation and Insulin Resistance via the NF-κB and STAT3 Signaling Pathways in Hepatocytes

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Jung Heo ◽  
Sung-E Choi ◽  
Ja Young Jeon ◽  
Seung Jin Han ◽  
Dae Jung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immunocytochemical Staining ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr

Background. It has been suggested that visfatin, which is an adipocytokine, exhibits proinflammatory properties and is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and inflammation are the principal pathogeneses of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the relationship, if any, between visfatin and NAFLD remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of visfatin on hepatic inflammation and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells and examined the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods. After treatment with visfatin, the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical staining in HepG2 cells. To investigate the effects of visfatin on insulin resistance, we evaluated insulin-signaling pathways, such as IR, IRS-1, GSK, and AKT using immunoblotting. We assessed the intracellular signaling molecules including STAT3, NF-κB, IKK, p38, JNK, and ERK by western blotting. We treated HepG2 cells with both visfatin and either AG490 (a JAK2 inhibitor) or Bay 7082 (an NF-κB inhibitor); we examined proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels using RT-PCR and insulin signaling using western blotting. Results. In HepG2 cells, visfatin significantly increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, reduced the levels of proteins (e.g., phospho-IR, phospho-IRS-1 (Tyr612), phospho-AKT, and phospho-GSK-3α/β) involved in insulin signaling, and increased IRS-1 S307 phosphorylation compared to controls. Interestingly, visfatin increased the activities of the JAK2/STAT3 and IKK/NF-κB signaling pathways but not those of the JNK, p38, and ERK pathways. Visfatin-induced inflammation and insulin resistance were regulated by JAK2/STAT3 and IKK/NF-κB signaling; together with AG490 or Bay 7082, visfatin significantly reduced mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β and rescued insulin signaling. Conclusion. Visfatin induced proinflammatory cytokine production and inhibited insulin signaling via the STAT3 and NF-κB pathways in HepG2 cells.

scholarly journals Human mononuclear cells express 12-LX: coordinated mRNA regulation with 5-LX and FLAP genes

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Kaminski ◽  
E Jendraschak ◽  
K Baumann ◽  
R Kiefl ◽  
S Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Human Mononuclear Cells

Abstract Lipoxygenases (LXs) catalyze formation of leukotrienes and hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), proinflammatory, and spasmogenic autacoids that are critical for host defense systems. We studied the expression and regulation of LX genes (12-LX, 5-LX, and 15-LX) and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) in human mononuclear cells (MNC) and granulocytes using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. We show that 12-LX mRNA is constitutively expressed in resting platelet-free MNC. 12-LX gene expression was upregulated by activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The formation of 12-HETE was inducible with ionophore in MNC, as assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography, and increased after LPS pretreatment. In addition to 12- LX, resting MNC expressed the genes for 5-LX and FLAP constitutively. Quantitative time course analyses of 12-LX, 5-LX, and FLAP gene expression suggested coregulation of 12-LX and FLAP mRNAs, and reciprocal regulation of 5-LX and FLAP mRNAs. During cell stimulation with LPS 5-LX mRNA levels remained unchanged, whereas FLAP gene expression increased. No 15-LX mRNA expression or 15-HETE formation was detectable in unstimulated and activated MNC. In contrast to MNC, quantitative RT-PCR mRNA analysis showed intermittent intraindividual expression of the 5-LX and FLAP genes in resting granulocytes. mRNAs for 12-LX and 15-LX were not expressed. On stimulation of granulocytes ex vivo, mRNA expression of 5-LX and FLAP was upregulated. Stimulation by LPS differed from that by ionophore A23187. Neither LPS nor ionophore induced gene expression of 12-LX or 15-LX in granulocytes. Our data indicate that resting human MNC and granulocytes express LX and FLAP genes in a cell-specific manner. Cell activation induces coordinated upregulation of 12-LX and FLAP genes in MNC, and 5-LX and FLAP genes in granulocytes, respectively. The constitutive expression of 12-LX mRNA, its upregulation on cell activation, and the formation of 12-HETE clearly indicate the presence of a functional 12-LX in human MNC.

scholarly journals Dose-dependent immune response in milk cells and mammary tissue after intramammary administration of lipopolysaccharide in dairy cows

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Werner-Misof ◽  
M.W. Pfaffl ◽  
R.M. Bruckmaier
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Mammary Tissue ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Lps Challenge ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Cox 2

The immune response in milk cells and the status of mammary tight junctions (TJ) in response to intramammary (IM) infusion of different doses of <i>Escherichia col</i>i lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. <i>Experiment I</i>: Seven German Braunvieh cows were IM infused into one quarter with 1 &mu;g (LPS-1) and 3 &mu;g (LPS-3) of LPS, respectively, and the contralateral control quarter with saline (9 g/l; C). Milk samples were taken immediately before and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 84 and 108 h after infusion and analysed for somatic cell counts (SCC), lactose, sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions, and electrical conductivity (EC). Milk cell mRNA expression of various inflammatory factors was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Blood samples were taken immediately after milking for the analysis of leukocytes (WBC), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), Na and Cl. Milk SCC, lactose, Na, Cl and EC did not differ significantly between LPS-1 and C quarters after the challenge. In LPS-3 quarters SCC levels increased within the first 12 h, reached peak levels between 12 and 36 h (<i>P</i> &le; 0.001) and decreased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) thereafter to reach baseline at 108 hours. Lactose in LPS-3 quarters decreased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) to a minimum at 24 h and increased slightly thereafter while EC, Na, and Cl increased transiently in response to LPS-3. WBC and PMN levels in both groups decreased numerically within 24 h after LPS administration. In LPS-1, WBC at 24, 48 and 108 h were significantly lower whereas in LPS-3 they were significantly higher than at time 0. TNF&alpha;-mRNA expression in both groups did not change in response to IM LPS-challenge. IL-1&beta;-mRNA expression at 12, 24 and 36 h in LPS-1 quarters increased significantly as compared to time 0. In LPS-3 quarters the mRNA expression values of all tested ILs increased significantly as compared to time 0 within 12 h after LPS-challenge. IL-1&beta;-mRNA expression decreased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) at 48 and 84 h in LPS quarters. IL-8 mRNA was significantly decreased at 84 h after challenge in LPS-3 quarters. COX-2-mRNA expression in LPS-1 quarters decreased significantly as compared to time 0 at 48, 84 and 108 h, with a minimum at 84 h (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05). In LPS-3 quarters COX-2-mRNA levels increased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) within 48 h after the LPS-challenge. <i>Experiment II</i>: Six cows (5 German Braunvieh, 1 Brown Swiss) were injected in one quarter with 100 &mu;g LPS and in the contralateral quarter with saline (9 g/l; C). Mammary biopsy samples of both quarters were taken immediately before and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after infusion and mRNA expression of TJ proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens (ZO-) 1, 2 and 3 were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. OCLN-mRNA expression did not change in response to the IM infusion while that of ZO-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3 decreased significantly within six hours. In conclusion, a dose of 1 &mu;g LPS did not initiate a immune response in the mammary gland. Furthermore the dose of 100 &mu;g of LPS enhanced TJ permeability by reducing TJ plaque proteins density.

scholarly journals mRNA expression profiles for corticotrophin-releasing hormone, urocortin, CRH-binding protein and CRH receptors in human term gestational tissues determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Sehringer ◽  
HP Zahradnik ◽  
M Simon ◽  
R Ziegler ◽  
C Noethling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gestational Tissues ◽  
Crh Receptors

Increasing maternal plasma levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) during the last weeks of pregnancy suggest that this stress hormone plays an important role in the control of human parturition. Little is known about the quantitative contribution of gestational tissues (other than placenta) to intrauterine formation of CRH, urocortin and CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP), or about the distribution of CRH receptors within the uterus. We have investigated the mRNA expression of CRH, urocortin, CRH-BP and CRH receptors 1 and 2 (CRH-R1 and -R2) in gestational tissues by real-time RT-PCR. Placenta, myometrium and choriodecidua were collected after uncomplicated pregnancies at term, before the onset of labour. Distribution of CRH-R1 and CRH-R2 protein was also investigated by immunostaining with receptor subtype-specific antibodies. The placenta was identified as the main site of CRH and CRH-BP mRNA expression, displaying mRNA levels >1000 and >20 times higher than those found in the myometrium and choriodecidua respectively (P<0.05 in each case). mRNA expression of urocortin was low in all tissues investigated. Myometrium and choriodecidua expressed relevant amounts of both receptor subtypes, whereas the CRH receptor population in placenta consisted mainly of CRH-R2. The high expression of CRH in placenta and the substantial expression of CRH receptors in choriodecidua and myometrium suggested that CRH derived from placenta exerts direct or indirect actions on these tissues. Neither CRH produced by myometrium or choriodecidua nor urocortin from other intrauterine sources seem to play a major role in the control of labour.

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