Review
Cell Biology
Maddalena Napolitano, Gabriella Fabbrocini, Fabrizio Martora, Vincenzo Picone, Paola Morelli, Cataldo Patruno
Summary: Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is an evolutionary transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the physiology of the skin and has been implicated in the development of inflammatory skin diseases. The evidence suggests both beneficial and harmful effects of AhR signaling.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ziyue Kou, Wei Dai
Summary: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a cellular protein involved in detoxification of xenobiotic compounds. Research has shown that AHR plays important roles in normal development and homeostasis, and its deficiency can lead to various developmental abnormalities.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Helmut Segner, Christyn Bailey, Carolina Tafalla, Jun Bo
Summary: Anthropogenic contaminants have a growing impact on the immune system of fishes, with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) playing a key role in mediating these effects. Although the AhR is expressed in the fish immune system, its physiological role remains poorly understood. Exposing fish to AhR-activating contaminants can modulate immune structural and functional parameters, resulting in immunosuppression and increased disease susceptibility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Claudia Rejano-Gordillo, Ana Ordiales-Talavero, Ana Nacarino-Palma, Jaime M. Merino, Francisco J. Gonzalez-Rico, Pedro M. Fernandez-Salguero
Summary: The transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a key regulator involved in cell functions and tumor progression. It can act as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor, depending on the specific organ, tissue and cell type. In addition to its role in cell adhesion and migration, AHR has potential as a therapeutic tool, diagnosis and prognosis marker.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lucia Sladekova, Sridhar Mani, Zdenek Dvorak
Summary: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a crucial member of the helix-loop-helix transcription factors family, playing a central role in host physiology and various pathophysiologies. Activation of AhR is ligand-driven and the pharmacology of activation is dependent on the type and quantity of ligand. Therefore, understanding AhR ligands is essential for further advancements in the field. This minireview clarifies misconceptions and explores the true nature of AhR activation by discussing selected chemical classes and their qualification as true receptor ligands.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Congrong Niu, Bill Smith, Yurong Lai
Summary: This study characterized the gene induction by ligands of CAR and AhR in human hepatocytes, showing distinct effects on metabolizing enzyme and drug transporter genes. Different inducers had varying degrees of effects on specific genes, highlighting the importance of assessing transporter gene inductions alongside metabolizing enzyme genes.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Esra Hatipoglu, Omur Gunaldi, Buruc Erkan, Ayla Avcikurt, Meral Mert, Mutlu Niyazoglu
Summary: This study investigated the changes in USP8 gene expression levels in pituitary adenomas (PA) and found that USP8 expression was higher in PA compared to non-adenomatous brain tissue. These findings support the importance of USP8 gene expression levels in pituitary tumor development and hormone production.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Colleen S. Curran, Jeffrey B. Kopp
Summary: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays an important role in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by binding various endogenous and xenobiotic ligands and regulating kidney stability, transcriptional activity, and cell signaling. AHR activity is closely associated with kidney damage and protection, with its cross-talk with estrogen, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, and NF-kappa B pathways contributing to the diversity of AHR responses in different forms and stages of CKD. Understanding the roles of AHR in kidney fibrosis, metabolism, and the renin-angiotensin system can provide insights into the pathogenesis and therapies of CKD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seyedeh Zahra Hosseini Imani, Zohreh Hojati, Sheyda Khalilian, Fariba Dehghanian, Majid Kheirollahi, Mehdi Khorrami, Vahid Shaygannejad, Omid Mirmosayyeb
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. The study found decreased expression of IL7R in sporadic MS patients and increased expression of NFATc2 in MS patients. There was a significant increase in the expression level of the RNF213 gene in familial MS patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Xiaoyu Xi, Qinbin Ye, Danping Fan, Xiaoxue Cao, Qiong Wang, Xing Wang, Mengxiao Zhang, Yuan Xu, Cheng Xiao
Summary: Several factors, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being a recently highlighted environmental factor. This review summarizes the recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of PAHs and aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs) in RA, and discusses the development of therapeutic drugs targeting AHRs. Challenges and prospects of AHR application in the future are also discussed.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meei-Ling Sheu, Liang-Yi Pan, Cheng-Ning Yang, Jason Sheehan, Liang-Yu Pan, Weir-Chiang You, Chien-Chia Wang, Hung-Chuan Pan
Summary: Thrombin is closely related to neurodegenerative disorders, and AhR is well expressed in microglia cells involved in inflammatory disorders of the brain. This study found that deleting AhR aggravated the inflammatory response and neurodegenerative processes induced by thrombin in microglia cells, while an AhR agonist could inhibit these responses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Andreia Barroso, Joao Vitor Mahler, Pedro Henrique Fonseca-Castro, Francisco J. Quintana
Summary: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was originally identified as the receptor for dioxin and is now known to be a receptor for multiple physiological ligands, playing crucial roles in health and disease. AHR has been found to play a role in the gut-brain axis and could hold potential as a therapeutic target for immune-mediated diseases.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Serna, Cristina Cespedes, Jose Vina
Summary: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor, in addition to its role in xenobiotic detoxification, also plays a significant role in physiological functions and the aging process. Modulation of the signaling pathway of this receptor could be an interesting therapeutic target for aging.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Gayathri Swaminathan, Linh P. Nguyen, Hong Namkoong, Junliang Pan, Yeneneh Haileselassie, Akshar Patel, Allison R. Ji, David M. Mikhail, Theresa Thanh Dinh, Harpriya Singh, Bryce Liao, Luis M. Vazquez-Montesino, Eugene C. Butcher, Aida Habtezion
Summary: The study reveals a novel function of AHR in regulating GPR15 expression, demonstrating that AHR agonists induce GPR15 expression on CD4(+) T cells and increase their homing capability, especially to the colon.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ann-Marie Maier, Karsten Huth, Francesca Alessandrini, Benjamin Schnautz, Anela Arifovic, Fabien Riols, Mark Haid, Anja Koegler, Katrin Sameith, Carsten B. B. Schmidt-Weber, Julia Esser-von-Bieren, Caspar Ohnmacht
Summary: Allergic inflammation of the airways, such as allergic asthma, is a significant global health problem. Macrophages play a crucial role in regulating lipid mediators involved in allergic airway inflammation. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) controls the transcriptional regulation of enzymes involved in lipid mediator synthesis in macrophages, including the prostaglandin and leukotriene pathway. Deficiency or inhibition of AhR activity results in decreased synthesis of prostanoids and cysteinyl leukotrienes, contributing to the aggravation of allergic airway inflammation. These findings highlight the essential role of AhR-dependent eicosanoid regulation in macrophages during homeostasis and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pedro Marques, Marta Korbonits
Summary: Pseudoacromegaly is a rare and heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by clinical features of acromegaly or gigantism, but without excess of GH or IGF-1. Establishing the underlying diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping clinical features. Collaboration with clinical geneticists is crucial for the diagnosis of patients with genetic origins of pseudoacromegaly.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sergio Pedraza-Arevalo, Alejandro Ibanez-Costa, Ricardo Blazquez-Encinas, Miguel R. Branco, Mari C. Vazquez-Borrego, Aura D. Herrera-Martinez, Eva Venegas-Moreno, Raquel Serrano-Blanch, Alvaro Arjona-Sanchez, Maria A. Galvez-Moreno, Marta Korbonits, Alfonso Soto-Moreno, Manuel D. Gahete, Marika Charalambous, Raul M. Luque, Justo P. Castano
Summary: The study revealed a direct correlation between SSTR5 and SSTR5-AS1 in pituitary and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Differential methylation of CpG islands was observed in somatotropinomas compared with normal pituitaries. Silencing of SSTR5-AS1 in PanNETs cell lines led to downregulation of SSTR5 expression and altered cell aggressiveness features.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eva C. Coopmans, Marta Korbonits
Summary: This article provides a concise overview of the genetics of pituitary tumors and discusses the current challenges and implications of these genetic findings in clinical practice.
CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Uta Neumann, Annelieke van der Linde, Ruth E. Krone, Nils P. Krone, Ayla Guven, Tulay Guran, Heba Elsedfy, Sukran Poyrazoglu, Feyza Darendeliler, Tania A. S. S. Bachega, Antonio Balsamo, Sabine E. Hannema, Niels Birkebaek, Ana Vieites, Ajay Thankamony, Martine Cools, Tatjana Milenkovic, Walter Bonfig, Eduardo Correa Costa, Navoda Atapattu, Liat de Vries, Guilherme Guaragna-Filho, Marta Korbonits, Klaus Mohnike, Jillian Bryce, S. Faisal Ahmed, Bernard Voet, Oliver Blankenstein, Hedi L. Claahsen-van der Grinten
Summary: This study analyzed the use of salt supplementation, medication dosage, and growth indicators in children with CAH aged 0-3 years. The results showed that in children receiving additional salt supplementation, medication dosages were lower during the first months of life but there were no differences in weight, height, and blood pressure compared to those not receiving salt supplementation. All children showed an increase in BMI-SDS and a high proportion of blood pressure readings exceeding the normal range.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Carolina Peixe, Miriam Sanchez-Garcia, Ashley B. Grossman, Marta Korbonits, Pedro Marques
Summary: When evaluating the somatotroph axis, it is important to consider the discrepancies in GH and IGF-1 levels in patients with acromegaly. These discrepancies may be due to early or partially treated disease, as well as other non-acromegaly causes such as pre-analytical and technical issues, physiological circumstances, and pathological conditions.
GROWTH HORMONE & IGF RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Helen E. Chmura, Cassandra Duncan, Ben Saer, Jeanette T. Moore, Brian M. Barnes, C. Loren Buck, Helen C. Christian, Andrew S. Loudon, Cory T. Williams
Summary: This study demonstrates that arctic ground squirrels hibernating in darkness activate the thyroid hormone signaling pathway in the hypothalamus, remodel hypothalamic tanycytes, and activate the reproductive axis. Periodic arousals during hibernation may allow for transient activation of thyroid hormone signaling, cellular remodeling, and re-programming of brain circuits in preparation for the short Arctic summer.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
S. Menon, H. Moch, D. M. Berney, I. A. Cree, J. R. Srigley, T. Tsuzuki, E. Comperat, A. Hartmann, G. Netto, M. A. Rubin, A. J. Gill, S. Turajlic, P. H. Tan, M. R. Raspollini, S. K. Tickoo, M. B. Amin
Summary: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the penis. The 2022 WHO classification reinforces the 2016 classification and subclassifies precursor lesions and tumors into human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent types. The use of p16 immunohistochemistry is practical for differentiating HPV-associated from HPV-independent penile SCC. The classification and reporting of scrotal tumors is provided for the first time in the fifth edition of the WHO Blue book, following the schema of penile cancer classification.
Letter
Cell Biology
Andres M. Acosta, Maurizio Colecchia, Daniel M. Berney
Review
Oncology
Emanuel Christ, Donato Iacovazzo, Marta Korbonits, Aurel Perren
Summary: Endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is a rare condition that is mostly caused by a single insulinoma. Recent evidence suggests that mutations in the MAFA gene may be associated with familial insulinomatosis.
ENDOCRINE-RELATED CANCER
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Daniel M. Berney, Kier Finnegan, Kim Chu, Samson W. Fine, Murali Varma, Jack Cuzick, Luis Beltran
Summary: This study aimed to determine the optimal method of measuring cancer extent in prostate cancer biopsies. The results showed that only the percentage of positive cores (%+cores) was a significant predictor of patient outcome in multivariate models. Thus, we propose using %+cores as a simple method of assessment, which is preferred over more complicated methods.
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kanokporn Sanpawithayakul, Gabor Czibik, Marta Korbonits
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
P. Marques, M. Korbonits
Summary: The pituitary tumour microenvironment consists of various non-tumoural cells and signaling peptides, which can influence the behavior and development of pituitary tumours. Recent research has focused on immune and stromal cell subpopulations infiltrating pituitary tumours, as well as immune- and microenvironment-related pathways. Understanding the pituitary tumour microenvironment can improve the diagnosis and management of patients with aggressive or recurrent tumours.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew J. Lessey, Samantha M. Mirczuk, Annisa N. Chand, Deborah M. Kurrasch, Marta Korbonits, Stijn J. M. Niessen, Craig A. Mcardle, Imelda M. Mcgonnell, Robert C. Fowkes
Summary: Human patients with mutations in NPPC or NPR2 genes have skeletal abnormalities, while mice with induced models of Nppc or Npr2 deletion exhibit achondroplasia, dwarfism, and early death. Using zebrafish as a model for vertebrate development, researchers altered the expression of CNP genes and found that CNP is crucial for normal embryonic development, specifically in regards to growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Cesar L. Boguszewski, Marta Korbonits, Audrey Artignan, Almudena Martin Garcia, Aude Houchard, Antonio Ribeiro-Oliveira, Wouter W. de Herder
Summary: Home injections of somatostatin analogs have similar efficacy, safety, and adherence outcomes compared to healthcare-setting injections. Patients generally find injections at home more convenient and it also leads to cost savings.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Liza Das, Ashutosh Rai, Pravin Salunke, Chirag Kamal Ahuja, Ashwani Sood, Bishan Dass Radotra, Ridhi Sood, Marta Korbonits, Pinaki Dutta
Summary: This article describes a case of aggressive prolactinoma resistant to Temozolomide (TMZ) and reviews similar cases in the literature. The results show that despite TMZ treatment, a significant proportion of patients experienced disease progression, indicating the need for alternative treatment options.
JOURNAL OF THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY
(2022)