Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

A perimenopausa representa a transição da vida reprodutiva para não reprodutiva. É geralmente caracterizada por alterações neuroendócrinas, metabólicas e comportamentais, um possível resultado da depleção folicular ovariana e consequente redução do número de folículos ovarianos. É o período em que as mulheres podem apresentar maior susceptibilidade a manifestar transtornos afetivos e de ansiedade. A exposição de roedores ao resíduo químico 4-diepóxido de vinilciclohexeno (VCD) é um modelo bem estabelecido para estudos sobre perimenopausa, pois o VCD acelera o processo natural de atresia folicular. Embora as concentrações plasmáticas de estradiol estejam normais ou elevadas durante a perimenopausa, a terapia com estradiol pode ser benéfica para mulheres sintomáticas na perimenopausa. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar se a depleção folicular gradativa acelerada pelo VCD resulta em alterações na neuroquímica de ratas fêmeas em núcleos cerebrais que controlam o humor, além de avaliar se o estradiol seria capaz de reverter as possíveis alterações. Ratas da linhagem Wistar (28 dias pós-natal) receberam diariamente, durante 15 dias consecutivos, injeções subcutâneas de VCD (160 mg / kg) ou óleo de milho (O). Aproximadamente 55 dias após a primeira injeção, cápsulas de silastic contendo 17?-estradiol (E) ou O foram inseridas subcutaneamente (Grupos O+O; VCD+O; VCD+E). Cerca de 21 dias após o implante das cápsulas, as ratas dos grupos O+O e VCD+O foram decapitadas na manhã do diestro, enquanto que as do grupo VCD+E foram decapitadas exatamente 21 dias após o implante das cápsulas contendo estradiol, entre 0900 h e 1100 h. O sangue foi colhido para avaliação das concentrações plasmáticas de estradiol e progesterona por radioimunoensaio (RIE). Os cérebros foram removidos para microdissecção do hipocampo, amígdala, Locus coeruleus (LC) e Núcleo Dorsal da Rafe (NDR), para posterior análise dos níveis de RNAm para os receptores de progesterona (PR) e estradiol do tipo beta (ER?) por meio de RT/PCR. Este experimento foi replicado para remoção do hipocampo e amígdala para dosagem dos conteúdos de noradrenalina (NA) e serotonina (5-HT) por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta performance, seguida de detecção eletroquímica (HPLC/ED). Outro conjunto de ratas submetidas às mesmas condições10 experimentais foi perfundido para imunohistoquímica para TPH no NDR e TH no LC. Como esperado, na periestropausa (grupo VCD+O) as concentrações plasmáticas de estradiol não foram diferentes daquelas das ratas controles (O+O). As concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona na periestropausa foram menores que as do grupo controle, o que foi revertido pelo estradiol. No LC, a expressão de PR na periestropausa foi igual à das ratas controles, enquanto a expressão do ER? foi menor; a terapia com estradiol não modificou a expressão de nenhum destes receptores. A densidade de neurônios noradrenérgicos (TH+) no LC não foi alterada nem pela depleção folicular nem pela terapia estrogênica. Na periestropausa, o conteúdo de NA foi menor na amígdala, mas não no hipocampo, e o estradiol não alterou este conteúdo em nenhuma das áreas. No NDR, a expressão de PR e de ER? nas ratas na periestropausa foi menor que nas ratas controles; o estradiol preveniu o declínio da expressão de ER?, mas não de PR. O NDR foi analisado separadamente por toda a extensão rostro-caudal em 3 níveis anatômicos: rostral, médio e caudal, cada um dividido em 3 sub-regiões: lateral, dorsal e ventral. O número de neurônios serotonérgicos (TPH+) no NDR foi menor na periestropausa, e o estradiol foi capaz de reverter esse efeito, atuando principalmente na região caudal. A expressão gênica de PR não foi alterada nem pela depleção folicular nem pela terapia estrogênica tanto na amígdala como no hipocampo. A expressão de ER? também não foi diferente na periestropausa, quando comparada ao grupo controle, mas o estradiol aumentou esta expressão no hipocampo. Tanto na amígdala como no hipocampo houve redução no conteúdo de 5-HT na periestropausa e estradiol foi capaz de reestabelecer os níveis deste neurotransmissor aos valores controles apenas no hipocampo. Estes dados elucidam, pelo menos em parte os mecanismos do efeito positivo da terapia estrogênica nos sintomas de mulheres normoestrogênicas na perimenopausa. Estes efeitos parecem não envolver de forma importante o sistema noradrenérgico central, mas resultar do aumento da biossíntese de progesterona periférica em associação com a regulação positiva de ER? no NDR e hipocampo, que parece potencializar a via serotonérgica NDR/HPC. Portanto, o desenvolvimento de novas terapias que ativem os ER? pode ser uma alternativa para obter os efeitos positivos da ação do estradiol, eliminando os efeitos colaterais das terapias de estradiol que normalmente resultam da ativação do ER?. / Perimenopause represents the transition from reproductive to non-reproductive life. It is usually characterized by neuroendocrine, metabolic and behavioural changes, which result from a follicular depletion and reduced number of ovarian follicles. During this period, women are more likely to express mood disorders and anxiety. The exposure of animals to diepoxide 4-vinylcyclohexene (VCD) is a well-established experimental model for perimenopause studies, as VCD induces loss of ovarian small follicles (primary and primordial) in mice and rats by accelerating the natural process of atresia. Although estrogens levels are normal or even high during perimenopause, estrogen therapy can be beneficial for symptomatic perimenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gradual follicular depletion induced by VCD results in changes in the neurochemistry of female rats in brain nuclei that control mood and the role of estradiol on these changes. Female rats (28 days) were daily injected with VCD or corn oil (O) for 15 days. Around 55 days after the first injection, pellets of 17?-estradiol (E) or O were inserted s.c (Groups O+O; VCD+O; VCD+E). Around 21 days after, rats O+O and VCD+O were decapitated between 0900 h and 1100 of diestrus while rats VCD+E were decapitated exactly 21 days after the onset of E therapy. Another set of rats followed the same experimental design and were perfused for TH and TPH immunohistochemistry in Locus coeruleus (LC) and Dorsal Raphe Nuclei (DRN), respectively. Blood was collected for estradiol and progesterone measurement by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The brains were removed from decapitated rats to punch out LC, DRN, hippocampus and amygdala to analyse the expression of mRNA for ER? and PR by RT/PCR. This experiment was replicated to punch out the hippocampus and amygdala for the determination of noradrenaline (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) contents by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, followed by Electrochemical Detection (HPLC/ED). As expected, plasma concentrations of estradiol were not different from those of control rats (O + O). Plasma concentrations of progesterone in the periestropause were lower than those in the control group, which was reversed by estradiol. In the LC, the PR expression in the periestropause was similar to that of the control rats, whereas the ER? expression was lower; estradiol therapy did not modify the expression of any of these receptors. The12 density of noradrenergic (TH +) neurons in LC was not altered by either follicular depletion or estrogen therapy. In periestropause, NA content was lower in the amygdala, but not in the hippocampus, and estradiol did not alter this content in any of the areas. In NDR, the expression of PR and ER? in periestropausal rats was lower than in controls; estradiol prevented the decrease of ER? expression, but not PR. The NDR was analyzed separately for the entire rostrocaudal axis in three anatomical levels: rostral, middle and caudal, each divided into three sub-regions: lateral, dorsal and ventral. The number of serotonergic neurons (TPH +) in NDR was lower in the periestropause, and estradiol was able to reverse this effect, acting mainly in the caudal region. PR gene expression was not altered by either follicular depletion or estrogen therapy in either the amygdala or the hippocampus. ER? expression was also no different in periestropause compared to the control group, but estradiol increased this expression in the hippocampus. Both in the amygdala and in the hippocampus there was a reduction in 5-HT content in the periestropause, and estradiol was able to reestablish the levels of this neurotransmitter at the control values only in the hippocampus. These data elucidate, at least in part, the mechanisms of the positive effect of estrogen therapy on the symptoms of normoestrogenic women in perimenopause. These effects do not appear to significantly involve the central noradrenergic system but result from increased peripheral progesterone biosynthesis in association with positive regulation of ER? in the NDR and hippocampus, which appears to potentiate the serotonergic NDR/HPC pathway. Therefore, the development of new therapies that activate ER? may be an alternative to obtain the positive effects of the estradiol action, eliminating the side effects of the estradiol therapies that normally result from the activation of ER?.

Le rôle des progestatifs et du récepteur de la progestérone (PR) dans la carcinogénèse mammaire est maintenant établi. Le PR est exprimé sous deux isoformes PRA et PRB dont l'expression est équimolaire mais qui différent par leur activité transcriptionnelle des gènes cibles. La surexpression de PRA est associée à un pronostic défavorable du cancer mammaire, et est observée chez les femmes à haut risque génétique de cancer du sein. L'utilisation d'antagonistes pour inhiber l'activité de PR pourrait constituer une stratégie thérapeutique potentielle. L'objectif de cette thèse a été d'évaluer les effets de l'ulipristal acétate (UPA), un anti-progestatif, sur la tumorigenèse mammaire dans deux modèles d'études complémentaires. In vitro, dans la lignée cancéreuse mammaire bi-inductible (MDA-iPRAB) développée au laboratoire. Nous avons démontré qu'UPA inhibe la prolifération cellulaire induite par la progestérone en présence de PRA. L'expression de certains gènes clés de la tumorigenèse mammaire, cibles de PRA a été étudiée. Une corrélation entre avec la prolifération cellulaire et l'expression du facteur anti-apoptotique BCL2-L1 (messager et protéine) a été démontrée. L'activation transcriptionnelle, dépendante de la progestérone et inhibée par l'UPA, s'accompagne d'un recrutement spécifique et sélectif de PRA sur des séquences régulatrices du gène BCL2-L1, comme le démontrent les expériences de ChIP. In vivo, nous avons évalué l'efficacité anti-tumorale de l'UPA ainsi qu'une nouvelle classe d'antagoniste sélective et passive de PR, les « APRns » dans un modèle murin de xénogreffe de tumeur mammaire humaine HBCx34. UPA ralentit la croissance tumorale, diminue la prolifération cellulaire (Ki67, PCNA) et inhibe l'expression de BCL2-L1. L'ensemble de nos résultats démontrent une action antiproliférative et apoptotique de l'UPA ce qui suggère une utilisation potentielle d'antagonistes de PR dans la prise en charge du cancer du sein. / The role of progestins and the progesterone receptor (PR) in breast tumorigenesis has now been elucidated. PR is expressed as two isoforms PRA and PRB, differing by their structure and their transcriptional activity. They are often co-expressed in normal breast tissue but the predominance of PRA expression is associated with mammary carcinogenesis, a bad prognosis and an endocrine-resistance. Antiprogestins inhibit mammary tumor growth in several experimental models. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effect of a well-known selective PR modulator (SPRM), Ulipristal acetate (UPA) in two complementary breast cancer models. In vitro, we used the newly established bi-inducible breast cancer cell line “MDA-iPRAB”, and demonstrated an anti-proliferative activity of UPA in progesterone-dependent, PRA-specific MDA-iPRAB cell proliferation. We also studied the expression of PRA-target genes involved in mammary tumorigenesis, and showed a correlation between cell proliferation and the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor BCL2-L1 (transcript and protein). The transcriptional activation of BCL2-L1 was stimulated by the progesterone in MDA-iPRA cell line, inhibited by UPA and was associated with a specific and selective recruitment of PRA to BCL2-L1 regulatory regions (ChIP assays). In vivo, we evaluated the anti-tumoral activity of UPA and a new class of selective and passive progesterone receptor antagonist ‘APRns' in patient-derived breast cancer xenograft in nude mice. UPA slowed down mammary tumor growth, decreased cell proliferation (Ki67, PCNA) and inhibited the BCL2-L1 expression. Further investigation are needed to determine the actions of APRns. In summary, UPA has an antiproliferative and a pro-apoptotic activities, which suggests a potential interest of UPA in breast cancer endocrine therapy.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Jeffrey S. Stevenson / Lactating dairy cows from 2 Kansas farms were used to determine the effectiveness of exogenous progesterone in the form of an intravaginal insert (controlled internal drug release; CIDR) in conjunction with an ovulation-synchronization protocol. Cows were enrolled in a Presynch + Ovsynch protocol after parturition, where they received 2 injections of PGF[subscript]2[alpha], 14 d apart (Presynch) beginning between 30 and 36 DIM. Cows (n = 155) detected in estrus after the second PGF[subscript]2[alpha] injection of Presynch were inseminated (early AI). Remaining cows were assigned randomly to be treated with the Cosynch-72 protocol (GnRH 12 d after last Presynch PGF[subscript]2[alpha] injection, PGF[subscript]2[alpha] 7 d after GnRH, and timed AI + GnRH injection 72 h later) and served as controls (n = 159), or to be treated with the Cosynch-72 protocol and receive a progesterone insert (Ovsynch + CIDR; n = 175) for 7 d between GnRH and PGF[subscript]2[alpha]. Blood was collected at d −22 and −10 (relative to TAI at d 0) to determine cycling status based on progesterone concentrations and again at d 11 post AI to determine luteal competency. Treated cows were assigned body condition scores (BCS) on d −22 and −10. Pregnancy status was confirmed by palpation of the uterus per rectum and its contents on d 38 post-timed AI and verified again 4 wk later. Treatment with the progesterone insert increased timed AI pregnancies per AI in Cosynch- 72 + CIDR-treated cows when compared with controls (38 vs. 24%), but did not differ from early AI cows (38%). Pregnancy loss was numerically less in progesterone-treated cows than in controls (4.4 vs. 11.8%). Our study shows that increased pregnancies per AI can be achieved by the use of a progesterone insert in a reduced population of cows not yet inseminated, but treated with a progesterone insert.

The human ovarian surface epithelium (hOSE) is a cell monolayer that covers the surface of the ovary. Natural events like incessant ovulation, associated reproductive hormone action prior to and post-ovulation, along with the ovulationassociated inflammation, that result in injury and repair of hOSE, are considered to have a role in the development of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Progesterone is apoptotic and anti-inflammatory, whereas androgens appear cytoproliferative for hOSE. Local generation of these steroid hormones is subject to 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity. Moreover, action of these hormones is achieved through coupling to their cognate receptors, progesterone (PR) and androgen receptors (AR). The overall aim of this thesis is to elucidate in vitro the regulation of progesterone and androgen biosynthesis and downstream signalling during the injury and repair of primary hOSE cells that were collected from pre-menopausal women who underwent surgery for benign gynaecological disorders. Injury was mimicked by treatment of cells with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas repair was mimicked with T-lymphocyte, ‘anti-inflammatory’ cytokines. Immunohistochemical studies showed immunodetectable 3β-HSD in the human ovarian cell surface of whole ovary and three-week cultured hOSE cells, establishing 3β-HSD expression in vivo and in vitro. Cross-reaction of the 3β-HSD antibody with both enzyme isoforms did not allow investigation of isoform expression pattern. However, mRNA transcriptional studies with isoform specific primers and probe sets for semi-quantitative (sq) and quantitative (q) PCR revealed expression of both isoforms in hOSE cells; 3β-HSD1 mRNA was expressed at higher levels relative to 3β-HSD2 mRNA in accordance with the preference of this isoform in peripheral non-steroidogenic tissues. Of the cytokines tested, only IL-1α and IL-4 affected 3β-HSD expression. IL- 1α suppressed 3β-HSD1 mRNA, whereas it up-regulated 3β-HSD2 mRNA as assessed with qPCR, without though affecting total 3β-HSD protein and activity levels as assessed with western immunoblotting and radiometric activity assays, respectively. IL-1α did not affect AR or PR mRNA levels, suggesting a balance in androgen and progesterone biosynthesis during post-ovulatory wounding. IL-4 massively induced 3β-HSD1 and 3β-HSD2 mRNA and total 3β-HSD protein and activity. It also attenuated AR mRNA and protein, without affecting PR mRNA. Collectively, these data demonstrate that IL-4 sustains progesterone rather than androgen signalling and this may be part of the anti-inflammatory steroid action that protects hOSE from genetic damage. IL-1α effects appear to be mediated by NF-κB signalling pathway. PI-3K and p38 MAPK appeared involved in IL-1α-induced 3β- HSD2. IL-4-induced 3β-HSDs required STAT-6 and PI-3K pathways and also p38 MAPK at the case of 3β-HSD2. IL-4-attenuated AR was reversed by a p38 MAPK inhibitor. These data suggest that steroid signalling by IL-1α and IL-4 involve multiple signalling pathways. In primary EOC, 3β-HSD1 and 3β-HSD2 transcripts were attenuated relative to hOSE cells, suggestive of an acquired feature of neoplastic transformation. However, both transcripts could be restored after IL-4 treatment, attesting a therapeutic advantage of this cytokine. In conclusion, we have shown that 3β-HSD is under inflammatory control during ovarian post-ovulatory wound healing of hOSE. IL-1α- and IL-4-mediated 3β-HSD1 and 3β-HSD2 are regulated by multiple signalling pathways. Also, IL-4 was identified as an anti-inflammatory agent in hOSE with putative therapeutic benefit in malignancy.

Estrogen therapy (ET) is most effective to reduce menopausal symptoms and prevent other disorders associated with estrogen deficiency. However, Women's Health Initiative studies found that hormone therapy (HT) containing estrogen plus progestogen, but not estrogen-alone increases breast cancer (BC) risk. To prevent the increase in BC risk and yet relieve menopausal symptoms, a novel HT with 17β-estradiol (E2) for symptom relief, progesterone (P4) for uterine protection and melatonin (Mel) for both BC and uterine protection was designed. Inclusion of Mel was postulated to offer uterine protection with lower P4 dose and protect against BC. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of E2, P4 and Mel Therapy (EPMT) on mammary cancer (MC) and uterine protection in MMTV-Neu mouse model that mimics HER2 BC. Starting at 2 months age, female mice received Mel in drinking water at night to supplement endogenous Mel surge; while E2 and P4 Therapy (EPT) was provided continuously in diet until 14 months with weekly MC onset and growth monitoring. Normal mammary, uterus and mammary tumors harvested by month 14 were analyzed for potential mechanisms. The results from this study revealed that EPMT delayed tumor onset leading to a decrease in MC incidence. In addition, mice in the EPMT group had no increase in relative uterine weight as opposite to an increase of this parameter in EPT group versus control. The percent tumor-bearing mice with gross metastatic lung lesions were reduced in Mel, EPT and EPMT groups. Mel receptor, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression revealed that all tissues examined have Mel receptors. However, ER and PR expression varied. In normal mammary tissue, both ERα and PR were detected by immunohistochemistry. However, no ERα and PR were detected in mammary tumors of same mice. In uterus, mice given Mel or EPMT had significant decreases in PR expression but no change in ERα expression compared to control suggesting that Mel-mediated inhibition of ER binding to estrogen response elements may be involved in the down regulation of uterine PRs. Overall, this study reveal that EPMT prevents mammary cancer and may protect against uterotrophy. / Mylan School of Pharmacy and the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; / Pharmacology / PhD; / Dissertation;

Thesis (MSc) Stellenbosch University, 2014 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the effect of the amino acid residues at positions 40 and 407 on the catalytic activity of porcine CYP17A1 was investigated. Porcine cofactor CYB5 was cloned from porcine liver tissue and its effect on the catalytic activity of porcine CYP17A1 was determined. The influence of rat, human and angora CYB5 on the lyase activity of porcine CYP17A1 was subsequently determined and compared to the influence of porcine CYB5. Wt porcine CYP17A1, which has residues Val40 and His407, catalysed the conversion of prog efficiently with ~50% prog converted to 17OHprog (~40%) and A4 (~10%) after 3 hr. After 24 hr, negligible levels prog remained with ~71% 17OHprog and ~25% A4 being produced. Low levels of 16OHprog were formed (~9%). The Leu105Ala mutation reduced wt 17α-hydroxylase activity, with 70% prog remaining after 24 hr while 16OHprog (~10%) levels remained unchanged. Porcine CYP17A1 with residues Leu40 and His407, exhibited similar catalytic activity towards prog as did wt porcine CYP17A1 (Val40 and His407 residues), while porcine CYP17A1 with residues Leu40 and Leu407 increased the formation of A4 2-fold to 54% at 24 hr and porcine CYP17A1 with residues Val40 and Leu407 resulted in the highest formation of A4 (90%). Wt porcine CYP17A1, while having converted 95% of the prog substrate, produces only ~16% A4 after 24 hr. In the presence of porcine CYB5, however, the lyase activity was stimulated with 85% of prog being converted to A4 and only 13% 17OHprog remaining. The lyase activity was also stimulated by CYB5 from other species, resulting in an increase in A4 production of 60.6%, 24% and 11.6% by rat, angora and human CYB5, respectively. The degree of lyase stimulation correlated to the percentage identity of the CYB5 amino acid sequences to porcine CYB5. While the Val and Leu residues at position 40 do not appear to influence the lyase activity of porcine CYP17A1 as prominently as the residue at position 407, it is the charged residue at 407 that plays a significant role in the production of A4, decreasing A4 production irrespective of the Val and the Leu residues at position 40. It would, furthermore, appear that the stimulation of lyase activity of CYP17A1 is the greatest when assaying this activity in the presence of CYB5 of the same species as was detected when co-expressing porcine CYP17A1 and porcine CYB5. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is die invloed van die aminosuurresidue by posisies 40 en 407 op die katalitiese aktiwiteit van vark CYP17A1 ondersoek. Vark CYB5 is geklooneer vanuit vark lewer weefsel en die effek van hierdie kofaktor op die katalitiese aktiwiteit van vark CYP17A1 is bepaal. Die invloed van rot, mens en angora CYB5 op die liase aktiwiteit van vark CYP17A1 is daarna bepaal en vergelyk met die invloed van vark CYB5. Vark CYP17A1-VH, (kodeer Val40 en His407), kataliseer die omskakeling van prog doeltreffend met ~50 % prog wat omgeskakel word na 17OHprog (~40%) en A4 (~10%) na 3 uur. Na 24 uur, is feitlik alle prog omgeskakel, met ~71% 17OHprog en ~25% A4 geproduseer. Lae vlakke 16OHprog is ook gevorm (~9%). Die Leu105Ala mutasie verminder 17α- hidroksilase aktiwiteit, met 70% prog wat na 24 uur nie omgesit is nie, terwyl 16OHprog (~10%) vlakke onveranderd gebly het. Vark CYP17A1-LH (kodeer Leu40 en His407), en CYP17A1-VH het diselfde katalitiese aktiwiteit teenoor prog getoon, terwyl vark CYP17A1-LL (kodeer Leu40 en Leu407) die vorming van A4 2-voudig verhoog het tot 54% na 24 uur. Vark CYP17A1-VL (kodeer Val40 en Leu407) se katalitiese aktiwiteit het gelei tot die hoogste vorming van A4 (90%). Alhoewel CYP17A1-VH, 95% van die prog substraat omgeskakel het is slegs ~16% A4 geproduseer na 24 uur. In die teenwoordigheid van vark CYB5 is die liase aktiwiteit egter gestimuleer, en is 85% van die prog substraat omgeskakel na A4 met slegs 13% 17OHprog teenwoordig na 24 uur. Die liase aktiwiteit is ook gestimuleer deur CYB5 van ander spesies, wat lei tot 'n toename in A4 produksie van 60,6% , 24% en 11,6% deur rot, angora en menslike CYB5, onderskeidelik. Daar is gevind dat daar’n sterk korrelasie is tussen die stimulering van die liase aktiwitieit en die persentasie aminosuur volgorde identiteit van CYB5 afkomstig vanaf die verskillende spesies. Terwyl die Val en die Leu aminosuurresidu op posisie 40 wel die liase aktiwitiet tot ‘n mate beȉnvloed, blyk dit uit die data dat die potitief gelaaide residue by 407 'n belangrike rol speel in die produksie van A4, en A4 produksie verlaag ongeag van die Val en die Leu residu by posisie 40. Dit wil ook verdermeer voorkom asof die stimulering van die liase aktiwiteit van CYP17A1 die hoogste is wanneer die ensiem gekataliseerde reaksie deurgevoer word in die teenwoordigheid van CYB5 en CYP17A1 afkomstig vanaf dieselfde spesies.

Neutrophils infiltrate myometrium and decidual tissue prior to parturition. Activated neutrophils release reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which might increase expression of pro-labor genes such as matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), progesterone receptor (PR) A/B ratio, and cause demethylation of DNA. These changes might cause labor. Decidual tissue was obtained from consented, healthy women at term (37+ weeks of gestation) not in labor (no contractions, without cervical effacement), term labor and preterm labor (under 37 weeks of pregnancy). Decidual and myometrial cells in culture were treated with (1) ROS, (2) TNFα, or (3) 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine. Total RNA was extracted, converted to cDNA and evaluated by qRT-PCR for MMP-1, PR-A+B and PR-B. TNFα increased MMP-1 by 17 fold in decidual cells and more than 12 fold in myometrial cells. PR-A/B was increased by 5.6 fold in decidua. ROS up-regulated MMP-1 by 6 fold and elevated the PR-A/B ratio by 4.5 fold in decidual tissue. DNA demethylation increased MMP-1 by about 4 and 11 fold in decidual and myometrium, respectively. The PR-A/B ratio was increased by 4 fold in decidua and the PR-B was decreased by 40% in the myometrium due to DNA demethylation. Decidual tissue in preterm labor showed a 7-fold increase in MMP-1 over term laboring and over a 15-fold increase over term not in labor tissue. In conclusion, MMP-1 expression and PR-A/B ratio was increased by neutrophil products possibly through a mechanism of DNA methylation in decidua and myometrium. Preterm decidua showed a dramatic increase in MMP-1 over normal labor tissue. TNFα and ROS increased expression of MMP-1 to possibly initiate parturition. These data might help explain mechanisms responsible for preterm labor unrelated to infection or premature rupture of membranes.

La chimiorésistance des cancers est caractérisée par une résistance pléïotropique à de multiples médicaments. Ce mécanisme est en partie causé par la surexpression des transporteurs à «ATP binding cassette» (Pgp, MRP1, BCRP…). Les inhibiteurs connus de ces transporteurs comme la cyclosporine A, le vérapamil et le RU486 sont toxiques à doses élevées. Dans cette étude, de nombreux dérivés stéroïdiens synthétisés au laboratoire à base de progestérone ou d’acides biliaires ont été évalués pour leur capacité à inhiber les transporteurs ABC et plus spécifiquement les fonctions de transport par la Pgp ou la BCRP. Plusieurs de ces dérivés synthétisés se sont avérés capables de restaurer complètement la sensibilité des cellules résistantes d’une manière plus importante que la cyclosporine A in vitro. De plus, le meilleur des nos dérivés testés s’est avéré capable in vivo de diminuer significativement la progression tumorale de xénogreffe sur les souris et d’augmenter la durée de survie des souris. Cette étude a ainsi permis d’ouvrir la voie au développement de nouveaux dérivés stéroïdiens peu toxiques ayant la capacité d’inhiber le phénotype MDR et de restaurer la sensibilité des cellules cancéreuses vis-à-vis des agents chimiothérapeutiques utilisés, avec un perspective d’application clinique / The chemoresistance of cancer is characterized by a pleitropic resistance to multiple drugs. This mechanism is partly caused by the overexpression of “ATP Binding Cassette” transporters (Pgp, MRP1, BCRP…). Known inhibitors of these transporters such as cyclosporin A, verapamil and RU486 rather toxic at high doses. In this study, many steroid derivatives synthesized in the laboratory (from progesterone or bile acid precursor) to bind and inhibit ABC transporters, specifically the transport by Pgp or BCRP. Several of these synthetic derivatives were able to completely restore the sensivity of the resistant cells compared to cysclosporine A in vitro. In addition, the efficient of these derivatives could, in vivo significantly reduce tumor growth of xenografts on mice and increase survival time of mice. This study opens a route for development of new steroid derivatives with low toxicity, having the ability to reverse the MDR phenotype and restore sensitivity of cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic agents use, with a perspective at clinical use

Orientador: José Luis Moraes Vasconcelos / Banca: Ciro Moraes Barros / Banca: Roberto Sartori Filho / Resumo: O objetivo desse experimento foi avaliar o efeito de tratamentos com progesterona (P4) na indução de estro, concepção e prenhez em novilhas Nelore prépuberes. Novilhas Nelore (n = 935) com idade média de 24,0 ± 1,13 meses, peso de 298,0 ± 1,89 Kg e ECC 3,2 ± 0,26, foram submetidas a dois exames ultrassonográficos com intervalo de sete dias (d-19 e d-12) para determinar a presença ou ausência de CL, e aquelas com presença de CL em uma ou ambas avaliações foram consideradas púberes (Grupo PGF; n = 346). No dia -12 as novilhas consideradas pré-púberes foram divididas aleatoriamente para não receberem tratamento (Grupo CIDR0; n = 113), para receberem um dispositivo intravaginal novo contendo 1,9 g de P4 (Grupo CIDR1; n = 237), ou para receberem um dispositivo utilizado previamente por 27 dias (Grupo CIDR4; n = 239). No dia zero foi retirado o CIDR das novilhas dos tratamentos CIDR1 e CIDR4, e as novilhas do tratamento PGF receberam aplicação de prostaglandina F2 . Todas as novilhas foram submetidas à palpação retal para avaliação do escore uterino (EU) e amostras de sangue foram colhidas para dosagens de P4. O diâmetro do maior folículo (ØFOL) foi mensurado em todas as novilhas no dia zero. A partir do dia um (d1) todas as novilhas foram submetidas à observação de estro durante 45 dias e inseminadas seguindo o esquema: cio manhã / IA tarde do mesmo dia e cio tarde / IA no dia seguinte de manhã e depois foram expostas a touros por mais 45 dias de estação de monta (EM). As variáveis contínuas foram avaliadas pelo PROC GLM e as binomiais pelo PROC LOGISTIC do SAS. Nas novilhas prépúberes, houve influência (P < 0,05) do tratamento nas concentrações de P4 no dia 0 (CIDR0: 0,43 ± 0,16; CIDR1: 2,26 ± 0,11; CIDR4: 1,22 ± 0,11 ng/ml), ØFOL (CIDR0: 9,41 ± 0,24; CIDR1: 9,73 ± 0,17; CIDR4: 11,37 ± 0,16 mm), EU no dia... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of treatments with progesterone (P4) on the rates of induced estrus, conception and pregnancy in pre-pubertal Nelore heifers. Nelore heifers (n = 935) with 24.0 ± 1.13 months, body weight of 298.0 ± 1.89 Kg and body conditional score (BCS) of 3.2 ± 0.26 were submitted to two ultrasound examinations 7 d apart (d -19 and -12) to determine the presence or absence of CL, and those with presence of CL in at least one examination were considered pubertal (PGF; n = 346). On d -12, the pre-pubertal heifers were randomly assigned to receive no treatments (group CIDR0; n = 113), a new intravaginal insert containing 1.9 g of P4 (group CIDR1; n = 237) or a P4 insert used previously for 27 d (group CIDR4; n = 239). On d 0, heifers from treatments CIDR1 and CIDR4 had inserts removed, and heifers from treatment PGF received a prostaglandin F2 treatment. Also, heifers were rectally palpated for uterine score (US) evaluation, blood samples were taken for P4 analysis and follicular diameter (ØFOL) was measured in all heifers on d 0. Beginning on d 1, animals were observed for estrus and inseminated during 45 d [estrus morning / artificial insemination (AI) afternoon of same day and estrus afternoon / AI on next day morning] and further exposed to natural breeding from d 46 to 90 of breeding season (BS). Continuous variables were evaluated by PROC GLM and binomial variables by PROC LOGISTIC of SAS. In pre-pubertal heifers, there were effects of treatment (P < 0.05) on serum concentrations of P4 at d 0 (CIDR0: 0.43 ± 0.16; CIDR1: 2.26 ± 0.11; CIDR4: 1.22 ± 0.11 ng/mL), ØFOL (CIDR0: 9.41 ± 0.24; CIDR1: 9.73 ± 0.17; CIDR4: 11.37 ± 0.16 mm), US at d 0 (CIDR0: 1.46 ± 0.06; CIDR1: 1.86 ± 0.04; CIDR4: 2.20 ± 0.04), means days to show estrus (CIDR0: 4.45 ± 0.28; CIDR1: 3.52 ± 0.13; CIDR4: 3.19 ± 0.14 days), estrus detection rate in 7 d of BS... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre