雌激素快速影响大鼠发育期海马NMDA受体活性的机制

为了探讨雌激素对发育期大鼠海马NMDA受体活性的快速影响,对出生后18d的雄性大鼠进行苯甲酸雌二醇皮下注射,1h后用WesternBlot检测海马NMDA受体NR1和NR2B亚基、雌激素β受体、ERK1/2蛋白的表达,以及NR2B和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平;并通过海马内给予雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780和MEK1/2抑制剂U0126预处理,进一步分析苯甲酸雌二醇影响NR2B和ERK1/2磷酸化的作用机制。结果显示,苯甲酸雌二醇不影响NR1、NR2B、ERβ和ERK1/2的表达,但能快速增强NR2B和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平。雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780和MEK1/2抑制剂U0126均能明显抑制苯甲酸雌二醇诱导的NR2B和ERK1/2磷酸化水平的增加。以上结果提示,雌激素可能通过雌激素受体的非基因组机制激活ERK/MAPK信号转导通路,快速诱导NMDA受体NR2B亚基磷酸化,激活NMDA受体。     

κ-阿片受体激动对高糖诱导心肌肥大的影响

目的:研究κ-阿片受体(κ-OR)激动剂U50488H在高浓度葡萄糖(25.5mmol/L)诱导的心肌细胞肥大中的作用及可能的信号转导通路。方法:以原代培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞为模型,应用25.5mmol/L的高浓度葡萄糖诱导心肌肥大,用Lowry法检测心肌细胞蛋白含量;用消化分离法及计算机图像分析系统检测心肌细胞体积;用Western蛋白印迹法测定细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)磷酸化水平。结果:25.5mmol/L的高浓度葡萄糖使心肌细胞蛋白含量和体积明显增加,1μmol/L的U50488H能抑制高糖诱导的心肌肥大,使ERK磷酸化水平降低,与10μmol/L的ERK抑制剂U0126对心肌肥大的抑制程度相近,统计结果没有显著性差异。结论:U50488H抑制高糖诱导的心肌肥大与ERK信号有关。     

U0126通过下调p-ERK1/2和GM130的表达对人胃癌细胞MKN-45的影响

探讨ERK1/2通路抑制剂U0126对人胃癌MKN-45细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭和迁移能力的影响及机制。首先用CCK-8法测定U0126对MKN-45细胞增殖的影响并筛选药物作用的最适浓度和时间用于后续实验,并将实验分为药物处理组,阴性对照组和空白对照组。然后通过流式细胞术、Transwell迁移实验和Matrigel侵袭实验分别检测细胞凋亡、迁移和侵袭能力,RT-q PCR检测各组GM130的m RNA水平的变化,Western blotting检测ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2、MMP-9、MMP-2、GM-130的蛋白水平的变化。实验发现10μmol/L、20μmol/L、30μmol/L、40μmol/L浓度的U0126均能抑制MKN-45细胞的增殖,其中20μmol/L浓度作用48 h效果最强(p0.05),且该药物作用条件下MKN-45细胞凋亡增加,迁移和侵袭作用减弱(p0.05)。Western blotting结果显示,药物处理组ERK1/2蛋白水平不变,而p-ERK1/2、MMP-9、MMP-2、GM-130的蛋白水平均明显低于阴性对照组和空白对照组(p0.05)。RT-q PCR结果显示,药物处理组GM130的m RNA水平明显低于阴性对照组和空白对照组(p0.05)。以上研究结果均表明U0126可促进MKN-45细胞凋亡,降低细胞体外增殖、迁移和侵袭的能力,其机制可能与p-ERK1/2和GM130的表达被抑制有关。     

环孢素A对人早孕期滋养细胞MMP-9与MMP-2表达的调控作用

本研究的目的是探讨环孢素A对人早孕期滋养细胞侵袭能力及基质金属蛋白酶9与2 (matrix metalloproteinase 9 and 2,简称MMP-9与MMP-2)表达的调节作用,为治疗反复自然流产等妊娠疾患提供新的线索。侵袭试验观察CsA对人早孕期滋养细胞侵袭能力的调节作用;RT-PCR与明胶酶谱分析CsA对滋养细胞MMP-9与MMP-2 mRNA及蛋白水平表达的影响;In-cell West- ern检测CsA作用后滋养细胞ERK1/2磷酸化水平。结果发现,1．0μmol/L CsA明显增强滋养细胞侵袭能力,MEK激酶抑制剂U0126可抑制CsA对滋养细胞的促侵袭作用;1．0μmol/L CsA可诱导MMP- 9与MMP-2基因的转录与蛋白分泌;该诱导效应同样可被U0126所阻滞;1．0μmol/L CsA以时间依赖方式促进ERK1/2的磷酸化。结果表明,CsA可激活ERK1/2,通过MAPK/ERK1/2途径促进滋养细胞MMP-9与MMP-2基因的转录与蛋白分泌,从而增强滋养细胞的侵袭能力,对滋养细胞生物学功能具有良性调节作用。     

雌激素受体α抑制剂MPP在小鼠囊胚形成和滋养层干细胞中影响YAP核定位

目的研究雌激素受体α(estrogen receptorα,ERα)抑制剂甲基-哌啶-吡唑(methyl-piperidino-pyrazole,MPP)在小鼠桑葚胚和滋养层干细胞(trophoblast stem cells,TSCs)中对YAP的影响。方法收集昆明(kunming,KM)小鼠8-细胞胚,置于0μmol/L(对照组)和5μmol/L(实验组)MPP中培养,分别于8h、12h和24h后收集各组桑葚胚,采用免疫荧光技术观察YAP表达,采用Real Time-PCR检测MPP处理24h后Yap mRNA表达变化;将小鼠TSCs置于0μmol/L、2.5μmol/L、5μmol/L和10μmol/L MPP中培养,48h后观察细胞形态改变,分别检测Sox2、YAP、Cdx2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果小鼠8-细胞胚经MPP处理24h后,桑葚胚YAP蛋白核定位水平降低,Yap mRNA水平无显著改变;经MPP处理48h后,5μmol/L组小鼠TSCs细胞出现细胞团块,10μmol/L组细胞增殖明显受抑制;与对照组相比,5μmol/L组细胞Sox2 mRNA表达水平升高,Yap和Cdx2 mRNA水平无显著改变,团块状细胞中的YAP蛋白失去明显的核内定位,SOX2和CDX2阳性细胞的表达更加密集。结论 ERα在小鼠桑葚胚和TSCs中调控YAP核定位,其在TSCs细胞中的作用与CDX2和SOX2的表达有关。     

MAPKs介导NMDA诱导的大鼠皮层神经元凋亡(英文)

NMDA诱导兴奋毒造成的神经损伤,包括细胞的凋亡和坏死。本研究旨在探讨神经元凋亡在NMDA兴奋毒所致大鼠皮层神经元死亡中的所占比例,并分析了NMDA致神经元凋亡的信号通路机制。通过使用Caspase抑制剂和测定乳酸脱氢酶活性,研究NMDA(100μmol/L,2h)兴奋毒所致的神经元凋亡;并使用MAPKs选择性抑制剂,分别采用Caspase-3活性检测,TUNEL和Annexin V染色方法,进一步观察MAPKs通路中细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)、c-Jun N-末端激酶(JNK)和p38 MAPK三条不同途径在NMDA所致神经元凋亡中的作用。结果显示:(1)Caspase依赖的凋亡占NMDA所致细胞死亡总数的22.49%;(2)p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580(10μmol/L)使NMDA诱导的caspase-3活性降低30.43%(P0.05);而ERK抑制剂PD98059(20μmol/L)和JNK抑制剂SP600125(20 μmol/L)不影响caspase-3的活性;(3)SB203580(10μmol/L)使NMDA所致的TUNEL阳性细胞数减少33.10%(P0.05);而PD98059(20μmol/L)或SP600125(20μmol/L)都没有作用;(4)Annexin V染色结果显示,SB203580(10μmol/L)使NMDA所致的早期凋亡细胞减少55.56%(P0.05);SP600125(20μmol/L)使NMDA所致的晚期凋亡/死亡细胞减少67.59%(P0.05);PD98059(20μmol/L)对细胞凋亡/死亡没有明显作用。以上结果表明,NMDA介导的大鼠皮层神经元死亡除坏死外,还包含有一小部分神经元凋亡;p38 MAPK途径,而非JNK和ERK途径,介导了NMDA诱导的神经元凋亡,抑制与此相关的凋亡信号通路可发挥神经保护作用;JNK途径可能介导了NMDA所致的神经元坏死而非凋亡。     

ERK1/2信号通路对黄芪苷Ⅳ抗H_2O_2诱导H9c2细胞氧化损伤的作用

目的:研究黄芪苷Ⅳ(AST)是否通过细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)通路发挥对H2O2诱导的H9c2细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。方法:用200μmol/L的H2O2处理细胞6 h,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率,建立H2O2诱导的H9c2细胞氧化损伤模型;比色法测定细胞培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)活力以及丙二醛(MDA)含量;Western blot检测H9c2细胞ERK1/2蛋白的磷酸化水平。结果:在H2O2浓度为200μmol/L作用6 h条件下,细胞存活率降低程度适中,实验结果重复性好,确定后续实验采用200μmol/L H2O2作用6 h建立模型。与H2O2组比较,10 mg/L及20 mg/L AST均显著提高细胞存活率(P<0.01),使细胞培养液中LDH活性显著降低(P<0.01),T-SOD及Mn-SOD活力显著提高(P<0.01),MDA含量显著降低(P<0.01)。10 mg/L及20 mg/L AST均显著增加H2O2损伤的H9c2细胞p-ERK1/2蛋白的表达(P<0.01),当用PD98059(ERK1/2的抑制剂...     

姜黄素抑制大鼠气道平滑肌细胞增殖和诱导凋亡的作用

目的:探讨姜黄素对大鼠气道平滑肌细胞(airway smooth muscle cells,ASMCs)增殖和凋亡的影响.方法:采用改良组织块消化法培养原代大鼠气道平滑肌细胞,以PDGF诱导ASMCs增殖建立模型.MTT法检测不同浓度姜黄素抑制ASMCs增殖情况.Hoechst 33342染色和DNA Ladder检测细胞凋亡,Western Blot检测ERK1/2和磷酸化ERK1/2的表达.结果:①MTT检测给予姜黄素处理12 h后,与模型组相比较,10 μmol/l组、20μmol/l组和40 μmol/l组的细胞平均抑制率均增加显著.P<0.05;48 h后各浓度组抑制率均升高.②Hoechst 33342观察到10μmol/I、20μmol/1和40 μmol/l姜黄素组中强荧光细胞比例随姜黄素刺量增大而增多,细胞核内多个不均一蓝染现象.③DNA Ladder观察到40μmol/l组姜黄素处理组出现梯状分布.④姜黄素(40 μmol/1)与PDGF(20 ng/m1)共同处理30 min和60 min后P-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平显著降低.结论:姜黄素对ASMCs增殖有抑制作用,同时高浓度的姜黄素可促进AsMCs凋亡,可能与下调ERK1/2的表达有关.     

ERK-VEG FMMP-9信号通路与直肠癌细胞增殖和血管新生的关联

为了探讨ERK-VEGFMMP-9信号通路与直肠癌细胞增殖和血管新生的关联,本研究以不同浓度(10～100μmol/L)的丙泊酚处理HT-29细胞0、48 h、72 h,研究丙泊酚对HT-29细胞中ERK、MMP-9和VEGF的影响,并利用Western blotting法观察HT-29细胞中ERK1/2、MMP-9和VEGF的表达量与信号通路之间的关系。观察丙泊酚处理后对HT-29细胞增殖能力、血管生成能力、细胞侵袭能力的影响。研究结果表明,在细胞中,VEGF与MMP-9蛋白的表达,均随着丙泊酌剂量的增加而呈现逐渐减少的趋势。与对照组相比,50μmol/L组与100μmol/L组降低(p0.05);细胞内VEGF和MMP-9蛋白的表达量随药物处理时间的增加而逐渐降低,与0 h相比,48 h组和72h组降低(p0.05)。细胞中pERK与ERK的比率随着丙泊酌剂量的增加而逐渐降低。与对照组相比,50μmol/L组与100μmol/L组降低(p0.05),pERK与ERK的比率随着用药时间的增加而逐渐降低。与0相比,48 h组与72 h组降低(p0.05)。与0剂量相比,丙泊酚加PMA组MMP-9蛋白的表达量显著升高,50μmol/L组和100μmol/L组增加(p0.05),丙泊酚加PMA组MMP-9蛋白的表达量随着时间的增加而明显的增加,与0h相比,48 h和72 h增加(p0.05)。与0组相比,丙泊酚加PMA组VEGP的表达量明显增加,50μmol/L组和100μmol/L组增加(p0.05),丙泊酚加PMA组VEGP的表达量随时间增加而增加,与Oh相比,48h和72h显著增加(p0.05)。25μmol/L组、50μmol/L组、100μmol/L组Eca109细胞的增殖力、细胞中CAM的新生血管的生成、细胞的侵袭力与对照组相比均显著增加(p0.05),48 h组、72 h组Eca109细胞的增殖力、细胞中CAM的新生血管的生成、细胞的侵袭力与对照组相比均显著增加(p0.05)。丙泊酚通过ERK-VEGF/MMP-9的信号的调制,从而抑制人类的HT-29细胞的增殖、侵袭的体外和血管的生成。     

伊立替康联合去甲斑蝥素对人胃癌细胞作用的考察及协同作用机制研究

研究了伊立替康(CPT-11)联合去甲斑蝥素(NCTD)对人胃癌细胞BGC-823增殖的影响及协同作用机制.分别利用CPT-11 30、60、90、120、150μmol/L,NCTD 30、60、90、120、150μmol/L和两药按上述浓度1∶1联用,以及两药上述浓度完全交叉组合作用BGC-823细胞24、48和72 h,并且以不同序贯方式作用BGC-823细胞24 h.MTT法检测BGC-823细胞的增殖,采用中效原理评价两药联合作用;流式细胞术测定CPT-11 60μmol/L、NCTD 60μmol/L和联合用药(60∶60)μmol/L,以及不同序贯方式作用BGC-823细胞24 h后细胞周期及凋亡的情况;Western blot法检测CPT-11 30、60μmol/L,NCTD 30,60μmol/L和联合用药(30∶30,60∶60)μmol/L作用BGC-823细胞24 h后Pdcd4和p53蛋白表达水平.结果显示:CPT-11及NCTD联合用药比单独用药对细胞增殖的抑制作用增强,IC50明显减小(P0.05),单独使用CPT-11或NCTD作用24、48和72 h时的IC50分别是联合使用时的2.83、3.15、2.19倍以及2.66、3.11、2.45倍,并且两药联合用药具有协同作用效应;两药合用24 h时先给CPT-11方案抑制作用优于先给NCTD方案,且优于同时给药方案(P0.05);CPT-11 60μmol/L作用24 h引起BGC-823细胞S和G2-M期阻滞(P0.01),NCTD 60μmol/L作用24 h引起细胞G2-M期阻滞(P0.05),并诱导细胞凋亡(P0.05),联合用药(60∶60)μmol/L作用24 h,主要引起细胞G2-M期阻滞(P0.01),与先给NCTD 6h方案及同时给药相比,先给CPT-11 6h方案主要引起细胞S期阻滞增加(P0.05)以及细胞凋亡增加;CPT-11 30、60μmol/L作用12 h后Pdcd4上调表达,p53下调表达(P0.05),NCTD 30、60μmol/L作用12 h后Pdcd4下调表达,p53上调表达(P0.05),联合用药(30∶30,60∶60)μmol/L作用24 h后Pdcd4及p53蛋白表达均上调(P0.05).上述结果表明:CPT-11联合NCTD对人胃癌BGC-823细胞有协同抑制作用,其机制主要是诱导细胞G2-M期阻滞,并与抑癌基因蛋白Pdcd4及p53上调表达有关;两种药物联用时序贯次序对联合作用有影响,先给CPT-11方案要优于先给NCTD方案及同时给药方案,其机制主要是引起S期阻滞增加以及细胞凋亡增加;抑癌基因蛋白Pdcd4与p53之间可能存在负调控关系.     

Effects of neuroactive steroids on cochlear hair cell death induced by gentamicin

As neuroactive steroids, sex steroid hormones have non-reproductive effects. We previously reported that 17β-estradiol (βE2) had protective effects against gentamicin (GM) ototoxicity in the cochlea. In the present study, we examined whether the protective action of βE2 on GM ototoxicity is mediated by the estrogen receptor (ER) and whether other estrogens (17α-estradiol (αE2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3)) and other neuroactive steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and progesterone (P), have similar protective effects. The basal turn of the organ of Corti was dissected from Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in a medium containing 100 μM GM for 48 h. The effects of βE2 and ICI 182,780, a selective ER antagonist, were examined. In addition, the effects of other estrogens, DHEA and P were tested using this culture system. Loss of outer hair cells induced by GM exposure was compared among groups. βE2 exhibited a protective effect against GM ototoxicity, but its protective effect was antagonized by ICI 182,780. αE2, E1, and E3 also protected hair cells against gentamicin ototoxicity. DHEA showed a protective effect; however, the addition of ICI 182,780 did not affect hair cell loss. P did not have any effect on GM-induced outer hair cell death. The present findings suggest that estrogens and DHEA are protective agents against GM ototoxicity. The results of the ER antagonist study also suggest that the protective action of βE2 is mediated via ER but that of DHEA is not related to its conversion to estrogen and binding to ER. Further studies on neuroactive steroids may lead to new insights regarding cochlear protection.     

Selective regulation of osteoblastic OPG and RANKL by dehydroepiandrosterone through activation of the estrogen receptor β-mediated MAPK signaling pathway

The aim of the work was to investigate the differential regulation by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) of the osteoblastic production via the estrogen receptor beta (ER β)-mediated signaling pathway. Having developed hMG63-ER β cells and hMG63-shER β cells, we analyzed the regulation by DHEA of human osteoblastic viability, the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the differential expression of ER β, ER α, or p-ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) in hMG63, hMG63-shER β, and hMG63-ER β cells pretreated with or without U0126, flutamide, and ICI 182780, followed by DHEA culture. When the level of ER β was high, DHEA (10 - 7 mol/l) could effectively amplify the proliferation and inhibit the etoposide-induced apoptosis of hMG63 cells (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), which was blocked by U0126. When the expression of ER β was silenced, DHEA could not significantly improve the viability of hMG63. In the presence of ER β, DHEA activated the pERK1/2-MAPK signaling pathway but not p38 and JNK. Besides, the regulation of p-ERK1/2 upon DHEA treatment was mainly modulated by ER β instead of androgen receptor and ER α. The secretion of OPG was declined following the silence of ER β (p<0.05). RANKL and ER α, however, were unaffected by culture with or without DHEA and U0126, regardless of the ER β level. DHEA seems to act selectively on osteoblasts via the dominant ER β receptor, which mediates amplified cell viability through the MAPK signaling pathway involving pERK1/2 and upregulates the production of OPG rather than RANKL.     

AND-34 activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and induces anti-estrogen resistance in a SH2 and GDP exchange factor-like domain-dependent manner

AND-34, a 95-kDa protein with modest homology to Ras GDP exchange factors, associates with the focal adhesion protein p130Cas. Overexpression of AND-34 confers anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer cell lines, a property linked to its ability to activate Rac. Here, we show that both the GDP exchange factor-like domain and the SH2 domain of AND-34 are required for Rac activation and for resistance to the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780. As phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling can regulate Rac activation, we examined the effects of AND-34 on PI3K. Overexpression of AND-34 in MCF-7 cells increased PI3K activity and augmented Akt Ser(473) phosphorylation and kinase activity. Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 or a dominant-negative p85 construct blocked AND-34-mediated Rac and Akt activation. Although R-Ras can activate PI3K, transfection with constitutively active R-Ras failed to induce Rac activation and AND-34 overexpression failed to induce R-Ras activation. Treatment of either vector-only or AND-34-transfected ZR-75-1 cells with ICI 182,780 markedly diminished ERalpha levels, suggesting that AND-34-induced anti-estrogen resistance is likely to occur by an ERalpha-independent mechanism. Treatment of a ZR-75-1 breast cancer cell line stably transfected with AND-34 plus 2 micromol/L LY294002 or 10 micromol/L NSC23766, a Rac-specific inhibitor, abrogated AND-34-induced resistance to ICI 182,780. Our studies suggest that AND-34-mediated PI3K activation induces Rac activation and anti-estrogen resistance in human breast cancer cell lines.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone stimulates the estrogen response element

Studies suggest that the steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can exert effects directly, in addition to its indirect role serving as a precursor for other steroids such as androgens and estrogens. Because DHEA is one of the most abundant adrenal steroids secreted in man, we investigated the functional activity of DHEA on the classic estrogen response element (ERE) in the presence of the estrogen receptor (ER) in transiently transfected cells. GT1-7 hypothalamic neuronal cells, devoid of the estrogen receptor, were transiently transfected with the estrogen receptor expression plasmid (HEGO) and the estrogen response element luciferase (ERELUC) reporter vector. As expected, a dose-response stimulation of luciferase activity was observed in cells treated with estradiol. Concentrations of estradiol from 10⁻¹⁰–10⁻⁶ M resulted in a 136–195 percent increase in luciferase activity compared with control. A dose-response stimulation was also observed in the cells treated with DHEA. A maximum stimulation of 177 percent increase in luciferase activity compared with control was observed with DHEA at a concentration of 10⁻⁵ M. Both the estradiol and DHEA stimulation of ERE luciferase activity was inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. The aromatase inhibitor, formestane in combination with estradiol or DHEA had no effect on luciferase activity, suggesting that the effect of DHEA is independent of its conversion to estadiol. Estradiol levels, as measured by ELISA, were appropriately elevated in the estradiol-treated cells but were not significantly different from the control cells in the DHEA-treated cells. These studies suggest a functional in vitro role of DHEA in activating the ERE in the presence of the classic ER.     

Estrogenic activity of procymidone in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes: a possible mechanism of action

It is known that procymidone modifies sexual differentiation in vivo and in vitro, and that it induces vitellogenin (Vtg) synthesis in primary cultured rainbow trout hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism underlying this latter in vitro estrogenic action. The cells were treated for 24 h with procymidone 150 microM (with 17beta-estradiol [E2] 20 microM as a positive control) combined with an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist (tamoxifen 20 microM or ICI 182,780 1 microM) or, given the drug toxic action on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a free radical scavenger (alpha-tocopherol 30 microM). The results from ELISA experiments provided evidence that procymidone Vtg-induction is inhibited by ER antagonists and by alpha-tocopherol suggesting that both ER and ROS are involved in this effect. The ROS detection revealed that the treatment with alpha-tocopherol and tamoxifen completely prevented ROS induction by procymidone, that was not inhibited by ICI 182,780. In exploring the mechanism mediating these events and its timing, we found that procymidone induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) at 30 and 60 min, and that this effect was blocked by co-treatment with alpha-tocopherol. In summary, the results of the study clearly support the idea that the estrogenic activity of procymidone in primary cultured trout hepatocytes is mediated by ROS production, and that this activity is similar to that of the ligand-independent ER activation involving MAPK.     

Estradiol's salutary effects on keratinocytes following trauma-hemorrhage are mediated by estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ER-beta

Although administration of 17beta-estradiol (estrogen) following trauma-hemorrhage attenuates the elevation of cytokine production and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in epidermal keratinocytes, whether the salutary effects of estrogen are mediated by estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha or ER-beta is not known. To determine which estrogen receptor is the mediator, we subjected C3H/HeN male mice to trauma-hemorrhage (2-cm midline laparotomy and bleeding of the animals to a mean blood pressure of 35 mmHg and maintaining that pressure for 90 min) followed by resuscitation with Ringer's lactate (four times the shed blood volume). At the middle of resuscitation we subcutaneously injected ER-alpha agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT; 5 microg/kg), ER-beta agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN; 5 microg/kg), estrogen (50 microg/kg), or ER antagonist ICI 182,780 (150 microg/kg). Two hours after resuscitation, we isolated keratinocytes, stimulated them with lipopolysaccharide for 24 h (5 microg/mL for maximum cytokine production), and measured the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha and the activation of MAPK. Keratinocyte cytokine production markedly increased and MAPK activation occurred following trauma-hemorrhage but were normalized by administration of estrogen, PPT, and DPN. PPT and DPN administration were equally effective in normalizing the inflammatory response of keratinocytes, indicating that both ER-alpha and ER-beta mediate the salutary effects of estrogen on keratinocytes after trauma-hemorrhage.     

17β-Estradiol increased the expression of daintain/AIF-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages

We investigated the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the expression of daintain/AIF-1, a marker of activated macrophages, in RAW264.7. E2 upregulated the protein and mRNA levels of daintain/AIF-1 in similar manners under physiological concentrations of 10(-11) M to 10(-7) M. The application of ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, attenuated E2-induced daintain/AIF-1 production, suggesting the involvement of ER in this process.     

Altered phenotypic characteristics of T47d human breast cancer cells after prolonged growth in estrogen-deficient medium.

T47D human breast cancer cells were cultured in estrogen-deficient media for up to 32 months and the resulting cell line (L(hE(-))) exhibited unique phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Compared to low passage (L) cells, the L(hE(-)) cells exhibited a significantly higher rate of proliferation, unique morphological features, advanced ploidy status and 5- to 10-fold higher levels of the estrogen receptor (ER) as determined by ligand binding and Western blot analysis. Sequence analysis of the DNA binding domain of the ER revealed a C-->A transversion which resulted in a H513N amino acid change. Treatment of L cells with 10 n m 17beta-estradiol (E2) resulted in a greater than two-fold increase in cell proliferation which was inhibited by tamoxifen, 4'-hydroxytamoxifen, ICI 164,384 and ICI 182,780. In contrast, 10 n m E2 caused a 70% decrease in growth of L(hE(-)) cells and this antimitogenic activity was blocked by ICI 164,384 and ICI 182,780 but not by tamoxifen or 4'-hydroxytamoxifen. L(hE(-)) cells were E2-responsive in transient transfection studies using a plasmid containing an estrogen-responsive element derived from the vitellogenin A2 gene promoter. These data show that the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of L(hE(-)) T47D cells resemble those described for ER-negative cell lines stably transfected with the ER.     

Oestrogen-mediated suppression of tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells: subversion of Bcl-2 by anti-oestrogens

In oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinoma cells, 17β-oestradiol suppresses a dose-dependent induction of cell death by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF). The ability of oestrogens to promote cell survival in ER-positive breast carcinoma cells is linked to a coordinate increase in Bcl-2 expression, an effect that is blocked with the pure anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780. The role of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cell survival was confirmed by stable overexpression of Bcl-2 which resulted in suppression of apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (DOX), paclitaxel (TAX) and TNF as compared to vector-control cells. The pure anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780 in combination with TNF, DOX or TAX potentiated apoptosis in vector-transfected cells. Interestingly, pre-treatment with ICI 182,780 markedly enhanced chemotherapeutic drug- or TNF-induced apoptosis in Bcl-2 expressing cells, an effect that was correlated with ICI 182,780 induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our results suggest that the effects of oestrogens/anti-oestrogens on the regulation of apoptosis may involve coordinate activation of signalling events and Bcl-2 expression.