[Truncated abstract] Steroid receptors belong to the superfamily of nuclear receptors, and include the androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptors (ER[alpha] and ER[beta], glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and the progesterone receptors (PRA and PRB). Before binding ligand, the receptor undergoes biochemical and structural modifications through a series of interactions with molecular chaperones and cochaperones all within a receptor heterocomplex. The mature receptor complexes with the major chaperone Hsp90, the stabilising cochaperone p23, and one member of a group of cochaperones termed immunophilins. Steroid receptor-associated immunophilins include the cyclophilin, CyP40, two FK506-binding proteins, FKBP51 and FKBP52, and the protein phosphatase, PP5. Immunophilins are characterised by the presence of TPR domains which compete directly for the TPR-acceptor site within Hsp90. This leads to mutually exclusive, immunophilin-containing receptor complexes. While PP5 contains a C-terminal phosphatase domain, CyP40, FKBP51 and FKBP52 each contain an N-terminal peptidyl prolyl isomerase (PPIase) domain, which catalyses the cis/trans isomerisation of prolyl peptide bonds. FKBP52 has been demonstrated to potentiate the ligand-dependent activity of AR, GR and PR, but not ER[alpha]. Knowing that CyP40 is the preferred immunophilin associated with the ER[alpha] heterocomplex, it was hypothesised that this immunophilin plays a role in ER[alpha] function. ... As all mutants maintained this potentiating activity it was concluded that the five altered residues found within gpGR do not contribute to the altered interaction of FKBP52 and receptor. However, it cannot be discounted that FKBP51 is more competitive for gpGR. Immunophilins are hormonally regulated, with FKBP52 found to be essential for female fertility in mice. It was hypothesised that levels of immunophilins, associated with steroid receptors important in the menstrual cycle, would be regulated to reflect hormonal activity within cycling endometrium. Human pre-menopausal endometrial sections taken from different phases of the menstrual cycle were examined immunohistochemically for expression of CyP40, FKBP51, FKBP51 and PP5. Immunophilin levels peaked at the mid-secretory phase correlating with stromal decidualization, a process essential for eventual blastocyst implantation. The importance of immunophilins to steroid receptor action was therefore reinforced by the observation that immunophilins appear to be hormonally regulated in cycling pre-menopausal human endometrium. Further studies into the effects of immunophilin loss and knockdown on steroid receptor-mediated responses in specific mouse tissues, knockout-derived mouse embryo fibroblasts and cancer cell lines may contribute to our understanding of the receptor-selective and tissue-specific actions of the immunophilins. Elucidation of the mechanisms through which they modulate receptor function may provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention in steroid-related disease.

O estabelecimento gestacional é determinado por interações entre o perfil endócrino e o trato reprodutivo materno. Eventos endócrinos são primariamente mediados pela ligação do hormônio a receptores específicos e subsequente transcrição de genes alvos. O endométrio bovino é um tecido dinâmico que passa por alterações espaço-temporais dirigidas pelos hormônios ovarianos, estradiol (E2) e progesterona (P4). A hipótese é que os efeitos combinados das concentrações plasmáticas de E2 e P4 à abundância tecidual de seus respectivos receptores estabelecem um “tônus de esteroides sexuais” que dirige funções do endométrio durante o período periovulatório em vacas. Os objetivos foram comparar diferentes tônus de esteroides na (1) expressão de receptores específicos e sua distribuição tecidual, (2) expressão de genes de resposta que regulam a função uterina, e (3) abundância e distribuição de mucina pelo epitélio, uma glicoproteína que indica pobre receptividade endometrial. Vacas Nelore (Bos indicus) foram farmacologicamente manipuladas para ovular um folículo pequeno (FP-CLP) ou grande (FG-CLG) e produzir, respectivamente, menores ou maiores concentrações plasmáticas de E2 no proestro e de P4 no diestro. O grupo FG-CLG representa um modelo de maior fertilidade. Tecido endometrial foi coletado através de biópsia transvaginal no dia zero (D0; FP-CLP, n=4; FG-CLG, n=5) e post mortem no D4 (n=8 por grupo; Experimento 1) ou D7 (FP-CLP, n=8; FG-CLG, n=9; Experimento 2) após indução da ovulação com GnRH. Para estudar a regulação endometrial dos receptores de esteroides, a abundância de transcritos para receptores nucleares e de membrana de esteroides foi mesurada por qPCR: receptor de estrógenos alpha (ESR1) e beta (ESR2), receptor de estrógeno acoplado a proteína G (GPER), receptor de P4 isoformas A (PGR1), B (PGR2) e C (PGR3), receptor de P4 componente de membrana 1 (PGRMC1) e 2 (PGRMC2). Genes previamente mostrados estarem envolvidos em vias de resposta ao E2 foram selecionados: GREB1, CCND1, WNT5a, FGF2 (proliferação), SERPINA14, LTF, NRIP1 (atividade secretória), MMP2 (remodelamento de matriz extracelular), AQP4 (transporte de água) e MUC1 (adesão celular). Os dados foram analisados por one-way ANOVA para efeito de tratamento. O tamanho do POF, subsequente CL, concentrações plasmáticas de E2 (D0) e P4 (D4 e D7) foram significativamente maiores no grupo FG-CLG. No D0, a abundância de mRNA para ESR1, PGR1, PGR2 e PGR3 foi significativamente maior no tecido endometrial de vacas do grupo FG-CLG. A abundância de transcritos envolvidos na proliferação e remodelamento de matriz extracelular sugeriu maior atividade proliferativa e remodelamento no endométrio do grupo FG-CLG no D0. No D4, a expressão de PGR1 e PGRMC2 foi menor no grupo FG-CLG. A abundância de mRNA para AQP4 foi maior no grupo FG-CLG e positivamente correlacionada com a concentração de E2 pré-ovulatório. No D7, a abundância de mRNA foi maior para ESR2, PGRMC1 e PGRMC2, e reduzida para PGR2 e PGR3 em vacas do grupo FG-CLG. Abundância de mRNA para OXTR e MUC1 foi menor neste grupo. Análise histológica de amostras endometriais revelaram que o sinal para mucinas anti-adesivas no epitélio do grupo FG-CLG foi consistentemente menor quando comparado ao grupo FP-CLP (33.3% vs. 62.0%) no D7. A menor expressão de mucinas transmembranas indica a condição receptiva do endométrio. Estes resultados confirmam que a complexa modulação da expressão dos receptores de esteroides pelo ambiente endócrino periovulatório altera a transcrição de genes alvos de maneira tempo-específica para regular a receptividade uterina ao embrião em desenvolvimento / Establishment of pregnancy depends on a well-balanced interplay between the endocrine profiles and the maternal reproductive tract. Endocrine actions are primarily mediated by binding to specific receptors and subsequent transcription of responsive genes. The bovine endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes spatiotemporal functional changes directed by ovarian hormones, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). Hypothesis is that the combined effects of plasma concentrations of E2 and P4 and tissue abundance of their respective receptors establish a “sex steroid tone” that directs endometrial function during the periovulatory period in cattle. Therefore, the aims were to compare different sex steroid tones on (1) steroid receptors gene expression and protein distribution, (2) expression of steroid responsive genes that regulate uterine function and (3) abundance and distribution of epithelial mucin, a glycoprotein that indicates poor endometrial receptivity. Nelore (Bos indicus) cows were pharmacologically manipulated to ovulate small (SFSCL) or large (LFLCL) follicles. Consequently, LF-LCL group was associated with greater proestrus concentrations of E2 and diestrus concentrations of P4, which were previously associated with greater receptivity and fertility. Endometrial tissue was collected by transvaginal biopsy on day zero (D0; SF-SCL, n=4; LF-LCL, n=5), and post mortem on D4 (n=8 per group; Experiment 1) or D7 (SF-SCL, n=8; LF-LCL, n=9; Experiment 2) after GnRH-induced ovulation. To study the regulation of endometrial steroid receptors, abundance of the following transcripts for nuclear and membrane receptor for steroids was measure by qPCR: estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2), G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), progesterone receptor isoforms A (PGR1), B (PGR2) and C (PGR3), progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and 2 (PGRMC2). A subset of genes previously shown to be involved with estrogen-dependent pathways was also studied: GREB1, CCND1, WNT5a, FGF2 (proliferation), SERPINA14, LTF, NRIP1 (secretory activity), MMP2 (extracellular matrix remodeling), AQP4 (aqueous transport) and MUC1 (cell-adhesion pathways). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA for the effect of treatment. The POF, subsequent CL size, plasmatic E2 (D0) and P4 concentrations (D4 and D7) were significantly greater in the LFLCL group. On D0, the abundance of mRNA for ESR1, PGR1, PGR2 and PGR3 genes was significantly up-regulated in the endometrial tissue from LFLCL cows compared to the SFSCL counterparts. Abundance of transcripts for growth-related and extracellular matrix remodeling-related genes suggested greater proliferative and remodeling activity on LF-LCL than SF-SCL endometrial tissue at D0. On D4, expression of PGR1 and PGRMC2 was down-regulated in the LFLCL group. The AQP4 mRNA abundance was greater in LF-LCL group and it was positively correlated with preovulatory E2 concentration. On D7, mRNA abundance was greater for ESR2, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2, while it was reduced for PGR2 and PGR3 in the LF-LCL cows. Abundance of mRNA for secretory activity-related genes was increased in LF-LCL group. Abundance of mRNA for OXTR and MUC1 was down-regulated in the LF-LCL group. Histology of endometrial samples revealed that the signal for anti-adhesive mucin at the LF-LCL epithelium was consistently lower than that of the SF-SCL tissue (33.3% vs. 62.0%) at D7. A down-regulated expression of the transmembrane mucin indicates a receptive condition of the endometrium. These results confirm that complex modulation of receptor expression by the periovulatory steroid milieu alters transcription of responsive genes in a time-specific manner to regulate uterine receptivity to the developing embryo

O tumor venéreo transmissível (TVT) é uma das neoplasias de maior incidência na espécie canina acometendo principalmente o trato genital masculino e feminino. Embora o tratamento de escolha seja a quimioterapia, a resistência às drogas tem sido um fenômeno freqüentemente observado na prática clínica. A determinação dos receptores esteróides (estrógeno e progesterona) por imunoistoquímica em tecidos normais e tumorais de humanos e várias espécies animais, tem mostrado grande importância tanto na avaliação prognóstica da doença tumoral, como também na possibilidade de tratamentos hormonais como adjuvantes à quimioterapia. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar a expressão e comparar a concentração dos receptores de estrógeno &#945; (RE-&#945;) e progesterona (RP4) no tecido vaginal íntegro de fêmeas hígidas e no tecido vaginal e tumoral de fêmeas portadoras de TVT, nas fases do ciclo estral. Foram utilizadas 58 cadelas divididas em grupo experimental (portadoras de TVT) e grupo controle (fêmeas hígidas), agrupadas segundo a fase do ciclo estral determinada por citologia vaginal, dosagem hormonal e aspecto macroscópico dos ovários. Sob anestesia geral, foram colhidos fragmentos da vagina e do tecido tumoral e estes fixados, blocados em parafina e posteriormente submetidos a imunoistoquímica. Nas cadelas do grupo controle houve maior expressão dos RE-&#945; no anestro, proestro e estro (p<0,05) em relação ao diestro. Nas fêmeas do grupo experimental houve maior expressão dos RE-&#945; no diestro (p<0,05) em relação ao estro, porém não mostrou diferença significante quando comparada com o anestro. Não houve diferença estatística para os RP4, nas fases do ciclo estral para os animais do grupo controle e no epitélio vaginal das fêmeas do grupo experimental não houve positividade em nenhum dos fragmentos avaliados. Não se observou positividade para RE-&#945; e RP4 no TVT, porém o endotélio de vasos sanguíneos do tumor apresentou expressão de RE-&#945; em algumas amostras. Concluiu-se que a expressão dos RE-&#945; nos tecido vaginal das cadelas hígidas e de cadelas portadoras de TVT, tem expressão diferente em função do hormônio esteróide circulante, porém não se expressa no tecido tumoral / One of the most frequent canine neoplasias is the Transmissible Venereal Tumour (TVT) which affects male and female genital tract. In clinical routine the standard treatment is chemotherapy, to which nevertheless drug resistance is a common feature. Immunohistochemical determination of steroid hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone) in normal and tumoral tissues of humans and several other species is of great relevance for prognostic evaluation of oncological patients, as well as for the decision of whether to make use of hormonal therapy in association to chemotherapy. The aim of this research was to determine immunohistochemically estrogen (ER-&#945;) and progesterone (PR4) receptors expression in vaginal tissue of non-affected bitches and in vaginal and tumoral tissues of TVT affected bitches. Fifty-eight bitches were equally divided in 2 groups: experimental group (TVT) and control group (non-affected). Canine estrous cycle phases were determined by means of vaginal cytology, hormonal assay and macroscopic appearance of ovaries. Samples from vaginal and tumoral tissues were obtained with bitches submitted to general anesthesia. Samples were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde and then mounted in paraffin-embedded sections. Anestrous, proestrous and estrous control females presented higher ER-&#945; expression than diestrous bitches. Within the experimental group, there was statistical difference between estrous and diestrous phases, being ER-&#945; expression higher for diestrous bitches. However, no significant difference in relation to anestrous females was established. In relation to RP4 expression, no difference among estrous cycle phases of the control group was verified. Furthermore, no RP4 expression was noted in vaginal tissue of TVT affected females. In tumoral tissues ER-&#945; and RP4 were not expressed, although some samples presented ER-&#945; expression in blood vessels’ endothelium. In conclusion, different ER-&#945; expression was verified in vaginal tissue of experimental and control bitches under distinct steroid influence, whereas no ER-&#945; expression in tumoral tissues was evidenced

O estabelecimento gestacional é determinado por interações entre o perfil endócrino e o trato reprodutivo materno. Eventos endócrinos são primariamente mediados pela ligação do hormônio a receptores específicos e subsequente transcrição de genes alvos. O endométrio bovino é um tecido dinâmico que passa por alterações espaço-temporais dirigidas pelos hormônios ovarianos, estradiol (E2) e progesterona (P4). A hipótese é que os efeitos combinados das concentrações plasmáticas de E2 e P4 à abundância tecidual de seus respectivos receptores estabelecem um &ldquo;tônus de esteroides sexuais&rdquo; que dirige funções do endométrio durante o período periovulatório em vacas. Os objetivos foram comparar diferentes tônus de esteroides na (1) expressão de receptores específicos e sua distribuição tecidual, (2) expressão de genes de resposta que regulam a função uterina, e (3) abundância e distribuição de mucina pelo epitélio, uma glicoproteína que indica pobre receptividade endometrial. Vacas Nelore (Bos indicus) foram farmacologicamente manipuladas para ovular um folículo pequeno (FP-CLP) ou grande (FG-CLG) e produzir, respectivamente, menores ou maiores concentrações plasmáticas de E2 no proestro e de P4 no diestro. O grupo FG-CLG representa um modelo de maior fertilidade. Tecido endometrial foi coletado através de biópsia transvaginal no dia zero (D0; FP-CLP, n=4; FG-CLG, n=5) e post mortem no D4 (n=8 por grupo; Experimento 1) ou D7 (FP-CLP, n=8; FG-CLG, n=9; Experimento 2) após indução da ovulação com GnRH. Para estudar a regulação endometrial dos receptores de esteroides, a abundância de transcritos para receptores nucleares e de membrana de esteroides foi mesurada por qPCR: receptor de estrógenos alpha (ESR1) e beta (ESR2), receptor de estrógeno acoplado a proteína G (GPER), receptor de P4 isoformas A (PGR1), B (PGR2) e C (PGR3), receptor de P4 componente de membrana 1 (PGRMC1) e 2 (PGRMC2). Genes previamente mostrados estarem envolvidos em vias de resposta ao E2 foram selecionados: GREB1, CCND1, WNT5a, FGF2 (proliferação), SERPINA14, LTF, NRIP1 (atividade secretória), MMP2 (remodelamento de matriz extracelular), AQP4 (transporte de água) e MUC1 (adesão celular). Os dados foram analisados por one-way ANOVA para efeito de tratamento. O tamanho do POF, subsequente CL, concentrações plasmáticas de E2 (D0) e P4 (D4 e D7) foram significativamente maiores no grupo FG-CLG. No D0, a abundância de mRNA para ESR1, PGR1, PGR2 e PGR3 foi significativamente maior no tecido endometrial de vacas do grupo FG-CLG. A abundância de transcritos envolvidos na proliferação e remodelamento de matriz extracelular sugeriu maior atividade proliferativa e remodelamento no endométrio do grupo FG-CLG no D0. No D4, a expressão de PGR1 e PGRMC2 foi menor no grupo FG-CLG. A abundância de mRNA para AQP4 foi maior no grupo FG-CLG e positivamente correlacionada com a concentração de E2 pré-ovulatório. No D7, a abundância de mRNA foi maior para ESR2, PGRMC1 e PGRMC2, e reduzida para PGR2 e PGR3 em vacas do grupo FG-CLG. Abundância de mRNA para OXTR e MUC1 foi menor neste grupo. Análise histológica de amostras endometriais revelaram que o sinal para mucinas anti-adesivas no epitélio do grupo FG-CLG foi consistentemente menor quando comparado ao grupo FP-CLP (33.3% vs. 62.0%) no D7. A menor expressão de mucinas transmembranas indica a condição receptiva do endométrio. Estes resultados confirmam que a complexa modulação da expressão dos receptores de esteroides pelo ambiente endócrino periovulatório altera a transcrição de genes alvos de maneira tempo-específica para regular a receptividade uterina ao embrião em desenvolvimento / Establishment of pregnancy depends on a well-balanced interplay between the endocrine profiles and the maternal reproductive tract. Endocrine actions are primarily mediated by binding to specific receptors and subsequent transcription of responsive genes. The bovine endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes spatiotemporal functional changes directed by ovarian hormones, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). Hypothesis is that the combined effects of plasma concentrations of E2 and P4 and tissue abundance of their respective receptors establish a &ldquo;sex steroid tone&rdquo; that directs endometrial function during the periovulatory period in cattle. Therefore, the aims were to compare different sex steroid tones on (1) steroid receptors gene expression and protein distribution, (2) expression of steroid responsive genes that regulate uterine function and (3) abundance and distribution of epithelial mucin, a glycoprotein that indicates poor endometrial receptivity. Nelore (Bos indicus) cows were pharmacologically manipulated to ovulate small (SFSCL) or large (LFLCL) follicles. Consequently, LF-LCL group was associated with greater proestrus concentrations of E2 and diestrus concentrations of P4, which were previously associated with greater receptivity and fertility. Endometrial tissue was collected by transvaginal biopsy on day zero (D0; SF-SCL, n=4; LF-LCL, n=5), and post mortem on D4 (n=8 per group; Experiment 1) or D7 (SF-SCL, n=8; LF-LCL, n=9; Experiment 2) after GnRH-induced ovulation. To study the regulation of endometrial steroid receptors, abundance of the following transcripts for nuclear and membrane receptor for steroids was measure by qPCR: estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2), G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), progesterone receptor isoforms A (PGR1), B (PGR2) and C (PGR3), progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and 2 (PGRMC2). A subset of genes previously shown to be involved with estrogen-dependent pathways was also studied: GREB1, CCND1, WNT5a, FGF2 (proliferation), SERPINA14, LTF, NRIP1 (secretory activity), MMP2 (extracellular matrix remodeling), AQP4 (aqueous transport) and MUC1 (cell-adhesion pathways). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA for the effect of treatment. The POF, subsequent CL size, plasmatic E2 (D0) and P4 concentrations (D4 and D7) were significantly greater in the LFLCL group. On D0, the abundance of mRNA for ESR1, PGR1, PGR2 and PGR3 genes was significantly up-regulated in the endometrial tissue from LFLCL cows compared to the SFSCL counterparts. Abundance of transcripts for growth-related and extracellular matrix remodeling-related genes suggested greater proliferative and remodeling activity on LF-LCL than SF-SCL endometrial tissue at D0. On D4, expression of PGR1 and PGRMC2 was down-regulated in the LFLCL group. The AQP4 mRNA abundance was greater in LF-LCL group and it was positively correlated with preovulatory E2 concentration. On D7, mRNA abundance was greater for ESR2, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2, while it was reduced for PGR2 and PGR3 in the LF-LCL cows. Abundance of mRNA for secretory activity-related genes was increased in LF-LCL group. Abundance of mRNA for OXTR and MUC1 was down-regulated in the LF-LCL group. Histology of endometrial samples revealed that the signal for anti-adhesive mucin at the LF-LCL epithelium was consistently lower than that of the SF-SCL tissue (33.3% vs. 62.0%) at D7. A down-regulated expression of the transmembrane mucin indicates a receptive condition of the endometrium. These results confirm that complex modulation of receptor expression by the periovulatory steroid milieu alters transcription of responsive genes in a time-specific manner to regulate uterine receptivity to the developing embryo

O tumor venéreo transmissível (TVT) é uma das neoplasias de maior incidência na espécie canina acometendo principalmente o trato genital masculino e feminino. Embora o tratamento de escolha seja a quimioterapia, a resistência às drogas tem sido um fenômeno freqüentemente observado na prática clínica. A determinação dos receptores esteróides (estrógeno e progesterona) por imunoistoquímica em tecidos normais e tumorais de humanos e várias espécies animais, tem mostrado grande importância tanto na avaliação prognóstica da doença tumoral, como também na possibilidade de tratamentos hormonais como adjuvantes à quimioterapia. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar a expressão e comparar a concentração dos receptores de estrógeno &#945; (RE-&#945;) e progesterona (RP4) no tecido vaginal íntegro de fêmeas hígidas e no tecido vaginal e tumoral de fêmeas portadoras de TVT, nas fases do ciclo estral. Foram utilizadas 58 cadelas divididas em grupo experimental (portadoras de TVT) e grupo controle (fêmeas hígidas), agrupadas segundo a fase do ciclo estral determinada por citologia vaginal, dosagem hormonal e aspecto macroscópico dos ovários. Sob anestesia geral, foram colhidos fragmentos da vagina e do tecido tumoral e estes fixados, blocados em parafina e posteriormente submetidos a imunoistoquímica. Nas cadelas do grupo controle houve maior expressão dos RE-&#945; no anestro, proestro e estro (p<0,05) em relação ao diestro. Nas fêmeas do grupo experimental houve maior expressão dos RE-&#945; no diestro (p<0,05) em relação ao estro, porém não mostrou diferença significante quando comparada com o anestro. Não houve diferença estatística para os RP4, nas fases do ciclo estral para os animais do grupo controle e no epitélio vaginal das fêmeas do grupo experimental não houve positividade em nenhum dos fragmentos avaliados. Não se observou positividade para RE-&#945; e RP4 no TVT, porém o endotélio de vasos sanguíneos do tumor apresentou expressão de RE-&#945; em algumas amostras. Concluiu-se que a expressão dos RE-&#945; nos tecido vaginal das cadelas hígidas e de cadelas portadoras de TVT, tem expressão diferente em função do hormônio esteróide circulante, porém não se expressa no tecido tumoral / One of the most frequent canine neoplasias is the Transmissible Venereal Tumour (TVT) which affects male and female genital tract. In clinical routine the standard treatment is chemotherapy, to which nevertheless drug resistance is a common feature. Immunohistochemical determination of steroid hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone) in normal and tumoral tissues of humans and several other species is of great relevance for prognostic evaluation of oncological patients, as well as for the decision of whether to make use of hormonal therapy in association to chemotherapy. The aim of this research was to determine immunohistochemically estrogen (ER-&#945;) and progesterone (PR4) receptors expression in vaginal tissue of non-affected bitches and in vaginal and tumoral tissues of TVT affected bitches. Fifty-eight bitches were equally divided in 2 groups: experimental group (TVT) and control group (non-affected). Canine estrous cycle phases were determined by means of vaginal cytology, hormonal assay and macroscopic appearance of ovaries. Samples from vaginal and tumoral tissues were obtained with bitches submitted to general anesthesia. Samples were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde and then mounted in paraffin-embedded sections. Anestrous, proestrous and estrous control females presented higher ER-&#945; expression than diestrous bitches. Within the experimental group, there was statistical difference between estrous and diestrous phases, being ER-&#945; expression higher for diestrous bitches. However, no significant difference in relation to anestrous females was established. In relation to RP4 expression, no difference among estrous cycle phases of the control group was verified. Furthermore, no RP4 expression was noted in vaginal tissue of TVT affected females. In tumoral tissues ER-&#945; and RP4 were not expressed, although some samples presented ER-&#945; expression in blood vessels’ endothelium. In conclusion, different ER-&#945; expression was verified in vaginal tissue of experimental and control bitches under distinct steroid influence, whereas no ER-&#945; expression in tumoral tissues was evidenced

The vagina is the port of entry for sexually transmitted diseases in women. Its epithelium constitutes the luminal border, thus comprising an important defence barrier. The objective of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of importance in the immune defence of the vaginal epithelium of healthy, fertile women, and possible menstrual cycle changes. Effects of hormonal contraceptive usage on oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression were studied. The contribution of epithelial cell to the immune defence was estimated by assaying their expression of antimicrobial defensins and the epithelial thickness. Vaginal biopsies and serum samples were collected during the follicular and luteal phases in regularly menstruating women (controls) and in users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), levonorgestrel implants (LNGs), or depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate injections (DMPAs). Fifteen healthy women (aged 20–34 years) were enrolled in each group. Morphometry was performed on vaginal tissue stained with haematoxylin/eosin and by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against immune cell markers, PR, and ER. Expression of mRNA for human α-defensins HD-5 and HD-6, and human β-defensins (HBD) 1 to 4 were determined by real-time qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. In controls, the epithelium was 261 ± 16 μm thick and harboured 241 ± 35 leukocytes (CD45+) per mm2. T lymphocytes (CD3+) dominated. Both αβ T cells and γδ T cells were present with an approximate 4-fold dominance of αβ T cells. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) were more frequent than T helper cells (CD4:CD8 ratio: 0.7 ± 0.1). Macrophages (CD68+) constituted the second-largest population, followed by Langerhans cells (CD1a+). B cells, natural killer cells, monocytes and granulocytes were generally absent. No differences were found between the follicular and luteal phase. All four β-defensins analysed for were detected in vaginal epithelium and most samples expressed at least two. HBD-2 and HBD-3 were most frequent. HBD-3 and HBD-4 expressing cells were localized in the parabasal and intermediate cell layers. α-defensins were not detected. The epithelium was significantly thicker (333 ± 9 μm) in COC, LNG, and DMPA users than in controls, and commonly showed hyperplasia. In DMPA and LNG users the frequency of intraepithelial leukocytes (CD45+) was increased, explained by increased frequencies of both αβ and γδ T cells. In DMPA users there was also a selective increase in CD8+ T cells. PR expression was significantly reduced in DMPA users compared with controls, COC and LNG users. COC and particularly DMPA users often had undetectable levels of serum E2. In conclusion, both adaptive immunity, i.e. intraepithelial T cells, and innate defence mechanisms, i.e. intraepithelial macrophages and β-defensins, are believed to contribute to the immune defence in the human female lower genital tract. These parameters did not change during the menstrual cycle but hormonal contraceptive usage, especially DMPA, affected the quality of the epithelium. The use of DMPA and LNG was correlated with the accumulation of T cells within the epithelium. The effects of these changes on the risk of contracting infections are yet to be determined.

Orientador: Sebastião Roberto Taboga / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T21:03:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fochi_RicardoAlexandre_D.pdf: 82352124 bytes, checksum: 0b04a033b507e3af74ad263a5b3faa8a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A próstata, glândula do sistema genital que tem origem embrionária a partir do seio urogenital, não é exclusiva do sistema reprodutor masculino, sendo também encontrada em fêmeas de vários mamíferos, incluindo humanos e roedores. No macho ela pode apresentar-se altamente desenvolvida em razão da maior quantidade do hormônio testosterona, e, apesar de pouco desenvolvida em fêmeas, devido à baixa quantidade desse mesmo tipo hormonal, é uma glândula funcional. Em fêmeas adultas de gerbilos, a próstata possui uma localização parauretral, exibindo íntimo contato com a parede proximal e medial da uretra, a qual é homóloga a próstata ventral de roedores machos. Embora se conheça a influência da progesterona na fisiologia do sistema reprodutor feminino e masculino, poucos estudos exploram a sua influência, especificamente, sobre a glândula prostática. Desta forma, este trabalho avaliou os aspectos morfofuncionais da glândula prostática masculina e feminina, resultantes da influência da progesterona, e de suas interações com o estradiol e a testosterona. Para isso, gerbilos machos e fêmeas foram castrados cirurgicamente no início do período puberal, aos 45 dias de idade. Ao completarem 90 dias de idade, os gerbilos receberam doses subcutâneas de progesterona ou desse somado a estradiol e testosterona, durante 14 dias. Nos animais castrados de ambos os sexos a próstata mostrou uma morfologia regredida, com uma redução significativa na sua capacidade de secreção, da quantidade de células receptoras de androgênio (AR) e receptoras de estrógeno ? (ER?), porém sem alterar a marcação para receptor de estrógeno ? (ER?). Dessa forma, a castração cirúrgica foi bastante importante, uma vez que permitiu mimetizar de forma satisfatória um ambiente prostático com baixos níveis hormonais. Nos dois sexos, a administração de progesterona isoladamente conseguiu reverter alguns desses efeitos, com uma melhora considerável no padrão secretório da glândula, porém estruturalmente essas mudanças ocorreram de forma moderada. Nesses animais, foi observado um aumento expressivo dos ERs ? e ?, além da presença de células receptoras de progesterona (PR). Em relação aos ARs foi evidenciado que a progesterona pode apresentar características indutoras ou inibitórias dependendo da sua concentração. O tratamento, simultâneo com a progesterona, de estradiol e testosterona desencadeou uma reestruturação glandular mais intensa nos machos e fêmeas, resultando em hipertrofia e hiperplasia do epitélio e do estroma glandular, recuperação do padrão de secreção e amplitude alveolar. Essas características, no entanto, foram acompanhadas pelo surgimento de lesões prostáticas como neoplasias intraepiteliais e o surgimento de debris celulares. A interação da progesterona com o estradiol também regulou positivamente os AR, ER? e ER?, porém não apresentou qualquer efeito sobre os PRs quando comparado aos animais tratados somente com progesterona. Em adição, nesses animais houve um aumento acentuado da proliferação celular, o qual foi contrabalanceado pelo aumento também do índice de morte celular. Nos animais tratados com progesterona e testosterona, a próstata também se desenvolveu e mostrou um aumento das células AR-positivas e do índice apoptótico, havendo, entretanto uma redução dos ER?, ER? e PR. Dessa forma, é razoável concluir que a próstata feminina e masculina comporta-se de forma bastante semelhante frente à ação dos hormônios progesterona, estradiol e testosterona. Ademais, embora a progesterona apresente efeitos estruturais razoáveis na glândula prostática, a sua interação com o estrógeno e a testosterona é capaz de promover uma intensificação desses efeitos, sem recriar, porém um ambiente homeostático semelhante aos dos animais intactos. A progesterona também mostrou ser um fator regulador em potencial da atividade proliferativa e apoptótica prostática, opondo-se aos efeitos da testosterona e do estradiol. Outro fator importante é a descoberta de que a progesterona pode induzir ou inibir a presença de células AR-positivas na glândula, e que esse dualismo funcional é resultado do efeito dose-dependente desse hormônio sobre a próstata / Abstract: The prostate is a gland of reproductive system that arises from the urogenital sinus, being located around the urethra below the bladder. The existence of this gland is not exclusive of the male reproductive system, being found in females of various species, including rodents and humans. In the male, it can be highly developed due to the increased amount of the testosterone, and although poorly developed in females, due to the low quantity of this hormone, it is a functional gland. The prostate of female gerbils has a paraurethral location, showing a closer contact with the proximal and medial urethra wall, being homologous to the ventral prostate of male rats. This study evaluates the morphofunctional aspects of the prostate gland in males and females, regarding the influence of progesterone, and their interactions with estradiol and testosterone. For this, male and female gerbils were surgically castrated in early pubertal period, at 45 days of age. At 90 days of age, the gerbils received subcutaneous doses of progesterone alone or associated to testosterone or estradiol during 14 days. In castrated animals of both sexes, prostate showed a regressed morphology, with a significant reduction in its secretion capacity, the amount of androgen receptor cells (AR) and estrogen receptor ? (ER?), but without changing the labeling for estrogen receptor ? (ER?). Thereby, surgical castration was very important, since it allowed mimetize a prostatic environment with low hormone levels. In both sexes, the administration of progesterone alone could reverse some of these effects with a considerable secretion improvement, but structurally these changes occurred in a moderate way. In these animals, we observed a significant increase of ER ? and ?, besides the presence of progesterone receptor (PR) cells. Regarding ARs, it was shown that progesterone can have inductor or inhibitory characteristics depending on its concentration. The treatment with progesterone plus estradiol and progesterone plus testosterone triggered a more intense prostate restructuration in male and female, resulting however in a hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the glandular epithelium and stroma, besides recovery of the alveoli amplitude and pattern of cellular secretion. These characteristics, however, were followed by the development of prostatic lesions like intraepithelial neoplasia and cellular desquamation. The progesterone and estradiol interaction also upregulated the AR, ER? and ER?, however had no effect on the PRs when compared to the animals treated with progesterone alone. In addition, in these animals there was a marked increase in cellular proliferation, which was counterbalanced by increased cell death. In animals of either sex treated with progesterone and testosterone, the prostate also became developed and showed an increase of AR-positive cells and apoptotic index, although there was a reduction of ER?, ER? and PR. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the female and male prostate behaves similarly after the progesterone, estradiol and testosterone administration. Moreover, although the progesterone has reasonable structural effects on the prostate gland, its interaction with estrogen and testosterone can intensificate these effects, but do not recover a homeostatic environment similar to that of intact animals. The progesterone also proved to be a potential regulatory factor of the proliferative and apoptotic activity, opposing the effects of testosterone and estradiol. Another important finding is that progesterone can induce or inhibit the presence of ARpositive cells in the gland, and this functional dualism is the result of dose-dependent effect of this hormone on the prostate / Doutorado / Biologia Celular / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Orientador: Francisco Eduardo Martinez / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T13:39:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Chuffa_LuizGustavodeAlmeida_D.pdf: 15555306 bytes, checksum: 529d72ca8a05307176cbc131d68adbcd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: O alcoolismo crônico está associado a distúrbios no sistema reprodutor feminino como disfunção hormonal, alteração na expressão dos receptores esteróides, produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO), entre outros. A melatonina, hormônio secretado pela glândula pineal, possui função moduladora no ciclo reprodutivo e têm papel importante no combate as ERO. Os estudos envolvendo o alcoolismo crônico e sua interação com a melatonina, em fêmeas, são ainda inconclusivos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo investigar os efeitos da administração exógena da melatonina sobre os hormônios sexuais, os receptores esteróides sexuais (AR, ER-?, ER-?, PRA e PRB) no ovário, oviduto e útero, além do perfil nutricional e o estresse oxidativo nos ovários de ratas adultas UChB (consumidoras voluntárias de etanol a 10%). Foram utilizadas 60 ratas UChB, distribuídas nos seguintes grupos: UChB Co: sem acesso ao etanol; UChB EtOH: consumo diário de 4 - 5 g etanol/100g de peso corpóreo (PC), ambos recebendo solução veículo. Concomitantemente, os grupos UChB Co+M e UChB EtOH+M receberam injeções diárias de melatonina (100?g/100g PC) via i.p, a partir dos 90 dias de idade, durante 60 dias consecutivos. Aos 150 dias de idade, os animais foram eutanasiados em estro (4a.m) e os materiais coletados e processados. A melatonina aumentou os níveis de progesterona, 6-sulfatoximelatonina e reduziu 17?-estradiol, enquanto a combinação entre etanol + melatonina causou uma queda significativa nesses hormônios. Apesar do receptor androgênico (AR) ovariano não ter sido influenciado pela melatonina, os grupos UChB EtOH e UChB EtOH+M mostraram uma diminuição no AR do oviduto. Ambos os receptores de estrogênio (ER-? e ER-?) no oviduto foram pouco expressos em animais recebendo etanol ou melatonina enquanto somente o ER-? uterino foi reduzido. Por outro lado, receptores de progesterona (PRA e PRB) foram positivamente regulados no ovário por etanol ou etanol + melatonina, enquanto PRA foi negativamente regulado no útero e oviduto, exceto quando o etanol e melatonina foram combinados. Os níveis do receptor de melatonina (MT1R) foram maiores no ovário e útero de ratas tratadas com melatonina, independentemente do consumo de etanol. O peso corpóreo dos animais foi reduzido após interação do etanol e melatonina após 40 dias de tratamento. Em ambos os grupos tratados com melatonina, observou-se redução no consumo energético e líquido. Houve diminuição da quantidade de etanol consumida durante o tratamento e o ciclo estral foi maior em ratas que receberam etanol e melatonina, evidenciado por diestro prolongado. Os níveis de hidroperóxido de lipídio foram maiores nos ovários de ratas UChB EtOH e diminuiu após o tratamento com melatonina. Atividades antioxidantes da superóxido dismutase, glutationa peroxidase e glutationa redutase foram aumentadas nos grupos tratados com melatonina. Conclui-se que a melatonina tem efeito oposto ao etanol sobre os hormônios sexuais. Melatonina e etanol regulam diferencialmente os receptores de esteróides sexuais nos tecidos reprodutivos, atuando principalmente através de seu receptor MT1R. Além disso, a melatonina é capaz de alterar a eficiência alimentar, o ciclo estral, e, contudo, protege os ovários contra o estresse oxidativo resultante do consumo de etanol / Abstract: Chronic ethanol intake is associated with female reproductive disturbances including hormonal dysfunction, changes in the steroid receptors expression, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), among others. Melatonin, an indolamine secreted by pineal gland, plays key roles in the reproductive cycle, besides having an important function in scavenging ROS. Studies focusing chronic alcoholism and its interaction with melatonin, in females, are still inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the effects of exogenous melatonin administration on sex hormones, sex steroid receptors (AR, ER-?, ER-?, PRA and PRB) in the ovary, oviduct and uterus, as well as the nutritional profile and oxidative stress in the ovaries of adult UChB rats (10% (v/v) ethanol voluntary intake). 60 UChB female rats were divided into the following groups: UChB Co: without access to ethanol (used as control); UChB EtOH: drinking daily ethanol at 4 - 5 g ethanol/100g body weight (BW), both receiving vehicle solution. Concomitantly, UChB Co + M and UChB EtOH + M groups received daily injections of melatonin (100?g/100g BW) via i.p, starting from 90 days old and during the next 60 consecutive days. At 150 days of age, all animals were euthanized in estrus (4a.m). Melatonin increased progesterone, 6- sulfatoximelatonin and decreased 17?-estradiol, while the ethanol+melatonin combination caused a significant fall in these hormones. Despite androgen receptor (AR) in ovary has not been influenced by melatonin, ethanol and ethanol+melatonin led to a decrease in oviduct AR. Both estrogen receptors (ER-? and ER-?) were underexpressed by either ethanol or melatonin in oviduct and only uterine ER-? was downregulated. Conversely, progesterone receptors (PRA and PRB) were positively regulated in the ovary by ethanol or ethanol+melatonin, whereas PRA was downregulated in uterus and oviduct, except when ethanol+melatonin were combined. Additionally, melatonin receptor (MT1R) was increased in ovary and uterus of melatonin-treated rats, regardless of ethanol consumption. Body weight gain was reduced with ethanol plus melatonin after 40 days of treatment. In both melatonin-treated groups, it was observed a reduction in food-derived calories and liquid intake toward the end of treatment. The amount of consumed ethanol dropped during the treatment. Estrous cycle was longer in rats that received both ethanol and melatonin, with prolonged diestrus. Following to oxidative status, lipid hydroperoxide levels were higher in the ovaries of ethanol-preferring rats and decreased after melatonin treatment. Additionally, antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were increased in melatonin-treated groups . We conclude that melatonin has opposite effect on sex hormones to those of ethanol consumption. Together, melatonin and ethanol differentially regulates the sex steroid receptors in the reproductive tissues, mostly acting "in situ" through its MT1R receptor. Finally, melatonin is able to affect feed efficiency and, conversely, it protects the ovaries against the oxidative stress arising from ethanol consumption. / Doutorado / Biologia Celular / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Le récepteur de la progestérone (PR) est un facteur de transcription hormono-régulé qui joue un rôle crucial dans la coordination de tous les aspects de la fonction de reproduction chez la femme. Pour activer ses gènes cibles, PR recrute de façon dynamique, séquentielle et combinatoire différents partenaires moléculaires : les corégulateurs transcriptionnels. Les coactivateurs de la famille p160 (Steroid Receptor Coactivators : SRC-1, -2, -3), dont l’expression est augmentée dans certains cancers hormono-dépendants, sont les partenaires privilégiés de PR. Au cours de ce travail, nous avons étudié les mécanismes d’interaction entre le récepteur de la progestérone et ses corégulateurs ainsi que leurs conséquences fonctionnelles sur l’activité de PR. Nous avons ainsi pu mettre en évidence l’importance de la dégradation des complexes PR/SRC-1 par le protéasome sous l’effet du ligand agoniste de PR, et le caractère nécessaire de cette régulation négative pour l’activation de la transcription des gènes cibles de PR. Nous avons également identifié un candidat possiblement impliqué dans la dégradation des complexes PR/coactivateurs p160 : le corégulateur transcriptionnel Jab1. En effet, il a été décrit comme un coactivateur des complexes PR-SRC-1 au laboratoire, et nous avons pu observer que, hors du cadre de l’activation par l’hormone, Jab 1 régule les niveaux d’expression de SRC-1 et SRC-2. En revanche, ce corégulateur reste sans effet sur SRC-3. Enfin, nous avons mis au point les conditions expérimentales de l’étude de la dynamique des interactions entre PR et ses corégulateurs par la techninique de FRET.Les évidences croissantes de l’implication de PR et de ses cofacteurs (SRC-1, SRC-3, Jab1) dans le développement et les métastases des cancers du sein font de la compréhension de leurs mécanismes d’action un élément important dans la recherche de nouvelles thérapies. La détermination du rôle exact des corégulateurs de PR dans ces processus permettra une éventuelle redéfinition des cibles pharmacologiques dans le traitement de ces maladies, qui représentent un véritable enjeu de santé publique. / The progesterone receptor (PR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor playing a crucial role in female reproduction. To regulate gene expression, PR recruits several coregulators to target gene promoters, in a cyclic and combinatorial manner. Among these coregulators, PR recruits most notably members of the p160 family coactivators (Steroid Receptor Coactivators SRC-1, -2 and -3) which have recently been implicated in several hormono-dependent cancers.Here, we studied the mechanisms of interaction between PR and its coregulators as well as their functional consequences on PR transcriptional activity. We have demonstrated that PR activity is paradoxically coupled to the agonist ligand-dependent down-regulation of PR/SRC-1 complexes. Two degradation motifs found in SRC-1 were identified as signals involved in this proteasome- and ubiquitin-mediated process. We also identified a putative candidate implicated in the degradation of these complexes, namely the transcriptional coregulator Jab1. Indeed, Jab1 has previously been described in our laboratory as a coactivator of PR/SRC-1 complexes. We observed that it can specifically regulate SRC-1 and SRC-2 expression in absence of hormone. Finally, we optimized the experimental conditions of FRET experiments to get new insights on the dynamic interactions between PR and its coregulators. Collectively our findings are consistent with the emerging role of proteasome-mediated proteolysis in the gene-regulating process. Understanding PR mechanisms of action is an important step in the development of new therapies, due to growing evidences of PR and its coregulators implication in breast carcinogenesis and metastasis. Deciphering precisely the role of PR coregulators in these processes will permit to define new pharmacological targets for the treatment of these diseases, which represent a serious public health problem.

This thesis focuses on the involvement of apoptosis and proliferation in the mechanisms of menstruation and hormonal replacement therapy, HRT, as well as in the mechanisms of progesterone therapy in endometrial carcinoma. The aim of the first study was to investigate endometrium for 4 days before and for 2 days during menstruation. In the epithelium, rapid increase in the apoptotic index, decreasing expression of estrogen receptor α (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), and minimal proliferation were observed prior to menstruation. In the stroma, an increase in the expression of ER and PR and proliferation was seen before the final decrease, and increased apoptosis was seen during menstruation. Thus, apoptosis is involved in the remodeling of the endometrium during menstruation. Postmenopausal endometrium showed unaffected homeostasis, i.e. unchanged ratio between apoptotic index and Ki-67 index during substitution therapy. ER expression was decreased both in the epithelium and stroma, while PR showed some increase in receptor expression. The unchanged homeostasis contributes to endometrial safety during combined continuous HRT. Unchanged apoptosis and increasing proliferation were observed with increasing tumor grade in 29 patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, which may contribute to greater aggression as tumor grade increases. Decreased proliferation was observed after medroxy-progesterone at 20 mg per day particularly in the foci of maximal proliferation in G1 and G2 tumors. The expression of ER was unchanged, while PR was decreased in the foci of maximal expression for PR in G1 and G2 tumors. Since high proliferation and PR expression also coexisted in the same foci, evaluated in G1 and G2 tumors, the effect of progesterone could be facilitated in these tumor groups. High expression of sex steroid receptors was also a predicting factor for good response to progesterone (= decrease in proliferation), while the amount of stroma could not predict that effect.