bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adenosine Triphosphate Activates Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Human Granulosa-Luteal Cells*
Authors: Tai Chen-Jei , Kang Sung Keun , Tzeng Chii-Ruey , Leung Peter C. K. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
ATP has been shown to activate the phospholipase C/diacylglycerol/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. However, little is known about the downstream signaling events. The present study was designed to examine the effect of ATP on activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and its physiological role in human granulosa-luteal cells. Western blot analysis, using a monoclonal antibody that detected the phosphorylated forms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (p42mapk and p44 mapk, respectively), demonstrated that ATP activated MAPK in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of the cells with suramin (a P2 purinoceptor antagonist), neomycin (a phospholipase C inhibitor), staurosporin (a PKC inhibitor), or PD98059 (an MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor) significantly attenuated the ATP-induced activation of MAPK. In contrast, ATP-induced MAPK activation was not significantly affected by pertussis toxin (a Gi inhibitor). To examine the role of Gs protein, the intracellular cAMP level was determined after treatment with ATP or hCG. No significant elevation of intracellular cAMP was noted after ATP treatment. To determine the role of MAPK in steroidogenesis, human granulosa-luteal cells were treated with ATP, hCG, or ATP plus hCG in the presence or absence of PD98059. RIA revealed that ATP alone did not significantly affect the basal progesterone concentration. However, hCG-induced progesterone production was reduced by ATP treatment. PD98059 reversed the inhibitory effect of ATP on hCG-induced progesterone production. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of ATP-induced activation of the MAPK signaling pathway in the human ovary. These results support the idea that the MAPK signaling pathway is involved in mediating ATP actions in the human ovary.
Cytokine-Activated Endothelium Recruits Osteoclast Precursors
Authors: McGowan Neil W. A. , Walker Emily J. , Macpherson Heather , Ralston Stuart H. , Helfrich Miep H. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Osteoclast precursors reach sites of osteoclast formation and remodelling via the vasculature and are therefore destined to encounter endothelium before migrating to the bone surface. Here we investigated the hypothesis that endothelium may be involved in the regulation of osteoclast precursor recruitment to sites of bone resorption. Osteoclast precursors in human peripheral blood were identified by their ability to form mature osteoclasts in 21-day cultures supplemented with RANKLigand, M-CSF, 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3, dexamethasone and prostaglandin E2. Under control conditions few osteoclast precursors adhered to endothelial cells (the human bone marrow-derived endothelial cell line BMEC-1). However, BMEC-1 cells treated with the resorption stimulating cytokines IL-1β and TNFα depleted the PBMC population of all osteoclast precursors. These results provide the first evidence that osteoclast precursors can adhere to endothelium and suggest that endothelium could play an important role in the recruitment of osteoclast precursors to sites of bone resorption.
Is Cadmium Chloride-Induced Inter-Sertoli Tight Junction Permeability Barrier Disruption a Suitable in Vitro Model to Study the Events of Junction Disassembly during Spermatogenesis in the Rat Testis?*
Authors: Chung Nancy P. Y. , Cheng C. Yan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe events of germ cell movement during spermatogenesis are composed of intermittent phases of junction disassembly and reassembly. Although primary Sertoli cells cultured in vitro can be used to study junction reassembly, an in vitro model to study the events of junction disassembly is still lacking. We have assessed whether the CdCl2-induced inter-Sertoli tight junction (TJ) permeability barrier disruption in vitro can fill this gap. When Sertoli cells (1.2 × 106 cells/cm2) were cultured on Matrigel-coated bicameral units to allow the assembly of inter-Sertoli TJs, it was manifested by a steady rise in transepithelial electrical resistance across the Sertoli cell epithelia. Exposure of these cells on day 1 (i.e. 24 h after their isolation) to CdCl2 at 5–10μ m for 8 h could perturb the inter-Sertoli TJ assembly dose dependently without any apparent cytotoxicity. Likewise, when cells were exposed to CdCl2 (0.1–5 μm) on day 4 for 8 h after inter-Sertoli TJs were already assembled, CdCl2 also perturbed the maintenance of inter-Sertoli TJ permeability barrier dose dependently without signs of cell cytotoxicity. Although the perturbed inter-Sertoli TJs were not capable of resealing even after the removal of CdCl2, the presence of testosterone (T) at 1 × 10−9m allowed resealing of the inter-Sertoli TJ barrier after CdCl2 was removed, whereas the presence of 2 × 10−7m testosterone even protected Sertoli cells from CdCl2-induced damage. More important, the reassembly of inter-Sertoli TJs after CdCl2-induced TJ disruption was accompanied by changes in cellular gene expression of occludin and urokinase plasminogen activator, which mimicked their patterns during inter- Sertoli TJ assembly in vitro without CdCl2 treatment. Based on these results, it is apparent that CdCl2-induced inter-Sertoli TJ disassembly is a potential in vitro model to study the events of junction disassembly.
Phenotypic Manifestations of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-3 Overexpression in Transgenic Mice*
Authors: Modric Tomislav , Silha Josef V. , Shi Zengdun , Gui Yaoting , Suwanichkul Adisak , Durham Susan K. , Powell David R. , Murphy Liam J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn cell culture systems insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) can both enhance and inhibit IGF-I action. To investigate the biological role of IGFBP-3 in vivo, transgenic (Tg) mice that constitutively overexpress the human IGFBP-3 complementary DNA (cDNA) driven by the mouse phosphoglycerate kinase I (PGK) and the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoters were examined. Serum levels of human IGFBP-3 in CMVBP-3 and PGKBP-3 Tg mice were 4.7 and 5.8μ g/ml, respectively and total IGFBP-3 was increased 4.9- and 7.7-fold compared with that in wild-type (Wt) mice. In PGKBP-3 Tg mice the levels of transgene expression were similar in all tissues. Although CMVBP-3 mice demonstrated similar levels of expression of the transgene as PGKBP-3 mice in most tissues, markedly elevated expression was apparent in the kidney and heart. The transgene-derived IGFBP-3 circulated as a 150-kDa ternary complex, and serum IGF-I levels were elevated 1.9- to 2.8-fold in Tg mice compared with Wt mice. A significant reduction in birth weight of approximately 10% and a modest reduction in litter size were apparent in both Tg strains. Early postnatal growth, as assessed by both body weight and length, was significantly reduced in Tg mice compared with Wt mice. This was more marked in PGKBP-3 than in CMVBP-3 mice, who demonstrated a propensity to adiposity after weaning. The relative organ weights of brain and kidney were reduced in both Tg strains, whereas liver size and epididymal fat were significantly increased in CMVBP-3, but not PGKBP-3, mice. Our data indicate that overexpression of IGFBP-3 is associated with modest intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation despite elevated circulating IGF-I levels.
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Member of the Relaxin/Insulin Family from the Testis of the Frog Rana esculenta*
Authors: de Rienzo Gianluca , Aniello Francesco , Branno Margherita , Minucci Sergio 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding a frog relaxin/insulin member family (fRLX) from testis cDNA library was isolated and characterized. The fRLX cDNA predicted a 155-amino acid protein with a low homology to mammalian RLF and relaxin. Northern blot analysis revealed a single transcript expressed in the interstitial compartment, RT-PCR, evidenced that fRLX is expressed at low levels in the oviduct and ovary too. The predicted mature fRLX protein, composed of the signal peptide, B, C, and A domains, has conserved amino acid sequences in the characteristic functional domains. A different expression of the transcript was found during the frog reproductive cycle, with a peak in Spring. After administration of ethane dimethane sulfonate, by in situ hybridization, fRLX messenger RNA disappeared from the interstitial compartment and reappeared again at the time of generating of a new population of Leydig cells (LC), strongly indicating that LC are the interstitial cell type expressing fRLX. Preliminary results obtained by in situ hybridization, performed on testis of hypophysectomized frogs evidenced a pituitary control of fRLX expression. This study is the first cloning of a relaxin/insulin family member in a nonmammalian vertebrate. In addition, because fRLX expression changes during the annual cycle suggesting its involvement in spermatogenesis, fRLX may be considered a new marker for the study of spermatogenesis in the Rana esculenta.
Saturated FFAs, Palmitic Acid and Stearic Acid, Induce Apoptosis in Human Granulosa Cells
Authors: Mu Yi-Ming , Yanase Toshihiko , Nishi Yoshihiro , Tanaka Atsushi , Saito Masayuki , Jin Cheng-Hao , Mukasa Chizu , Okabe Taijiro , Nomura Masatoshi , Goto Kiminobu , Nawata Hajime 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObesity is associated with insulin resistance and some reproductive abnormalities. Circulating FFAs are often elevated in obese subjects and are also closely linked to insulin resistance. In this study, we demonstrated that saturated FFAs, such as palmitic acid and stearic acid, markedly suppressed the granulosa cell survival in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Polyunsaturated FFA, arachidonic acid, had no effect on the cell survival, even at supraphysiological concentrations. The suppressive effect of saturated FFAs on cell survival was caused by apoptosis, as evidenced by DNA ladder formation and annexin V-EGFP/propidium iodide staining of the cells. The apoptotic effects of palmitic acid and stearic acid were unrelated to the increase of ceramide generation or nitric oxide production and were also completely blocked by Triacsin C, an inhibitor of acylcoenzyme A synthetase. In addition, acylcoenzyme A, pamitoylcoenzyme A, and stearylcoenzyme A markedly suppressed granulosa cell survival, whereas arachidonoylcoenzyme A had no such effect, and this finding was consistent with the effect of the respective FFA form. Surprisingly, arachidonic acid instead showed a protective effect on palmitic acid- and stearic acid-induced cell apoptosis. A Western blot analysis showed the apoptosis of the granulosa cells induced by palmitic acid to be accompanied by the down-regulation of an apoptosis inhibitor, Bcl-2, and the up-regulation of an apoptosis effector, Bax. These results indicate that saturated FFAs induce apoptosis in human granulosa cells caused by the metabolism of the respective acylcoenzyme A form, and the actual composition of circulating FFAs may thus play a critical role in the apoptotic events of human granulosa cells. These effects of FFAs on granulosa cell survival may be a possible mechanism for reproductive abnormalities, such as amenorrhea, which is frequently observed in obese women.
Steroid-Independent Activation of ER by GnRH in Gonadotrope Pituitary Cells
Authors: Demay F. , De Monti M. , Tiffoche C. , Vaillant C. , Thieulant M. L. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
In the rat pituitary gland the mechanism responsible for ERα regulation has not been fully elucidated. Using transient transfection assays in αT3–1 cells, a cell line of gonadotrope origin, we show that GnRH stimulates estrogen response element-containing promoters in an estrogen-independent manner. This effect was strictly ER and GnRH receptor dependent, as no activation of the reporter gene was observed in presence of the anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 or a GnRH antagonist. These data suggest that the GnRH-triggered signaling pathway results in 17β-estradiol-independent trans-activation of the ERα in αT3–1 cells. Furthermore, an additive activation was achieved when cells were treated with both GnRH and 17β-estradiol. In primary pituitary cells, GnRH alone (100 nm) did not cause a significant stimulation of reporter gene activity, presumingly due to the low amount of gonadotropes. Interestingly, the combination of 17β-estradiol and GnRH resulted in a significant increase in ERα trans-activation compared with that in cells treated with 17β-estradiol alone. This enhancement was prevented by ICI 182,780, showing an ERα requirement. Moreover, we show that the effects of GnRH on ERα transcriptional activity in gonadotrope cell lines are mediated by the PKC/MAPK pathway. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that GnRH is an important signal in the regulation of ERα trans-activation in gonadotrope cells.
DNA Methylation Regulates Placental Lactogen I Gene Expression
Authors: Cho Jae-Hyeon , Kimura Hiromichi , Minami Tatsuya , Ohgane Jun , Hattori Naka , Tanaka Satoshi , Shiota Kunio 
Published: January 2014

AbstractExpression of rat placental lactogen I is specific to the placenta and never expressed in other tissues. To obtain insight into the mechanism of tissue-specific gene expression, we investigated the methylation status in 3.4 kb of the 5′-flanking region of the rat placental lactogen I gene. We found that the distal promoter region of the rat placental lactogen I gene had more potent promoter activity than that of the proximal area alone, which contains several possible cis-elements. Although there are only 17 CpGs in the promoter region, in vitro methylation of the reporter constructs caused severe suppression of reporter activity, and CpG sites in the placenta were more hypomethylated than other tissues. Coexpression of methyl-CpG-binding protein with reporter constructs elicited further suppression of the reporter activity, whereas treatment with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, reversed the suppression caused by methylation. Furthermore, treatment of rat placental lactogen I nonexpressing BRL cells with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methylation, or trichostatin A resulted in the de novo expression of rat placental lactogen I. These results provide evidence that change in DNA methylation is the fundamental mechanism regulating the tissue-specific expression of the rat placental lactogen I gene.
Evidence That the Caudal Brainstem Is a Target for the Inhibitory Effect of Leptin on Food Intake
Authors: Grill Harvey J. , Schwartz Michael W. , Kaplan Joel M. , Foxhall James S. , Breininger John , Baskin Denis G. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Three experiments were performed to investigate the hypothesis that leptin action within the caudal brain stem (CBS) contributes to its intake inhibitory effects. The first experiment evaluated the anatomical distribution of leptin receptor mRNA in rat CBS using a sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization method with a riboprobe specific for the long form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb). An Ob-Rb mRNA hybridization signal was detected in neurons of several CBS nuclei involved in the control of food intake, including the dorsal vagal complex and parabrachial nucleus. A strong hybridization signal was also obtained from neuronal cell bodies of a number of other structures including the hypoglossal, trigeminal, lateral reticular, and cochlear nuclei; locus ceruleus; and inferior olive. The anatomical profile revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridization was in good agreement with immunocytochemical analysis with an antibody specific to Ob-Rb. In a second experiment, exploring the relevance of CBS Ob-Rb to feeding behavior, rats were given a fourth intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of leptin (0.1, 0.83, or 5.0μ g; n = 9–11/group) or vehicle 30 min before lights-out on three consecutive days The two higher doses reduced food intake significantly at 2, 4, and 24 h after injection and caused significant reductions of body weight. The dose-response profiles for fourth i.c.v. administration were indistinguishable from those obtained from separate groups of rats that received leptin via a lateral i.c.v. cannula. In the last experiment, a ventricle-subthreshold dose of leptin (0.1 μg) microinjected unilaterally into the dorsal vagal complex suppressed food intake at 2, 4, and 24 h. The results indicate that the CBS contains neurons that are potentially direct targets for the action of leptin in the control of energy homeostasis.
Estradiol (E2) Enhances Neurite Outgrowth by Repressing Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression and Reorganizing Laminin
Authors: Rozovsky Irina , Wei Min , Stone David J. , Zanjani Hadi , Anderson Christopher P. , Morgan Todd E. , Finch Caleb E. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Neuronal remodeling in response to deafferenting lesions in the brain can be enhanced by estradiol (E2). Astrocytes are among the targets of E2 in complex interactions with neurons and may support or inhibit neuronal remodeling. In ovariectomized female rats given entorhinal cortex lesions, E2 replacement inhibited the increase of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) protein. To model the role of E2 in these complex processes, we used the “wounding-in-a-dish” of astrocyte-neuron cocultures. Low physiological E2 (1 pm) blocks the wound-induced increase of GFAP expression (transcription and protein) and enhances neurite outgrowth. The transcriptional responses to E2 during wounding are mediated by sequences in the 5′-upstream region of the rat GFAP promoter. Concurrently, E2 reorganized astrocytic laminin into extracellular fibrillar arrays, which others have shown support neurite outgrowth. The inhibition of GFAP expression by E2 in this model is consistent with in vivo findings that E2 enhanced recovery from deafferenting cortical lesions by increased neurite outgrowth in association with decreased GFAP expression. More generally, we hypothesize that physiological variations in E2 levels modulate neuronal plasticity through direct effects on GFAP transcription that, in turn, modify GFAP-containing intermediate filaments and reorganize astrocytic laminin.
Activation of Antimetastatic Nm23-H1 Gene Expression by Estrogen and Its α-Receptor
Authors: Lin Kwang-Huei , Wang Won-Jing , Wu Yi-Hsin , Cheng Sheue-Yann 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Metastasis of various malignant cells is inversely related to the abundance of the Nm23-H1 protein. The role of estrogens in tumor metastasis has now been investigated by examining the effect of E2 on the expression of the Nm23-H1 gene. Three human breast carcinoma cell lines, in which endogenous ERα is expressed at different levels, were used as a tool to assess the role of ERα in Nm23-H1 gene-mediated metastasis. E2 induced time-dependent increases in the abundance of Nm23-H1 mRNA and protein, with the extent of these effects correlating with the level of expression of ERα. E2 induced a marked decrease in the invasive activity of MCF-7 and BT-474 cells but had no effect on BCM-1 cells, which had virtually no ERα. Consistent with these results, the ER-mediated Nm23-H1 promoter activity was inhibited 3-fold by the E2 antagonist, ICI 182,780. Deletion analysis of the promoter region of the Nm23-H1 gene identified a positive estrogen-responsive element located in −108/−94. ER protein bound specifically to the −108/−79 fragment with high avidity. These results indicate that E2, acting through ERα, activated transcription of the Nm23-H1 gene via a positive estrogen-responsive element in the promoter region of the gene. These results suggest that E2 could suppress tumor metastasis by activating the expression of the Nm23-H1 gene.
Ghrelin and Leptin Pulse Discharge in Fed and Fasted Rats
Authors: Bagnasco Michela , Kalra Pushpa S. , Kalra Satya P. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Ghrelin stimulates and leptin inhibits appetite by modulating neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling in the hypothalamus. Analysis of plasma ghrelin and leptin by sensitive radioimmunoassays showed that the two peripheral hormones are secreted in pulsatile fashion in rats consuming ad libitum rat chow. Fasting augmented all parameters of ghrelin pulsatile secretion and diminished leptin secretion by selectively attenuating the pulse amplitude; concomitantly it produced synchrony in ghrelin and leptin pulse discharge. These studies imply that a synchronous leptin restraint and ghrelin stimulus on NPYergic signaling may underlie robust appetitive drive.
Targeted Deletion of the PRL Receptor: Effects on Islet Development, Insulin Production, and Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Freemark Michael , Avril Isabelle , Fleenor Don , Driscoll Phyllis , Petro Ann , Opara Emmanuel , Kendall Will , Oden Jon , Bridges Spencer , Binart Nadine , Breant Bernadette , Kelly Paul A. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
PRL and placental lactogen (PL) stimulate β-cell proliferation and insulin gene transcription in isolated islets and rat insulinoma cells, but the roles of the lactogenic hormones in islet development and insulin production in vivo remain unclear. To clarify the roles of the lactogens in pancreatic development and function, we measured islet density (number of islets/cm2) and mean islet size, β-cell mass, pancreatic insulin mRNA levels, islet insulin content, and the insulin secretory response to glucose in an experimental model of lactogen resistance: the PRL receptor (PRLR)-deficient mouse. We then measured plasma glucose concentrations after ip injections of glucose or insulin. Compared with wild-type littermates, PRLR-deficient mice had 26–42% reductions (P &lt; 0.01) in islet density and β-cell mass. The reductions in islet density and β-cell mass were noted as early as 3 wk of age and persisted through 8 months of age and were observed in both male and female mice. Pancreatic islets of PRLR-deficient mice were smaller than those of wild-type mice at weaning but not in adulthood. Pancreatic insulin mRNA levels were 20–30% lower (P &lt; 0.05) in adult PRLR-deficient mice than in wild-type mice, and the insulin content of isolated islets was reduced by 16–25%. The insulin secretory response to ip glucose was blunted in PRLR-deficient males in vivo (P &lt; 0.05) and in isolated islets of PRLR-deficient females and males in vitro (P &lt; 0.01). Fasting blood glucose concentrations in PRLR-deficient mice were normal, but glucose levels after an ip glucose load were 10–20% higher (P &lt; 0.02) than those in wild-type mice. On the other hand, the glucose response to ip insulin was normal. Our observations establish a physiologic role for lactogens in islet development and function.