Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jacobus C. Buurstede, Susana N. Paul, Karolien De Bosscher, Onno C. Meijer, Jan Kroon
Summary: Glucocorticoids exert their effects by activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) throughout the body. This study investigated the interaction between glucocorticoids and androgen signaling in the liver transcriptome. The results showed that a substantial proportion of the hepatic transcriptome is androgen-dependent after chronic exposure, while the effects of glucocorticoids are largely androgen-independent after acute exposure. The study suggests that prolonged glucocorticoid exposure may upregulate androgen receptor expression, leading to androgen dependence not driven by direct interactions between the androgen receptor and glucocorticoid receptor.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wen Huang, Jin Zhou, Juanjuan Guo, Wen Hu, Guanghui Chen, Bin Li, Yajie Wen, Yimin Jiang, Kaili Fu, Huichang Bi, Yuanzhen Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: Prenatal dexamethasone exposure can have lasting adverse effects on bile acid metabolism in offspring by affecting placental BA transporters and inducing imbalanced fetal-placental-maternal BA circulation, leading to increased levels of primary BAs in fetal serum.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Namita Mahadik, Dwaipayan Bhattacharya, Akshaya Padmanabhan, Kalyani Sakhare, Kumar Pranav Narayan, Rajkumar Banerjee
Summary: Steroid hormone receptors, particularly the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), show potential as druggable targets for cancer treatment due to their aberrant expression patterns and context-specific regulation in cancer cells. Despite not fitting into the category of conventional cell surface receptors, efforts to develop SHR-targeted anticancer therapeutics, including nanodelivery systems and small molecules, are active in research.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Florian Le Billan, Gloria Umogbai, Carolyn L. Cummins
Summary: Steroid hormones not only regulate gene transcription but also modulate the alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, acting through binding to nuclear receptors. The effect of steroid hormones on alternative splicing is time-, gene-, and tissue-specific. Mechanisms by which steroid hormones regulate alternative splicing include the recruitment of dual-function proteins, transcriptional regulation of splicing factor levels, alternative splicing of splicing factors or transcription factors, and regulation of elongation rate.
Article
Oncology
Lei Zhang, JinFeng Wu, QiuMei Wu, XiangJuan Zhang, ShuaiCai Lin, WanLi Ran, Li Zhu, ChengYan Tang, Xing Wang
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. The mechanisms behind male propensity in HCC incidence, prognosis, and treatment responses are complex and inconclusive. This review integrates current knowledge on how hormones regulate HCC development in a sexually dimorphic manner. Understanding the role of sex hormones in HCC may lead to personalized therapeutic strategies in high-risk populations.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nicolas C. Nicolaides
Summary: Glucocorticoid receptors play a crucial role in various cellular processes and physiological functions. Recent studies have shown that the beta isoform of the receptor, GR beta, has important functions in cellular homeostasis and is involved in endocrine physiology and pathophysiology.
Article
Cell Biology
Charlene Thiebaut, Virginie Vlaeminck-Guillem, Olivier Tredan, Coralie Poulard, Muriel Le Romancer
Summary: Steroid receptors play a crucial role in regulating cellular responses to steroids through both genomic and non-genomic signaling pathways. Research on non-genomic signaling in breast and prostate cancers has shown its clinical importance and potential for developing therapeutic strategies. Understanding the non-genomic pathways of ER, PR, AR, and GR may offer new perspectives for cancer treatment.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas C. Nicolaides, Manousos Makridakis, Rafael Stroggilos, Vasiliki Lygirou, Eleni Koniari, Ifigeneia Papageorgiou, Amalia Sertedaki, Jerome Zoidakis, Evangelia Charmandari
Summary: Significant inter-individual variation in susceptibility to stress-related disorders has been observed among healthy subjects. This study used proteomics analysis to identify molecular differences between glucocorticoid resistant and glucocorticoid sensitive subjects, and found that certain plasma proteins may play a role in chronic stress-related diseases. These findings have clinical implications and provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of these diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. Kalogirou, J. Linxweiler, P. Schmucker, M. T. Snaebjornsson, W. Schmitz, S. Wach, M. Krebs, E. Hartmann, M. Puhr, A. Mueller, M. Spahn, A. K. Seitz, T. Frank, H. Marouf, G. Buechel, M. Eckstein, H. Kuebler, M. Eilers, M. Saar, K. Junker, F. Roehrig, B. Kneitz, M. T. Rosenfeldt, A. Schulze
Summary: The downregulation of miR-205 promotes cholesterol synthesis and androgen receptor signaling in aggressive prostate cancer by enhancing the expression of the rate-limiting enzyme squalene epoxidase. Overexpression of squalene epoxidase in advanced prostate cancer correlates with poor survival, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target. Inhibition of squalene epoxidase with terbinafine effectively blocked tumor growth in mice and reduced levels of prostate specific antigen in late-stage prostate cancer patients.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Joanna Dulinska-Litewka, Dominik Felkle, Kacper Dykas, Zuzanna Handziuk, Marta Krzysztofik, Bartosz Gasiorkiewicz
Summary: The role of cyclins in hormone-dependent neoplasms, especially breast cancer, is crucial. However, cyclins in prostate cancer are less studied, particularly the role of other cyclins that requires further investigation. Recent studies have shown that cyclins not only regulate the cell cycle but also interact with other signaling pathways. The androgen signaling axis plays a significant role in prostate cancer progression and interferes with cyclin pathways.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Argelia Calvillo-Robledo, Enrique Pedernera, Flavia Morales-Vasquez, Delia Perez-Montiel, Maria J. Gomora, Miguel Angel Almaraz, Paulina Garcia de Alba Graue, Elizabeth Rendon, Horacio Noe Lopez-Basave, Andres Quintanar-Stephano, Carmen Mendez
Summary: The study found that the co-expression of STS and AR in ovarian tumors is associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that testosterone via its receptor promotes tumor growth and progression. This highlights the importance of researching the molecular mechanisms involved in ovarian carcinogenesis and identifying new prognostic markers for improving patient outcomes.
JOURNAL OF OVARIAN RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioanna Kokkinopoulou, Paraskevi Moutsatsou
Summary: Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular processes beyond energy production, being involved in calcium homeostasis, ROS generation, cell death, thermogenesis, and biosynthesis. Glucocorticoids regulate mitochondrial gene expression and metabolism, with GR directly influencing mitochondrial functions including apoptosis and inflammation. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of GR translocation and its impact on mitochondrial processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohd A. Beg, Md A. Beg, Ummer R. Zargar, Ishfaq A. Sheikh, Osama S. Bajouh, Adel M. Abuzenadah, Mohd Rehan
Summary: Organotin compounds (OTCs) are widely used as polyvinyl chloride stabilizers and marine antifouling biocides. They have metabolic and endocrine disrupting effects in organisms and may interfere with natural steroid/receptor binding and perturb steroid signaling.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiuxiu Li, Michael Berk, Christopher Goins, Mohammad Alyamani, Yoon-Mi Chung, Chenyao Wang, Monaben Patel, Nityam Rathi, Ziqi Zhu, Belinda Willard, Shaun Stauffer, Eric Klein, Nima Sharifi
Summary: Prostate cancer depends on androgens and the androgen receptor (AR). Resistance to medical castration leads to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) driven by the reactivation of the androgen-AR axis. 3 beta HSD1 plays a critical role in stimulating CRPC and is also essential for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The phosphorylation of tyrosine 344 (Y344) is required for 3 beta HSD1 activity and the synthesis of androgens and estrogens.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, Carolyn W. Kinkade, Leena Khoury, Jessica Brunner, Hannah Murphy, Christina Wang, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Richard K. Miller, Thomas G. O'Connor, Emily S. Barrett
Summary: The study found that maternal serum levels of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with sex steroid hormone levels during pregnancy. Specifically, PFHxS is associated with increased testosterone levels in male fetuses, while PFNA and PFDA are associated with increased free testosterone levels in male fetuses. For female fetuses, PFHxS is associated with increased levels of estradiol and estriol. No associations were found for PFOS and PFOA.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Barnaby J. W. Dixson, Danielle Borg, Kym M. Rae, Koa Whittingha, Brenda Gannon, Steven M. McPhail, Hannah E. Carter, Karen M. Moritz, Roslyn N. Boyd, Samudragupta Bora, Sailesh Kumar, Julanne Frater, Daniel Schweitzer, Paul Miller, Divya Mehter, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: Antenatal depression affects fathers and can have negative impacts on maternal mental health and well-being. The study found that lower social support and higher sleep impairment were associated with higher levels of antenatal depression for fathers. Mothers who reported higher physical pain and poor sleep quality had higher levels of antenatal depression, stress, and anxiety. Postnatally, lower social support was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and psycho-social well-being for mothers. While there were no significant associations between paternal antenatal depression and maternal antenatal or postnatal depression, exploratory analysis revealed that mothers whose partners reported lower antenatal social support also reported lower postnatal social support and higher postnatal depression.
ARCHIVES OF WOMENS MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Sreeparna Bhaumik, Jack Lockett, Zarqa Saif, Andrew Lai, Carlos Salomon, Jonathan P. Whitehead, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: This study found that metabolic markers in obese pregnant women do not change with the presence and severity of asthma. However, differences in the associations between metabolic and inflammatory pathways were observed in women with asthma and may contribute to uncontrolled asthma in obese pregnant women.
Article
Allergy
J. L. Robinson, K. L. Gatford, C. P. Hurst, V. L. Clifton, J. L. Morrison, M. J. Stark
Summary: Asthma in pregnant women in Australia affects about 17% of pregnancies and is associated with negative perinatal outcomes. Revised guidelines in South Australia aim to improve asthma management during pregnancy based on severity. This study explores whether the revised guidelines have reduced the impact of maternal asthma on adverse perinatal outcomes.
Review
Neurosciences
Catherine G. Dimasi, Jack R. T. Darby, Janna L. Morrison
Summary: Mammalian cardiomyocytes undergo significant maturational changes before and after birth. Immature cardiomyocytes can contribute to cardiac growth through proliferation, allowing the heart to regenerate. However, these changes come at the cost of losing cardiac regenerative capacity, leading to permanent damage in postnatal life. This poses a barrier to developing new treatments for cardiac repair and contributes to heart failure. This review focuses on studying the critical transition period of cardiomyocyte growth, exploring novel factors that may regulate and drive this process, and discussing the potential use of new biomarkers for detecting myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Jack R. T. Darby, Georgia K. Williams, Steven K. S. Cho, Ashley S. Meakin, Stacey L. Holman, Megan Quinn, Michael D. Wiese, Christopher K. Macgowan, Mike Seed, Janna L. Morrison
Summary: Babies born with reduced growth face increased risk of poor outcomes. Current interventions are ineffective in improving fetal growth. Resveratrol treatment increases blood flow and oxygenation in the uterus, but high polyphenol diets may negatively affect fetal hemodynamics. This study assessed the safety of resveratrol as an intervention for fetal growth restriction.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joshua L. Robinson, Kathy L. Gatford, Vicki L. Clifton, Janna L. Morrison, Michael J. Stark
Summary: This scoping review aims to describe the methodology, phenotype, and characteristics of maternal asthma models used in preclinical studies, as well as the measured outcomes in the mother and progeny. The review also aims to identify gaps in knowledge regarding maternal and progeny outcomes following maternal asthma in pregnancy.
JBI EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Mitchell C. Lock, Kimberley J. Botting, Beth J. Allison, Youguo Niu, Sage G. Ford, Michael P. Murphy, Sandra Orgeig, Dino A. Giussani, Janna L. Morrison
Summary: Chronic fetal hypoxemia increases the risk of respiratory complications at birth. Maternal antioxidant therapy has been shown to be protective for fetal growth and cardiovascular development. This study investigated the effects of maternal antenatal treatment with MitoQ on lung development in hypoxic pregnancy in sheep, and found that it promoted fetal pulmonary surfactant maturation and increased expression of key genes involved in lung development.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Brahmdeep S. Saini, Robin Ducas, Jack R. T. Darby, Davide Marini, Liqun Sun, Christopher K. Macgowan, Rory Windrim, John C. Kingdom, Rachel M. Wald, Janna L. Morrison, Mike Seed
Summary: Late gestational supine positioning affects maternal cardiac output and oxygen delivery, but not oxygen consumption in the gravid uterus, fetus, placenta, and lower limbs. Supine mothers have lower cardiac output and oxygen delivery compared to lateral positions, but higher collateral venous return.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jack R. T. Darby, Song Zhang, Stacey L. Holman, Beverly S. Muhlhausler, Caroline McMillen, Janna L. Morrison
Summary: The effects of fetal glucose infusion on cardiac growth and metabolism signaling molecules were evaluated. Results showed that despite increased fetal plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, there were no significant changes in mRNA expression and protein abundance of these molecules.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sophie M. Leech, Morgan C. Gilbert, Vicki L. Clifton, Sailesh Kumar, Kym M. Rae, Danielle Borg, Marloes Dekker Nitert
Summary: Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the researchers assessed the microbes present in expressed breastmilk at six weeks postpartum and found that the microbial load was low and similar to controls. The microbes identified were mostly consistent with skin and oral microbes, with some samples having no identifiable bacterial sequences. The results do not provide convincing evidence for the existence of a breastmilk microbiota at six weeks postpartum, suggesting that the microbes present in breastmilk may come from the infant's mouth and surrounding skin, as well as contamination during sampling and processing.
Article
Neurosciences
Catherine G. Dimasi, Jack R. T. Darby, Steven K. S. Cho, Brahmdeep S. Saini, Stacey L. Holman, Ashley S. Meakin, Michael D. Wiese, Christopher K. Macgowan, Mike Seed, Janna L. Morrison
Summary: Babies born with fetal growth restriction (FGR) have a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. FGR reduces substrate supply to the fetus, which affects cardiac growth, metabolism, and function. A study using a sheep model of placental restriction found that FGR decreases glucose and fatty acid transporters, as well as mitochondrial numbers and electron transport chain complexes in the fetal heart.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Developmental Biology
Ashley Meakin, Vicki Clifton, Jack Darby, Stacey Holman, Michael Wiese, Janna Morrison
Meeting Abstract
Developmental Biology
Ashley Meakin, Melanie Smith, Janna Morrison, Claire Roberts, Martha Lappas, Stacey Ellery, Olivia Holland, Tony Perkins, Sharon McCracken, Vicki Flenady, Vicki Clifton